DENISON, TX--The Rialto theater in downtown Denison has just been re-opened and for it's first opening weekend they decided to play a movie that has a special place in Denison's heart.
" We decided to show Red River on this weekend being that it's really our first weekend open and you know, we've had several people send us recommendations on what they wanted to see and Red River was the one that kept coming up because it premiered here in 1948. " Says Greg Guyman, owner of the Rialto.
The 1948 western "Red River" world premiere was held in Denison and some life-long Texoma locals remember the night they saw the film sixty-five years ago.
" It was a big deal, it premiered in 1948 and we came from Kemp, Oklahoma to see it." Says Larry DeLashaw.
"Oh sure, this is where it premiered at. I don't think John Wayne came but I think some of the movie stars did." Says Benton Helm.
Movie go-ers say that the night Red River premiered was huge for the area and now that the Rialto is back they hope it provides more good memories like that for the younger generations.
Owner and movie lover Greg Guyman says it's been such an honor to be able to bring this theater back to life and have days like Sunday.
"We actually had some of the original people who were here to see that grand opening, or premiere of Red River. They were here, and to hear their stories about what it looked like and what it sounded like on the screen. It was just awesome for those people to be here." Says Guyman.
Greg hopes to bring the community a lot more classics like Red River and even more memories for the people of Denison.
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