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Married:
- 1930 US Census - Dist 21, Morrilton, Conway Co., AR
Ward VanHook, 32, b. AR, manager of theater
Louise VanHook, 22, b. LA
Located in the small town of Morrilton, Arkansas, the Rialto Theatre has a rich history stretching over nearly 100 years.
Guy O. Vail opened what is now the Rialto in 1911. This was the first motion picture theatre in Morrilton and remained Vail's until the spring of 1925 when it was sold to I.W. Nance of nearby Conway. After Nance's purchase, the theatre was renamed to The Grand Theatre. Two years later Arkansas Amusement Enterprises, Inc, a subsidiary of Malco Theatres, Inc., purchased the theatre and officially renamed it the Rialto Theatre.
Robert Ward VanHook took over as manager of the Rialto in September 1928. During his time the arrival of talking pictures, or "talkies", was originally delayed due to a lack of response in other AAE theatres around that state. Late in 1929 it was officially announced that "talkies" would officially be coming to Morrilton. In preparation for their debut, the Rialto was again remolded and acoustically treated to accommodate the new innovation. "Fast Life" was the first movie shown on February 16, 1930 and the latest in motion and talking pictures had made its way to Morrilton.
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1897 - 1968