Local News

'That's all folks:' Raleigh's final Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Rialto -- for now?

Going to Friday night's midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Rialto has been a coming-of-age ritual for many young Raleighites. After decades of dancing to the 'Time Warp,' over a thousand people showed up last Friday for the final airing of the cult classic.

Posted Updated
That’s all folks:’ Raleigh’s final Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Rialto (for now?)
By
Heather Leah
, WRAL multiplatform producer

Going to Friday night's midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Rialto has been a coming-of-age ritual for many young Raleighites. After decades of dancing to the 'Time Warp,' over a thousand people showed up last Friday for the final airing of the cult classic.

Some were there for the nostalgia, having not been to a Rocky showing in years. Others were there to bring their own teens, letting the next generation experience the live show before it's lights out.

For those who spent many Friday nights watching the cult classic among friends, it became a tradition. Many swear The Rialto had the best live version of the show of anywhere they'd seen.

"It's such an iconic Raleigh event," said one viewer, who had brought a Rocky 'virgin' along with her. "Growing up here, it was great to have somewhere you could go as a teenager that was fun and safe, but crazy and silly at the same time."

Having not seen the show since she was 18, she said she was looking forward to reliving the past.

The Rialto held three showings that night, and all of them sold out quickly as crowds rushed to say goodbye to what could be – but hopefully isn't – the final Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Rialto.

"Bittersweet. It came out in 1975. I don't know when they started showing it here, but it feels like the end of an era," said Linda, another audience member.

That's all folks:' Raleigh's final Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Rialto. (Image courtesy of the State Archives of North Carolina).

The end of an era: Remembering the first, but hopefully not final, days of The Rialto

"I have mixed feelings" said Bill Peebles, the owner of The Rialto who is retiring after over 30 years. Peebles owned many of the local theaters that held a special place in the hearts of Triangle residents: The Colony, Mission Valley, The Lumina, Six Forks and, of course, The Rialto.

Most of his theaters had a similar feeling – personal service and simple, classic fun.

Many viewing Rocky Horror Picture Show that night had other fond memories of Peebles' theaters, like midnight showings at Mission Valley.

"It's a hobby that got out of control," laughs Peebles, who graduated from NC State with a Bachelor of Engineering in 1986 and originally worked in hardware and software design.

Like many viewers, Peebles says the feeling of saying goodbye is bittersweet.

"Mixed feelings," he said. "I am very pleased with what we've done over the last 32 years. Great movies. Shakespeare in Love. King's Speech. I'm going to miss the fiercely loyal patrons, the great staff we've assembled. But at the same time, on to the next chapter."

What does Peebles' next chapter hold?

"I'll let you know tomorrow what I do today," he says.

That’s all folks:’ Raleigh’s final Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Rialto (for now?)

As for the fate of The Rialto, Peebles says they'll be suspending operations for a period of time.

"Is it one day? Is it once month? I don't know. We are in discussions with several people, who will carry on The Rialto however they want to carry it on. I hope they'll want to carry on with art independent movies, supplementing with special events," he says.

Many Rialto fans agree, saying they hope the future owners respect the traditions they've grown to love.

"I've done all the heavy lifting with restoration of the property. It's up to them just to book it and run. They really have an easy job," says Peebles.

The Rialto is one of very few theaters that has run continuously for 80 years. The building first opened as an A&P grocery store in 1936, but Peebles says they "literally drove a bulldozer through the back of the building." The Colony opened to the public in 1942, showing commercial mainstream films from the Golden Era of Hollywood.

In roughly the 1960s, The Colony switched over to X-rated films as it struggled to compete with modern theaters. However, when a new owner took over in the 1970s, they wanted to get away from that genre and reputation. They rebranded to The Rialto and started showing art independent movies.

Peebles took over in 1989. In 1992 he began restoration into the theater most people know today.

"There are very few theaters like this left in the country," said Sandra, sitting in the crowd at Rocky Horror Picture Show. "When you come here, it's a personal experience. You run into neighbors. You run into friends. it's easy and familiar and intimate."

That’s all folks:’ Raleigh’s final Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Rialto (for now?)

Is this the last Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Rialto?

The crowd on that final Friday showing was full of people dressed in black, with fishnets, with colorful hair – but also people simply wearing T-shirts and jeans. Like Legends or The Fallout Shelter – two other iconic pieces of Raleigh nightlife that could be saying goodbye – part of the charm was the inclusiveness, "come as you are" energy of the crowd.

The other part of the fun: Interactive chaos.

Far more than watching a cult classic, the crowd gets to throw toilet paper at each other, toss rice, sing loudly, dance along with the actors and – before the pandemic – even take part in the renowned underwear run.

Once upon a time, they also allowed water guns – but Peebles has a funny story about that.

That’s all folks:’ Raleigh’s final Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Rialto (for now?)

"When we renovated the theater, we resurfaced the theater floor. Great for cleaning up -- but when it gets wet, it gets slippery. We told the Rocky kids NO water guns. Well you know how kids are: They hear what you say and then immediately ignore you. Well, out come the squirt guns, so they can have 'rain' in the theater. They go running down the aisle and turn left -- and boom! We have a football tackle pile of 30 people who didn't make that turn," laughs Peebles. "After that, no water guns."

It was the interaction with the live actors that really made The Rialto's version of Rocky stand out – even among showings in other venues.

"We've allowed the cast a lot of freedom to do what they want to do. They have freedom to make it what they will, and I think that's why it's as special as it is," says Peebles.

Peebles says the future is uncertain, but he does plan to sell The Rialto and hopes the new owners will continue where he left off.

So, is this the last Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Rialto – for a while, at least?

That’s all folks:’ Raleigh’s final Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Rialto (for now?)

"I wish I could say, but I can't. It'll be whatever the cast works out with my successor. That's between them," says Peebles.

As the oldest theater in Raleigh, The Rialto has collected many beloved traditions.

As a fan in the audience said, "I hope whoever takes over respects those traditions."

 Credits 

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.