Oscar-winning movie director Quentin Tarantino recently withdrew an offer to buy the closed Rialto Theatre in South Pasadena, California, reported the South Pasadena Review.
According to South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce President Scott Feldmann, Tarantino agreed to a contract for a short period of time, before pulling back on his offer prior to closing the deal. However, Feldmann said he’s hopeful a second bidder will finalize a deal to purchase the Rialto.
Mark Friedman, Tarantino’s business manager, reportedly told Feldmann that Quentin became heavily involved in a huge filmmaking project in Europe shortly after putting in an offer to buy the theater, and could not devote the time and resources necessary to carrying out the purchase of the theatre.
Feldmann said Tarantino’s plans for the Rialto had included re-opening the movie house to screen classic films in a 35mm format, while focusing attention to completely restoring the theater, once known for its Vaudeville shows in the 1920s.
Tarantino — famed for his Academy Award-winning films “Pulp Fiction,” “Django Unchained” and “Inglourious Basterds” — is set to begin production on a new western film in January.
Feldmann told the newspaper he was “bummed” Tarantino nixed the deal, but remained optimistic a buyer would be found and the theater reopened.
Tarantino also owns a movie house in the Los Angeles region — the New Beverly Cinema, where it shows double features of old films.
The Rialto Theatre, at 1023 Fair Oaks Ave., is part of the original 1926 alignment of Route 66. Built in 1925, the theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The theater will need a lot of work. Its vertical neon sign worked itself loose two years ago to the point where city officials thought it would become a safety hazard. The theater was put up for sale in June.
(Hat tip: Chris Willman; image of the Rialto Theatre by Scott Lowe via Flickr)
It was my understanding that the deal with Tarantino was not firm but more hopeful than anything. As mentioned in the article, I believe that another purchaser will be coming forward soon and the hope is that they will also be interested in preservation as well.