Historic Houston movie theater closes due to pandemic

Jeet Singh and Rubi Morgan take a selfie with the River Oaks Theatre marquee after watching "Minari" on the second last day of the theater Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Houston. The pair was going to buy tickets of the last screening of the theater, but the show was sold out so they picked the second last day. (Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Fans and patrons of the Landmark River Oaks Theatre do the "Time Warp", from the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" as they demonstrate against the potential closure of the historic movie theater Sunday, March 7, 2021, in Houston. The historic Houston theater that director Richard Linklater called his “film school” and that for decades was the place to catch hard-to-find independent and foreign films has closed for good. Like many U.S. movie theaters and other businesses, the River Oaks Theatre was a victim of the coronavirus pandemic.. ( Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

River Oaks Theatre staff Soren Scribner changing the marquee signs to say farewell on the second last day of the theater Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Houston. The historic theater that director Richard Linklater called his “film school” and that for decades was the place to catch hard-to-find independent and foreign films has closed for good. Like many U.S. movie theaters and other businesses, the River Oaks Theatre was a victim of the coronavirus pandemic. (Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP)

A woman walks past by River Oaks Theatre's neon marquee on the second last day of the theater Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Houston. The historic theater that director Richard Linklater called his “film school” and that for decades was the place to catch hard-to-find independent and foreign films has closed for good. Like many U.S. movie theaters and other businesses, the River Oaks Theatre was a victim of the coronavirus pandemic.(Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP)

People buying tickets to see films at River Oaks Theatre on the second last day of the theater Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Houston. The historic theater that director Richard Linklater called his “film school” and that for decades was the place to catch hard-to-find independent and foreign films has closed for good. Like many U.S. movie theaters and other businesses, the River Oaks Theatre was a victim of the coronavirus pandemic. (Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Alexandra Lechin shares her story of River Oaks Theatre during a candlelight vigil for the theater after its final showings Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Houston. The historic theater that director Richard Linklater called his “film school” and that for decades was the place to catch hard-to-find independent and foreign films has closed for good. Like many U.S. movie theaters and other businesses, the River Oaks Theatre was a victim of the coronavirus pandemic. (Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP)

David Purdie takes a photograph of the River Oaks Theatre farewell marquee sign on the final day of showing films Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Houston. Purdie, who grew up in the neighborhood, said he has been coming to the theater and watching films since 1971. (Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP)

A driver passing by gives their support to fans and patrons of the Landmark River Oaks Theatre demonstrating against the potential closure of the historic movie theater Sunday, March 7, 2021, in Houston. The historic theater that director Richard Linklater called his “film school” and that for decades was the place to catch hard-to-find independent and foreign films has closed for good. Like many U.S. movie theaters and other businesses, the River Oaks Theatre was a victim of the coronavirus pandemic. ( Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

River Oaks Theatre staff Ricky Ruiz helping guests buying tickets as screenings are selling out at the box office on the second last day of the theater Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Houston. The historic theater that director Richard Linklater called his “film school” and that for decades was the place to catch hard-to-find independent and foreign films has closed for good. Like many U.S. movie theaters and other businesses, the River Oaks Theatre was a victim of the coronavirus pandemic.(Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via AP)