Every Saturday afternoon, residents at Bethesda Hawthorne Place gather in the community theater, popcorn in hand, for a standing date with “Joe’s Matinee.” The lights dim, the familiar introductory music starts, and neighbors and friends would settle in for an afternoon of entertainment and memories—all thanks to Joe Rivituso.
Joe, one of Bethesda Hawthorne Place’s first residents, has hosted these weekly movie viewings since the assisted living community opened in 2017. Prior to moving into Bethesda Hawthorne Place, Joe spent 35 years as a utility worker climbing poles, and that same steadiness and dedication now guide him as the community’s resident movie host. In fact, he estimates he has shown around 350 films.
Joe’s interest in entertainment began early on. In 1965, when he was 17, his father bought him a ticket to “The Frank Sinatra Spectacular,” a benefit held in St. Louis at the Kiel Opera House that featured Johnny Carson, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra himself, as well as the other members of the Rat Pack.
“They broadcast the performance. It was very funny,” Joe says. “I own the video and have shown it every year here, and people seem to like it, too.”
Joe estimates that his personal collection totals more than 200 DVDs. Each week, he selects a movie, provides the DVD cover for staff to copy and use to promote it, and helps post a flyer so residents can get a sneak-peek at what’s playing next. When Saturday arrives, the team members prepare refreshments and set the scene in the darkened theater—once a standard activity room that was redesigned into a true movie lounge, primarily due to Joe’s love of his movies and his weekly “Matinees.”
“I also choose the music for people to enjoy as they’re finding their seats and getting their popcorn, and then I show the movie,” Joe says.
His selections vary widely. He’s shown Sleepless in Seattle, Ghost, The Godfather and The Guns of Navarone. Concerts and comedy specials from Dean Martin and the Grand Ole Opry also make regular appearances.
“They like anything, so I try to mix it up,” Joe says of his fellow residents. “My personal favorite is The Godfather. It’s a good story and good acting.”
Erika Roedel, the Life Enrichment Coordinator at Bethesda Hawthorne Place, says Joe’s movie collection has become an important part of the community’s activity calendar.
“To be honest, Joe saved us a few times with planned activities that for one reason or another go awry,” Erika says. “If we were watching a video or listening to music and the streaming function failed, we knew Joe probably had what we needed. In fact, he would bring a backup just in case.”
Many residents look forward to the weekly gatherings. Joan Emmett, who moved to Bethesda Hawthorne Place in 2023, rarely misses a Saturday matinee. She fondly recalls going to the movies as a child in Evansville, Ill., where she watched news reels before the feature began. A political science major in college, Joan has always been drawn to documentaries, but these days she especially enjoys Disney films, appreciating how they can be enjoyed at different ages.
“It makes me think back to good memories,” she says. “It’s nice that Joe would do this for us.”
When asked what keeps him excited about offering “Joe’s Matinees,” Joe’s answer is simple.
“People like to see them,” he says. “And I like it when people say they enjoyed it.”
And that’s exactly why the show always goes on.
Editor’s Note: Sadly, Joe Rivituso passed away in December 2025. At the request of his family, this story is included in honor of Joe and the Saturday matinee tradition he loved sharing with his community.
For more resident stories, visit Bethesda’s blog.
Back to All Posts