Against the backdrop of the 1964 Republican Convention, a San Francisco cocktail waitress became one of the city’s most popular entertainers after making her debut as America’s first topless dancer.

The new documentary feature CAROL DODA TOPLESS AT THE CONDOR tells the story of the fresh-faced girl next door who defied convention and the law by gyrating atop a white baby grand piano and turning a North Beach nightclub into the city’s second-most-popular tourist attraction after the Golden Gate Bridge. Meanwhile, Doda’s very public use of silicone to enhance her breasts launched a new industry. Directors Marlo McKenzie and Jonathan Parker share an unprecedented look at Doda’s life and legacy, as well as a behind-the-scenes tour of the vibrant, sometimes outrageous and always entertaining world of North Beach.

“As a portrait of an offbeat showbiz world pushing the boundaries of expression, led by a no-holds-barred icon, “Carol Doda Topless at the Condor” is a buoyant tribute to a life of exposure.” (Los Angeles Times)

“Co-directors McKenzie and Parker offer an absolute treasure trove of vintage film footage shot in, around and about San Francisco’s North Beach as they chronicle the parallel lines of her career and the cultural sea change that it precipitated.” (Variety)

“A sharp picture of the inimitably cool Doda as more than just a symbol of both exploitation and cultural change, but also as an ambitious entertainer, a caustic wit, and a melancholic enigma.” (RogerEbert.com)

“Provocative, engrossing and illuminating.” (NYC Movie Guru)

Friday, April 5
Featuring a live burlesque pre-show presented by The Vancouver Burlesque Co.
Doors 8:15 pm | Movie 8:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
General Admission Tickets $18 HERE
Bring a Pal! Double D Date Night Tickets $30 HERE

Sunday, April 7
Featuring a live burlesque pre-show presented by The Vancouver Burlesque Co.
Doors 3:30 pm | Movie 4:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
General Admission Tickets $18 HERE
Bring a Pal! Double D Date Night Tickets $30 HERE

CAROL DODA TOPLESS AT THE CONDOR (Marlo McKenzie & Jonathan Parker, 2024 / 100 mins / 18A) A documentary set in San Francisco in 1964 when Carol Doda became the first dancer to go topless and in the process, became a tourist attraction second only to the Golden Gate Bridge.

*Must be 19+ w/ID for entry.
*Sorry, Rio Theatre Groupons and passes n/a for this event.
*Online sales end an hour before showtime; unless otherwise noted, tickets are always available for purchase at the box office prior to showtime (subject to availability).  Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime.
*All seating is General Admission; please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats and time for treats.

*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale.