Capri Theater
3500 East Independence Boulevard,
Charlotte,
NC
28205
3500 East Independence Boulevard,
Charlotte,
NC
28205
3 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 63 comments found
Love the “Die Monster Die” playbill/lobby card! That’s from 1965 – some of my father’s work. The stage show was partly the draw and though it probably did seem to be a strange holiday film, the campy horror films (and even today’s gory ones) were a guaranteed money-maker, particularly in the small towns. “Dr. Evil”, I believe, was Phil Morris, of Morris Costume. If somebody knows different, please correct me!
I have by the Capri I think,Had good friend managed several ABC Theatres there.
Sure looks like a 60,s theatre,looks good as a nightclub.
Thanks PatriciaNC.outta check out Diane 29 drive in Gastonia,Maybe YOU can answer the rumor I wrote,Seems like no one from your state has ever heard about the story of the Diane 29 Drive-in owner finding his family dead.
A photo I took 3/10 — now housing The Blvd (nightclub):
View link
The ghost of the Capri…it was said to be haunted by the ghost of the first manager, Ryt Suez (Ryt Hassan “Suez” D'Suesse) who committed suicide at home April 25, 1967. One of the cleaning crew (a husband and wife team) back in the 1970s was down in front of the auditorium (in the wide expanse from the front row to the stage – yes, a real stage!) when she saw a man standing in the doorway at the back as if to start down the aisle. Assuming it was Mr. Brand, the current manager, she waved and called out to him. The figure gave no response and when she started forward, the figure vanished. Another time, just as she entered the lobby she saw a man in a suit cross the lobby to the office. Again, assuming it was Mr. Brand she followed him only to discover she was alone. The cleaning crew, understandably, preferred cleaning in the early morning rather than late at night. More later…
Worth – I remember you – my father, Edward Marks, was always impressed with your talent with horror make-up and effects.
By the way, in the opening history of this theatre at top of page I notice the writer describes the seats as rocking chair seats – I do not remember the seats as such. The only theatre in Charlotte that I knew of with rocking chair seats was the Park Terrace.
Friday/Saturday nights at the Capri – still boggles my mind that during The Exorcist (1974) we’d sell out (can you imagine selling 900+ tickets for one show these days?) – the crowd at the concession stand could get a bit impatient but once you got a rhythm going back there it would go pretty smooth (well, most of the time anyway).
I worked at The Capri in 1972 – 1973. It was still a single screen theatre, but it still required a staff of up to ten on a Friday or Saturday night. I lost my job at the Capri for spending too much time watching the films. I returned to the Capri in 1979 when a movie that I had directed premiered there.
According to an item in Boxoffice Magazine, November 2, 1964, the opening feature at the Capri was the Polly Bergen-Fred MacMurray comedy “Kisses for my President.” You never heard of it? Neither did I, and apparently neither has anyone else. There aren’t even any reviews of it at Rotten Tomatoes.
Boxoffice gave the original seating capacity of the Capri as 995. The house was equipped for both 35mm and 70mm projection.
Note – I keep putting an “e” on the end of Stewart & Everett – my apologies as that is not correct!
Opening date for The Capri was set to be October 16, 1964. Some newspaper research at the local library should verify that it did open then. Here is a link to a photo of the marquee in 1975:
View link
Patricia,I saw your flickr pics of the Capri Theatre when it was a single screen theatre back in 1966. The showing on the marquee was “Promise Her Anything” with Warren Beatty and Natalie Wood. The picture shows a line of folks stretching towards the parking lot. Interesting. Tell Chuck its in there.
Also interesting that you added to:
flickr pics of the Ansonia Theatre in Wadesboro in 1963 along with the Center Theatre in Monroe and also The Colony Theatre in Wilmington from 1963. Write me sometime. I do have an email address on my site under “raysson”.
Patricia, I looked all through your flickr pics and could see none of the Capri. Am I missing something?
Here’s a link direct to picture mentioned previously:
View link
Okay, here’s my little history of The Capri. I don’t really know when it opened so will stick with c1965 for now. One thing, it wasn’t twinned first and a third screen added—see as follows: The Capri Theatre opened around 1965. It was built and operated by Stewart & Everette Theatres. Unusual ceiling detail (we called them upside-down pyramids but I’m sure there is an architectural word for them) was not only outside but inside the lobby as well. It had one screen and 995 seats with a back center smoking section in the auditorium. (a low wall surrounded these seats and ashtrays were attachedâ€"I believe to the back of the seats). It had a real stage with a beautiful gold, satin(silk?)-brocade curtain that was raised just before the previews and lowered between shows (though eventually they stopped doing that). Wonderful to watch the rippled pleats as it rose and fell. They often used a color-wheel on the curtain when it was closed along with background music. Color wheels were also in place in a double-fountain out front. A double driveway with overhang for the comfort of passengers being let out or picked up was between the fountains and the box-office. Ladies’ restroom had a separate lounge area (though not as pretty as the Park Terrace’s). Sometime around 1975 a 2nd auditorium was added—seating capacity maybe around 350? After 1980 the large auditorium was split and the Capri could then call itself a tri-plex.
Picture of the theatre from 1966 posted at my flickr site: View link
One more thing: Stewart & Everette did not own/operate the Freedom Mall Cinemas but I have honestly forgotten who did! Only The Village and The Capri were Stewart & Everette’s in Charlotte.
Was owned and operated under the Stewart and Everett Theatre chain,which also operated the Village Theatre and the Freedom Mall Cinemas. Carmike acquired the Capri when S&E folded,and at the time was the only theatre chain under Carmike Cinemas that survived along the construction and renovation of Independence Blvd. I heard the cinema has been transformed into a nightclub.
Carmike also owned and operated Town Cinema 6 and University Place.
If anyone has photos of Capri from ANY era please email me.
Thanks
Capri was saved! It is now a night club called Stir. Not sure what type of club this is but the parking lot is PACKED every Friday and Saturday night. ITs good to see the old girl thriving.
The Capri opened in 1964. It was first twinned in 1975 and a third screen was constructed along side the original structure a few years after that.
The World premier of the documentary ‘Stockcar!’ took place here on May 27, 1977.
The theatre is to be demolished to make way for the Metro Transit System that will run through Independence Boulevard(US. Highway 74)
Contact Information for Capri Justin 704-663-5115
Does anyone know who runs the Capri? I would love to find out who is in charge of rentals there.
The Capri has closed again after a multi month run of ‘Menopause: The Musical’. No other presentations are planned at this time. At least the building got a modest rehab and awaits the next person with some ideas for the space.
I will be sending them via Gmail.
:)
I hope you’ll email a few anyway. I’d like to see the place.