This theatre is the sister to London Ontario LOEWS[demolished in 1989]It is a wonderful theatre!The front half is original and i think the back half could be returned to its better half.It was divided times 3 in 1976.I hope the city of Windsor knows what a gem they have.
Yes,i am also an old school projectionist,film gets a very bad rap because of the no school approach to film handling.It is astonishing how great film can look even with todays computer generated images projected on oversized screens with a short throw and dirty port windows.Film done right is magic!
I hope Digital cinema will help the existing single screen movie palace.I also hope filmmakers are shooting for quality beyond 70mm ,Imax ,Showscan and even Cinerama!Digital Cinema needs to be more than a little better.
A couple more corrections. The Capitol had no balcony,it was twinned in 1976 keeping the stage front half mostly intact but with a normal modern screen,speakers behind the screen.D.T.S in both theatres.
Jack Warner of Warner Brothers was born in London Ontario Canada and this led to some films such as “The Sea Wolf"having special premiers at the Capitol.
Above i wrote “you tear it down feb 25…I should have June 25.It shocked me when i noticed the error,i had feb in my mind because it opened in February 1920.Where are my proof readers?
In 1984 Purple Rain was playing at Capitol 1 ,All OF ME AT Capitol 2.Prince came to London to see All of me[Steve Martin].He was performing in Detroit and took a quiet night off away from the chaos,he visited the projection booth,not sure why. The projectionist Jack Moody said he was very polite.In the 60s Jerry Lewis made an appearance.I have a photo of that.
I was told this theater was 70mm capable,i would love to find out what films played in 70mm if any.I will never forget coming out of Jaws and seeing seagulls everywhere on the Detroit river as the theater itself was right on the shore line facing Detroit.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid played here for 26 weeks, a house record.The Godfather,Godfather II,Serpico,The French Connection 1 and 2,The Chinese Connection,Enter the Dragon,Fists of fury,One flew over the cuckoos nest.I think Mary Poppins had 3 engagements and on its last run they had a banner up out front “HOME OF MARY POPPINS”.I look forward to other people sharing some Capitol memories.PLEASE!
The owner of the Capitol facade has agreed not to tear down any more of it for 8 months.At which time he will decide if he likes city councils bumbling progress of serving his every wish [he is very powerful and not to be crossed]The Capitol was our last movie palace downtown,now we have none left!A fair without a ferris wheel is not a proper fair.I am completely shattered and heart broken.I want to see the facade preserved but it will never be the same with a parking lot grave in the back.I wish this page could be updated to 1400 seats,opened in 1920 , architect C Howard Crane,and firm Allen theater company.I will at some point create a link with pictures.
It seemed odd to tear something down for parking and not use or even pave the the site for weeks on end.Now it makes perfect sence,you tear it down sunday feb 25 then in september bring the crane back and threaten to finish the job,do as i say or the the facade gets it.City hall council is now tripping over each other to stop Mr Farhi the destucktor from creating a gap tooth in the broken heart of downtown.He makes big demands and get a red carpet of wishes granted and the crane disapears after 4 months of sitting in one spot.
Actually,it was demolished in 2001 along with the entire mall which was completely vacant except for the 6 plex.This was never a single screen theatre,it opened in 1976-77 as a 3 plex and expanded to 6 in 1986ish.It was a Famous Players complex.
Yes this was a cool theatre.I saw Jaws and The sting at this theatre.I also loved the Vanity theatre the Centre and the Palace.Anyone know the history of these other Windsor theatres?
The wrecking crane is back on site the last 2 weeks faceing the hallway facade but nothing more has been smashed yet.I believe they plan to demolish at least half of the 200 foot long facade and would have already but complications arose when on june 25,part of the auditoreum fell on the building next door.The owner has since bought the store front next to the capitol facade and will now demolish both or part of them.The capitol opened in feb 1920 as the allen and was part of about 5 theatres the allen theatre company built then, useing C Howard Crane.This wonderful theatre had 1400 seats and Canadas finest pipe organ at the time.It was built as a movie theatre with the finest of everything such as heating ,air,projection and acoustics for the 18 piece orchestra.This was a very ornate theatre.It became the Capitol when Famous Players took over after Allens bankrupsy.Over the decades this theatre became known in Hollywood for its all out showmanship which is evident from the photos i will be submitting soon.
This theatre is the sister to London Ontario LOEWS[demolished in 1989]It is a wonderful theatre!The front half is original and i think the back half could be returned to its better half.It was divided times 3 in 1976.I hope the city of Windsor knows what a gem they have.
I think John Carpenter used this theatre in his last film?Can someone confirm this.
Today would have been the Capitol theatres 87th year.
Yes,i am also an old school projectionist,film gets a very bad rap because of the no school approach to film handling.It is astonishing how great film can look even with todays computer generated images projected on oversized screens with a short throw and dirty port windows.Film done right is magic!
I hope Digital cinema will help the existing single screen movie palace.I also hope filmmakers are shooting for quality beyond 70mm ,Imax ,Showscan and even Cinerama!Digital Cinema needs to be more than a little better.
This is terrible news,a big loss.
A couple more corrections. The Capitol had no balcony,it was twinned in 1976 keeping the stage front half mostly intact but with a normal modern screen,speakers behind the screen.D.T.S in both theatres.
Jack Warner of Warner Brothers was born in London Ontario Canada and this led to some films such as “The Sea Wolf"having special premiers at the Capitol.
Above i wrote “you tear it down feb 25…I should have June 25.It shocked me when i noticed the error,i had feb in my mind because it opened in February 1920.Where are my proof readers?
In 1984 Purple Rain was playing at Capitol 1 ,All OF ME AT Capitol 2.Prince came to London to see All of me[Steve Martin].He was performing in Detroit and took a quiet night off away from the chaos,he visited the projection booth,not sure why. The projectionist Jack Moody said he was very polite.In the 60s Jerry Lewis made an appearance.I have a photo of that.
I was told this theater was 70mm capable,i would love to find out what films played in 70mm if any.I will never forget coming out of Jaws and seeing seagulls everywhere on the Detroit river as the theater itself was right on the shore line facing Detroit.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid played here for 26 weeks, a house record.The Godfather,Godfather II,Serpico,The French Connection 1 and 2,The Chinese Connection,Enter the Dragon,Fists of fury,One flew over the cuckoos nest.I think Mary Poppins had 3 engagements and on its last run they had a banner up out front “HOME OF MARY POPPINS”.I look forward to other people sharing some Capitol memories.PLEASE!
The owner of the Capitol facade has agreed not to tear down any more of it for 8 months.At which time he will decide if he likes city councils bumbling progress of serving his every wish [he is very powerful and not to be crossed]The Capitol was our last movie palace downtown,now we have none left!A fair without a ferris wheel is not a proper fair.I am completely shattered and heart broken.I want to see the facade preserved but it will never be the same with a parking lot grave in the back.I wish this page could be updated to 1400 seats,opened in 1920 , architect C Howard Crane,and firm Allen theater company.I will at some point create a link with pictures.
It seemed odd to tear something down for parking and not use or even pave the the site for weeks on end.Now it makes perfect sence,you tear it down sunday feb 25 then in september bring the crane back and threaten to finish the job,do as i say or the the facade gets it.City hall council is now tripping over each other to stop Mr Farhi the destucktor from creating a gap tooth in the broken heart of downtown.He makes big demands and get a red carpet of wishes granted and the crane disapears after 4 months of sitting in one spot.
Actually,it was demolished in 2001 along with the entire mall which was completely vacant except for the 6 plex.This was never a single screen theatre,it opened in 1976-77 as a 3 plex and expanded to 6 in 1986ish.It was a Famous Players complex.
Yes this was a cool theatre.I saw Jaws and The sting at this theatre.I also loved the Vanity theatre the Centre and the Palace.Anyone know the history of these other Windsor theatres?
The wrecking crane is back on site the last 2 weeks faceing the hallway facade but nothing more has been smashed yet.I believe they plan to demolish at least half of the 200 foot long facade and would have already but complications arose when on june 25,part of the auditoreum fell on the building next door.The owner has since bought the store front next to the capitol facade and will now demolish both or part of them.The capitol opened in feb 1920 as the allen and was part of about 5 theatres the allen theatre company built then, useing C Howard Crane.This wonderful theatre had 1400 seats and Canadas finest pipe organ at the time.It was built as a movie theatre with the finest of everything such as heating ,air,projection and acoustics for the 18 piece orchestra.This was a very ornate theatre.It became the Capitol when Famous Players took over after Allens bankrupsy.Over the decades this theatre became known in Hollywood for its all out showmanship which is evident from the photos i will be submitting soon.
I will have pictures and info soon.