Capitol Arts Theatre

I attended Western Kentucky University during the period when the theatre was being renovated. Through some friends of friends I got a tour of the building right before it reopened in 1981. As the building is - and seems to have always been - quite plain inside, one oddity in the auditorium stands out in my mind.

High on the side wall, house left, is something that looks for all the world like a metal rain gutter. It runs almost the entire length of the auditorium. Nobody knew for sure what it was for: a cove light trough? a chase for ropes to pull the main curtain from the projection booth? a piece of deocoration? a make-do fix for a leaky roof?

Since no one could say for sure what it was, and in an effort to maintain any and all decorative details that still existed, it was painted a lovely old-gold and left right where it was.
It's been 25 years since I've been in the theatre: wonder if it's still there.

Here is a night view of the Capitol Arts Theater.

This is a 2007 photo of the Capitol Arts Theater.

I caught a glimpse of this theatre marquee while watching a show on HGTV and had to go and check it out here on CT.

Lost Memory: The night photo of the lighted marquee in your 11/1/06 photo really shows off the theatre's beautiful marquee and all of the neat colors.

I would love to see some interior photos of this theatre.

From: Me
To: local Historian at the local museum.

I'm interested in the history of local cinema here in Bowling Green. In searching for the local paper article concerning the opening of the Martin Theatre in Bowling Green Mall, I came across a bank advertisement concerning the location of the Crescent Theatre as being on Park Row. I was talking to an 84 year old youngster who spent his life here in the area. He remembers The Princess, Capitol, and Diamond (later the State) but nothing else on the square. He called an equally young lady (92) and she remembered only those other three as well. The 1967 ad stated that the building that was the Crescent was currently occupied by the Consolated Loan Company. The gentleman gave me your name as a contact as he and his son had taken a 'History of Bowling Green' class taught by you a while ago. Do you know if the Cresent Theatre was on Park Row, or if not, where it might have been?

Her reply

Bowling Green's early theatres --Diamond, Capitol (originally called the Columbia), & Princess-- belonged to the Crescent Amusement Co that had its offices at 416 E. Main from about 1911-1960. All but the Diamond were on Main St. I checked the city directories 1911-1967 and found no theatres on Park Row and no theatre listed as the Crescent Theatre--which makes me wonder if the Capital/ Columbia, was sometimes referred to as the Crescent because of its ownership.

Here is another view of the marquee:
http://tinyurl.com/2mgq3x

Here is a 1947 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/24suhq

My Brother Talks to Horses with Jackie 'Butch' Jenkins and Peter Lawford was released in February of 1947.

This is an older photo circa 2002.

A 2008 photo can be seen here.

I believe this is the same Capitol theatre That is featured in Joe Nichols music video "What's A Guy Gotta Do To Get A Girl In This Town".

This site has a photo of the Capitol Theater.

1980 daytime photo of the Capitol Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c17%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=3&ProductID=27663

1982 night photo of the Capitol which is much more impressive than the daytime. Great looking marquee.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c17%2c3%2c-1&catpageindex=3&ProductID=27664