Cine Capri

The Cine Carpi is now open again by the Harkins chain in Scottsdale.

I do not know how it is, but it is there.

Mike

Mike, it's a new Cine Capri, a 14-screen megaplex, which opened this summer named after the original which was razed in 1998. The new Cine Capri's owner recreated the old theater's columned facade and signage for this new modern movie theater and it also has a small museum dedicated to the old Cine Capri in it.

I am confused.. and I am going back to visit Phoenix soon.

The theatre is called the Scottsdale 101.. then they have a separate listing with one movie for the "Cine Capri" at Scottsdale 101.

http://harkinstheatres.moviefone.com/showtimes/theater.adp?theaterid=9007

Did they make a large Cine Carpi like auditorium???

Mike - yes, goto: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0627cinecapri27.html

I was there!!

It is just a big stadium seating theatre with a curtain....

Nice to see Lord of the Rings there.

It is NO Cine Capri however....

Agreed. Although Harkins says it has a 70 ft screen - 10 feet larger - because of the stadium seating, it makes the screen seem a lot smaller than what the real Cine Capri had. Just goes to show that they don't know how to build them anymore.

I have many fond memories of this theater. I remember seeing all kinds of movies, from "All that Jazz" to really bad ones like "Jaws 3 in 3D"! I recall the screen as being almost semi-circular and really huge. I remember it was on 24th St. and Camelback. I moved away in 1987 and have only been back to Arizona a few times; since the theater was demolished, what has been built on the site? Just curious . . .

The Cine Capri was built by ABC Intermountain Theatres and was designed by Henry George Greene who also designed all the ABC theatres of that era including the El Dorado in Tucson, AZ, the Regency in Salt Lake City, UT, Century Plaza in Los Angeles and the list goes on. When ABC got out of the movie theatre business, it was taken over by Plitt Threates who ran it until Cineplex Odeon took over Plitt. Mr Greene truely loved "continental seating" and used it in many of his designs.

The Cine Capri was owned by Harkins... not Cineplex Odeon. Cinepex didn't have any screens in the valley until they tried to come in with one in the basement of Scottsdale Galleria in the early 90s which failed.

Actually, Cineplex Odeon did run the Cine Capri for period of time. When Henry Plitt sold the entire circuit to Garth at Cineplex it included Arizona. I know that the Indian and the Miracle had closed and I believe that the El Camino was also closed by that time but I can’t remember for sure. That being the case, it would leave only the El Dorado and Foothill in Tucson and the Capri in Phoenix as part of the deal. Cineplex then turned over the operation of the Capri to Cinemark who ran it before turning it over to Harkins. Sorry for not making the lineage of its operators more complete before.

I believe the Cine Capri opened in 1961 with El Cid. The theater was ultra modern; when it was torn down, the only thing they could salvage were the blue tiles and a 'starburst' chandelier. There was no other decoration.

The Cine Capri was built in 1965 and 66' as a roadshow hard ticket theatre. It opened in the spring of 1966 with THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY(20th-Fox)

When I lived in Phoenix, this was my favorite movie theater. It was the only place to see big, blockbuster, epic-type movies. Phoenix had only three memorable theaters: the downtown Orpheum, the Cine Capri, and the Harkins in downtown Tempe. And they tore one of them down! ! !

This sight doesn't tell you, but the architect of the Cine Capri was Ralph Haver. He was responsible for a lot of Phoenix's now much sought after mid century architecture. Shame it was torn down to make way for the ugly piece of glass crap that litters 24th and Camelback now.

Hey, did anyone ever eat at the Caf Casino? If memory serves, it was right next to Cine Capri. I haven't been back to Phoenix in 15 years or so. The Palms is now gone, Cine Capri...gone....The Kachina....gone.....and my old high school...gone. You can't go home again....so true.

You are so right! I did eat at the Caf Casino near the Cine Capri, but I went many, many times to the one on Scottsdale Road. It was a rather unusual cafeteria-type setup, with round outdoor patio tables, complete with umbrellas, but indoors! It must be gone now, too. The mall that was across from it (it's on the tip of my toungue, but I've drawn a blank on the name) is also gone. When I was there in the Fall of 2000, it was closed and just about to be torn down. Was it at Scottsdale Rd. and Thomas? Speaking of Scottsdale Road, how about the El Camino? That was a great theater, gone now too, I suppose. I saw the first "Star Trek" movie there in 1979. I saw "Lethal Weapon" at the Kachina, and also many movies at a white stucco theater in Tempe near Rural Road and Broadway ("Jaws", "Chariots of the Gods", I'm dating myself!). That one was a single screen that was split into two and then it died at some point. Can't remember the name, unfortunately. Also, there used to be a small movie theater on the ASU campus near the School of Art. What was the name of the movie critic who would appear on Channel 8? He taugh some film courses and would introduce films there. Talk about senior moments, I know it was Nick something or other . . .well, that's enough rambling!

The movie critic on channel 8 (the PBS station) was Nick Salerno. He became chairman of ASU's English department before retirement. The theatre you are thinking about near the Art dept. buiding was called Neeb Hall. They would often show classic and foreign films there and Salerno presented many of these there. I attended ASU from 1974 to 1978. I think the theatre you are remembering in Tempe might have been the University II, but it was on University (East of Rural in the direction of Minder Binders). They had 2 screens, side by side. I remember seeing The Spy Who Loved Me there as well as several others including THX-1138, The Demon Seed, and Annie Hall (I think--might have been Love and Death)!

Channing, thanks for the memory jog . . . I do remember Nick Salerno introducing a reconstructed version of "A Star is Born" in Neeb Hall in the early 80's (I attended ASU from 1981-1985). His show on Channel 8 was "Cinema Classics." The theater I'm trying to remember was definitely on Broadway Road, just East of Rural, it was a single screen and got split into two near the end of its existence. Last thing I saw there was "The Hunger." It was a big white stucco building with a marquee. I don't recall the University II at all, just a new AMC multiplex they built on University and Rural, which is probably still there. It's funny how movie lovers like to reminisce about movie theaters. Last time I was in town I was pleased to see that Harkins still has the one small art house, the Camelview. Our French teacher in high school would take us there on field trips to watch French movies like "Madame Rosa" and "Argent de Poche."

I have fond memories of Cine Capri. As well as the Caf Casino. I must have seen Empire Strikes Back about a dozen times there. The last movie I saw there was the re-release of Lawrence Of Arabia.

I'm confused. The street address given for the new Cine Capri is 7000 E Mayo Blvd, Scottsdale but it's in a county island surrounded by Phoenix. I couldn't even find it on an Internet map until I entered Phoenix instead of Scottsdale.

Bil

UM: The theatre you're talking about I believe was called the University Theatre. By the time I moved to Phoenix in 1987, it was the University 2. That leads me to believe it's the same place. By then it was a second-run theatre. They tried to modernize it with neon lights, but by that time, it was just old. They tore it down a few years later and now there's a mini-storage facility on the land.

Does anyone have photos or memories of the place?

Alex

I lived in Phoenix during the 90s. If I wanted to go to the movies, I went to Centerpoint 11 in Tempe, AMC Esplanade 14, etc. (regular movie theaters) However, if I wanted to go SEE a movie (and I'm sure you understand the distinction), I went to the Ciné Capri. I saw the last good Star Trek movie there, the re-releases of the Star Wars movies, Evita....

I was in Albuquerque for 6 months during 1996-97. Before I left Phoenix, one of the last things I did was go to the Ciné Capri; when I got back and went looking for it, it was just a gaping hole in the ground. I had no idea that it was gone until that moment. I honestly thought I was going to cry.

24th Street and Camelback is now home to the "ugly piece of glass crap" that 'mama' called it earlier. I've never frequented any of the businesses that moved into the site, and if I get my way, I never will. The loss of the Ciné Capri--especially for with what they replaced it--was a truly sad moment for Phoenix. I've not yet been to the new Ciné Capri up in Scottsdale (I'm in New Mexico again for a little while), but I intend to go when I return to the Valley in the fall. I know it won't be the Ciné Capri anymore; I just hope that there's finally another place in Phoenix to go to SEE a movie.


So, who remembers the 'UA 5' in Scottsdale? Where the SMOCA is now? Old, kinda run down theatre, but still swank like they used to build 'em. (Loved those "mushroom" benches in the lobby!)

"This was the first area theater to get Dolby Stereo (4, & 6 Track) and showed "Star Wars" exclusively for almost two years." (from intro, Sly Dog)
*********************

Dolby CP100 installed in September 1977. ("Star Wars" opened in May so, yes, this means they ran the movie in MONO for the first few months.)

The Cine Capri engagement of "Star Wars" ran for 60 weeks (May 25, 1977 - July 20, 1978). That's certainly a loooong time, but isn't 60 weeks a lot closer to one year than the two claimed in the theatre intro? Perhaps people think of these types of situations as being two-year engagements since the run ocurred over the span of two separate calendar years....

The Cine Capri was among the theatres included in the original limited-market launch of "Star Wars." The Cine Capri's 5/25/77 opening-day gross, according to Daily Variety, was a house record $6,518.

"I believe the Cine Capri opened in 1961 with El Cid." (acmeron)

"The Cine Capri was built in 1965 and 66' as a roadshow hard ticket theatre. It opened in the spring of 1966 with THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY." (eadkins)
*******************************

"eadkins" is correct. I have a photocopy of the grand opening newspaper ad and can confirm a spring 1966 opening (March 31 for those who care about such details) with the debut attraction being "The Agony And The Ecstasy." Charlton Heston attended the grand opening event.

Regarding the possible presentation of STAR WARS in mono -- the Cine Capri had state-of-the-art (for its time) six-track stereophonic sound system that was very good. This was used in a lot of the hard-ticket road show films shown at the theatre including (THE BIBLE IN THE BEGINNING, SOUNG OF NORWAY, PAINT YOUR WAGON, etc). My guess is that there was some kind of stereo sound print available for STAR WARS in this type of system. If I'm correct, early DOLBY in the theatres was a sound clarity and noise reduction system -- not like today's DOLBY digital on synched CD so perhaps the initial prints of STAR WARS were six-track or something similar and the Dolby that was initially added a few months later was the noise reduction system. In any case, I was at the screening of STAR WARS on the opening day at the Cine Capri (w/ASU Prof. Nick Salerno's film club) around 5 PM and there were two things I distinctly remember -- 1) the amazing crowd -- I knew nothing about the film and wondered how all these people knew to show up fo the opening day and 2) the incredible sound -- when that opening music came on with the credits at the beginning it was definitely high-fidelity stereo and LOUD!

Channing,
If you're remembering your opening day experience as being "high-fidelity" then this would suggest a stereo presentation, and "LOUD!" would suggest six-track magnetic from a 70mm print. Perhaps.

But... I've performed a considerable amount of research on the topic of this movie and the results of this work suggest to me that, contrary to the memories of many, many folks, most presentations of "Star Wars" in 1977 were mono.

My reasons for believing the Cine Capri began showing "Star Wars" in mono are due to the following:

1) No presentation format notations present in the Phoenix area newspaper advertisements.

2) Beginning in September 1977, four months after the release, notations for a 70mm and six-track Dolby Stereo presentation began to appear in the newspaper ads.

3) Access to Dolby Labs' installation records reveal an install date of September 1977 for a Dolby CP100 unit.

4) A Dolby trade ad which reproduced a list of the original opening engagements and their opening-day box office tally included check marks next to those engagements presented in Dolby Stereo. The Phoenix entry was left unmarked.

5) Trade press during the initial weeks of the movie's release indicated the availability of eight 70mm prints. I have the original newspaper ads specific to each market for each of the 43 original engagements and the 70mm notations add up to eight...and they were booked into theatres in the Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco markets.

6) I'm unaware of any stereo sound systems that were compatible with Dolby prints having been available in spring 1977. Perhaps there were some, but basic business sense would question why there would be competition for a yet-to-be-successful company.

7) With the exception of the optical mono prints that circulated, I'm unaware of any non-Dolby-encoded 70mm prints made available for this movie for the U.S. If there were in fact non-Dolby 70mm prints, that is what the Cine Capri may have received and what you may have experienced. But then the print number reference in the trades would not be correct AND why wouldn't the theatre advertise a 70mm and/or stereo presentation AND why would the Cine Capri four months later tout how their presentation was "Now in 70mm..."?

8) I understand that the genuine mono prints were not available until a few weeks after the film's release. So, this would suggest the initial mono presentations were from a Dolby print. In other words, I am under the impression that the Cine Capri received a 35mm optical Dolby Stereo print...but not having the ability to play it **in stereo** through a Dolby processor since they had not yet installed such a unit. Perhaps one of the projectionists or Plitt engineers fussed with their system and somehow managed to derive some form of stereo out of it. Just a guess, but that explanation seems to be the only way both of us can be correct.

Another Cine Capri/"Star Wars" tidbit...

Variety, 12 July 1978:
"13 Months, $3-Mil: 'Star Wars' Ends Arizona Record"

Fox's "Star Wars" has cracked all previous records for consecutive showings for a film in Arizona. The Cine Capri in Phoenix has given five daily performances for 13 months. The showings brought in some 850,000 viewers yielding receipts of approximately $3,000,000.

The 800-seat cinema, under the banner of the Plitt Intermountain chain, used up three prints of the film and augmented the soundtrack with additional Dolby Stereo.

Closing date for "Star Wars" is now July 20, to be succeeded by Fox's "Damien: Omen II."

Nice to hear from other people who also have fond memories of the old Cine Capri. I saw Star Wars there when I was 7. I also saw some great movies there such as Alien, and Aliens. Alien scared the hell out of me at the time. The re-release of Star Wars was the last movie I watched there.

I also remember the old Kachina theater in Scottsdale that others have mentioned. The last movie I saw there was E.T. before they tore it down to make room for the Gallaria I believe.

There was actually an effort that existed for a few years to save the Cine Capri. The writing was on the wall for a while before it was actually torn down, but the realestate in the area really exploded. It didn't help when the Ritz was built next door.

Who remembers seeing COMIN' AT YA (in 3-D) at the Cine Capri? When they light the fuse - you're holding the dynamite. Man, that movie SUCKED - but we went a bunch of times because the 3-D was so entertaining. It was the first of the 1980's 3-D revival movies...

I saw my first movie, the Lion King, at the Cine Capri.

This is a photo of a Cine Capri theater in Phoenix.

The picture posted by Lost Memory is, certainly, a picture of the Harkins' Cine-Capri but it's the new Cine-Capri in Scottsdale not the Cine-Capri that is the subject of this page.

The Cine Capri was truly a grand theater. I grew up in Phoenix and lived there from 1961 to 1991. I lived less than a mile down the road from the theater (23rd St & Indian School Rd) and have many fond memories of attending movies there. The ones I can clearly recall were The Jungle Book, True Grit, Jaws and Star Wars. I also remember going to see gas-powered remote control race cars being raced around the Cine Capri parking lot on Saturday mornings by local clubs. What a shame they tore the place down. They just don't make 'em like that any more. Even if they came close in size, they could never reproduce the atmosphere.

Does anyone out there have any photos of the inside?

With the debate that Channing and Michael had about the High-Fidelity of the sound during the opening weeks of "Star Wars" at the Capri. The most likely system at the time during the mid 60's was an Ampex system. Many of the RoadShow theatres of the time used full Ampex Stereo systems. That would give the theatre mono, 4-Track Magnetic stereo from a 35mm print and a Full 6-Tracks of Magnetic Stereo sound in 70MM. This was before Dolby started releasing Dolby Stereo prints in 35mm and 70MM. After reading Michael's Always Great research on the release of the film in all markets. And Channing's memory of that time. The only thing I came up with was did FOX
release the film in 35mm 4-Track non-Dolby encoded Magnetic Stereo? Fox has done that in the past with other titles in 35mm 4-Track Stereo before Dolby. For theatres that were not Dolby equipped at the time of release. Because some theatre owners were still in the wait and see mode about this new Dolby Stereo format and studios still struck non-encoded prints. And 35mm 4-Track Stereo was still in use till the very early 80's.

It seems reasonable that a non-Dolby-encoded mag stereo print could have been what the Cine Capri ran during the initial weeks of the film's release...except that I am not aware of any such prints being made, at least for distribution in the U.S. "Star Wars," if you'll recall, was the first attempt at a "wide" release in Dolby Stereo. To support that, I believe all of the prints struck for distribution during the initial limited-market launch (43 engagements; May 25-27, 1977) were Dolby-encoded, whether or not they actually got played in that format. (From mid-June '77 onward, the majority of the 35mm prints in circulation were genuine Academy mono prints. With this in mind, what else besides a Dolby-encode could've been on the optical track of those early prints? And if they were mag-striped, the optical track would have been compromised since half of it would have been covered by one of the mag stripes.)

Only about 2/3rds of the inital-wave theatres actually had a Dolby System installed in time for the release, so I suppose it is possible that, to give those theatres an opportunity to show off the film's stereophonic mix, special mag prints were provided until those theeatres had a Dolby unit installed. But I don't buy that, at least not for every situation, since none of those theatres in question were promoting any presentation format in their newspaper advertising, and I really don't believe Dolby (the company) had any clout at that time to dictate advertising and promotional terms.

In my mind, with perhaps an occasional exception, "No Advertising = Monaural Sound Presentation."

One other possibility: Phoenix *did* start out with a 70mm print. I do believe at one time Phoenix was considered for a 70 since that market's *advance* advertising mentions 70mm and Dolby. But by the day before the film's release, those tags disappeared and would not return until four months later. And the month in which those notations re-appeared coincides with the Dolby CP100 install date...

But we're going in circles because if they started out with a stereo presentation, no matter what the exact format, why wouldn't it have been promoted???

I'm not sure anyone really knows for sure, and this event was so many years ago that folks' memories, even if they're correct, can and should be questioned. As for my reasons for researching this stuff, I hope the readers here understand where I'm coming from. That is, as a journalist or historian, if I'm writing an article or a book or whatever, by necessity I'm forced (no pun intended) to take a serious, research-oriented approach, and I much prefer to acquire information via documentation and published info rather than someone's memory.

Back comments:

"Kent Peterson" is right about Cine Capri's lineage. The media was a little lax in that department. Harkins' was a relative Johnny-come-lately in Cine Capri history.

"p" is right about Caf' Casino. It was right next to the Cine Capri. There was another one near but not next to the El Camino, too. It offered French cuisine in a cafeteria setting. This was back in the days when we had a middle class in America. It was a little fancy trip that wouldn't break the budget.

"RobbKCity" is right about the "Valley Art" in downtown Tempe. It was on Mill Avenue in Tempe (and as far as I know its still there.) It was one of Harkin's first if not the first theatre. It predates the University and University II. It was there back when Mill Avenue was "Old Town" Tempe and not an annoying chain store mall. Anybody remember the elderly gentleman who was the projectionist for a long time in 70s, 80s?

"New Cine Capri." In my opinion the "new Cine Capri" is not a new Cine Capri, but simply another megaplex with the name.

The valley Art theatre was (at least in the 70's) run by the sherpix company, a company that also produced broadway shows. In the mid seventies the valley was run by Nancy Sher, and the projectionist was Mr. Bill Gregg who had run there since the 1940's.

To chime in on the star wars debate; (I was also there for the special Nick Salerno screening). The Print was 35mm, we were all very suprised to hear that.There were 35mm mag prints made as well as non dolby 70mm prints made. By the way there were 35mm mag prints made for Empire also.You can't always judge how a print played by the newspaper ads, (just look at all the errors in the red book of widescreen movies). And yes there are still old folks around who do remember how these movies were run.

The valley was not Harkins first or even one of his first theatres. Before Danny Harkins took over the operation in the mid seventies, the chain was run by his father Dwight. Some of the first Harkins theatres I remember were the Cammelview, the theatre in that mall on Thomas around 36th st. The one with the big antenna masts (not thomas mall) and a couple on the west side.

When I moved to Phoenix In the summer of 1966, the movie I remember playing at the cine capri was The Blue Max. Seems like it play there forever. Most of those road show presentations played for 3 to 6 months or more.

What was the name of the food court next to the cine capri. It was one of the first food courts I ever saw, with maybe 8 to 10 different food stands. One stand had a bob's big boy style double hamberger, which in 1966 was still unusual.

The thing hurt the most about 24th and camellback was when they tore up all that pretty grass on the corner, to build another building. That lawn was one of the prettiest in phoenix.

My understanding is that Star Wars had NO 70mm prints for the first 3 or 4 months of its release. The Studio had no faith in the movie at all and didn't want to spend the money on a 70mm blow up. After it was clear that it was a hit, only then did 70mm prints become available.

What was seen for the first 3 or 4 months of its run at the Cine Capri was a 35mm print either mono or Dolby Stereo encoded. Dolby Stereo encoded prints could be run on a mono optical reader. You would not have heard stereo with Star Wars at the Cine Capri until they got the 70mm prints sometime in late August or early September of 77.

All this discussion of STAR WARS brings back a lot of memories.

I worked for Plitt Theaters during the time that the original STAR WARS trilogy of movies were made. It's interesting that different memories exist on the precise presentation method used and FWIW I'll throw in my own two cents.

Our prime houses in Chicago, Los Angeles, Salt Lake and Phoenix were a part of the initial break around Memorial Day of 1977, but my recollection is that stereo presentations were heard only in our Los Angeles and Chicago houses. The other theaters had to wait until Dolby could manufacture additional cinema processors.

Orders went through the roof when STAR WARS came on the scene, especially for the CP 100 model which could do the full blown six channel magnetic and is what we ordered for several of our houses, but it took quite a while for Dolby to get these units made and installed. I don't have any dates, but our prime houses other than L.A. and Chicago that had booked STAR WARS would have probably started showing it with a stereo track a few months into the booking. At some point I know Phoenix started running a 70mm print as did our house in SLC and I think a second venue in L.A.. I remember in SLC the local paper wrote a big article about us when we finally got the CP 100 installed and received a 70mm stereo print. Wow...what an experience!

Tmannheim48:
I have a copy of that Salt Lake City newspaper article regarding the CENTRE's "Star Wars" upgrade to 70mm! It was published in August of '77. Similar articles were published in many other newspapers across the country.

Atomic Age:
There were definitely 70mm blow-up prints of "Star Wars" available on the movie's opening day. My research indicates there were eight of them and the theatres in which they were booked are identified in my retrospective article "May 25, 1977: A Day Long Remembered."

http://www.fromscripttodvd.com/star_wars_a_day_long_remembered.htm

And here's a companion piece that lists the 70mm engagements throughout the movie's entire run, including the upgrade locations, which includes Phoenix and the CINE CAPRI.

http://www.fromscripttodvd.com/star_wars_70mm_engagements.htm

Michael Coate,

Interesting, I had always heard that the 70mm prints were not made until a month or two into the run. However it appears from your information that my recollection about the showing at the Cine Capri is correct. They started with a 35mm release on May 25, 1977; 70mm began Sep. 14, 1977. I doubt at the time that they were able play the optical Dolby stereo track on the 35mm print assuming it wasn't one of the mono prints. Having seen Star Wars about 10 or 15 times over the year that it ran at the Cine Capri I do remember how dramatic change in the sound was when they finely got the 70mm print.

The first Cine Capri I think had a D-150 big curved screen? The new one does not have the wrap around curve look on the screen,just a small curve. At least they have a curtain! Long live the Cine Capri!

I can still recall the excitement of seeing and experiencing the interior of Cine Capri in the 1966. I was about nine years old and the movie was the Blue Max. The articulated curtain raising was very interesting to see as a young whipper snapper. Our next door neighbor in Scottsdale of 16 years (62-78) was the manager of all ABC theatres in Phoenix until he resigned in 1974. A nice family man by the name of Harry Karp who used to give our family free passes over the years (Blue Max being the first).

So sad the Cine Capri is no longer with us. I had just posted a lengthy remembrance of the Valley Art last night, when I came across this. I saw Star Wars at the Capri back in '77...7 or 8 times as I recall, and for as long as I live, I'll never forget when that enormous rebel ship flew into the frame from the top of that big beautiful curved screen.

The very first moviegoing experience of my entire life was at the Cine Capri theater. I was four and my 13 year old sister took me to see "Tommy". This film was quite a sensation at the time if its release and I remember that 1975 afternoon quite well and fondly to this day. Of course I saw "Star Wars" with my parents two years later and that was also a huge event. My entire young adult life is jammed with trips to the Capri all the way up to "Titanic" in December of 1997.

I now live in Los Angeles within walking distance of the Graumans Chinese and Cinerama Dome but I will always have fond memories of the best theater in history, the Cine Capri in Phoenix!

What I would really like to see is a complete list of films and the dates they played at the Capri...has anyone seen anything like this?

Yesterday was ten years since they tore the Cine Capri down. I was there when the lights came up and they started tearing out the seats.

I would LOVE to see a list of all the films. I compiled a list of what *I* saw, from memory. It may have errors or omissions. Did Back to the Future III play there? II did.

BTW, everything I've ever read about Star Wars said that Lucas was still MAKING the stereo mix on May 25th, 1977. It's funny how intertwined Star Wars and the Cine Capri still are.

Ten years. I still miss it.

That makes absolutely no sense at all that Lucas would still be working on the stereo mix on the day the movie opened!

Here's a bit from the book THE MAKING OF STAR WARS (J.W. Rinzler, 2007) that should set the record straight:

"On Wednesday, May 25, 1977, 'Star Wars' began its theatrical run. Yet Lucas was still working on the final mix, the monaural. 'We finished the stereo mix, which Fox resisted, and were working on the monaural version for the wide release,' Lucas says."

"Believe it or not, Mark Hamill recalls, the night the picture opened, George called and said, 'Hey, kid, do you want to come down and loop?' I said, 'What are you talking about? It's playing. There are lines around the block!' Then he explained that the print being shown at Grauman's was the 70mm stereo mix, and now for the monaural mix for general release, he wanted me to add a few things. Can you believe it? The day it opened..."

Ok, I got it backwards. But I knew he was still mixing on May 25th.

CINE CAPRI
PART I: THE 1960s

Compiled by Michael Coate

Theater Ownership
Arizona Paramount 1966-67
Arizona ABC 1967-69

RSE = Reserved-Seat “Roadshow” Engagement

03.31.1966 … THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY (RSE, 13 weeks)
06.28.1966 … THE BLUE MAX (RSE, 17 weeks)
10.26.1966 … THE WRONG BOX (4 weeks)
11.23.1966 … HOW TO STEAL A MILLION (4 weeks)
12.21.1966 … THE BIBLE: IN THE BEGINNING… (RSE, 22 weeks)

05.24.1967 … CAPRICE (4 weeks)
06.21.1967 … TWO FOR THE ROAD (4 weeks)
07.21.1967 … BAREFOOT IN THE PARK (9 weeks)
09.22.1967 … A GUIDE FOR THE MARRIED MAN (4 weeks)
10.20.1967 … THE FAMILY WAY (3 weeks)
11.08.1967 … THE COMEDIANS (6 weeks)
12.22.1967 … THE JUNGLE BOOK (8 weeks)

02.14.1968 … GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER (17 weeks)
06.12.1968 … GUNS FOR SAN SEBASTIAN (2 weeks)
06.26.1968 … THE ODD COUPLE (17 weeks)
10.23.1968 … SHALAKO (4 weeks)
11.20.1968 … THE LEGEND OF LYLAH CLARE (5 weeks)
12.25.1968 … FINIAN’S RAINBOW (RSE, 8 weeks)

02.21.1969 … ROMEO & JULIET (14 weeks)
05.28.1969 … WHERE EAGLES DARE (5 weeks)
07.02.1969 … TRUE GRIT (14 weeks)
10.08.1969 … IF… (2 weeks)
10.22.1969 … THE ITALIAN JOB (1 week)
10.29.1969 … TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN (7 weeks)
12.18.1969 … HAIL, HERO! (1 week)
12.25.1969 … PAINT YOUR WAGON (RSE, 29 weeks)

CINE CAPRI
PART II: THE 1970s

Compiled by Michael Coate

Theater Ownership
Arizona ABC 1970-74
Plitt Intermountain 1974-79

RSE = Reserved-Seat “Roadshow” Engagement

07.15.1970 … THE OUT-OF-TOWNERS (9 weeks)
09.18.1970 … CATCH-22 (14 weeks)
12.25.1970 … SONG OF NORWAY (RSE, 19 weeks)

05.07.1971 … A NEW LEAF (10 weeks)
07.16.1971 … PLAZA SUITE (8 weeks)
09.08.1971 … THE RED TENT (2 weeks)
09.22.1971 … THE TENDER WARRIOR (1 week)
09.29.1971 … WHO IS HARRY KELLERMAN? (2 weeks)
10.13.1971 … LET’S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH (1 week)
10.20.1971 … FRIENDS (2 weeks)
11.03.1971 … THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT (1 week)
11.10.1971 … KOTCH (7 weeks)
12.25.1971 … STAR SPANGLED GIRL (4 weeks)

01.19.1972 … TOKLAT (2 weeks)
02.02.1972 … HAROLD AND MAUDE (1 week)
02.11.1972 … POCKET MONEY (6 weeks)
03.22.1972 … THE GODFATHER (34 weeks)
11.15.1972 … LADY SINGS THE BLUES (5 weeks)
12.20.1972 … THE GETAWAY (14 weeks)

03.28.1973 … STEELYARD BLUES (1 week)
04.04.1973 … THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS (1 week)
04.11.1973 … BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON (3 weeks)
05.04.1973 … BROTHER SUN, SISTER MOON / FRIENDS (RE, 4 weeks)
06.01.1973 … THIS IS CINERAMA (RE, 7 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
07.20.1973 … PAPER MOON (18 weeks)
11.21.1973 … THE LEGEND OF JEDEDIAH CARVER (3 weeks)
12.12.1973 … THE PYX / A NAME FOR EVIL (1 week)
12.21.1973 … MIDNIGHT COWBOY / WHERE’S POPPA? (RE, 1 week)
12.25.1973 … JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL (6 weeks)

02.06.1974 … SERPICO (8 weeks)
04.03.1974 … THE GREAT GATSBY (12 weeks)
06.26.1974 … CHINATOWN (6 weeks)
08.07.1974 … DEATH WISH (6 weeks)
09.18.1974 … THE APPRENTICESHIP OF DUDDY KRAVITZ (4 weeks)
10.18.1974 … THE SOUND OF MUSIC (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
10.25.1974 … THE GAMBLER (1 week)
11.01.1974 … THE SAVAGE IS LOOSE (3 weeks)
11.22.1974 … LADIES & GENTLEMEN, THE ROLLING STONES (RE, 1 week, Stereo)
11.27.1974 … THE KLANSMEN (2 weeks)
12.13.1974 … WOODSTOCK (RE, 2 weeks, Stereo)
12.25.1974 … THE GODFATHER PART II (13 weeks)

03.26.1975 … TOMMY (15 weeks, Quintaphonic Sound)
07.09.1975 … THE DAY OF THE LOCUST (1 week)
07.16.1975 … ONCE IS NOT ENOUGH (6 weeks)
08.27.1975 … NASHVILLE (7 weeks)
10.15.1975 … 3 DAYS OF THE CONDOR (10 weeks)
12.25.1975 … LUCKY LADY (10 weeks)

03.05.1976 … GABLE AND LOMBARD (8 weeks)
04.30.1976 … NEXT STOP, GREENWICH VILLAGE (3 weeks)
05.19.1976 … THE BLUE BIRD (3 weeks)
06.09.1976 … END OF THE GAME (2 weeks)
06.23.1976 … LOGAN’S RUN (6 weeks)
08.06.1976 … THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (3 weeks)
08.25.1976 … TUNNEL VISION (7 weeks)
10.15.1976 … THE RITZ (4 weeks)
11.12.1976 … BUGSY MALONE (6 weeks)
12.22.1976 … SILVER STREAK (18 weeks)

04.27.1977 … WIZARDS (4 weeks)
05.25.1977 … STAR WARS (60 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo from Sep.)

07.21.1978 … DAMIEN: OMEN II (5 weeks)
08.25.1978 … THE SOUND OF MUSIC (RE, 6 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
10.05.1978 … THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL (6 weeks)
11.17.1978 … BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (5 weeks, Sensurround)
12.22.1978 … INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

02.16.1979 … theater closed (4 weeks)
03.14.1979 … NORMA RAE (6 weeks)
04.25.1979 … THE LAST WAVE (2 weeks)
05.09.1979 … RACQUET (2 weeks)
05.25.1979 … ALIEN (20 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.10.1979 … APOCALYPSE NOW (10 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.21.1979 … THE ROSE (10 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)

CINE CAPRI
PART III: THE 1980s

Compiled by Michael Coate

Theater Ownership
Plitt 1980-87
Cinemark 1987-88
Harkins 1988-89

02.29.1980 … ALL THAT JAZZ (12 weeks)
05.21.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (30 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12.19.1980 … FLASH GORDON (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

02.13.1981 … THE COMPETITION (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.27.1981 … FANTASIA (RE, 4 weeks, Stereo)
04.24.1981 … LION OF THE DESERT (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.22.1981 … OUTLAND (9 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07.24.1981 … COMIN’ AT YA! (6 weeks, 3-D, Dolby Stereo)
09.04.1981 … ORDINARY PEOPLE / THE ELEPHANT MAN (RE, 3 weeks)
09.25.1981 … NEW YORK, NEW YORK (RE, Uncut, U.S. Premiere Engagement, 3 weeks)
10.16.1981 … THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT’S WOMAN (9 weeks)
12.18.1981 … PENNIES FROM HEAVEN (5 weeks)

01.22.1982 … ON GOLDEN POND (26 weeks)
07.23.1982 … THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS (15 weeks, Stereo)
11.05.1982 … LADY CHATTERLEY’S LOVER (6 weeks)
12.17.1982 … STILL OF THE NIGHT (5 weeks)

01.21.1983 … SOPHIE’S CHOICE (14 weeks)
04.29.1983 … SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.27.1983 … TENDER MERCIES (4 weeks)
06.22.1983 … THE SURVIVORS (6 weeks)
08.05.1983 … GANDHI (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
08.19.1983 … METALSTORM: THE DESTRUCTION OF JARED-SYN (2 weeks, 3-D, Dolby Stereo)
09.02.1983 … METALSTORM / SPACEHUNTER (RE, 1 week, 3-D, Dolby Stereo)
09.09.1983 … OKLAHOMA! (RE, 3 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
09.30.1983 … BRAINSTORM (10 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12.09.1983 … SCARFACE (8 weeks, Stereo)

02.03.1984 … NEVER CRY WOLF (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.02.1984 … AGAINST ALL ODDS (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.13.1984 … SWING SHIFT (4 weeks)
05.11.1984 … FOOTLOOSE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
05.16.1984 … THE RIGHT STUFF (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
05.23.1984 … INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (17 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
09.21.1984 … METROPOLIS (RE, 4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.19.1984 … THE RAZOR’S EDGE (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.16.1984 … GHOST BUSTERS (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11.23.1984 … APOCALYPSE NOW (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11.30.1984 … THE RIVER RAT (1 week)
12.07.1984 … STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12.14.1984 … ICEMAN / THE LAST STARFIGHTER (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
12.21.1984 … PROTOCOL (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

02.08.1985 … WITNESS (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.29.1985 … KING DAVID (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.12.1985 … WITNESS (RE, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.26.1985 … CREATURE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.10.1985 … STOP MAKING SENSE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
05.17.1985 … A PASSAGE TO INDIA (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
05.22.1985 … BREWSTER’S MILLIONS (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.28.1985 … BREWSTER’S MILLIONS / THE RIVER (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
07.05.1985 … FLETCH (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
07.12.1985 … EXPLORERS (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.26.1985 … EXPLORERS / THE EMERALD FOREST (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
08.02.1985 … THE EMERALD FOREST (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.16.1985 … YEAR OF THE DRAGON (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.27.1985 … AGNES OF GOD (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.08.1985 … THAT WAS THEN…THIS IS NOW (2 weeks)
11.22.1985 … THAT WAS THEN…THIS IS NOW / TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. (MO, 2 weeks)
12.04.1985 … YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES (4 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)

01.03.1986 … THE COLOR PURPLE (10 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.14.1986 … GUNG HO (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.02.1986 … BLUE CITY (2 weeks)
05.16.1986 … TOP GUN (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.18.1986 … ALIENS (13 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.17.1986 … THE NAME OF THE ROSE (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.19.1986 … THE MOSQUITO COAST (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

01.16.1987 … THE MISSION (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
03.06.1987 … LETHAL WEAPON (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.10.1987 … RAISING ARIZONA (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.22.1987 … ERNEST GOES TO CAMP (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.12.1987 … THE SECRET OF MY SUCCESS (MO, 4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.10.1987 … FULL METAL JACKET (10 weeks)
09.18.1987 … APOCALYPSE NOW (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
09.25.1987 … DIRTY DANCING (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.07.1987 … BABY BOOM (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.11.1987 … EMPIRE OF THE SUN (10 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

02.19.1988 … CRY FREEDOM (3 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
03.11.1988 … SHY PEOPLE (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.01.1988 … BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.22.1988 … THE UNHOLY (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.06.1988 … DEAD HEAT (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.20.1988 … WILLOW (8 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07.13.1988 … THE DEAD POOL (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.12.1988 … TUCKER: THE MAN AND HIS DREAM (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.07.1988 … IMAGINE: JOHN LENNON (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.28.1988 … DOMINICK & EUGENE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11.04.1988 … U2: RATTLE AND HUM (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.23.1988 … SCROOGED (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

01.13.1989 … THE JANUARY MAN (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
01.27.1989 … DANGEROUS LIAISONS (12 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.21.1989 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (RE, 5 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
05.24.1989 … INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (11 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
08.09.1989 … THE ABYSS (10 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.20.1989 … FAT MAN AND LITTLE BOY (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.03.1989 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (RE, 3 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11.22.1989 … BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

Great list, Michael! Thanks! Part IV: The 90s coming soon?

You're welcome. And, yes, I'm almost finished compiling the 1990s data. Look for it here in a couple of weeks. (It takes a while to do this type of research, as you can imagine, so I've had to stagger the postings.)

Your 70's and 80's compilations reminded me of all the movies I saw at the Cine Capri back in those days. Thanks for putting those together!

One question: I distinctly recall seeing "Jaws 3 in 3D" at the Cine Capri. I guess having to use 3D glasses, plus it being such a bad movie, made it stick in my mind! Maybe I have confused it with another theater? I remember the curved screen and all the seats with no aisle in the middle.

I was surprised Jaws (1975) and Jaws 2 (1978) weren't there either. Although I saw both of those a block away, at the Town and Country, where they never showed a film that was also at the Capri at the same time. I saw Jaws 3D at the Harkins Camelview in Scottsdale.

Thanks for your reply . . . sounds like I've most likely confused the two locations in recollecting the movie. I suppose the only way to tell would be to look through old microfiche rolls from the time period for movie ads in the Phoenix Gazette and the Arizona Republic. For years that was how daily printed newspaper editions were archived. I'm not sure what's happened to all that old material in the digital age. Digitized and available for a price, I'll bet!

It's possible you confused them, although the Town and Country is a multiplex with numerous smaller screens. Maybe you saw Jaws 3D at the Kachina in Scottsdale? It was very similar to the Capri, with a large curved screen. I used to love going through the microfische at the public library, looking at old movie listings and reviews from the 70's.

"Jaws 3-D" opened at the following Phoenix area theaters:
AMC FIESTA VILLAGE 6
AMC LAKES 6
AMC METRO VILLAGE 6
AMC TOWN & COUNTRY
HARKINS CAMELVIEW PLAZA
MANN CHRIS-TOWN

"The Survivors" was playing at CINE CAPRI when "Jaws 3-D" opened. CINE CAPRI did run three other 3-D features around that timeframe -- "Metalstorm," "Comin' At Ya!" and "Spacehunter" -- perhaps it was one of those that you saw there?

Michael, thanks for doing the research! I lived in Tempe, so I probably saw it at the Camelview. The Camelview was always my favorite, I saw stuff like "Madame Rosa, "Black and White in Color," "Wifemistress" and a slew of other foreign films. Those were the days . . . I don't go back to Arizona often at all, but I always try to go to the Camelview when I do (I saw "The Celluloid Closet" there in '96. Again, thanks for the great work!

I had mentioned microfilm and microfiche in an earlier posting in reference to researching old theater listings. Interestingly, since those are film media, they have some of the same problems that plague old films (and old slide collections), like vinegar syndrome, warping, etc. They can be easily digitized, though, using specialized equipment.

CINE CAPRI
PART IV: THE 1990s

Compiled by Michael Coate

Theater Ownership
Harkins Theatres 1990-98

01.05.1990 … BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.02.1990 … THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (12 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.25.1990 … BACK TO THE FUTURE PART III (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.27.1990 … DAYS OF THUNDER (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
08.17.1990 … WILD AT HEART (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.07.1990 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
09.14.1990 … POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.12.1990 … MEMPHIS BELLE (6 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11.21.1990 … THREE MEN AND A LITTLE LADY (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.25.1990 … THE GODFATHER PART III (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

02.15.1991 … THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (11 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.03.1991 … SPARTACUS (RE, 4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.31.1991 … CITIZEN KANE (RE, 2 weeks)
06.14.1991 … ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES (10 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.23.1991 … DEAD AGAIN (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.27.1991 … FANTASIA (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.11.1991 … FRANKIE & JOHNNY (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.01.1991 … BILLY BATHGATE (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.22.1991 … THE ADDAMS FAMILY (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.20.1991 … JFK (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)

01.31.1992 … SHINING THROUGH (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.21.1992 … RADIO FLYER (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.06.1992 … HEARTS OF DARKNESS (2 weeks)
03.20.1992 … THE INNER CIRCLE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
03.27.1992 … THE POWER OF ONE (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.08.1992 … CASABLANCA (RE, 2 weeks)
05.22.1992 … FAR AND AWAY (4 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
06.19.1992 … BATMAN RETURNS (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
07.31.1992 … DEATH BECOMES HER (1 week, Dolby Stereo SR)
08.07.1992 … UNFORGIVEN (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.11.1992 … BLADE RUNNER (RE, “The Director’s Cut,” 3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.02.1992 … HERO (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
10.23.1992 … A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.11.1992 … A FEW GOOD MEN (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)

02.05.1993 … STAR WARS (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
02.12.1993 … THE CEMETERY CLUB (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.05.1993 … MAD DOG AND GLORY (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
03.12.1993 … A FAR OFF PLACE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
03.19.1993 … RICH IN LOVE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
03.26.1993 … UNFORGIVEN (RE, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.09.1993 … INDOCHINE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.23.1993 … THIS BOY’S LIFE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.07.1993 … MY FAIR LADY (RE, 1 week)
05.14.1993 … LOST IN YONKERS (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
05.28.1993 … SUPER MARIO BROS. (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
06.18.1993 … LAST ACTION HERO (3 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07.09.1993 … JURASSIC PARK (MO, 4 weeks, DTS)
08.06.1993 … THE FUGITIVE (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
09.17.1993 … THE AGE OF INNOCENCE (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
10.15.1993 … EL CID (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
10.22.1993 … THE NIGHMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11.24.1993 … SHORT CUTS (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.10.1993 … GERONIMO: AN AMERICAN LEGEND (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
12.25.1993 … HEAVEN & EARTH (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01.21.1994 … WRESTLING ERNEST HEMINGWAY (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.04.1994 … The “Star Wars” Trilogy (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
02.11.1994 … THE GETAWAY (1 week, DTS)
02.18.1994 … BODY SNATCHERS (1 week, Dolby Stereo SR)
02.25.1994 … THE REMAINS OF THE DAY (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
03.04.1994 … ANGIE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
03.11.1994 … THE REF (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.25.1994 … THE HUDSUCKER PROXY (8 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05.20.1994 … MAVERICK (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
06.17.1994 … theater closed (1 week)
06.24.1994 … THE LION KING (12 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09.16.1994 … WOODSTOCK (RE, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
09.23.1994 … THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.21.1994 … LOVE AFFAIR (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11.04.1994 … MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.18.1994 … STAR TREK: GENERATIONS (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12.25.1994 … I.Q. (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01.13.1995 … LEGENDS OF THE FALL (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo SR)
03.10.1995 … OUTBREAK (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03.31.1995 … THE WILD BUNCH (RE, “The Director’s Cut,” 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
04.12.1995 … ROB ROY (4 weeks, DTS)
05.12.1995 … DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (RE, 2 weeks, DTS)
05.24.1995 … BRAVEHEART (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06.23.1995 … POCAHONTAS (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07.28.1995 … THE NET (4 weeks, SDDS)
08.25.1995 … BEYOND RANGOON (2 weeks, SDDS)
09.08.1995 … BELLE DE JOUR (RE, 1 week)
09.15.1995 … BRAVEHEART (RE, 4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10.13.1995 … THE SCARLET LETTER (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10.27.1995 … COPYCAT (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11.22.1995 … TOY STORY (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12.20.1995 … NIXON (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01.12.1996 … TOY STORY (RE, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
01.19.1996 … MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS (10 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03.29.1996 … BRAVEHEART (RE, 1 week, Dolby Digital)
04.03.1996 … PRIMAL FEAR (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05.10.1996 … TWISTER (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05.22.1996 … MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (6 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07.03.1996 … INDEPENDENCE DAY (11 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09.20.1996 … THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10.18.1996 … SLEEPERS (5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11.22.1996 … STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
12.13.1996 … MARS ATTACKS! (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01.01.1997 … EVITA (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
01.31.1997 … STAR WARS (RE, “Special Edition,” 3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
02.21.1997 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (RE, “Special Edition,” 3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
03.14.1997 … RETURN OF THE JEDI (RE, “Special Edition,” 5 weeks, Dolby Digital)
04.18.1997 … DAS BOOT (RE, “The Director’s Cut,” 2 weeks, SDDS-8)
05.02.1997 … ANNA KARENINA (1 week, Dolby Digital)
05.09.1997 … FATHERS’ DAY (2 weeks, Dolby Digital)
05.23.1997 … ADDICTED TO LOVE (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
06.20.1997 … BATMAN & ROBIN (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
07.11.1997 … CONTACT (10 weeks, Dolby Digital)
09.19.1997 … L.A. CONFIDENTIAL (4 weeks, Dolby Digital)
10.17.1997 … THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATE (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)
11.07.1997 … STARSHIP TROOPERS (6 weeks, SDDS)
12.19.1997 … TITANIC (3 weeks, Dolby Digital)

01.05.1998 … theater closed

Can anyone confirm what was built on the site of the Cine Capri? I just ran a search on Google Maps and it looks as if one large building (retail, perhaps?) was constructed on the site.

There are some office buildings there and right on Camelback is a Starbucks (where the Cafe Casino used to be).

I was lucky enough to be a manager at the Cine Capri. I was there for the "Aliens" thru "The Mission" era. I was the that last manager for the Plitt/Cineplex-Odeon era, handing the reigns over to Cinemark. It would be nice to see other comments from former employees, managers, and projectionists from the REAL Cine Capri.

Thanks to Michael Coate for the great list of memories.

Just wanted to say Hito you Mark, where are you now? I know you weren't very happy when you were working for cinePlex, they were a little rough around the edges. I do remember! Hope all is well with you.

What a uniquely beautiful-looking theatre that was. Too bad it closed.

The person who claimed in the intro at the top of the page that the Cine Capri opened with "Butterfield 8" is confusing this theater with the Kachina, which opened with "Butterfield 8" in 1960. The Cine Capri opened in 1966 with "The Agony And The Ecstasy."

Another great one gone.

I wish you guys would get over where and when and how long "StarWars" played somewhere it was a B movie at best.Almost every theatre there is some debate about it.

Please allow me to go off-topic here and address MikeRogers comment.

While growing up, we all want to be something special. Sure, while a child, we say we want to be a fireman or policeman, but, deep in our hearts, we want to be a hero. For my generation, it was Davy Crockett and, later, the 7 Mercury astronauts. For those growing up in the last decade loved and idolized the LORD OF THE RINGS. More recent folk seem to be especially entranced by AVATAR.

That group that grew up in the late 70's and early 80's, and even, to some extent, those just a bit younger, STAR WARS was one of the most memorable events of their childhood and adolescence. Luke and Han Solo were men without peer, Princess Leia was the most beautiful creature in the universe, and Darth Vader was the epitome of evil. They read the books, hung the posters and listened to the music until their lives matured.

Seeing STAR WARS and its companion films was a big moment. Folks of those years remember where and when they first saw it, and tell the tales of standing in lines as badges of honor. They argue about which theatres got the coveted 70mm prints, and who saw it in the new process of Dolby Stereo.

Sure, its a "B" movie...even George Lucas will admit to that. But, its a darn good story that really captures people.

That, MikeRogers, is why there are so many comments about the STAR WARS series and the theatres where it played. And they were very significant money makers for the theatre owners.

I enjoy the STAR WARS comments, and I really hope to see many more.

O.K. Men lets not fight about it.I did not care for STAR WARS myself but I know many,many,many,people did.Its like people who say they do not like THE BEATLES, "the biggest music act of all time" I love their music and films but a few do not,live and let live.Have a good day.Now we are all off-topic!

No fight intended, and certainly no disrespect to MikeRogers. I wish only that the Force stay strong among us, and we resume discussing one of the the most memorable theatres of its time. All hail the Cine Capri, with the hope that we DO see the likes of it again.

Thanks MarkL it was a nice theatre,and Mike is just and old theatre DAWG like me,Cinema Treasures is my favorite site on the internet,although I check many others.

See that you have been on C.T. since 2004,well Mike and I did not find C.T. till 2009 of course we had to learn how to use a computer first,we are just old school I quess.

See that you have been on C.T. since 2004,well Mike and I did not find C.T. till 2009 of course we had to learn how to use a computer first,we are just old school I quess.

See I double clicked Sorry,still learning.

I have a comment on the entry of 5/20/10 by Mike Rogers regarding Star Wars. I do not think that it was an appropriate comment for this site. This is a place where people come to read and share stories on movie THEATRES, not the movies themselves. Now I know that it is hard to talk about one without the other because without the movie there would be no theatre. Part of the history of theatres is what movie opened the theatre, which one closed it, which blockbusters played here, and the source of this discussion, what was playing when a particular event took place. All of that is as relevant as events such as when a place was twinned, converted to platters or digital, or was robbed, flooded, raided, damaged by weather, or any number of the countless events that take place in theatres. However discussions about how good or bad a movie was is not really relevant here. That is blog and chatroom stuff. I am sure that Mike could find such a site and start a thread along the lines of:

STAR WARS: Overrated and it Sucks.

I have only read through these comments once, but I do not recall anyone talking about the worthiness of the movie, only its place in the history of this theatre. The fact that it was such a mega hit makes it worth noting that it played here. The fact that the theatre made the upgrade to Dolby during its run was a notable milestone in its history. You youngsters who did not grow up during the 1955-1975 era of movies where you only got stereo sound on big magnetic track roadshows will have a hard time understanding how big a deal the advent of Dolby stereo systems was to us. Now we could have stereo and surround sound in our neighborhood theatres all of the time although it was still early to mid 80's before you could count on all movies being encoded.

As for myself, I will, in the spirit of full disclosure, partially break my rule and comment on the movie itself. I enjoyed it. I found it a good, entertaining, action adventure movie, but it meant no more to me than a good western or war movie would have. Once I had seen it, then I had seen it and probably would not have again except for one thing; presentation. Getting back to the spirit of this site though not this page, I saw it four times. First, at the Loews Tara in mono. I have often been critical of Loews, who I worked for at the time, for not going to the expense of installing a Dolby system in their showcase Atlanta house for this big event movie. That may still be valid although the information I found on this page makes me think that it is possible that one was not available during this period.

My second viewing was at the Canton Corners (Blackwell Square), a theatre far into the Atlanta burbs. I went to this trouble because Norm Schneider, the long time Altec serviceman had retired and did what most of us only dream of doing, opening his own theatre with a presentation built to his specs. A lot of people made that trek in those days where mono still dominated theatres and were rewarded with a sound presentation that I have only heard equaled at the New Neon Movies in Dayton Ohio during their Cinerama days. I still judge all theatre sound experiences by this standard.

Third was later that year at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Big event, packed house, lot of fun had by all, but I was there mainly to see what it would be like in this huge place with a big crowd. This was well before my days of working in the Fox booth so I was not as aware of why the Fox is such a poor place to see a movie. Although a lot of improvements have been made to correct this, back then the cavernous auditorium, plaster walls, dozens of nooks and alcoves, and no wall to separate the lobby from the theatre itself made the sound just bounce and rattle around the place. The explosions and laser blasts sounded great, but as for dialogue, well, it is a good thing that I had seen the movie before so I could follow the story.

My last Star Wars show was the 1983 re-release which was more notable for the Revenge of the Jedi preview attached to the front. I wish I had kept it and the one sheet as I am sure both went up in value when they changed the name to Return. We ran it in our Yamaha brand 4 track Dolby house. Sounded good, but pretty pale compared to the Canton Corners, which was custom designed by someone who had forgotten more about sound than most techs will ever know.

So, I am sorry that I got somewhat off topic here, but I would like to see people be able to come to this site and read and hopefully add information about these great theatres without having to wade through a bunch of extraneous material. So many of these theatres are gone now that this is one of the few places we can come to relive the good old days.

Mike: I have read a good many of your posts and enjoy the ones where you relate what was playing. A lot of us are fans of the style and layout of movie ads in the days before it became plain block listings resembling the phone book. It seems that you may be looking at some old ads you have kept. If so it would be great if you could scan and post them on flickr or some such site.

Michael: Thanks for the listings. Even though I have no connection to this theatre, it is fun to scan the list and recall what was playing when and think about where it played in Atlanta.

Re: "Star Wars"

Wish I owned 10% of that "Overrated and it Sucks"

What a dumb thing to say.

You are right Stan. I have been watching myself.Guess i am just too big a fanatic of 2001.

The Cine Capri was truly a beloved piece of Phoenix history and it was a real tragedy to have it lost forever. Many groups tried to stop the demolition over the years; the best they did was post pone the inevitable. Like many other people that posted, if a movie came out that I was really excited to see, this was the only place to see it. I waited in multiple lines that wrapped around the parking lot on opening nights just to see a movie there. I was priviliged to see the Star Wars re-releases, the opening of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade", "Citizen Kane", "Doctor Zhivago", "The Lion King", and probably many more. One that particularly sticks out in my mind was a day viewing of "The Silence of the Lambs", one where I snuck out of a college course just in order to take it in. The theater truly had no equal and I could hardly believe it when they finally tore it down.