Capitol Theatre

Lucas and Jenkins operated the theatre in the fifties and possibly early sixties. The original organ was a two-manual, four-rank Wurlitzer, Style 135A, opus 372, which was later moved to the York
Theatre, Chattanooga, TN, in 1925. A 2/6 Wurlitzer, Style 160 was installed in December, 1925. In August, 1927, the Capitol recieved its THIRD Wurlitzer organ: a Style "E" (divided), Opus 1698. The Capitol probably holds the distinction of having the most Wurlitzer organs ever installed in a Georgia theatre!

I have just toured this theatre to inspect the restoration efforts and they are remarkable. Under the guidance of Tony Long--who comes from a construction background that started in the 1930's--the theatre is being sensitively adapted, ever mindful of its architectural heritage.

A grand opening for the first phase of the restoration is planned for early January, 2006.

I just uncovered an interesting "celibrity" link with the Capitol's last Wurlitzer organ (a Style "E" divided):

According to organ technician John Tanner, "When John Bagley took the organ out many years ago he had this rather large country boy with him to help take it out and drive the truck. You may know him later as Junior Samples on the TV show, 'Hee Haw'."

The Capitol Theatre's Grand Opening will be Wednesday evening, January 18, at 6:00 p.m. An Allen 317EX organ will be installed for the occasion and John Clark McCall, Jr. will be featured at the console as part of the inaugural program on stage. Tickets will be available at the box office on the evening of the performance. The theatre is loccated near the corner of Second and Cherry Streets.

Theatre re-opened January 18, 2006. Facility operates 5 nights per week.

Pie Hole and Tap House is managing operations. Their phone number for information is 478-318-7860. Web site is Capitoltheatremacon.com.

David Thompson

This is a recent photo of the Capitol Theater. Notice on the marquee the date of 1916.

Given the sponsorship of the theater by a cable company, I can imagine that the daily feature starts sometime between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

As of the beginning of June, the theatre is programming independent films, musical shows, and mainstream films weekly. The restaurant management has changed. The theatre organ is still present and still being used when an organist is available. In April the first annual Macon GA Film and Video Festival (www.maconfilmfestival.com) was held and was very successful. It included concert performances and silent film screenings with the Grand Organ featuring international theatre organ star Ken Double. The theatre seems to be enlivening the downtown area and is an exciting place to be.

Here are a couple of recent photos of the Capitol Theatre. The Capitol is among the finest midsize theatres in the country. Well worth the trip from Atlanta or anywhere else in the northern hemisphere.

The Allen 317-EX organ, loaned by theatre organist John McCall has now been removed, but not before it was recorded by McCall in a new CD, "A Capitol Idea". For information on the purchase of this recording, please contact John McCall at jcmdc@alltel.net Also, a limited number of CD's are available at the theatre.

The correct website address for the Capitol Theatre is now:

www.coxcapitoltheatre.com

Here is a 2007 photo of the Capitol Theater. Maybe there should be an aka name above for the Cox Capitol Theater.

This is another recent night view.

Here is a 2009 photo.

1981 photo of the Capitol Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c10%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=25788

This is a 1953 photo.

LM, that is one of the best B&W photos of a theatre that I have seen in a long time. Question for you, did you ever notice in all the pictures the number of drug stores that are next door to theatres, wonder of there is some significance to that. Then again look at how many former theatre that have been turned into drug stores. Stange?

Years ago some of the drug stores had a soda fountain where people could stop after a movie. That could be one reason for them being located near theaters.The problem that we have today is the drug stores are now located inside the former theater building instead of next to them.