Capitol Theater

Until the theater first closed in 1976, the Capitol Theatre in Flint MI was operated by W.S. Butterfield Theatres.

Photos and history fo the Capitol can be found at:

http://www.roweincorp.com/focusweb/CapitolTheatre/capitol_theater.htm#Background

In the 1920s, two of the biggest names in entertainment came together, theater mogul W. S. Butterfield and architect John Eberson. Together they created a litany of classic theatres including the State Theatre in Kalamazoo, the Majestic in San Antonio, Texas Constellation, and Flints Capitol Theatre.

"The Capitol Theatre is an atmospheric type theatre whose interior design incorporates diverse Mediterranean architectural elements, executed on a grand scale. The Capitol Theatre is an outstanding example of 1920s theater architecture and one that epitomizes the atmospheric theatre concept of its architecture. The Capitol was the seventy-fourth theatre in the Butterfield Theatre chain. At its completion in 1928, it was Flint’s largest theatre and among Butterfields most lavish. The Capitol Theatre is significant for its direct association with two of Americas foremost innovators in theatre management and design and for its grandiose architectural character".

The original program opening the Capitol Theatre began with this greeting: "Welcome to the Capitol Theatre, a touch of Italy transferred in its seductive charms to the City of Flint. Here ancient culture and art rub shoulders with the ultra-modern art of the cinema. With a heavy handclasp, we bid you a cordial welcome and trust that the hours spent within the shrine of entertainment will be the means of making your days more joyful. It will even be our purpose to provide the best in music, photoplays and stage presentations of the ultra in the field variety".

The Capitol Theatres past and future destiny is truly a shrine of entertainment. This wonderful building has been recognized and is listed in the local, state, and national list of historic places. The current owners have perfectly preserved the property over the past twenty-two years and the time has come to restore this facility. It will serve as one of the channels to the revitalization of downtown Flint.
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Seating for the Capitol Theatre is 1900.

To: Charles VanBibber: Do you have additional historical information about the Capitol Theatre in Flint, Michigan? I am particularly interested in the opening date and attractions as well as other information on presentations in the thirties and forties. Thank you for any assistance you can provide. gerdommgmt@aol.com

Looks like a nice theater, never knew about it. Never been to a Eberson either, I'm gonna check it out the next time I go to Flint.

Then-Now Pics and othert info about the theater and restoration

Need to update the seating capacity to 1900.

Isn't it horrible when they take a georgeouus atmospheric theater and paint it's ornamentation in the wrong earth tones. I would like to smack the fool that contributed to the demise of this movie palace in that way. All of the finishes hane been covered up.

Earth tones are not to be toyed with by untrained professionals on oppulent movie palaces!

Well, enough of that. I am just happy for the people of Detroit getting there theater back. Good luck restoring those colors my darlings!

Does anyone know a contact company/person for this restoration project? I'd like to get in touch regarding current restortion status.

Thanks!
Barbara.Maranzani@aetn.com

I was lucky enough to be involved in a project at the Capitol Theater which allowed us the ability to venture into it's many areas, including a bowling alley and a fallout shelter, both located in the basement, several lounges in the reception area of the balcony, and several stories of dressing rooms all overlooking the stage on stage left.

This was THE movie to take your date for that big saturday night date during the mid 1950s. I remember that the first moving I saw there was "House of wax" in 3-D during the summer of 1953. It was
such a beautiful building both inside and out.

Barbara: Two reasons to save and restore this theater in Flint MI.......Eberson and atmospheric!!!

Barbara: If you click on the site that 'frenchjr25' has posted it will take you to a contact information, etc. for Flint's Capitol Theatre.

Check out http://www.waterwinterwonderland.com/location.asp?ID=840&type=5 and note the animated picture of the Capitol Theatre's repaired marquee.

Gary: Interesting website that is full of information and great photos! The City of Flint is fortunate to have an Eberson /atmospheric theatre downtown. Another example is the Town of Butler PA where there was an Eberson/art deco theatre, but it no longer exists....a PNC bank can be found there now!

You're welcome, Patsy. I wrote on article on this theater which you can read at http://www.theuncommonsense.com:8080/us/fmpro?-db=articles.pro&-lay=web&-format=artcls_detail.htm&-recid=36089&-find

A VERY good article and thanks so very much for sharing it with us! My favorite theatre architect is John Eberson and my favorite decor is atmospheric and art deco so found your article of great interest!

Hi, Patsy. I'm curious if you wrote the letter which got published in The Uncommon Sense at http://www.theuncommonsense.com:8080/us/fmpro?-db=articles.pro&-lay=web&-format=artcls_detail.htm&-recid=36271&-find
about the Capitol Theatre.

Yes, I am the author of the published letter! Thanks for telling me!

Some color photos of the Capitol Theatre.
http://www.agilitynut.com/05/6/capthe3.jpg
http://www.agilitynut.com/05/6/capthe.jpg
http://www.agilitynut.com/05/6/capthe2.jpg

There is a new web site about the Capitol Theatre set up by its owners at http://capitolrealtyholdings.com/theatre/

The Capitol Theatre opened on January 19th. 1928.

Added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1985

Capitol Theatre Building (added 1985 - Building - #85000165)
140 E. 2nd St., Flint
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Eberson,John
Architectural Style: Other, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals
Area of Significance: Performing Arts, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Business, Theater
Current Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Business, Theater

It is wonderful to read that this Eberson designed theatre in Flint MI is getting some TLC as it should. The "Gary Flinn" site is very interesting.

After viewing the photos there were many architectural changes made to this Eberson over the years, but hopefully it will look as it once did when Eberson designed and built it this atmospheric theatre.

July, 2006 photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/detroitsky/363088505/

Here is another recent photo of the Capitol Theater building.

This is a 2007 photo of the Capitol Theater building.

The updated URL for the Capitol Theatre Building is...
http://www.capitoltheatrebuilding.com
and there is also a MySpace page for the theater at...
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=121324144

A recent close-up view of the Capitol Theater can be seen here.

Another recent photo of the Capitol Theater can be seen here.

A Barton theater organ size 3/11 was installed in the Capitol Theater in 1927. Note: Organ was moved to Flint Inst. of Music.

This is a more recent photo of the Capitol Theater.

what a beautiful marquee. let's hope that the 'ol girl will eventually see a reawakening.

Here is a 2008 photo. I don't see any change.

The left side of the marquee is advertising "Mother, Jugs and Speed", a mid-70s film. I imagine that some filming was going on at the time.

So does the 2007 photo posted on Nov 2, 2007. As I said, I don't see any change.

The "Mother, Jugs and Speed" and "Mega Bowl" marquee messages go back to the filming of the film "Semi-Pro" in Flint last year. The two-disc expanded edition of the "Semi-Pro" DVD includes a documentary titled "Four Days in Flint" which includes scenes filmed at the Capitol Theatre including those cut from the finished film. For the filming, the marquee got a makeover so that it became fully functional electrically for the first time in many years.

This is a June 2008 photo. Is it too late to catch the Mega Bowl on closed circuit tv?

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index

Corrected site for UM article.

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/02/university_of_michiganflint_mu.html

This site has a 1981 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/da9g8h

The Capitol Theater is listed in 1955 with 1951 seats.

Another 1981 photo is here.

As a teenager, I worked at the Capitol, from usher, to doorman and assistant manager. I moved to California and then back in 1960 for the renovation. The interior had salmon and gray walls, It looked terrible. They took out all of the things that made the Capitol special. The front entrance was improved from the old one. It was a modern look for that time.
The Garden was open during the renovating and had first run films, as did the Palace, two blocks away. Now they want $40,000,000 to restore it. Are they crazy? Does this include the whole block that contains the theater? There used to be women's clothing stores, and antique shops there. To the right was Sackrider's Clothing store, and Beneficial Loan was to the right on the alley. Downstairs was a bowling alley and a small restaurant.
To lease the theater they want $1,000,000 in advance, The theater needs new air-conditioning, furnace, outside fire escape, and much more. They donated the two 35 mm projectors and the pipe organ. They were perfectly well working projectors. Will the owners replace these things? it can be operational for millions less, if it is for the theater only. Yes, Flint needs a downtown theater, but not a $40,000,000 restoration.

Another photo from Derek Farr a CT member
http://www.flickr.com/photos/detroitderek/2246756010/in/set-72157602770798694/

Earl Berry passed away August 2009. He had been city manager of the Butterfield Theatre chain in Flint.
His daughter, Pam Peck, had a memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church in Flint, attended by members of the Lions and Elk's club and a few ex-employees. Earl was 90 years old. His wife Vivian passed away three years before. He leaves behind many fond memories. He loved theatre exhibition, his life-long career. His offices were in the Capitol theater.

Some vintage photos can be viewed here: http://ford-dealers-usa.com/ViewAllOriginal.htm