Capitol Theatre

There is a listing for a Capitol 4, 216 First Av South. It's a Famous Players theater and shows 1929 as an opening date. If the info is accurate, this is probably the former Capitol that was quadded from a single screen house. If so, then it should be listed here as open, not demolished.

I neglected to mention that this theatre was an atmospheric,the first built in the prairies.
In reply to sam_e,the original theatre was demolished however it does appear that the Capitol 4 is located on the same site.

This theatre is located in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.

The original Capitol Theatre in Saskatoon was built in 1929 and demolished in 1979. The existing Capitol Four is NOT at the same location.

"The elegant and palatial Capitol Theatre opened on May 11, 1929, at 127 – 2nd Avenue South. The first ever “talking picture” shown in Saskatoon played there. It also served as an auditorium and concert hall. It seated 1,200 people, and the interior was done in a Spanish villa motif, with images of twinkling stars and drifting clouds projected on the roof. The Capitol Theatre was demolished amid controversy in 1979. Its demise helped to kick start the city's active architectural heritage movement."

http://www.saskatoon100.ca/main.php?p=2037


Jeff O'Brien
City of Saskatoon Archivist

I will never forget seeing "How To Succeed In Business" at this beautiful theater.(1966 or 67)There was another theater nearby.There was also a very nice theater over the Broadway bridge on the South side of town.Saskatoon was a lovely city,because they planted a lot of trees during the depression.I bet Mr.Memory can come up the the names and dates.The man is a god.

I'm just your ordinary, run of the mill Burning Bush. :) Could one of the theaters that your thinking of be the Broadway Theater? I just added that theater and it should be coming to a computer monitor in your area soon.

Yep,you did it.I worship your oracle-like product.

I was just 11 years old when the Capitol was demolished, and I actually carried a sign in protest of the demolition. What a great theatre! As Jeff pointed out there were projections of clouds on the ceiling made by a machine called a Brenograph. Entry to the theatre was on Second Ave. while the actual theatre was situated on First Ave. I remember there used to be a "stage door" on First Ave. I remember when the wrecking ball finally came they knocked a big hole in the side of the building and then demolition was halted while a group of people were allowed to take some artifacts out. I know that some of the seats are (or were when I was in high school) now in Castle Theatre (playhouse) at Aden Bowman Collegiate on Clarence Ave. After the demolition was complete I remember there was a wall still standing with some of the spanish themed plaster.It remained there for quite a while almost taunting those who loved that building. A small mall and office tower, The Scotia Center, is now on that lot, and I have to laugh as the mall has never been sucessful at keeping tennants. On a recent trip to Saskatoon I was at the local history dept. at the Main Library and I read that the Captiol's Marquee was "being stored" in a city compound. I had to search for it. In the downtown area is the city public works compound. In one of the fenced off areas off in a corner there it was. And it was HUGE!!!! I basically trespassed and drove into the fenced area as the gate was open, and took some pictures. It has sat outside for years (maybe since 1979?) and it is weathered and the neon tubes smashed. But to me it was like finding treasure, like seeing an old friend. Hopefully I can post pix of it soon. As for the Capitol 4, I was the first paying customer through the doors of that theater, having waited all day to get in. I figured there would be a line up for the opening. I was wrong. I waited HOURS by myself for the "honor" of being first. There was no fanfare. Quite the disappointment. I think I saw Superman. I still have the full page newspaper ad somewhere in my stuff. The Capitol 4 was a let down to say the least. I hope this gives you some memories!

The architect was Murray Brown,who was also the architect of the Capitol Theatre at Port Hope.

The Capitol was still a Famous Players theater in the early 1960s.

What years?

I know it was in 1967.

The 1963 IMPA shows the Capitol as part of the FP chain.

I picked up three IMPA listings so I can give you a hand with these circuits.

I think you have the 1935 FDY. I was in Hollywood last week and this guy wanted to sell me one for $125.

I have the 1935, 1945, 1951, and 1955. The IMPA that I have are 1961, 1964, and 1975. Not much info in those but they should be handy for verify later theaters.

I've comprised an album on Facebook devoted to Capitol.
It contains photographs and articles I've collected on
her. Please come see and leave comments-->
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=152974&id=701649922&l=5773d637a8