Capri Theater
107 S. El Paso Street,
El Paso,
TX
79901
107 S. El Paso Street,
El Paso,
TX
79901
1 person
favorited this theater
The Ellanay Theater opened November 9, 1918. A Wurlitzer theater organ was installed. In 1957 the Ellanay Theater was operated by the Trans-Texas Theatres chain. It was renamed Capri Theater on February 24, 1961 and was showing movies at least through to 1966. Eventually the building became a clothing store which closed in 1983, and the building was subsequently demolished.
Photos show pressed tin patterns on walls, a later dropped ceiling and some ornate columns and decorative plaster, with many layers of white paint.
Contributed by
Lost Memory, David A. Litterer
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Recent comments (view all 23 comments)
Cool flyer. Nice one, Mike.
It’s a newspaper ad.
Here is a June 1974 ad from the El Paso Herald-Post:
http://tinyurl.com/ygt5doe
A book called Spirits Of The Border: The History And Mystery Of El Paso Del Norte says that the Ellanay Theatre opened November 8, 1918, with a seating capcity of 940. The original owners were J.M. Lewis and Victor Andreas.
The following quote comes from a 1918 issue of the trade journal “Architect and Engineer” under the headline “Unique Terra Cotta Work”
I believe that the remains of this terra cotta panel can be seen in this photo from the time of the theater’s demolition (this is one of the 14 photos Lost Memory linked to in the sixth comment on this page.)The fact that a Los Angeles tile company was chosen for this project suggests that the architect of the building might have been a Californian familiar with their work. The Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company was the leading producer of face brick in Southern California during the early 20th century, but the product itself was produced by many companies throughout the nation, including Texas. A Texas architect would probably have been more likely to use a closer source. So far I’ve had no luck tracking down the name of the Ellanay’s architect, though.
Great pictures and ads guys.
Candy, soda and popcorn was sold to the right as you entered the theatre. There was also another entrance on El Paso Street with a small area and counter where one could buy without going into the theatre. Guys would go in that entrance to talk to the girls who worked there. To keep the guys out, the manager finally put up a sign which said “If you have nothing to do, please don’t do it here”. (It did not keep the guys out).
The Ellanay was probably best known for its striking Terra Cotta exterior known for its bas-relief visualization entitled, “The Dance” as architected by H.M. Bentell.
This opened as Ellaney on November 9th, 1918. grand opening ad in the photo section.
February 21st, 1961 grand opening ad as Capri
2011 article with re-use of the frieze from the theatre.
http://www.elpasoinc.com/lifestyle/local_features/room-with-a-view/article_729bc800-1f6d-11e1-89cd-001a4bcf6878.html?fbclid=IwAR0FG4L4Zvjb4DJXyks6Tt0_HkdOCNCMf9-E4IyE1eFnfPjZYS85KBo_1bI