Capitol Theatre
127 Second Avenue South,
Saskatoon,
SK
S7K
127 Second Avenue South,
Saskatoon,
SK
S7K
2 people
favorited this theater
Very little information on this theatre. It opened on May 11, 1929 with 1,600 seats, and was demolished in 1979.
Contributed by
Graeme McBain
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Recent comments (view all 37 comments)
Thanks for the email. I too recently discovered the images from the Saskatoon History Room Library. It was so wonderful and nostalgic to the see pics. One of the shots in the lower level at the far end, which was the west exit to the street, I see myself and the other ushrettes standing there chatting. All the pictures came back with flooding memory and clarity and it was sad, sad yet to know that this absolutely beautiful masterpiece has disappeared. It wud be 81 years old this year.
Ruby
Some good news about the Capitol’s grand marquee:
‘The Mid-West design team peeled away deteriorating outer paint to discover the original multi-coloured paint scheme. Paint chips were kept so that it can be restored as closely as possible to its original colour scheme. The marquee was then sandblasted and prepared for re-painting and intricate electrical re-wiring. The restoration project is expected to cost about $80,000 and will be completed once the Mid-West Group has identified an appropriate building in its property portfolio on which to showcase it.“
Go here—> http://www.midwestgroup.ca/diversity/heritage/
OMG……..OMG….thanks so much for keeping me posted. I cant believe this happening. What great, great news!! I am returning home to Saskatoon in July and Sept. and I will check it out. I hope that I am available to return home when they resurrect the marquee so I can get some great photos. Thanks again, I sure enjoy hearing about my theatre.
Regards to you Elissa.
THANKS, from Ruby
Thanks everyone for all your emails. Yes, the Midwest Group has the original Saskatoon Capital Theatre marquee now. It is no longer in its sad state od decay. It is redau for paint but we have still not paintied it, so anyone with knowledge of it original colors is welcome to send us that info to add to our research. We do have the paint chips from the under layers and have been researching theatres of that era to take it back to its original colors which were many as shown in the old paint buried beneath the newer paint layers. We are just waiting to find a building in our portfolio to best showcase the marquee. Award winning heritage property developer Ken Achs will over see the restoration. We will update at midwestgroup.ca and we will also post on this website when we find a location for it. Meanwhile know that is is no longer decaying and is safe and any of you who know Ken’s work will know it will be a first class restoration.
I would like to see the Midwest Group also attempt to salvage the other articles from the Capitol (ie. who owns the discarded items in the Arthur Cook building, as mentioned in the Star Phoenix?) If Midwest could preserve as many Capitol artifacts as possible, in one location, that would be great.
I personally think the marquee would suit a diner or cafe. I’m scared they’re gonna use it for some ugly condominium unit. A theatre-themed diner, with artifacts, would allow patrons to learn about the former Capitol. It would attract a larger demographic.
Midwest Group is doing a wonderful thing. I have been in contact with Midwest, there’s was long, hard and arduous road to get the marquee relinquished to them, and I – am so grateful to them. I don’t believe that the marquee will be attached to “an ugly condo”, all their work would be in vain. Mr. Ken Achs reputation seems to proceed him and Colleen Wilson will have great plans for the unveiling in a most prestigous manner and building. Kudos to the whole Midwest Team!
MJ (aka RubyRed)
Hey all…been a while since I was on this site…some really good pix of the demolition…and yes, it made my stomach churn to see that gaping hole again…I am glad to hear the marquee is being restored…I cant wait to see the results…I was concerned about its whereabouts after I went to the compound where it was and it was missing! I am glad it is in good hands…I hope Midwest is keeping lots of photos of the process. I agree with Elissa, I would love to go on a mission to see the Capitol artifacts in the Cook Bldg…I think the city is still embarassed at the brutal job of not keeping the Capitol theater alive….I still consider it to be a major loss to the city’s history. If anyone wants to chat about it email me at
May 11th, 1929 grand opening ad is at View link
How ironic. I worked for Ken Achs and am aware of his Capitol Theater work. A friend gave me 6 Capitol Theater seats “to get rid of” and I did a web search. I have joined this group. I attended the last event at the Capitol in ‘79. It was Sneezy Waters playing Hank Williams in “The Show Hank Never Gave.” It was awesome, but most amazing was the theater. The screen was gone and everyone realized that this was once, and for one last time, a theater, not just a cinema. So, what to do with the seats? Suggestions? Do you have pictures? They are in great shape and they have stories to tell. My email is
This theatre was built in 1929 by the Daylight Theatre Company, Limited whose principals were Mr. Byers and Mr. Butler. The Daylight Theatre Company were Famous Players partners in the operation of the Capitol, The Daylight, the Broadway, and years later the Midtown A & B. In the late 60’s the Daylight Theatre was renamed Paramount at the suggestion of Famous Players Limited!