Comments from jbentley

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jbentley
jbentley commented about Capitol Theatre on Oct 25, 2007 at 2:38 pm

The projector is still in the projector room in the balcony. I have no idea if it is in any kind of working condition. I would think not. A portion of the balcony including a portion of the projector room was destroyed by fire in the late 1970’s

jbentley
jbentley commented about Capitol Theatre on Jun 28, 2006 at 5:44 am

I was at the Capitol theatre yesterday and met a man that worked there many years ago. He was a great source of info. His mother played the organ at the Durfee and when the Durfee was demolished the organ was auctioned off and he bought the organ. He has the organ and the pipes and is interested in donating them to the Capitol if the theatre can be renovated. The original floor at the front entry is still intact under the newer flooring. It is amazing how much of the original is still there and was not destroyed when the theatre became a furniture store.

jbentley
jbentley commented about Capitol Theatre on Jun 6, 2006 at 6:44 am

I can’t thank you enough for the photos of the Capitol theatre. These are the first that I have seen. It’s amazing how much of the original scroll work is still there – The new owners are starting to take down some of the false walls and ceilings and they are uncovering a lot of things that were not destroyed – just covered. Thanks again.

jbentley
jbentley commented about Capitol Theatre on May 27, 2006 at 8:04 am

The architect for the theater was J. M. Darling. He died the day ground was broken for the construction of the theatre. His son George Darling and his daughter Maude Parlin-Darling oversaw the conpletion of the project. The firm was based in Fall RIver, MA. The theatre opened Feb. 1, 1924. Every person and company invloved in the construction, financing, decorating, etc. of the theatre was from Fall River. The photo that is shown in the above email is the rear of the buildng. the theatre is largley intact – the balcony is still there, the projection booth – with the projector still in it – the chandiliers, wall decorations, etc are still there. many fake/false walls and platforms were constructed when it became a furniture store. New owners have recently bought the building and they would like to revive the theatre. I am an architect in Fall River and was called in to look at the buildng this past month. There was a fire in the 1970’s and some of the balcony was destroyed but much was saved. Unfortunatley photos are hard to come by and no one came seem to find any of the theatre facade.