Empire Capitol 7
223 Princess Street,
Kingston,
ON
K7L 1B3
223 Princess Street,
Kingston,
ON
K7L 1B3
2 people
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The cinema closed on the night of December 20, 2012. Its final films included Rise of the Guardians, Skyfall, Life of Pi 3D, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 3D, and Playing for Keeps.
4 screens on March 11th, 1977. Another ad posted.
Two screens on November 1st, 1973. Another ad posted.
Reopened as Capitol on December 10th, 1923. Another ad posted.
This opened as the Allen theatre on December 30th, 1920. Grand opening ad posted.
That’s cool Jason. I remember several Toronto area theatres that were named the same way. I guess any Famous Players theatre built or renovated during that era had their cinemas named for former movie palaces. I thought that was a great idea. My favourite was the Oakville Town Centre cinemas where the lobby looked like a street, with the ceiling blue as the sky and each cinema entrance had their own marquee each in a different style with their cinema name and what was playing. Looked just like an old fashioned main street.
Hey Tim,
I think I recall those Uptown pics were from another person’s Flickr account. That and the archive photos were the only photos I ever found of the place.
As for the Kingston 7, I couldn’t find photos either but it would appear the multiplexing was done under the 80’s Famous Players design where every cinema had a name (“Rialto” “Bijou” etc). There are still two of them in existence in Greater Vancouver (Esplanade 6 in North Van and Station Square 7 in Burnaby) and are both good cinemas.
I guess no one from Kingston knows how this was divided up. Too bad Empire couldn’t update this location instead of building way up near 401. That will leave downtown Kingston with only the small Screening Room. That’s a shame. Downtown Windsor recently lost it only cinema location, ironic since both Windsor & Kingston downtowns are close to their respective universities, which I’m sure makes up a good portion of their audience.
I know Jason, I always hoped to make it here too. I love the marquee out front and on Google streetview have gone around to the back where it appears that there is the original building and an add on to the north of it. They have a marquee back there too.
By the way, LOVE LOVE the photos you posted awhile back showing the late great Uptown in Toronto, OMG I miss that place. Now there is an art deco looking condo building on the site called…The Uptown. I especially love the photo taken from the front and above, showing the tall Uptown sign, and the entrance leading from the main doors, up over the alleyway to the main huge Uptown building with the great black roof. That is exactly the view from my nephew’s former apartment when he lived in the tower of the Hudson’s Bay Centre.
It’s closing? Shame. Always wanted to visit there, but understand if there’s a new one opening nearby. (I keep hearing about how awesome the new Empire locations are, even though they have yet to build one in BC).
I too am curious how they divided it up and would love to see interior photos.
Before this theatre closes when the new Empire opens, can someone tell me how this was divided from one single theatre in to 7?? I’ve always wondered how 7 screens were fit in to the original.
The front facade looks like London Ontario Capitol which was a C Howard Crane theatre built by the Allen chain.
This theatre was purchased by the Famous Players Canadian Corp. in 1929. It has always been a movie theatre. It was built in 1923 by the Allen Bros. I got this information from the library. We hold 1316 seats currently. We still have a catwalk that goes up over the original ceiling upstairs. The Olympia is part of the original cinema 1…the largest house. I have pictures from 1923 to currently of the building. The stone front with the lion heads and columns are original from the day it was built, still hold up our marquee. Our last renovation was in 1990 to the 7-plex. Currently, we’ve fixed up our front & back marquees (with flashing lights still) and put in new seats in the largest cinema. Most of our curtains are working and open/close for each performance.
According to the AFY Yearbook of 1936, the Capitol then seated 1,207.
How did they divide this theatre in to 7? Did the original have a balcony, that was divided as well as the main floor? Or did they add on to the building at the back or beside it. I love when they keep older theatres open, even if it means dividing them since ususally the lobby areas are kept as they originally were.
Empire Theatres Canada is not related to any Empires around the world.