Capri Theatre

525 Hamilton Street,
Allentown, PA 18101

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Additional Info

Functions: Office Space

Previous Names: Peoples Theatre, Cameo Theatre, Transit Theatre

Nearby Theaters

1980 photo of the Capri Theater after it closed

The Peoples Theatre opened in 1927, and originally seated 504.

It went through several names, the Cameo Theatre from November 15, 1927 until 1931. The Transit Theatre from May 25, 1931 until 1938, the Cameo Theatre again from 1938 until 1943, when it again became the Transit Theatre from 1943 to at least 1957. It was finally the Capri Theatre from August 7, 1963 until 1981 when it had been operated as an adult theatre for several years.

The building is still standing converted into offices, and was one of many theatres along Hamilton Street.

Contributed by Chuck

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

Glennk1112
Glennk1112 on June 6, 2009 at 2:08 pm

I think that the Capri closed sometime around 1980. Eventually, if I remember correctly, the auditorium structure was demolished and all that remains is the Lobby building, modernized and converted to office space. The building was still being called the Capri and had a small marquee-like canopy that projected out from the facade over the sidewalk. This conversion took place around 1983/84.

bwmoll3
bwmoll3 on July 30, 2013 at 7:59 am

This ad above must be from an earlier theater in the same building. The Capri theater that I recall opened about 1968 next to the Americas Hotel in the 500 block of Hamilton Street.

Dave7291
Dave7291 on January 8, 2016 at 9:46 am

Opened in 1927 as the Peoples Theater and originally seated 638. Over the years it was the Cameo Theater (1928), which closed in 1931. Reopened as the Transit Theater in 1932, closed in 1938, then the Cameo from 1939-1941, and again the Transit from 1942-1957.

Reopened in 1963 as the Capri Theater and showed first run films until the late 1970s, then became an Adult theater. Closed in 1981. In 1985, the building was completely renovated and converted into an office building having three floors and 14,000 square feet of space. Today the Capri Marquee remains.

rivest266
rivest266 on April 22, 2017 at 3:25 pm

This opened as Cameo on November 15th, 1927. Grand opening ad in the photo section.

rivest266
rivest266 on April 22, 2017 at 3:43 pm

Reopened as Transit theatre on May 25th, 1931. Ad in photo section.

Article:

Found on Newspapers.com

rivest266
rivest266 on April 25, 2017 at 4:51 pm

Reopened as Capri theatre on August 7th, 1963. Grand opening ad in the photo section.

hondo
hondo on November 24, 2023 at 9:42 am

According to a 1986 article, the building was “converted” into offices on three floors. Apparently, the outside shell of the building exists. Unfortunately, the same cannot not be said for its neighbor, the Colonial.

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