Capitol Theatre

1400 W. 65th Street,
Cleveland, OH 44102

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Related Websites

Cleveland Cinemas (Official)

Additional Info

Operated by: Cleveland Cinemas

Previously operated by: Allen Theatres, Ohio Amusement Co.

Functions: Movies (First Run), Movies (Independent)

Styles: Greek Revival

Previous Names: Allen's Capitol Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 440.528.0355

Nearby Theaters

News About This Theater

Capitol Theater in 1969

This theatre, which is located in the Gordon Square Building, opened as a neighborhood theatre on April 8, 1921 as Allen’s Capitol Theatre. The opening movie was Vera Gordon in “The Greatest Love”. By December 1924 it went to new operators and became the Capitol Theatre. It was later operated by the Ohio Amusement Co. It was closed in the late-1960’s.

Since the Gordon Square Building was restored and renovated in 2003, there was talk of restoring and reopening the theatre as an art house, but nothing came of it for a while. The theatre, however was well maintained since it closed, but after 35 years of closure, some renovation was needed.

It re-opened with three screens on October 2, 2009, and is an all digital cinema.

Contributed by Toby Radloff

Recent comments (view all 16 comments)

liberationbrew
liberationbrew on May 30, 2008 at 5:59 pm

The last time films were shown at the Capital Theater was the summer of ‘82 when River and Tom Smith (Liberation Brew) created the Cleveland West Film Society. The films “King of Hearts” and “Harold and Maude” drew big crowds. There is hope the the Variety Theater neighborhood will experience a similar revival that the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood has, good luck Capital Theater.

lookingatcapitol
lookingatcapitol on May 13, 2009 at 11:49 am

I’m sitting at Gypsy Bean Cafe looking out the window at Capitol Theater across the street. There are workers outside painting the marquee among other things. Looks like it’s almost done. A friend told me it’s supposed to reopen this summer but I’m not sure what his source is.

ohiocitygirl
ohiocitygirl on June 19, 2009 at 9:27 am

According to the Gordan Square Arts District website the grand opening will be Oct 1st – 11th, 2009. I can’t wait! I won’t have to drive through the city to the Cedar Lee anymore.

Moalma
Moalma on September 25, 2009 at 11:14 am

Here are more details about the October 2 reopening from the website www.clevelandcinemas.com

Friday, October 2 at 9:30 AM – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – Be on hand to witness the historic reopening and dedication of the Capitol Theatre. Following the dedication ceremony there will be a showing of Casablanca. (This event is free and open to the public but you must have a ticket. Tickets can be picked up at the Detroit Shoreway offices starting at 9 AM on Friday, September 25th.)

Friday, October 2 at 7:00 PM – A Capitol Evening opening night party. Tickets are on sale now in the Cleveland Cinemas store for this exciting event which includes admission to the film of your choice druing the 7:00 round and then an after party in the Gordon Square Arcade from 9 – 11. Please make sure you select the appropriate item in our store the film that you want to see when you purchase your ticket to this event.

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on October 2, 2009 at 12:00 pm

Screens should now be three.

DavidSimpson
DavidSimpson on July 31, 2018 at 6:15 am

Seating capacities are: Screen 1:450, Screen 2: 131 and Screen 3:131. The very plain Screens 2 and 3 are virtual mirror images, in the former circle area.

dansdriveintheater
dansdriveintheater on November 15, 2018 at 2:37 pm

the marquee can been seen in the background of two scenes in the 1995 comedy movie Tommy boy.

TomMc11
TomMc11 on November 16, 2018 at 9:08 am

That would be a different Capitol Theatre. Tommy Boy says it takes place in Sandusky, Ohio. Very little was actually filmed in Sandusky, or in Ohio period. The bulk of the movie was shot in Toronto, Canada. None of it was shot in Cleveland to my knowledge and according to IMDB unless they greenscreened something in.

dansdriveintheater
dansdriveintheater on May 9, 2025 at 2:16 pm

TomMc11 sorry for the late post but you’re right!

PlazaChris
PlazaChris on August 2, 2025 at 12:13 am

This cinema actually opened on April 8, 1921 as Allen’s Capitol Theatre (claiming 1,500 seats) but by December 1921, it was under new management and no longer referred to as “Allen’s.”

First film was Vera Gordon in “The Greatest Love.”

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