El Capitan Theatre

The Benitez Theatre Circuit was one of the two most important Golden Age cinema exhibitors in the Rio Grande Valley for Hispanic audiences. Miguel Sr. and Lupita Benitez opened multiple theaters with Miguel Jr. Hector, René, and Reynaldo operating various locations in smaller Rio Grande Valley locales. The El Capitan Theatre was operated by René “Coco” Benitez, Sr. and his wife, Elva, for 30 years from 1954 to 1984.

The programming at the El Capitan Theatre was Spanish language films which on busy days, it was said that the theater made north of $500 just in popcorn sales on busy weekend screenings. Regular talent shows nights were a way of drawing larger audiences on weekdays with their “Los Aficionados” shows. The theatre ended bookings though continuing as a video rental store in the mid-1980’s.

The theatre became a wholesale florist who were still in the building in 2011. By 2015 it had become a womens clothing store until around 2023. It was vacant by 2025. It still retains its marquee and recognizable theatrical exterior. René and Elva, also operated the Wes-Mer Drive-In, Teatro Royal in Laredo and a short run at the Cactus-Drive-In in Weslaco.

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