Capitol Theatre
140 E. 2nd Street,
Flint,
MI
48502
140 E. 2nd Street,
Flint,
MI
48502
12 people
favorited this theater
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Functions should include Movies, classic. Website: Capitol Theatre
Grand opening ad posted.
Their official website (on facebook) is at:
https://www.facebook.com/TheCapitolTheatreFlint/
The restored Capitol Theatre is now open. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZJEmyDI8jU
They have a new official website up:
https://www.facebook.com/The-Capitol-Theatre-112918705389402/
Article with video of the new sign going up.
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2016/12/catch_first_glimpse_of_new_cap.html
It looks like the restoration is a go!
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2016/07/renovation_work_begins_on_capi.html
Uptown Reinvestment Corp and Whiting Co. have bought the Capitol and are ready to launch a $21,000,000 plus renovation of the Capitol as a performing arts center set to open in Fall 2017.
I don’t mean to be insensitive. But the question bears asking: Isn’t Flint basically a giant ghetto nowadays? If they do get the theatre project done who is going to drive to Downtown Flint to attend an event?
It don’t say if the theatre is fully functional but it is play “A Hard Days Night” Saturday January 24 and Sunday January 25 at 4:00 & 7:00pm
Hey everyone! I’m new to this site, but I love it here so far. I’m currently working on a research project as a student at U of M Flint. My subject is this very theater, The Capitol. I need personal stories about this place. The only requirement is that you are at least fifty years of age and willing to share your story or stories with me. If you are interested in helping with this or would like more information about it please contact me at . Thanks in advance.
This was the first movie theater I ever went to. I was going to start Kindergarten and my mother took me to see “Mary Poppins” at the Capitol. I remember the inspiring feeling as I looked around at the most beautiful buliding and knew it would stay with me forever. I think that is one of the reasons I wanted to get into the entertainment field. Just the tought of one day being showcased at a venue such as the Capitol. I somewhat got my wish when I worked for WWCK 105.5 and I was able to help welcome Michael Morales and Question Mark and the Mysterians on stage at the Capitol. Amazing memories…
Nice panoramic views of this theater on link listed by cinemaporamas! I can see why you would want to save this one. Some blue lighting along the ceiling edges, and some nice artificial greenery would enhance the courtyard feel that John Eberson was do adept at creating.
Here are some panoramic images of the interior of the Capitol, done in December 2010: Capitol Theatre
Good news. The Flint Journal had a story about the Capitol. They have received a grant to get the place back together. Hopefully, they will have enough and not spend it carelessly. I heard it needs new air-conditioning, heating, projectors, outside fire escape and a lot of material things. It can never be restored to look like it did when it first opened. Just get it cleaned up and operational. The marquee is in perfect condition. New marquee letters will be needed too. I can hardly wait. I loved this theater. I just hope the druggies stay away. That is what the theater doesn’t need. Good security and it can succeed as a showplace downtown. That can bring over 2,000 people on weekend nights.
Earl Berry passed away August 2009. He had been city manager of the Butterfield Theatre chain in Flint.
His daughter, Pam Peck, had a memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church in Flint, attended by members of the Lions and Elk’s club and a few ex-employees. Earl was 90 years old. His wife Vivian passed away three years before. He leaves behind many fond memories. He loved theatre exhibition, his life-long career. His offices were in the Capitol theater.
As a teenager, I worked at the Capitol, from usher, to doorman and assistant manager. I moved to California and then back in 1960 for the renovation. The interior had salmon and gray walls, It looked terrible. They took out all of the things that made the Capitol special. The front entrance was improved from the old one. It was a modern look for that time.
The Garden was open during the renovating and had first run films, as did the Palace, two blocks away. Now they want $40,000,000 to restore it. Are they crazy? Does this include the whole block that contains the theater? There used to be women’s clothing stores, and antique shops there. To the right was Sackrider’s Clothing store, and Beneficial Loan was to the right on the alley. Downstairs was a bowling alley and a small restaurant.
To lease the theater they want $1,000,000 in advance, The theater needs new air-conditioning, furnace, outside fire escape, and much more. They donated the two 35 mm projectors and the pipe organ. They were perfectly well working projectors. Will the owners replace these things? it can be operational for millions less, if it is for the theater only. Yes, Flint needs a downtown theater, but not a $40,000,000 restoration.
This site has a 1981 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/da9g8h
Corrected site for UM article.
View link
The “Mother, Jugs and Speed” and “Mega Bowl” marquee messages go back to the filming of the film “Semi-Pro” in Flint last year. The two-disc expanded edition of the “Semi-Pro” DVD includes a documentary titled “Four Days in Flint” which includes scenes filmed at the Capitol Theatre including those cut from the finished film. For the filming, the marquee got a makeover so that it became fully functional electrically for the first time in many years.
The left side of the marquee is advertising “Mother, Jugs and Speed”, a mid-70s film. I imagine that some filming was going on at the time.
what a beautiful marquee. let’s hope that the ‘ol girl will eventually see a reawakening.
The updated URL for the Capitol Theatre Building is…
http://www.capitoltheatrebuilding.com
and there is also a MySpace page for the theater at…
View link
July, 2006 photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/detroitsky/363088505/
After viewing the photos there were many architectural changes made to this Eberson over the years, but hopefully it will look as it once did when Eberson designed and built it this atmospheric theatre.
It is wonderful to read that this Eberson designed theatre in Flint MI is getting some TLC as it should. The “Gary Flinn” site is very interesting.