Has it been posted as to what is at 527 Church Street today? I just reviewed the many photos and just can’t believe that this theatre and building that housed this theatre was demolished! What was the City of Nashville thinking?
I was in Auburn last July and decided to drive by this theatre. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been restored which is such a shame as the architect was Eberson and perhaps time isn’t on its side now.
Guard: Thanks for this very good news even though it’s only open on the weeknds….better than not at all. This town is the site of Fun Fest each Labor Day weekend when hundreds of Corvettes come to town so the owners of the Heart should run the cult classic, Corvette Summer, imo.
Interesting story and glad to hear that this theatre is no longer showing porn movies….“X no longer marks the spot”! I hope the City of Pittsburgh and others restore this theatre’s original beauty AND reputation!
Lost Memory: Thanks for the great collection of interior photos. Do you know whether this theatre has an organ or hopefully an original organ since it was built in 1921 and was a silent movie/vaudville house?
Interesting article as I always enjoy reading about neglected theatres and seeing what they looked like in their heyday and what they should still look like rather than the way they become due to so many reasons. It sounds like the City of Pittsburg is ‘stepping up to the plate’ to help which is wonderful. Keep us posted on this one. Thanks.
Interesting to see that an effort is being made to save and restore this very neglected theatre which at one time was a beautiful theatre built by the famous Sattler name (i.e. Sattler Department Stores).
Nice to see a classic listed…Jailhouse Rock though I don’t put that one in the same category as a classic like any of the Hitchcock movies, Cary Grant movies or the MGM musicals and Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers movies.
Lost Memory: Thanks for this 2007 photo as I was concerned that this marquee and vertical MICHIGAN marquee had been changed because of the “recent” photo shown with the stats on the theatre. Are you sure this is a 2007 photo? I hope so. And I wish it hadn’t been twinned, but perhaps it will be a single screen cinema again one day.
jwm79: Have they removed the Millwald marquee that read Millwald? In one of the photos I saw the word Millwald above the brick in concrete so that will, at least remain!
A great classic movie selection…Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden: All About Eve with Bette Davis and Anne Baxter; Some Like It Hot with Marilyn Monroe Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, Suddenly Last Summer with Elizabeth Taylor, Adam’s Rib with Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn; Holiday with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn.
LOUB: Thanks for posting the Summer Film Series as I try to make at least one trip each summer to this beautiful theatre. As you enter the front doors with the overhead stained glass past the enclosed ticket kios through the stained glass lobby doors with an R on each one you know you have entered a very special theatre that receives TLC. The organ recitals each month are spectacular, too.
I recently received a very nice email from Mr. John McNab, Capitol owner and he has given me permission to post his words and wonderful story.
Patsy, Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. What I have here is truly a “diamond in the rough”. This place was used for storage for the “Festival of Lights” and then as a contractor’s warehouse post 1965. I have heard so many wonderful stories….one Saturday afternoon I was in the theatre cleaning the place when an older gentleman appeared in the doorway. He was dressed in a suit & tie and walked with a cane. He said “Excuse me sir…may I see your theatre?”. I said “Of course”. He walked in far enough to see up into the balcony turned around and with his voice a little shaky he said to me “I kissed my bride, for the first time, right up there” and pointed to the right side of the balcony. Well, as you can imagine, we both had to compose ourselves..tender moment? You bet. Anyway you and your friends are welcome to see the theatre anytime. Peace, John
LOUB: Thanks for the website information as I just sent Mr. McNabb an email though I didn’t grow up in the Buffalo area. If anyone on CT did, I urge you to send this man a personal email as I know he would like to read about your memories of the Capitol Theatre which might help him in his restoration efforts.
Has it been posted as to what is at 527 Church Street today? I just reviewed the many photos and just can’t believe that this theatre and building that housed this theatre was demolished! What was the City of Nashville thinking?
I was in Auburn last July and decided to drive by this theatre. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been restored which is such a shame as the architect was Eberson and perhaps time isn’t on its side now.
Guard: Thanks for this very good news even though it’s only open on the weeknds….better than not at all. This town is the site of Fun Fest each Labor Day weekend when hundreds of Corvettes come to town so the owners of the Heart should run the cult classic, Corvette Summer, imo.
View link
This site shows a postcard photo of this building. I can’t believe it was demolished since it had a theatre and the new one doesn’t have one.
Rick: Tell us more about the Syria Mosque and where does one go in Pittsburgh to hear the Pittsburgh Symphony?
And yes, is the organ still there?
Interesting story and glad to hear that this theatre is no longer showing porn movies….“X no longer marks the spot”! I hope the City of Pittsburgh and others restore this theatre’s original beauty AND reputation!
Lost Memory: Thanks for the great collection of interior photos. Do you know whether this theatre has an organ or hopefully an original organ since it was built in 1921 and was a silent movie/vaudville house?
Neat vertical marquee!
Would like to see some interior photos.
Interesting article as I always enjoy reading about neglected theatres and seeing what they looked like in their heyday and what they should still look like rather than the way they become due to so many reasons. It sounds like the City of Pittsburg is ‘stepping up to the plate’ to help which is wonderful. Keep us posted on this one. Thanks.
Interesting Capone story and connection to this theatre via tunnels.
Interesting to see that an effort is being made to save and restore this very neglected theatre which at one time was a beautiful theatre built by the famous Sattler name (i.e. Sattler Department Stores).
I just meant that some theatres do feature the classic movies for those over 50, I guess…like myself! LOL!
Nice to see a classic listed…Jailhouse Rock though I don’t put that one in the same category as a classic like any of the Hitchcock movies, Cary Grant movies or the MGM musicals and Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers movies.
Thanks for the marquee confirmation!
Lost Memory: Thanks for this 2007 photo as I was concerned that this marquee and vertical MICHIGAN marquee had been changed because of the “recent” photo shown with the stats on the theatre. Are you sure this is a 2007 photo? I hope so. And I wish it hadn’t been twinned, but perhaps it will be a single screen cinema again one day.
jwm79: Have they removed the Millwald marquee that read Millwald? In one of the photos I saw the word Millwald above the brick in concrete so that will, at least remain!
Under Function I’m not so sure I’d describe the Riviera as the “Community Arts Center” as they show movies and schedule organ recitals.
A great classic movie selection…Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden: All About Eve with Bette Davis and Anne Baxter; Some Like It Hot with Marilyn Monroe Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, Suddenly Last Summer with Elizabeth Taylor, Adam’s Rib with Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn; Holiday with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn.
LOUB: Thanks for posting the Summer Film Series as I try to make at least one trip each summer to this beautiful theatre. As you enter the front doors with the overhead stained glass past the enclosed ticket kios through the stained glass lobby doors with an R on each one you know you have entered a very special theatre that receives TLC. The organ recitals each month are spectacular, too.
This is a must-see Eberson atmospheric theatre for Patsy!
I recently received a very nice email from Mr. John McNab, Capitol owner and he has given me permission to post his words and wonderful story.
Patsy, Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. What I have here is truly a “diamond in the rough”. This place was used for storage for the “Festival of Lights” and then as a contractor’s warehouse post 1965. I have heard so many wonderful stories….one Saturday afternoon I was in the theatre cleaning the place when an older gentleman appeared in the doorway. He was dressed in a suit & tie and walked with a cane. He said “Excuse me sir…may I see your theatre?”. I said “Of course”. He walked in far enough to see up into the balcony turned around and with his voice a little shaky he said to me “I kissed my bride, for the first time, right up there” and pointed to the right side of the balcony. Well, as you can imagine, we both had to compose ourselves..tender moment? You bet. Anyway you and your friends are welcome to see the theatre anytime. Peace, John
LOUB: Thanks for the website information as I just sent Mr. McNabb an email though I didn’t grow up in the Buffalo area. If anyone on CT did, I urge you to send this man a personal email as I know he would like to read about your memories of the Capitol Theatre which might help him in his restoration efforts.
ghamilton: Found more about the Travolta event with photos on the Marion website. Thanks.
ghamilton: Great news for the Marion Theatre! Could you post the news article?