Capitol Theater
2510 S. Robinson Street,
Oklahoma City,
OK
73109
2510 S. Robinson Street,
Oklahoma City,
OK
73109
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I uploaded to the Photos section a July 1950 newspaper ad from the Daily Oklahoman, touting a Marx Brothers double bill.
This reopened as the Capitol on December 25th, 1941. Small ad in the photo section.
December 18th, 1928 grand opening ad in photo section.
This fine web page illustrates what a charming structure the old Circle Theatre (AKA-Capitol, Capri X) was. A member of the powerful Paramount Publix Circuit.
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/560
In doing Capitol Hill research, I found a quite a number of Oklahoman ads for the Capri at 2510 S. Robinson, the earliest of which ads (the 1st was 4/4/1967) identify it as the former Capitol Theater. All ads were adult fare. The last mention of the Capri (or, for that matter, the same address on Robinson) was a 2/17/1968 Oklahoman article which said that the owner had been charged with exhibiting obscene movies for presenting the movie, “Whip’s Women” – a fellow named Whip was apparently the movie’s central character. I was unable to locate an article on the disposition of the charge.
It was the Capitol in the 1961 city directory:
http://tinyurl.com/pjgthe
My guess would be that it was the other way around, this photo was probably taken during the 1940s after the frantic jazz-age decor had been painted over, toned down, and “streamlined”. The isle carpet has a ‘40s pattern weave, and the auditorium does not look new.
Curious, the auditorium archive photo posted on the OHS site must have been a pre opening shot. I’ve seen 1930s images of this same auditorium, and the sidewalls were painted with the “razzled-Dazzle” designs as described by OM. Backlighted grills on support columns do not show up in this image, but they were there.
To see a c1929 Paramount publicity shot of their new Circle Theatre go to below page, then type in word “theatre”. Once Circle Theatre image pops up click on it again for a large view -
View link
On the web site Okie mentioned above I found a movie ad listing for May 04, 1967 for the Capri Adult Theatre. The ad headline read “TORRID, SENSATIONAL ADULT ENTERTAINMENT” two double features “HOT NIGHT on CAMPUS” and “REPULSION”.
So the Capri was open at least up to that date.
Oklahoman Archive web pages contain December 18, 1928. grand opening announcement ads with a sharp picture of the Tudor style Circle Theater exterior.
W.J. Laws designed the 1928 Circle Theatre to resemble an English country manor house. An unfortunate result of this Tudor styling was that it tended to give the edifice the appearance of being much smaller than actual size, but it was cute.
Ambient waincoting and heavy oak furnishings enhanced a graceful, library “look” lobby, flanked by twin spiral staircases that climbed up to a spacious mezzanine area.
Designed as a conservatory, the vaulted mezzanine was furnished with delicate white wicker furniture and lush potted palms. During matinee hours, bright sunlight streamed in through high arched, frosted glass windows which gave this space a warm, comfortable feel.
A shocking departure from subdued British manors was the 1500 seat auditorium which was styled in 1920s razzle-dazzle Moderne fun. Colorful lighting effects radiated through oversized organ grills which exhibited a futuristic abstract design, while similar, smaller grills ran along sidewalls (During cold winter months backlighting behind these grills were bright orange, changed to cool green during the hot summer season). Yard upon yard of silver valour stage drapery, with long, shimmering silver fringe, zig-zag chandeliers, and loud carpeting matched the “aint we got fun” jazz age atmosphere. All in all, the busy auditorium was meant to put patrons in a festive mood, and it fulfilled its goal!
When Paramount-Publix closed their downtown Capitol Theatre in 1937, they moved the expensive signage to this location and the Circle became known as Capitol. Later it was renamed Capri. After sitting empty for many years this beautiful theatre was razed to make way for nothing. A weed eaten vacant lot now occupies this site.
Architect for the Circle was W.J. Laws. Interior decorator was J.R. Carney. Paramount/Publix operated this house until the late 1940s.