Capitol Cinema
431 Union Street,
Aberdeen,
AB11 6DA
431 Union Street,
Aberdeen,
AB11 6DA
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After Rank and 20th Century Fox fell out over CinemaScope installations and length of runs the Capitol became the home of Fox CinemaScope films in Aberdeen from 1954 to 1958/9.
The former Capitol Cinema is in the process of being demolished. Although the frontage will be retained. Auditorium will be replaced by a office block and underground car park.
I was a projectionist at the Capitol from 1968 til 1973 Regards Tony Laing
The nightclub, Jumpin' Jaks, which was in the upper half of the auditorium, closed in late 2008. The restaurant in the former cafe had already closed by this time, meaning that the brutal subdivision of what was possibly the best preserved art deco cinema in Scotland was all for only two to three years of leisure use.
Photographic surveys can be found on an urban exploration website:
Jumpin' Jaks (upper half of auditorium):
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Restaurant (former cafe area):
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Part of the facade and the canopy, photographed in January 2007;
http://flickr.com/photos/ajax_pc/367273088/
Photographed at night, in December 2007;
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This will more than likely seem like a stupid question but does anyone remember what the Captiol Stewards use to wear?
The Compton theatre organ was a 3Manual/8Ranks instument. According to the opening text it is still ‘in situ’ in what is now the Chicago Rock Cafe usage of the original stalls area. The nightclub in the former circle area is called Jumpin' Jaks.
It is a Listed building, as if that means anything with Scottish Heritage!
Photographs and more history on the Capitol Cinema, Aberdeen:
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