Capitol Theatre

140 E. 2nd Street,
Flint, MI 48502

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Showing 1 - 25 of 43 comments

Trolleyguy
Trolleyguy on September 16, 2022 at 8:04 am

Functions should include Movies, classic. Website: Capitol Theatre

rivest266
rivest266 on December 3, 2021 at 1:10 pm

Grand opening ad posted.

spectrum
spectrum on January 19, 2018 at 8:12 pm

Their official website (on facebook) is at:

https://www.facebook.com/TheCapitolTheatreFlint/

steelbeard1
steelbeard1 on December 25, 2017 at 4:48 pm

The restored Capitol Theatre is now open. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZJEmyDI8jU

spectrum
spectrum on September 4, 2017 at 7:11 am

They have a new official website up:

https://www.facebook.com/The-Capitol-Theatre-112918705389402/

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on December 23, 2016 at 10:59 am

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

spectrum
spectrum on July 11, 2016 at 9:57 am

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.

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on March 21, 2016 at 1:39 pm

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?

Chris1982
Chris1982 on January 23, 2015 at 10:46 pm

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

Candacel
Candacel on March 11, 2013 at 10:36 am

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.

CaptianHemo
CaptianHemo on July 22, 2012 at 1:52 pm

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…

sam siklas
sam siklas on December 14, 2011 at 9:51 pm

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.

cinemapanoramas
cinemapanoramas on December 13, 2011 at 10:35 am

Here are some panoramic images of the interior of the Capitol, done in December 2010: Capitol Theatre

William Dakota
William Dakota on July 28, 2011 at 4:27 pm

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.

William Dakota
William Dakota on September 5, 2009 at 8:26 am

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.

William Dakota
William Dakota on June 12, 2009 at 11:29 pm

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.

Patsy
Patsy on February 10, 2009 at 12:48 pm

Corrected site for UM article.

View link

steelbeard1
steelbeard1 on June 8, 2008 at 10:10 am

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.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on June 7, 2008 at 7:53 pm

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.

uptownjen
uptownjen on February 26, 2008 at 8:47 pm

what a beautiful marquee. let’s hope that the ‘ol girl will eventually see a reawakening.

steelbeard1
steelbeard1 on April 30, 2007 at 4:57 pm

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

Patsy
Patsy on January 4, 2007 at 4:52 pm

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.

Patsy
Patsy on January 4, 2007 at 4:41 pm

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.