The Capitol Movie Theater, Danville Pa

 

The Capitol Movie Theater  in Danville first opened in 1936.  The building, 119-127 Mill St, still stands. [At some point, I need to research the story behind the marquee sign above...]

The Capitol Theatre was opened on July 8, 1936 with Jane Withers in “Little Miss Nobody”.  

“Danville, Pa., July 9. — Most of the leading citizens shared in the opening of the new Comerford house here yesterday. A community dinner at noon had I. E. Wolf, president of the Chamber of Commerce, as toastmaster, and Reed McCarty, editor of the Morning News, as principal speaker, with Frank C. Walker and M. E. Comerford as guests. A parade and daylight fireworks preceded the formal opening at 6 o'clock. George A. Nevin is local manager.”

On September 3rd 1936:  "The first midnight show at the Capitol Theatre, Danville’s new show house, was held at 12:01 the night before. The show was the “King of Burlesque,” a musical comedy. It was the first time for that type of event in Danville."

LIPKO'S COMEDY CHIMPS appeared at the Capitol - Danville theatre. Skippy, one of the performers, presented an amazing routine of acrobatics and musical impersonations. Lipko Comedy Chimps have been featured in movies, on numerous television shows and appearances coast to coast. Their performances are action packed, loaded with laughs and surprises and fun for children of all ages. (November 28th, 1975 - Danville News)

The theater reportedly had 983 seats.

Protest of X-rated movies being advertised at the Capitol Theater in Danville, 1974

In 2015 there were efforts made to convert the old building into a "multi arts" center, using grant money. The daily item ran an article about the possibility, and in it said:

After it stopped showing movies, the Capitol became a venue for live music acts for a while before the theater closed. From what theater owner Mike Ambrosino has told him, Wilson believes the Capitol closed sometime in the mid-1980s.

The screen, the stage, the curtain over the screen and the orchestra pit remain in the building. Wilson said the 982 seats are long gone.

“There are a lot of decorative amenities still in place. To the extent they can be preserved is one of the objectives of the study that will involve a preservation consultant,” he said.

This 2015 facebook post has photos of the interior in 2015.

An Index Of Local Old Movie Theaters

https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2024/07/where-movies-played-old-movie-theaters.html

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