Capitol Theatre

139 S. Brand Blvd.  Glendale, CA 90023 | map |

Opened: November 28, 1930 as Young's Capitol. It was on the west side of the street a half block south of Broadway. This 1931 Mott Studios photo is in the collection of the California State Library, one of 12 views they index as their set # 001387271. "Beau Ideal" was a January release. The Glendale Theatre was across the street at 122 S. Brand.

Architect: Unknown

Seating: 808

An ad for the opening attraction, "Animal Crackers." Thanks to Ron Strong for locating this for his Bijou Memories page about the theatre. He notes that the owner was C.W. Young, one of the founding fathers of Eagle Rock.

Projectionist Roger Johnston talks about running the Vitaphone equipment: 

'The new... [Capitol Theatre] opened with talking pitures. The opening went over big, had a full house all day long and a double line a half block long all evening. I kept it in sync all day long. Our amplifier was burnt out yesterday afternoon (Saturday) and couldn’t get started until 4:23. 

 

"Was not my fault though and I ran a perfect show when they got it started. Had a big line up last night. The theater has been playing capacity houses since opening. The largest marquee in Glendale (neon illuminated).' Letter dated: Nov. 30, 192? (last digit was water damaged..."

The letter, one Johnston wrote to his mother, must have been dated 1930. Thanks to Rick Roessler, Johnston's son-in-law, for sharing it. Rick notes that Johnston also worked at the Cosmo Theatre and, while there's no doubt the letter is about the Capitol, the version appearing on Cinema Treasures has "Cosmo Theatre" in the text. The Cosmo didn't open with talkies.  

By 1935 the Capitol was being operated by Fox West Coast and then, following consent decree stipulations, by United Artists Theatre Circuit. Ron Strong notes that the handover happened during a February 1950 run of "Twelve O'Clock High."

 

Under the UA management it was known as the UA Capitol. It's still just listed as the Capitol in the 1958 city directory. 

Closing: United Artists closed it on March 15, 1990, according to research by Ron Strong.  

Status: The building was demolished following damage from the 1994 Northridge earthquake.


Interior views:

 

The Capitol's lobby. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library - 1931 

Decor between the entrance doors. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library - 1931

Furniture near the auditorium entrances. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library - 1931 

A look toward the screen. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library - 1931 

A closer look at the painted house curtain. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library - 1931

A proscenium view with the title curtain. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library - 1931 

The rear of the house. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library - set # 001387271 - 1931

More exterior views:

1931 - "The Royal Bed" was a January release. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library

1931 - A ticket lobby view. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library

1931 - A better look at the entrance doors. Photo: Mott Studios - California State Library - set # 001387271

1932 - A photo taken by the theatre's projectionist Roger Johnston. Thanks to his son-in-law Rick Roessler for sharing it. Ken Roe posted it on Cinema Treasures where he comments: "Possibly a publicity stunt for what is shown on the marquee as 'The Expert – Frozen in a Cake of Ice' with the ice block delivered by the Glendale-Crystal Ice Delivery van." "The Expert" was a March release. 

1936 - A view north on Brand taken from the Masonic Temple featured in "Glendale History: Before Americana at Brand" a 2008 post on the Glendale Public Library's Book Talk blog. Also see other history posts on the blog. The Library's Special Collections album on Flickr has many treats. Visit the Library's website for access to their services and collections.

1936 - A detail from the Library's photo. The Capitol was running "The Bride Comes Home," a December 1935 release starring Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray and Robert Young.  

1939 - A view looking north from the Special Collections division of the Glendale Public Library. They have it on Flickr. On the left, the Capitol Theatre was playing "Gunga Din" and "Woman Doctor" while the Glendale, on the right, is running "Suez" with Loretta Young.

1939 - A closer look at the Capitol from the Library's photo.

 

1955 - We just get a sliver of the Capitol with its new slab facade in the far left in this June 19 view posted by Richard Wojcik on the Vintage Los Angeles Facebook page. That day was the last day for streetcar service on Brand Blvd. Richard credits the photo to the Pacific Electric Railway Historical Society, Ralph Cantos collection. It's also been on the Photos of Los Angeles private Facebook group as a post from Bill Gabel. The Glendale Theatre is over on the right.

 

1973 - The Capitol under United Artists management running "The Chinese Professionals." Thanks to Ron Strong for sharing this image from his collection on his Bijou Memories page about the theatre.

1974 - Thanks to Mark McGuire for this photo. And thanks also to David Zornig for posting it on Cinema Treasures.

1978 - Thanks to David T for sharing his "Superman" photo. It was a post on Cinema Treasures. 

1982 - Thanks to the now-vanished American Classic Images website for this photo.

1983 - Another view that once appeared on the American Classic Images site.

c.1991 - "Closed For  emod li g." A photo by cinematographer Gary Graver. See a Wikipedia article about him. Many of his photos of dying vintage theatres can be seen in two compilations on YouTube: "Second Run - part 1" and "Second Run - part 2." Thanks to Sean Graver for use of the photo.

2019 - Looking north along the block after redevelopment. Photo: Google Maps

More information: See the Cinema Treasures page on the Capitol. Also check out Ron Strong's Bijou Memories page about the theatre.

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