 Capitol Theatre program (1922), mentioningEdward Bowes andS. L. Rothafel, manager and producer. | |
 Interactive map of The Capitol Theatre | |
| Address | 1645 Broadway New York City United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°45′43″N73°59′02″W / 40.76195°N 73.9839°W /40.76195; -73.9839 |
| Owner | Moredall Reality Company andLoews Theatres |
| Type | Movie palace |
| Capacity | 5,230 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | October 24, 1919 |
| Closed | September 16, 1968 |
| Demolished | 1968 |
| Years active | 1919–1968 |
| Architect | Thomas W. Lamb |
TheCapitol Theatre was amovie palace located at 1645Broadway, just north ofTimes Square inNew York City, across from theWinter Garden Theatre. Designed by theater architectThomas W. Lamb, the Capitol originally had a seating capacity of 5,230 and opened October 24, 1919. After 1924 the flagship theatre of theLoews Theatres chain, the Capitol was known as the premiere site of manyMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) films. The Capitol was also noted for presenting live musical revues and many jazz and swing bands on its stage.
The Capitol was one of the first of the large lavishmovie theaters that dominated the film exhibition business for the next 40 years, built by Messmore Kendall as one of New York's first cinema palaces, through his realty company, Moredall Realty Company.
It opened on October 24, 1919 with the New York premiere ofUnited Artists' first production,His Majesty, the American.[1] In the early 1920s the theater was the home ofSamuel Roxy Rothafel's "Roxy Gang" of singers which would perform concerts with the Capitol Theatre Orchestra which were broadcast live on the radio.[2] The theater was acquired in 1924 by the entertainment magnateMarcus Loew and became the flagship of his deluxeLoew's Theatres chain.
The Capitol was the frequent site of the world premieres of films made by the Loew's-ownedMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio.The Wizard of Oz (1939) had its first New York run at the theatre.[3]Jerry Lewis started as an usher at the theatre.[4]
After having been converted for the presentation ofCinerama wide screen films in 1962, the theater's last engagement was MGM's2001: A Space Odyssey, which opened on April 3, 1968.[5] The Capitol closed September 16, 1968 with a live all-star benefit featuringBob Hope andJohnny Carson.[6] The theatre was replaced by the Uris Building (nowParamount Plaza) office tower.
Airing for the first time in November 1922,The Capitol Theatre Family Show was a 45–60 minute program, eventually broadcast Mondays on theNBC Blue Network March 7, 1927 – July 27, 1931.[7]
Leo Zeitlin (1884–1930) was a violinist, violist, conductor and impresario who was active inSaint Petersburg's Society for Jewish Folk Music. In 1923, he emigrated to New York, where he became the violist and arranger for the Capitol Theatre. In 1925, he began arranging orchestral and small ensemble pieces for the Capitol's radio program onWEAF, which became the flagship station of theNBC Radio Network in 1926.
Beginning in 1926, the series of light classical concerts titledCapitol Theatre was broadcast by the NBC Red Network on Sunday evenings from 7:20pm to 9:15pm. This series continued until 1929, not long before Zeitlin's death.[8][9][10]
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