Its demolition in 1972 also took the entrance-flanking pipe shop and jeweller, which had operated at the location for over half a century.Ĭapitol Theatre in Fort Edmonton Park, image by Flickr user jasonwoodhead23 via Creative CommonsĪ spiritual scaled-down replica of the 1929 version of the cinema was assembled at Fort Edmonton Park in 2011, where "vintage movies in a vintage theatre" are hand-picked for showing by Artistic Director Dana Andersen. Dewar-Stevenson & Stanley would be appointed lead architects to modernize the theatre again in 1954, the final renovation of the movie house, before it was ultimately shuttered in the 1970s. The heat from the 2,000 bright lightbulbs ensured a clear and snow-free sidewalk for the winter. Originally presenting only silent films, the introduction of sound equipment would accommodate the nascent influx of "talkies," making the Capitol Theatre the first in Edmonton to host movies with sound.Ĭapitol Theatre in 1972, image by Flickr user jasonwoodhead23 via Creative CommonsĪnother vertical sign in the Art Moderne style would join a fresh marquee, the largest in Western Canada, during a subsequent renovation in 1938. Renovations to the theatre in 1929 produced an additional balcony with 500 seats, an electric marquee, and a new interior design replete with antique gold. It was then sold to Famous Players Corporation and renamed to the commonly known Capitol Theatre in 1923. Opening in 1918 as the Allen Theatre - namesake of theatre manager Max Allen - the exterior featured two entrance arches, decorative lozenges, and a precast concrete cornice.
The two-storey building of concrete and brick at 10065 Jasper Avenue was designed by architect H.L. Though demolished, Jasper Avenue's once famed Capitol Theatre was faithfully re-created at Fort Edmonton Park, the city's interactive time capsule.Ĭapitol Theatre in 1930, image via Glenbow Archives ND-3-514A
But other structures, even after their date with the wrecking ball, may live on in more than just old photographs. Often times, there is no public indication a building of considerable architectural merit once stood on a specific lot, and in rare cases, a small plaque describing the history of the site may be the only window into the past. She can't write plays so it's back home to study domestic science.Many editions of our Throwback Thursday feature depict ornate and historically significant buildings that have sadly and unceremoniously met their end. After all, even though she has written a follow-up to "The End of Everything", Mowbray completely re-wrote her play for the eventual performance. What is the outcome? I assume that as the play is a success everything is hunky dory and the team sticks together while Read slips away to marry her uninteresting boyfriend from back home. She plays her part well but the film just loses itself at the end. Helen Vinson was married to English tennis legend Fred Perry who went on to design a load of shirts. I like comedy that stems from bad performances and we get an amusing scene at the play rehearsal with the lead man storming off as the play is so atrocious. There are funny lines by all concerned, although I found Donald MacBride slightly irritating and sometimes a little harsh with his language.
No ordinary nursing home, these residents are still full of vitality as they recall tales of Broadways golden age, and what they have done with their lives. This is an enjoyable comedy set in the world of the theatre and it zips along nicely. Short Documentary Curtain Call is the unforgettable story of eight remarkable residents of the Actors Fund Retirement Home. However, things don't go to plan as Vinson loves the play. The awful play that they choose is written by a young dreadful actress Barbara Read (Helen). They will concede and give her a better play on the understanding that she signs for a further five years with them. The plan is for this final play to be so bad that she pleads with Mowbray and MacBride not to do it. Vinson contractually owes them one more play before she can defect to a rival producer.
Stage director Alan Mowbray (Don) and producer Donald MacBride (Jeff) need a bad play to use as bargaining power for their star attraction actress Helen Vinson (Charlotte).