Heritage

The Capitol Theatre Marquee

Saskatoon’s elegant and palacial Capitol Theatre stood as a symbol of the golden era of Hollywood. Designed for Famous Players by architect Murray Brown, and opened on May 11, 1929, this “atmospheric” single large-screen Spanish renaissance-styled movie house was as elegant as any of the top theatres of their time in major North American cities. The entrance was at 127 2nd Avenue South but the theatre itself bridged the alley between 1st and 2nd Avenues, with the rear doors located on 1st Avenue across from the north end of Midtown Plaza. The magnificent interior was styled in a Spanish villa motif with images of twinkling stars and drifting clouds projected on the ceiling. In the years prior to the opening of TCU Place (formerly the Centennial Auditorium), the Capitol Theatre also served as a concert hall and auditorium for visiting international talent. It is reported as seating either 1200 or 1559.

Everyone had memories of the “Cap” and no one could picture Saskatoon without this landmark icon. However, in the days before the heritage preservation movement, the grand old palace, amid much controversy and protest, was razed in 1979 in what seemed like the dead of night to make way for an office tower and ground level mall. One day it was there, the next morning it was gone, except for the massive screen wall standing in a ghost-like presence. Everyone recalled the emotion of seeing the old theatre fall. Its destruction was in part the catalyst for the formation of the Saskatoon Heritage Society. On a personal level, Colleen Wilson recalled the shock she and her mother had when they saw the ruins. Ken Achs helped to salvage artifacts from the rubble that could be carried away. Many of these can be enjoyed today in his restoration of the Old No. 3 Fire Hall in Saskatoon which now houses The Hose Brew Pub.

The most cherished artifact of all, the grand marquee, pictured only a few years before the building was razed, is shown in Richard Wear’s memorable photo on this website. In the years that passed, the City kept the old marquee outdoors on the ground in the City yards on behalf of the Saskatoon Heritage Society. With their love of architectural heritage, the movies, and a fondness for the old theatre, Ken Achs and Colleen Wilson were troubled to see it decaying; a fading reminder of its once glorious past on 2nd Avenue. “At the time the theatre was razed, we weren’t in a position to buy the building and try to find an adaptive reuse as we did with the old CP Station and many other old heritage buildings that the Mid-West Group has restored”, says Wilson. “I was still in school and Ken’s business was still young, but in all those years since, we never have forgotten the theatre”.

While the old Capitol Theatre met its sad fate, Ken and Colleen would not let the marquee, and all it symbolized, go. In 2007, the Mid-West Group negotiated a deal with the Capitol Theatre Artifact Joint Committee and took possession of the old marquee. Ken Achs personally supervised the crane lift and transportation of the marquee to its current holding site. The Mid-West design team peeled away deteriorating outer paint to discover the original multi-coloured paint scheme. Paint chips were kept so that it can be restored as closely as possible to its original colour scheme. The marquee was then sandblasted and prepared for re-painting and intricate electrical re-wiring. The restoration project is expected to cost about $80,000 and will be completed once the Mid-West Group has identified an appropriate building in its property portfolio on which to showcase it.

“When it is done, it will be spectacular to have it back in all its glory. We will be thrilled to be able to share it with people who love movie nostalgia and architectural heritage, and especially all of those who remember the Capitol with such fondness.”

~ ~ ~