Comments from unclclay

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unclclay
unclclay commented about Cine Capri Theatre on Jun 7, 2005 at 9:15 pm

I lived in Phoenix during the 90s. If I wanted to go to the movies, I went to Centerpoint 11 in Tempe, AMC Esplanade 14, etc. (regular movie theaters) However, if I wanted to go SEE a movie (and I’m sure you understand the distinction), I went to the Ciné Capri. I saw the last good Star Trek movie there, the re-releases of the Star Wars movies, Evita….

I was in Albuquerque for 6 months during 1996-97. Before I left Phoenix, one of the last things I did was go to the Ciné Capri; when I got back and went looking for it, it was just a gaping hole in the ground. I had no idea that it was gone until that moment. I honestly thought I was going to cry.

24th Street and Camelback is now home to the “ugly piece of glass crap” that ‘mama’ called it earlier. I’ve never frequented any of the businesses that moved into the site, and if I get my way, I never will. The loss of the Ciné Capri—especially for with what they replaced it—was a truly sad moment for Phoenix. I’ve not yet been to the new Ciné Capri up in Scottsdale (I’m in New Mexico again for a little while), but I intend to go when I return to the Valley in the fall. I know it won’t be the Ciné Capri anymore; I just hope that there’s finally another place in Phoenix to go to SEE a movie.

So, who remembers the ‘UA 5’ in Scottsdale? Where the SMOCA is now? Old, kinda run down theatre, but still swank like they used to build ‘em. (Loved those “mushroom” benches in the lobby!)