Capitol Theatre

515 3rd Avenue W,
Prince Rupert, BC V8J 1L9

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Famous Players

Firms: W. Dodd & Company

Functions: Retail

Styles: Spanish Colonial

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Capitol Theatre

Opened 1935 and closed in 1981, the Capitol Theatre was operated by Famous Players. It has been renovated for retail use.

Contributed by Graeme McBain

Recent comments (view all 5 comments)

Brian Morton
Brian Morton on March 24, 2008 at 4:33 pm

There is a photo of this theatre on page 156 of A Guide to Canadian Architectural Styles By Shannon Ricketts, Leslie Maitland, Jacqueline Hucker. According to this the architects were W. Dodd and Company and that it was in Spanish Colonial style suggesting that this cinema was an atmospheric.

It closed in 1981 and was converted into a mall/retail.

There are more photos at the National Libray of Canada, refernence ACCESSION: 1973-402
REPRODUCTION: PA-095059 (copy negative number);

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on November 14, 2008 at 6:56 pm

It looks like a bank is occupying at least part of the building:
http://tinyurl.com/5b8usy

WayneGray
WayneGray on March 24, 2009 at 11:28 pm

I worked at the Capitol Theatre from 1979 to 1981 as a doorman and usher. The theatre was operated by Famous Players and during my short years at the theatre, I have discovered quite the theatre is quite rich in its history. It was originally a live theatre. Remnants are evident behind the movie screen as on each side, were the Men’s and Women’s Change rooms. In the basement, there were large storage rooms for props and costumes. The original chandeliers were sold and the Orpheum Theatre (Granville Street, Vancouver, BC) bought one of the chandeliers in the 1970s. I recall as a kid, throwing my popcorn box at the chandeliers and the usher catching us. The actual number of seats were 751. More later. I will find my pics.

bookgirl99
bookgirl99 on June 11, 2009 at 11:25 am

Hi all, I am new to the site and looking for help. I am a researcher on a book dealing with cinema in British Columbia. I would love to include reminiscences about specific theatres, photos, or any information about how film and theatres in general affected your life and/or community. This would include rented films, documentaries from libraries, as well as local theatres or film study groups. Any information you would like to share would be most welcome.

Anyone interested can contact me at

Thanks for sharing your love of movies!

Jake Bottero
Jake Bottero on October 27, 2022 at 3:21 am

The building still stands but has been converted to retail space, which I suppose is better that becoming yet another church.

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