Capitol Theatre
204 Massachusetts Avenue,
Arlington,
MA
02474
204 Massachusetts Avenue,
Arlington,
MA
02474
10 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Capitol Theatre, Arlington (Official)
Additional Info
Operated by: Frame ONE Theatres
Previously operated by: Paramount Pictures Inc.
Architects: William J. Drummey
Functions: Movies (First Run), Movies (Independent)
Styles: Art Deco
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
781.648.4340
Nearby Theaters
The Capitol Theatre opened November 25, 1925, as a neighborhood movie house with 1,600 seats and a stage with dressing rooms for vaudeville. The vertical sign on the front of the building is now gone, but the main marquee remains from its heyday. By the early-1940’s it was operated by Paramount Picture Inc. through their subsidiary Mullins & Pinanski. In 1986 the grand lobby was restored. The lobby’s granite columns and gold leaf - hidden since the 1960’s behind faux wood paneling - are once again on view. The lobby is a popular place for children’s birthday places. Interesting murals decorate the mezzanine lobby. The Capitol Theatre was placed on the National Register in 1985.
In 1989, the Capitol Theatre was multiplexed into five screens, but each auditorium was decorated in the style of the original theater! Auditorium 1 has the original proscenium arch with its large movie screen, beautiful multi-colored plaster designs, organ grilles, surround sound and 315 seats. The organ was removed in the 1960’s.
As of 2007, auditorium 2 has 159 seats and auditoium 3 has 150 seats. Two auditoriums in the former balcony have stadium seating:auditorium 4 with 197 seats and auditorium 5 with 203 seats. Auditorium 6, with 97 seats was added on the site of the old stage in 1990 and is reported to be haunted! Many historic and current photographs, including of the auditoriums, can be viewed on the theatre’s website.
The current theatre operators pride themselves in offering affordable prices for tickets and concessions, lower than the prices in the multiplexes. In 2007, Capitol Theatre ticket prices ranged from $5 to $7. Baby friendly movies are shown (details on the website). ‘Family Friendly’ mainstream first run and arthouse movies are shown. This wonderful gem of a theatre remains a fun place to go in Arlington’s downtown.
Contributed by
Cathy Novick, Howard B. Haas
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 30 comments)
2007 photo of beautiful drinking fountain in the theater-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goodharbor/288726979/
to Bill White:
I worked for the Fraimans also, Doug, his son was a super nice guy… to show you the greed his father had, he pushed his own son out of the way so he could “develop” the property…and boy was his wife a b*tch
oh, to everyone else, I forgot to mention that I use to work here for the vianos too from 1980
We’ve installed Digital 3-D in auditoriums #1 and #4 at the Capitol; 35mm film remains alongside the digital in the main house (#1) but #4 is now 100% digital. While we are very pro-35mm film, installing this equipment was a way to ensure the Capitol gets first run movies in these formats. “Avatar” opened this week in the new Real D process and the presentation was top notch. The second-run market has dried up & this installation will help keep the Capitol open.
-Ian/FEI Theatres
The Theatre Historical Society archive in Illinois has the MGM Theatre Report for the Capitol. Listed at 204 Mass. Avenue. It was in “Good” condition; had been showing MGM product for over 10 years, and had 1107 orchestra seats and 520 balcony seats; total: 1,627. There is an exterior photo taken in April 1941.
I grew up halfway between the Capitol and the Regent in Arlington. I was about seven (b. 1943) when I went to the Capitol with my buddies Stevie and Paul to see “King Kong”. When Kong first appeared out of the jungle with Fay Wray squirming in her nighty, I told my friends I was going to get popcorn, but I went and got my dime back and went home.
Along with the Somerville Theatre, the Lexington Venue, the Coolidge Corner in Brookline, and the IMAX screens at the Aquarium and Jordan’s Furniture, this is one of the very few theatres that continue to advertise in the Boston Globe Movie Directory.
Historical note: the theater acquired Western Electric sound equipment in early 1929
From the official website of the Capitol Theatre
Arlington’s Historic Movie Theatre The Beginning The Capitol Theatre opened on November 25, 1925. It was built by the Locatelli family, who built other area theaters like the Ball Square Theatre and Central Theatre, both in Somerville. The original auditorium had a mural above the proscenium arch that incorporated the town seal of Arlington into its design, and an amazing pipe organ. Originally seating almost 1600 patrons between the expansive orchestra section and balcony, the Capitol had a full stage with dressing rooms to accommodate the occasional vaudeville or novelty act that would be presented with the movies on screen. Bank nights, gift nights, and other prize nights were common during the depression years of the 30’s.
Your Home Theatre Known to Arlington residents as “Your Home Theatre”, the Capitol was the largest and most luxurious of the neighborhood theaters in the area. After the Locatelli’s sold the theater in the late 30’s, it was leased by various local cinema chains such as M&P (a Paramount Theatres affiliate) until Arthur Viano of Viano’s Theatres took over for many years. Along with other Viano’s locations like the nearby Regent Theatre, and the Somerville and Broadway theatres in Somerville, the Capitol became well known for its fresh popcorn and friendly atmosphere.
While the theatre was under Viano’s management, the entire Capitol Theatre Building was sold to the Fraiman family. When Arthur Viano tired of running the theatre, the Fraiman family decided to operate the movie house itself, rather than see the old palace close. During renovations, much of the original décor was uncovered in the lobby. Behind 1960’s-era faux-wood paneling were granite columns and gold leaf! The entire lobby was restored to its original glory, and a new concessions stand was built. Trying to draw audiences with only one screen was nearly impossible, however, and in order to save the theatre, it was multiplexed.
Renovations Rather than trying to hide the old style of the original auditorium, as happened with other old theaters during multiplexing (think of the Harvard Square Theatre), it was decided to make each auditorium unique and special, decorated in the style of the original theatre. The new 5-screen Capitol debut in 1989 and proved to be a smashing success, giving Arlington movie-goers more films to choose from, and with modern comfortable seats and stereo sound as well. It proved so popular that a sixth screen was added on the site of the old stage in 1990.
In 2010 renovations included new seating in auditoriums, a fresh coat of paint in the lobbies and cinemas, and the addition of digital and 3D movies.
In 2025 the Fraiman family passed the baton of theater business ownership to a group of long-time employees, who, under the name CSB Theatres, continue the tradition of operating this beloved neighborhood institution.
Today, the Capitol continues its tradition of affording locals a steady mix of movies, with an emphasis on family-friendly films and independent productions. The original screen and proscenium survive in the majestic theater #1 and the historic lobby is even better, with a newly added seating area suitable for relaxing before your movie with a nice ice cream. The theater is also a popular place for children’s birthday parties.
Please update, it became 2 screens on August 11, 1989, 5 screens on December 22, 1989 (Grand opening ad in photos) and the 6th screen on June 4, 1993 and total seats 1,022
Theatre 1 287 (Main Theatre)
Theatre 2 120 (Downstairs)
Theatre 3 150 (Downstairs)
Theatre 4 197 (Upstairs)
Theatre 5 203 (Upstairs)
Theatre 6 65 (Stage)