IN THIS week's Stepping Back in Times, local historian Michael Cashman takes a look behind the curtain at Tamworth's original Capitol Theatre on Brisbane Street.
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Movies screened there for 40 years, from 1927 to 1967 and many older residents remember being entertained there.
The Capitol Theatre Building Company was formed with 100 shareholders in 1925, using land bought at 77 Brisbane Street from local businessman William Upjohn, who relocated his carrier business to the block next door.
At the head of it all was architect Messrs Behringer, contractors C & A. Skinner, foreman Dengate and decorations by Laker.
Old bricks from the George Fielder flour mill near the corner of Peel and White streets were used in construction.
John Kouvelis of the widespread 'J.K.Theatres' group leased the building in October, 1926. It had 300 lights with seating for 1400.
And, at a total cost of 85,000 pounds, it was considered one of the most outstanding country theatres in NSW.
Mayor William Thibault opened the theatre on July 27, 1927, and the first showing was silent US film Fast and Furious, which was having its Australian premiere in Tamworth.
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The theatre screened its first "talkie", The Black Watch on September 30, 1929 to packed houses. Prices varied from a sixpence to 39 pence, based on four seating sections.
It was partly due to the growing popularity of television in the 1950s and 60s that brought decreased Capitol Theatre patronage and it closed on December 3, 1967. The building has had a number of different uses since, including a discotheque, a youth centre and a second-hand shop.
The building was eventually bought by a Mr Jamison and controversially demolished with virtually no prior notice in the early hours of the morning of Monday, November 5, 1984. The site is now occupied by our impressive new Capitol Theatre and Forum 6 Movie Theatre and adjacent carpark.
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