CAPITOL 926 E. McLemore Av
 

The Capitol Opened 1931  .   Closed  1960s .    Seats 595  .  Demolished 1989


This theater is best-known as the home of the legendary Stax Records studios after its demise as a theater. Though the original building was demolished about 1989, a new building, Soulsville U.S.A., home of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, has incorporated a complete replica of its exterior into its design. 

  

 
The Capitol Theatre is listed in the Memphis Directories from 1931 through 1958.  We have not verified listings after that date. 
 
 

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1937 Ad

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1954 Ad
 
 
 
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Donald Canestrari, Memphis:  "During the last half of the 30's my brothers and I would walk from my dad's small grocery store on Mississippi Blvd to the Capitol Theater on McLemore (now STAX) where we would see a double feature movie, with an episode of a serial (Flash Gordon, etc), and enjoy a 5 cent box of popcorn.  They did not sell soft drinks in the movies then, so we did not step into sticky places on the floor.  They did sell 5 cent candy bars, however."

 
 

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