THE NEON invitation to entertainment and escape has stood for almost 75 years at the corner of Depot and North Brittain Streets. But on Wednesday, May 22, 1968, it shined brightest, announcing “The Sound of Music” would reopen the former Princess Theatre as The Capri. The sidewalk glowed as invitation- only guests, dressed in their Sunday best, gathered outside.
The aroma of popcorn commingled with the fragrance of carpet glue and fresh paint as the glass front doors opened to the lobby that perfectly matched the concept drawings by Marr & Holman. Favorite chocolates and candies called out from the concession stand’s glass showcase. With snacks in hand, the gentle swoosh of the large wooden doors opened to reveal further upgrades lit by the glow of canned lights on the specially-paneled walls.
The new 20 feet by 40 feet CinemaScope screen waited behind elegant puff curtains. Anticipation rose with the curtains. Viewers were anxious to experience the state-of the- art, four-track magnetic stereo system installed during the renovation. Comfortable rocking chair seating downstairs, and reupholstered balcony seating upstairs welcomed viewers.
The stage was set, marking the beginning of the history of The Capri Theatre.
While The Capri opened under the ownership of Masco Enterprises and Fred H. Massey, it was managed by Shelbyville resident Clyde Jacobs. Mr. Jacobs, who later owned the theatre, lives on in our memories of our times there.
It’s where first kisses were stolen when the lights dimmed, frightened teenage girls hid their faces on their dates’ chests during horror shows, and parents sometimes escaped for date nights. Countless school groups filled the auditoriums on field trips, often for the latest Disney release. Iconic appearances were made by Sir Cecil Creape, Herbie the Love Bug, former Vice President Al Gore, and others. There were even special giveaways, like shiny new bicycles, to further stir excitement and anticipation.
Mr. Jacobs was living his dream. His son, David Jacobs, said, “He always told me, when you’re running your own business you have to be there all the time. And he pretty well dedicated himself to making sure that place ran efficiently. And, of course, he maintained it meticulously.”
Except for the twinning of the theatres in 1979, the theatre remained unchanged until Clyde sold it in 2002.
“After the remodel in the 60s, he never changed it. The carpet was the same, and he maintained the theatre meticulously. He would fix things that went wrong, but it was kind of his thing to maintain things perfectly as they were,” David said.
That maintenance included the equipment.
David said, “He learned to work on many projectors, and he could take them apart completely and rebuild them. Part of how he supplemented his income from managing the theatre was by working on other people’s equipment.”
Adding the second screen was not heard of at the time.
David said, “He built a new projection booth downstairs and a screen upstairs with a soundproof wall. People would come from all over the place to see how he did it. Other small-town theatres followed suit and did the same thing.”
“I felt like he had a natural gift for business. He seemed to have developed his business rules from watching other people. He never had a formal education beyond his high school diploma. College wasn’t an option; they were too poor for that. So he was more or less self-educated, and he prided himself on being fair and equitable with people,” he said.
When times slowed, Clyde would return to what he knew worked.
David said, “In the old days, movies like ‘Thunder Road’ and ‘Bullitt’ were legendary to him because he knew he could play them any time of the year when business was slow, and they would draw a crowd. He liked what the public liked. At the end of the day, he was a businessman looking to feed his family.”
Unlike many small towns, Shelbyville is fortunate to have its theatre still in operation.
Now owned by Patrick Curtis and Partners, the marquee lights up the evening sky approaching the square, warmly reminding us of this treasure from our past, present, and future. GN
