About Capri Theatre

The mission of the Capri Community Film Society, Inc. is to educate, encourage and develop public appreciation of the art of motion pictures, both American and international, and to preserve the Capri Theatre as an operating movie theatre with an emphasis on maintaining its architectural integrity.


Capri Theatre • 1045 E Fairview Ave • Montgomery, AL 36106 • 334.262.4858

HISTORY
The Capri Theatre is in the heart of the Cloverdale neighborhood of Montgomery. It is owned and operated by the Capri Community Film Society, Inc., a non-profit organization.

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Clover Theatre • Opening Day, 1941

Opened in July of 1941 as the Clover Theatre, it is now the longest continually operating movie theatre in Alabama.

The Clover was remodeled and became the Capri Theatre in December of 1962.

Originally built as part of the Wilby-Kincey chain, the Clover/Capri has had many owners and operators over the years. Finally in 1982, a group of neighbors formed the Capri Community Film Society to save the theatre. Their opportunity arose when the theatre was raided and closed by the district attorney who objected to it being a softcore porn theatre. Fearing the loss of their cherished, but rundown, neighborhood theatre, the Capri Community Film Society took over the lease and operation of the Capri Theatre.

Over the years the struggling non-profit  managed to keep the theatre operating thanks to donations and memberships - and the work of its volunteer Board of Directors. During that time the theatre developed a reputation for its eclectic blend of Independent, Foreign, Popular and Classic films. Other groups, often with the support of the Capri, have aspired to similar programming, but none have successfully operated a full-time art house in a historic movie theatre.

 In 2010 the Capri was unexpectedly put up for sale by its landlord. The Film Society had to conduct its biggest fundraising effort to date in order to purchase the building. The fundraising was successful and the Society was able to purchase the building in 2010, and own it free and clear by 2013.

Just in time for the conversion to digital.

The conversion to digital cinema was a major threat to the smaller theatres of America. Investments of up to $100,000 per screen to convert wiped out many small theatres and drive-ins, and strained the budget of many more. The Capri was no exception. But, once again, the people of Montgomery and fans of the Capri rallied to its support. The Capri conducted what was then the biggest Kickstarter campaign in Montgomery. The "DCI or DIE" campaign raised the money necessary to purchase and install a digital projector and supporting system. The Capri was saved once again.

The installation of the digital projector does not mean the Capri abandoned 35mm film. Although few current films are available on actual 35mm film, the theatre does occasional screenings of classic movies when prints are available.

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Renovating The Capri • 2016

With the ownership of the building secured, and the conversion to digital achieved, the Film Society was, after 30 years, ready to refurbish the theatre itself.

The Capri Theatre had not had a major renovation since its transformation to the Capri in 1962. The infrastructure was challenging - 1941 electrical and plumbing. The restrooms were inadequate and design flaws from the 1940's and 1960's affected the operation of the theatre.

In 2014 the Capri launched its first ever capital campaign - Lighting the Heart of Cloverdale. Again, the people of Montgomery supported the Capri with over $800,000 in pledges and donations, allowing the theatre to do complete major renovations in time for its 75th Anniversary.

There is still much work to do to the Capri, and the Film Society is gearing up to get it done. As always, the Capri needs your support to survive and prosper. Come to the movies. Become a member. And support the Capri Community Film Society.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Anton Jackson - President. The current director of the Montgomery Film Festival. He's held close ties with the Capri through various film festivals screenings and special events since 2009. Born and raised in Montgomery, he graduated from Huntingdon College with a BA in Art & Graphic Design.

  • Marie Wise Styles - Vice President

  • Annie Gunter – Secretary is an attorney at the Alabama Securities Commission. She is a life-long resident of Montgomery and currently lives in Old Cloverdale with her husband and two cats, Harper and Zelda..

  • Diane Steinhilber - Treasurer. CPA with Jackson Thornton Certified Public Accountants & Consultants

  • Christy Anderson – has been with the City of Montgomery for 12 years, and currently works as the City’s Historic Preservation Coordinator. In this capacity, she works with the historic neighborhoods in Montgomery, the Historic Preservation Commission, and Architectural Review Board, as well with various downtown rehabilitation projects. Prior to working for the City, she spent 5 years as the coordinator of National Register of Historic Places program for the Alabama Historical Commission. Christy holds a BA in Anthropology from the College of Wooster, and an MA in Public History/Historic Preservation from the University of South Carolina. She is also a 2017 graduate of the Alabama Master Gardener’s program.

  • Wanda Howard Battle – is the Tour Director of Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama. She shares the history of the church, the work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the evolution of the civil rights movement. Human Rights and Social Justice have been shared with diverse international audiences. Wanda reminds them to do the work that Dr. King lived, to love and serve humanity. She is also Founder and CEO of Legendary Tours LLC which offers engaging online tours to visitors around the world.

  • Chris Echols – is a native of Birmingham, AL, and has been serving as the Director of Event Technology at the Renaissance Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center in Montgomery since 2014. He also serves as Production Manager at First United Methodist Church and lives in Cloverdale-Idlewild with his wife Ivy and two dogs Ella and Bloo.

  • Freda Ford

  • Charlene Holtsford – Charlene Holtsford has volunteered in many areas of the community since settling in Montgomery in 1987. She is a sustainer and former President of the Junior League of Montgomery. She has also served as the President of the Board of Directors for the Family Sunshine Center. Charlene has been recognized as the Junior League Sustainer of the year and was awarded the "Estelle Popkin Volunteer of the Year Award" for her service on the Family Sunshine center board. Other boards she has served on include Bridge Builders of Alabama, Hands on River Region and the Montgomery Children's Museum. She is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery, class XVIII. Charlene and her husband, Alex Holtsford, live in Edgewood and have three adult sons and two daughters-in-law.

  • Nancy McLeod Jackson - Nancy is the Director of Operations for the Scarlet & Grey Shop at Huntingdon College. She is the Vice-Mayor of the Old Cloverdale Association and Secretary for the Administrative Board at United Methodist Church. Nancy lives in Cloverdale and has always loved the Capri Theatre. Nancy is married to Lee Jackson, and they have one son Harrison, who is a junior at Huntingdon College. Nancy graduated from Huntingdon College with a BA degree in Business Administration, Nancy enjoys movies, music, reading, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and time at the beach.

  • Jimmy Jacobs – is an attorney in private practice,  primarily representing plaintiffs in civil rights matters. He was formerly an educator and coordinator of school counseling programs for the state. He has lived in Montgomery since 1983, currently in Rosemary, and has a passion for good movies and music.

  • Maurice Robinson

  • Collette Williams – is a barista with Prevail at locations in downtown Montgomery and at Maxwell Airforce Base. She has only lived in Alabama since 2018, but is excited to see the growth and development shaping Montgomery's future. In her spare time she is an avid podcast listener, enjoys reading books, and of course, loves to watch movies.

  • Randall Williams – Randall Williams is a writer, editor, book designer, and publisher, since 2000 as editor-in-chief of NewSouth Books. A former journalist, he spent a decade at the Southern Poverty Law Center and was the founding director of its Klanwatch Project in the 1980s. In 1983, he was the organizer and first president of the Capri Community Film Society. 

  • Rachael Williford – Rachael Williford is a veterinarian at Montgomery Veterinary Associates. She was born and raised in Butler, Alabama, and attended Auburn University. Rachael and her husband, Allyn,  have been long time residents of Old Cloverdale. They, along with their two sons, love walking to the theater to see favorite films of the past.


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Admission

Members: $8.00
Non-Members: $10.00
Children (Under Age 12): $4.00
Ticket Booth (10 Tickets): $75.00

Showtimes

Fri, Sat, Sun, & Mon: 4:00 & 7:00
Special shows as listed

Concessions

The Capri features a full range of concessions including beer & wine. 
(ID Required)