The Capitol, which opened in November 1925 with a seating capacity of just under 1600, was the third theatre constructed by the Locatellis. Located in Arlington on Massachusetts Avenue, the theatre following the same formula as the Central and Ball Square, as it was inserted into a much larger, multi-story building with shops on the ground floor and offices and apartments above. While the large vertical sign no longer remains, little else has changed on the exterior of this attractive, block-long building. After the Locatellis sold it, the theatre passed into the hands of the Vianos who already owned the Somerville, Teele Square, Broadway, and Regent. It was subsequently purchased by the Fraiman family who, in 1989, converted it into a successful 5 screen multiplex.

The image is of the Capitol Theatre in 1952 when it was showing “The Belle of New York,” a musical starring Fred Astaire. Photo by Tony De Santis.