Capitol Days: Cardiff's Best Loved Cinema - Softcover

Wharton

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0752446649 ISBN 13: 9780752446646

Publisher: Tempus, 2008

Synopsis

Capitol Days is the story of the Capitol Cinema in Cardiff from its opening in 1921 through its heyday, its painful decline and eventual closure in 1978. Featuring many first-hand accounts and contemporary press cuttings, Capitol Days illustrates how both the public and significant figures reacted to the events of the day and analyses the motives behind some of the key decisions taken by the owners and proprietors.

This book takes a fond look back at former times, when cinema truly lay at the heart of the community. The Capitol, due to its central location and distinctive decor, was more successful than most, and was often full to capacity both in the early days for hit films such as The Wedding Singer (1927) through to performances in the 1960s by Bob Dylan and The Beatles, and the live screening of Muhammed Ali’s fights during the same era. Contributions from many former employees of the cinema, together with many previously unseen photographs, bring this most remarkable venue to life, representing an important part of Cardiff ’s
social history during the last century.

Capitol Days is essential reading for both former visitors to the cinema and for those who wish to explore the tale behind the rise and fall of one of Cardiff ’s most recognisable centres of entertainment.

About this title

Synopsis:

Originally opened in 1921, the Capitol cinema entertained generations of cinemagoers until its closure in 1978. This book provides the first detailed history of one of the busiest entertainment venues in the city. The cinema had an eventful history, from the 10,000 people who queued to see the final-day screening of "The Robe in 1953", music concerts from "The Rolling Stones', "The Beatles" and "Bob Dylan" and the live screening of Ali fights in the 1960s and 1970s. The book contains numerous contributions from former employees and visitors to the Capitol alongside contemporary press cuttings, truly bringing to life the eventful history of this important landmark in Cardiff history.

About the Author:

Gary Wharton lives in Cardiff and has had a lifelong interest in cinema. He has previously published Ribbon of Dreams: Remembering the Cardiff Cinemas (1998) and is an expert on the social history of the area. For this book, the author has been given access to a selection of previously unseen Capitol photographs and memorabilia.

About this edition

• Publisher: Tempus
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0752446649
• ISBN 13: 9780752446646
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96