Category Archives: Movie Theatres

Capri Theatre (Lake City, Iowa)

Capri Theatre (Lake City, Iowa)

The Capri Theatre is a community-owned and volunteer-operated movie theatre located on the west side of the square in downtown Lake City in Calhoun County, Iowa. The Capri opened in 1966, over eight years after the previous Lake City theatre burned to the ground. The new theatre was constructed entirely from community funds, and operated by Bob Fridley’s theatre chain. At the time of opening, the Des Moines Register called the theatre “Iowa’s most modern and luxurious.”

As multi-screen cinemas debuted in nearby Carroll and Fort Dodge, the Capri had difficulties obtaining the latest movies. Combined with the nationwide rural farm crisis, business significantly dropped in the 1980s, causing Fridley to close the theatre. Community members persuaded him to reopen (and remodel) the theatre in the following decade, but the Fridley-operated Capri closed for good in 2001.

Following the closure, a group of Lake City citizens banded together (again) and were able to convince Bob Fridley to donate the theatre to the community. Since, a nonprofit corporation has been established and volunteers have operated the Capri continuously since 2003.  The theatre, which only charges patrons $2 to see any show, has built an operational reserve while improving the facilities and distributing scholarships to area high school seniors.

Princess Theater (Mt. Ayr, Iowa)

Princess Theater (Mt. Ayr, Iowa)

The Princess Theater served the Ringgold County, Iowa, community of Mt. Ayr for over 70 years before closing its doors in June 1985. The theatre lived on as a plumbing supply store and bar before it was purchased by philanthropist Paul Ramsey of the Ramsey Farm Foundation and donated to a local community group for restoration. The non-profit Princess Theater Troupe ran with the project, raising over $370,000 to significantly renovate and update the theater location. By August 2008, renovations were completed and sold-out audiences watched a locally-produced live performance.

The volunteer-run theater is also equipped for movies, which are shown Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays when no live performances are scheduled. Check out the theater’s official website for current showtimes, and more information on the theater restoration project.

Malek Theatre (Independence, Iowa)

Malek Theatre (Independence, Iowa)

The Malek Theatre in downtown Independence, Iowa, was considered state-of-the-art when it opened to patrons in October 1946. The exterior of the 863-seat theatre was constructed with stone, vitreolite and glass block in the Art Deco style. In an effort to create a more efficient operation and increase theatre traffic, the theatre was duplexed in the mid-1980s. The split was ultimately unsuccessful, and the theatre has now been vacant for nearly two decades.

Though there has been talk of restoring the theatre to its former glory, no concrete plans are in place. The recent opening of a modern two-screen cinema near the edge of town likely decreased demand for a renovated theatre.

Sunset Theatre (Sumner, Iowa)

Sunset Theatre (Sumner, Iowa)

After sitting vacant for many years, community members came together to revive the Sunset Theatre in Sumner, Iowa. A non-profit organization was formed, and with some help from a Vision Iowa grant in 2003, the theatre was fully restored and reopened. Originally dating to the 1940s, the single-screen theatre shows movies daily and has the ability to accommodate live performances.

Admission to movies is a mere 99 cents, likely the cheapest place to see a first-run show in the state. For current show times, visit the theatre website or call (563) 578-5307.