Jackson’s first neighborhood movie theater, the Pix, was began operations in Fondren in 1940. Originally opening as a member of the Paramount-Richards chain, it was soon followed by another movie theater constructed on North Farish Street called the Booker-T.
The $45,000 “moving picture house” with one screen and 500 seats did well showing first run films in Fondren. By 1957 The Pix began to lose business and closed. It was rented for Live/venue purposes for five years, and by 1962, was sold to Cinema Guild, Inc. and had reopened as the Capri Theatre.
The neon name "PIX" remained on the side of the building, but the CAPRI was added to the overhang awning in the front.
Although more successful and long running than its predecessor, The Capri suffered financially because of the many multiplex theaters that came and went in Jackson. In the late 1970’s The Capri switched to second run/bargain films and in the early 1980’s it became a porn theatre, showcasing X rated films. By 1985 the Capri was closed.
The competition didn't last long, either. Today there are no movie theaters within Jackson city limits.
In 2004 the Pix Theater was added to the Mississippi Department of Archives as a historical landmark.
After being abandoned and used as a clothing store for twenty years, the Capri was reopened in 2005 by the Fondren Renaissance Foundation for live music, indie films and theatre performance. Various groups attempted to raise money to restore the theatre but were never successful, and it was abandoned again two years later.
By the summer of 2007, Crossroads Film Society began renting the theatre and restoration began that October.
A year later, October 2008, Jackson lawyer and developer David Watkins announced plans to develop mixed use development behind the Capri Theatre and his intentions to restore the Capri as a music venue, specifically blues and jazz.
Because "The Pix Theatre" is a historical landmark the name "Capri" cannot go on or in the building.
Photo courtesy of Chris and Frank Ezelle, (taken 1960 & 2006)
Heehee. Nice picture.
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