Montgomery development news

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Sounds like the rumors of them tearing down the Capri were just that...

Group to buy the Capri Theatre after 27 years of renting
BY MATT OKARMUS • SPECIAL TO THE ADVERTISER • JULY 10, 2010

The Capri Community Film Society is close to purchasing the Capri Theatre.

Montgomery's first neighborhood theater, located in the Cloverdale dis trict, features independent and foreign films as well as documentaries and has been operated by the Film Society since 1983. The group is supported by tax-de ductible donations and memberships that have allowed it to rent out the the ater on a month-to-month basis for 27 years.

"We are delighted to have an opportu nity to finally purchase our 'home' after nearly three decades of residency," Ja mie Durham, president of the Capri Com munity Film Society's board of directors, said in a statement. "Owning the build ing will be a giant leap forward and allow us to improve the Capri Theatre in ways we have only dreamed of in the past."

Capri Theater director Martin McCaffery said the Film Society has en tered into a contract to purchase the building but would not discuss the de tails as the terms of the agreement have not been finalized. He did say, however, that if all goes according to plan, the pur chase would be complete in October.

The Capri is a single-screen theater that has been in existence since 1941, when it debuted as "The Clover." It was renamed the Capri in 1962 and has since been the longest operating movie theater in Montgomery and the second longest in the state.

After the district attorney raided the Capri and charged the owners with showing obscene films in 1983, a group of neighborhood residents who wanted to preserve the theater formed the nonprof it Capri Community Film Society and as sumed operations of the building.

McCaffery is looking forward to the 70th anniversary of the Capri, but admits taking ownership of a building with so much history isn't a decision the Film Society has taken lightly.

"It's an old building that will be ours to take care of, which we will do," McCaffery said.

Future plans include upgrades for the building, though there are no specifics at this time. McCaffery said finalizing the contract is the group's first priority.

"We are happy for the support for the past 27 years and hope to be around for another 27," McCaffery said, adding "or 30 or 40."