20th Century Drive-In
2900 N. Dale Mabry Highway,
Tampa,
FL
33607
2900 N. Dale Mabry Highway,
Tampa,
FL
33607
3 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 94 comments
Dick, See the Causeway Drive-In page. I posted a comment. I think it was renamed the Auto Park Drive-In.
Thanks, Nick. Very interesting discussion.
P.S. I entered the name of another theatre that was not on the list – the Causeway Drive-In Theatre.
Thanks Dick! It’s great to know someone else from this area also remembers the 20th Century. The lack of comments from the locals amazes me. You would think with the thousands who frequented these theaters there would be at least a few more comments.
Punk trees…so that’s what they’re called! I see them just about every day when driving down Beach street. I think there are also several along the property bordering Himes Ave. They sure do bring back memories of the 20th Century whenever I see them.
Thanks for remembering Biff Burger. I wasn’t certain what it was but now I can envision the Biff Burger sign on Dale Mabry. I also recall a playground directly behind the burger stand. You had a nice view of the screen from there!
Thanks for the discussion of the 20th Century Drive-In Theatre!
One remnant of the 20th Century Drive-In Theatre still remains: During its development, the owners planted a long row of punk trees around the theatre property to obscure the screen from the neighborhood. (Punk trees were tall and narrow, with peeling bark, and looked a little like birch trees.) That row of punk trees along Beach Street still exists on the apartment village campus. These trees go back to the founding of the drive-in.
The hamburger stand on Dale Mabry near the entrance road to the theatre was a Biff Burger. There was also another Biff Burger next to Plant High School.
Thanks again for a great discussion!
More ads from the late 60s early 70s:
View link
View link
View link
View link
View link
Man,you know i will,i got off early from work and have been on since.Hope things are going great with life.
Glad you enjoyed them Mike. I’m sure glad I saved them. I had about 50 programs of 50s & 60s films I had saved from the RITZ THEATRE that I ended up giving to my little cousin about 45 years ago (really bad mistake) since I’m sure she trashed them within a few weeks. And now I don’t have a single one from the RITZ. I’m kicking myself every time I think about it. What I wouldn’t give to have those little film programs today…!!
I posted a message on the Imperial page alerting tlsloews and Robin and other interested parties about the 20th Century programs. Make sure you check Tampa’s theatres daily since I’m planning (hopefully) to post something everyday on at least one theatre.
I hope you have some way of letting Robin and Tlsloews know to look at the handbills. I just go over all my theatres.so that is how i catch them.
I told you when my dad and me would stop in WASHINGTON,GA. at a hot dog stand,they had those same programs for the WILKES THEATRE in that city,{onCT} and i collected them too.Boy, would i love to have tose old programs. Well, not to brag,cause Tlsloews might read this, but on the program May 12-15 i have all three one sheets.“COLD TURKEY”,“HAWAIIANS”,and “TWO MULES FOR SISTER SARA” Why a Dick Van Dyke movie would play before Clint Eastwood is odd.Newer release?
I have an 8by10 still of “EYE OF THE CAT”.On Nov.25-28 have both of those one sheets,“BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES” and “SICILIAN CLAN” rather strange double feature. I have the “GOODBYE,COLUMBUS” one sheet in great condition.I notice the features that night were given the R rating.“LOVE STORY” was GP rated. I guess since “GOODBYE,COLUMBUS” was R,they when R for the night. I bet today “GOODBYE,COLUMBUS” would PG.Those 4 Steve McQueen hits are fantastic,What a line up of his work. Dog,I miss those days. Thanks so much Nick.If no one else enjoys them, you know you made my night.
Photo of booth dated 1964 when new equipment was installed. Thanks to Mike Rogers of Augusta who spotted the photo in Boxoffice:
View link
Programs from 1960s-1970s:
1. View link
2. View link
3. View link
O.K.
Nick,through the years,before cinema treasures we were both sending movie ads in the mail,I know he will have some on the 20th century.
Maybe he did then you can send them all to me.
Nick,will you be adding newspaper ads here too.Hope you didn’t send them all to me.
Cool Nick I will.
I just posted photos of the Auto Park, Floriland, Fun-Lan and Hillsboro Drive-Ins. Also, the Florida, Garden, Palace and Ritz Theatres. Check ‘em out!
iam not a musical guy.I did like “OLIVER”,but other than that they just drive me crazy. We played “MAME” for one week at NATIONAL HILLS. Lucille Ball and it played one week.Where were old Ladies?
Yes I did and they’re great! Thanks for forwarding them to me. Talk about a coincidence. Whoever would have thought you’d end up with letters mentioning the Hillsboro Theatres in Tampa?!
I thought your rip on the problems the little ladies were causing when Sound of Music played was amusing. I never thought about it but that same situation probably occured in many other cities as well.
Did you get the PLITT THEATRE stuff Robin gave me?
Nick, I knew “SOUND OF MUSIC” was one of your favorite,hope you don’t think bad of me for ripping it,but i did from a theater perspective and not film.
Mike, My fault…I jumped the gun! I submitted the Dale Mabry last night and figured it would post today but it hasn’t. I guess it’s still with the CT editors. This morning under “new theatres” the newest one was dated 2/28. I submitted mine on 3/1 so it should turn up soon…keep watching.
Nick, I can’t find the Dale Mabry on CT,i have been looking,but my search comes up negative.
Mike, I will! And the Dale Mabry is now finally up.
NICK, ROBIN HAS PUT MY THEATRES On CT. Check them out!
You guessed it on BIll. I have pictures from SKYVEIW,WEIS,HILLTOP Drive-ins and Daniel Village,so hope when I send them to her she will put them on.