Tampa Theatre
711 Franklin Street,
Tampa,
FL
33672
711 Franklin Street,
Tampa,
FL
33672
44 people
favorited this theater
Showing 51 - 75 of 170 comments
Oh,Mike You guys were playing “MARY POPPINS” sing-a-long that afternoon. Given anything to had 2001 on that afternoon.I can’t handle musicals or Sing-a-longs.Great Theatre.Bought several MEGAPLEX T-Shirts!
i am good a good friend of Nick DiMaggio,When i visited him the Tampa theatre Tour was what I wanted.And Got it,when we got to the booth i had to correct the tour guide on a couple of things.Never was a operator,but was in management at several different chains.Nick knows the old retired projectionist from the FUN-LAN and it breaks his heart to see how that mess was created.What a nightmare of a Drive-in.We were thinking about driving to the Silvermoon that night,but after driving down from Augusta i was just too tired to make that trip when the FUN-LAN was so close.Looking back, I wish like Heck we would have headed out to Lakeland,Nick knew where it was at.I guess you noticed Nick has Done a great job on the history of a lot of Tampascreens.
Message to Mike Rogers. When you are back in central Florida, about 30 minutes East of Tampa is the Silvermoon Drive-In, in Lakeland. It is a shining example of how a drive-in should be operated, the snack bar is full of nostalgic drive-in photos, and the presentation is complete with some nostalgic intermission clips. A far cry from the drive-in experience you described.
Mike Hurley
chief projectionist
Tampa Theatre
Just saw the news about Rosa Rio. Very sad to hear that she passed away. Then again, what a long and productive life she had. We should all be so fortunate.
N: Yes, hearing that Mighty Wurlitzer was half the enjoyment of attending the Tampa! RIP Miss Rosa Rio. The Riviera in North Tonawanda NY has its original Wurlitzer and was the demo organ for the Wurlitzer Organ Company located in that Buffalo NY suburb. Organ concerts are held at the theatre throughout the year so if you ever find yourself in Buffalo, take time to visit that cinema treasure and its Mighty Wurlitzer as it rises from the orchestra pit!
Thanks Patsy and tlsloews. How I wish I had made the extra effort to attend one of Tampa Theatre’s silent film showings and see Rosa perform on the Mighty Wurlitzer. I have heard the Wurlitzer many times during regular film showings where various members of the Central Florida Theatre Organ Society perform a pre-show mini-concert. Hearing that Mighty Wurlitzer is half the enjoyment of attending the Tampa Theatre.
tisloews: I agree! I had the opportunity to see her in person at the Tampa Theatre. She was truly amazing to see come up from the orchestra pit playing those keys and pedals that filled the auditorium with glorious organ music! Play on Rosa for all of heaven to hear!
Thanks Patsy,thats quite a story lived to be 107 years,she had an amazing life.R.I.P. Rosa.
N DiMaggio: There will be a tribute in Rosa’s honor. It will be June 5th and the site with additional information is
http://www.tampatheatre.org/Rosa.php
The Tampa Theatre is a great, great place to see movies. It deserves its status.
I didn’t finish about Rosa Rio. Go to Tampatheater.org to see more.
I’m so sorry to hear this sad news. Unfortunately I never did have a chance to see Rosa perform. I’ve read many articles and stories on her career that were always published in the Tribune whenever she was scheduled to perform at Tampa Theatre. I’m certain the theatre will have a tribute show in her honor.
Rosa Rio past away today. She would have been 108 in two weeks. She played her last silent movie last year.
Thanks Tinseltoes! Great shot shows physical layout of Tampa Theatre building and auditorium.
Nice photo Chuck1231.
My wife and I went on the Ghost Tour this past Saturday at the Tampa. This was the second Ghost Tour open to the public. It was a lot of fun and we got to see parts of the theater that the public is not taken into. They have not scheduled the next one yet. There definitely were some unexplainable events. The midnight buffet was very good!
OK Mike when? I’ll be looking for them
I hope to add quite a few of The IMPERIAL.
Great site with lots of good pictures,the most that I have seen on any C.T. site.
I went to a book signing (Bruce Campbell of the Evil Dead movies) & to screen his directorial debut months before it aired on SyFy…Man With The Screaming Brain!…what a hoot screening that movie with a bunch of fellow horror/Bruce Campbell fans. (Bruce himself admits to “loving” the theater).
Not mentioned, but thought I should, I volunteered on 2 occasions to assist & place people who were swearing their “citizenship” to the United States…it was very moving being present during the vow & celebration with family afterwards!…not sure if they still do that here.
Looking forward to taking my kids to the Ghost & Gargoyles Halloween event on October 25th!
WHAT A GREAT THEATRE . I TOOK THE TOUR WITH A GOOD THEATRE BUDDY NICK. I WANTED SO BAD TO SEE A MOVIE BUT THAT TIME THEY WERE RUNNING A SING ALONG WITH MARY POPPINS AND I AM NOT MUCH FOR MUSICALS. HAD IT BEEN 2001 MAN I WOULD HAVE DIED AND GONE TO HEAVEN. GLAD THEY STILL SHOW 35 mm and not video discs like the imperial theatre does in my home town of AUGUSTA, GEORGIA,NICK ALSO TOOK ME TO OLD DRIVE IN SITES AND WE SAW A MOVIE AT THE FUN LAND DRIVEIN WHICH WAS THE MOST SCREWED UP LOT I EVER SAW FOR A DRIVE IN THEATRE. NICK SAID IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AS A ONE SCREEN, NOW IT IS FOUR SCREENS AND I SWEAR THE MOVIE WATCHED THEY PRESENTED IT ON A FENCE. I KNOW WHY OLD PROJECTIONISTS DO NOT WANT TO SEE SOMETHING RUINED FOR GREED.
Sad news. On 9/10/09 Bob Baker, long time volunteer organist, passed away. He devoted many hours to playing the pre-show several times a week, every week, and demonstrating the Wurlitzer organ its many voices and effects to theater tours several times a month. He was a member of the Central Florida Theater Organ Society, and the American Guild of Organist. He also played for Sunday services at his church. In his spare time, he held a full time job. He was only 61. It will be hard to fill his shoes. He will be missed.
The Wurlitzer is now 14 ranks playing with record and playback. As time and funds permit, 3 more ranks and some special effects are to be added. Two years ago a new Syndyne relay and combination system was installed. Also planed for the future, when that angle comes in with the funds, is a four manual console. This organ is almost totally supported by private donations. It is maintained by the Central Florida Theater Organ Society.
What a FABULOUS-looking theatre!! It looks like the perfect theatre for all kinds of concerts, movies, and even live stage musicals, operettas and operas! Hope it stays open!
Other great-looking palace theatres I’ve been to are: the Ziegfeld and Radio City Music Hall, both in NYC, the Providence Performing Arts Center, the Albany Palace Theatre, and, more recently, the Music Hall, up in Portsmouth, NH.
The Brattle Theatre, the Coolidge Corner Theatre and the Somerville theatre are all cool-looking theatres too, which also have the aura of real neighborhood/community theatres.
FSBO: Yes, truly amazing as I have been to this theatre…saw and heard the famous Rosa Rio play the theatre’s organ prior to Valentine’s Day last year.