National Hills box office under construction: View link
1. Greg poppin' corn. 2. Charles Bruni & Mike Rogers with record setting bags of popcorn for matinee showing of Disney’s “Island At The Top Of The World” in 1974. Popcorn was gone by evening show: View link
Yes, I remember the Florida did play several X-rated attractions during that period. Many of these were foreign films. I remember seeing a black and white Swedish film called “Inga” which was not much more than soft-porn. Most of these films were not the typical triple-X porno films that would play at adult theatres but more of the mainstream variety. I never saw “Fuego” although I seem to recall the ad about the makers having to flee! I also remember seeing “DeSade” “Heronimus Merkin” and “Clockwork Orange” which were all major attractions rated X. But what shocked me more than these films was when the Tampa Theatre broke its long standing traditon of playing family films and ran the X-rated “Killing of Sister George” and “The Stewardesses.” I’ve always thought the Florida Theatre would have been better suited to play these two.
Nice photos..thanks Andy. Would have loved to have gone to The Park in it’s heyday. I wonder if the booth is still equipped for 35mm and if the university ever runs movies here.
Oh yes..I remember those ticks..lol! That drive-in was outside of Clover, NC if I remember correctly. But it was worth it just seeing those old rusted projectors still in the booth!
Sundown Drive-In grand opening ad dated March 18, 1953: View link
The last published ad on August 13, 1954: View link
Andy, Sorry for my delay in responding as I just now saw your comment. This is very strange. The property appraiser has to be incorrect as I saw the theatre being demolished and an Ace Hardware store being built on the site. Do they refer to the property as 7575 W. Hillsborough Ave? This is the address of the Town ‘N Country Shopping Center where the theatre was located. I believe Ace Hardware is probably the only building within the main complex to be built when the theatre was demolished. Although the property appraiser is somewhat correct in saying the main complex itself hasn’t changed since 1967 (with the exception of various stores that have come and gone) you’d think the appraiser would be aware that a new and larger building selling hardware supplies has replaced a smaller building formerly housing a movie theatre!
Sorry guys! I had misplaced the ads but just found them. The Tower opened on October 22, 1952 with the double feature “Wait Till The Sun Shines Nellie” and “Dakota Lil.” Here’s the grand opening ad with a photo of the lot. The huge full-page ad contained congratulatory announcements from about 20 merchants and supply companies which was far too large to scan so I copied the section with photo: View link
Program from 1969: View link View link
Thanks Tisloews. It was a nice informative tour. I forgot to mention the proscenium was still there although nearly hidden from view by the tall shelving. The “R” embossed in the coat-of-arms is still visible in the top center.
The description of this undated photo reads: “Auditorium at the University of Tampa.” This is almost certainly the auditorium of the David Falk Memorial Theatre when it was known as the Park Theatre. The absence of a CinemaScope screen probably dates this in the 1940s or early 1950s. View link
I finally had a chance today to see the interior of the Royal. While driving by the building I saw the rear exit doors were wide open. There were about 20 cars parked in the lot at the rear so I figured there were workers inside continuing renovations. I parked and slowly walked towards the open doors afraid of being stopped and told I could not go inside. As I approached the doors two work- men came out and passed by me without saying a word. So I walked through the doors and stood for a moment on what was once the stage but was now a cement floor. I stood there in awe taking all the former theatre auditorium in.
Seating was gone and the entire auditorium was filled with tall metal shelving loaded with boxes of supplies. The interior walls had been stripped down to the red bricks. Each side wall still had at least three elegant seating boxes in place. The balcony was still there but most of the flooring had been taken out exposing the wooden support beams. I noticed there were two stairways on either end leading up to the balcony but both entrances were sealed with plywood. And of course the projection booth was gone.
I walked through the auditorium to the entrance and into the lobby where I saw a lady sitting at a desk. After explaning that I had wanted to see the theatre for so many years she asked me to hold on while she contacted the guide who would love to give me a tour of the building. So I was given a half-hour tour of the theatre and lobby area, as well as the front portion of the building, and the ballroom on the second floor. The guide explained the new cement flooring in the auditorim is a floating floor meaning it can easily be removed to expose the original sloped theatre floor. The theatre also had an orchestra pit now also covered over with the new flooring.
Huge steel support beams have been installed from one wall to the other high up in the stage loft to help the tall brick structure withstand storms or high winds. The roof is still in need of repairs and is not in the best shape. There were a few rows of seats still in place when the foundation moved in but they were removed by the City of Tampa and placed into storage as well as several other items from the theatre. The building is now under the Hillsborough County School Foundation and the theater is used as a storage area for various supplies. Teachers can purchase supplies here that are needed for their classrooms.
The City of Tampa donated the building to the foundation allowing them to move in and use the facility as long as they maintain it properly. They are not permitted to make any changes or modifications that would destroy it’s historial significance. However, they can add additional rooms or wings to the building as was done when the art museum was temporarily housed there. I asked if it would ever be possible for the theatre to be restored but the answer was that it would take a ballpark figure of about 5 million to completely bring the theatre back to what it once was. So unless they receive a huge surprise donation this will never happen.
That’s such a shame as it would certainly make a beautiful “classic” theatre again. I’m glad I finally had the chance at last to see the interior.
Thanks for the info Bob! I was finally able to find this one photo of a band concert on the Lincoln’s stage in 1944. Still searching for others. View link
How I would love to see this restored 70mm version of one of my all-time favorites which I’ve seen more than a dozen times. The most recent local theatrical showing was in 2004. As part of the celebration of Tampa Theatre’s brand new digital marquee, the theatre featured a free showing of “West Side Story” that evening. The uncut 35mm archival print presented was a beauty from the opening overture to the credit fade-out. No scratches, splices, or cuts. The soundtrack was in Dolby Stereo as I recall.
Thanks Andy. This is very interesting. I remember when the Center was a 70MM house. They advertised heavily in the Tampa Tribune the many reserved-seat roadshow attractions that played though most of the 1960s. But by the mid-1970s it had gone adult and was reduced to showing X-rated films. I only saw one adult film here and as I recall it was a nice theatre with a fairly large screen. Had no idea it was formerly known as the Alcazar and later the Roxy.
Columbia Square I & II makes the Associated Press when showing of “Oh God!” is picketed on Sunday, October 23, 1977. Photo from the Atlanta Journal & Constitution: View link
National Hills box office under construction:
View link
1. Greg poppin' corn. 2. Charles Bruni & Mike Rogers with record setting bags of popcorn for matinee showing of Disney’s “Island At The Top Of The World” in 1974. Popcorn was gone by evening show: View link
Employees in front of entrance to cinemas:
View link
Tommy Capers and projectionist Chuck Dray pose with Mike Rogers in front poster display cases at bottom of stairs near entrance in 1987:
View link
Yes, I remember the Florida did play several X-rated attractions during that period. Many of these were foreign films. I remember seeing a black and white Swedish film called “Inga” which was not much more than soft-porn. Most of these films were not the typical triple-X porno films that would play at adult theatres but more of the mainstream variety. I never saw “Fuego” although I seem to recall the ad about the makers having to flee! I also remember seeing “DeSade” “Heronimus Merkin” and “Clockwork Orange” which were all major attractions rated X. But what shocked me more than these films was when the Tampa Theatre broke its long standing traditon of playing family films and ran the X-rated “Killing of Sister George” and “The Stewardesses.” I’ve always thought the Florida Theatre would have been better suited to play these two.
Nice photos..thanks Andy. Would have loved to have gone to The Park in it’s heyday. I wonder if the booth is still equipped for 35mm and if the university ever runs movies here.
Oh yes..I remember those ticks..lol! That drive-in was outside of Clover, NC if I remember correctly. But it was worth it just seeing those old rusted projectors still in the booth!
Sundown Drive-In grand opening ad dated March 18, 1953:
View link
The last published ad on August 13, 1954:
View link
Andy, Sorry for my delay in responding as I just now saw your comment. This is very strange. The property appraiser has to be incorrect as I saw the theatre being demolished and an Ace Hardware store being built on the site. Do they refer to the property as 7575 W. Hillsborough Ave? This is the address of the Town ‘N Country Shopping Center where the theatre was located. I believe Ace Hardware is probably the only building within the main complex to be built when the theatre was demolished. Although the property appraiser is somewhat correct in saying the main complex itself hasn’t changed since 1967 (with the exception of various stores that have come and gone) you’d think the appraiser would be aware that a new and larger building selling hardware supplies has replaced a smaller building formerly housing a movie theatre!
Sorry guys! I had misplaced the ads but just found them. The Tower opened on October 22, 1952 with the double feature “Wait Till The Sun Shines Nellie” and “Dakota Lil.” Here’s the grand opening ad with a photo of the lot. The huge full-page ad contained congratulatory announcements from about 20 merchants and supply companies which was far too large to scan so I copied the section with photo:
View link
Program from 1969:
View link
View link
Thanks Tisloews. It was a nice informative tour. I forgot to mention the proscenium was still there although nearly hidden from view by the tall shelving. The “R” embossed in the coat-of-arms is still visible in the top center.
The description of this undated photo reads: “Auditorium at the University of Tampa.” This is almost certainly the auditorium of the David Falk Memorial Theatre when it was known as the Park Theatre. The absence of a CinemaScope screen probably dates this in the 1940s or early 1950s.
View link
I finally had a chance today to see the interior of the Royal. While driving by the building I saw the rear exit doors were wide open. There were about 20 cars parked in the lot at the rear so I figured there were workers inside continuing renovations. I parked and slowly walked towards the open doors afraid of being stopped and told I could not go inside. As I approached the doors two work- men came out and passed by me without saying a word. So I walked through the doors and stood for a moment on what was once the stage but was now a cement floor. I stood there in awe taking all the former theatre auditorium in.
Seating was gone and the entire auditorium was filled with tall metal shelving loaded with boxes of supplies. The interior walls had been stripped down to the red bricks. Each side wall still had at least three elegant seating boxes in place. The balcony was still there but most of the flooring had been taken out exposing the wooden support beams. I noticed there were two stairways on either end leading up to the balcony but both entrances were sealed with plywood. And of course the projection booth was gone.
I walked through the auditorium to the entrance and into the lobby where I saw a lady sitting at a desk. After explaning that I had wanted to see the theatre for so many years she asked me to hold on while she contacted the guide who would love to give me a tour of the building. So I was given a half-hour tour of the theatre and lobby area, as well as the front portion of the building, and the ballroom on the second floor. The guide explained the new cement flooring in the auditorim is a floating floor meaning it can easily be removed to expose the original sloped theatre floor. The theatre also had an orchestra pit now also covered over with the new flooring.
Huge steel support beams have been installed from one wall to the other high up in the stage loft to help the tall brick structure withstand storms or high winds. The roof is still in need of repairs and is not in the best shape. There were a few rows of seats still in place when the foundation moved in but they were removed by the City of Tampa and placed into storage as well as several other items from the theatre. The building is now under the Hillsborough County School Foundation and the theater is used as a storage area for various supplies. Teachers can purchase supplies here that are needed for their classrooms.
The City of Tampa donated the building to the foundation allowing them to move in and use the facility as long as they maintain it properly. They are not permitted to make any changes or modifications that would destroy it’s historial significance. However, they can add additional rooms or wings to the building as was done when the art museum was temporarily housed there. I asked if it would ever be possible for the theatre to be restored but the answer was that it would take a ballpark figure of about 5 million to completely bring the theatre back to what it once was. So unless they receive a huge surprise donation this will never happen.
That’s such a shame as it would certainly make a beautiful “classic” theatre again. I’m glad I finally had the chance at last to see the interior.
Thanks for the info Bob! I was finally able to find this one photo of a band concert on the Lincoln’s stage in 1944. Still searching for others.
View link
First ad appears in time clock listings dated July 6, 1958:
View link
First ad for X-rated films dated January 1969:
View link
Photo of grand opening on November 18, 1966:
View link
How I would love to see this restored 70mm version of one of my all-time favorites which I’ve seen more than a dozen times. The most recent local theatrical showing was in 2004. As part of the celebration of Tampa Theatre’s brand new digital marquee, the theatre featured a free showing of “West Side Story” that evening. The uncut 35mm archival print presented was a beauty from the opening overture to the credit fade-out. No scratches, splices, or cuts. The soundtrack was in Dolby Stereo as I recall.
Thanks Andy. This is very interesting. I remember when the Center was a 70MM house. They advertised heavily in the Tampa Tribune the many reserved-seat roadshow attractions that played though most of the 1960s. But by the mid-1970s it had gone adult and was reduced to showing X-rated films. I only saw one adult film here and as I recall it was a nice theatre with a fairly large screen. Had no idea it was formerly known as the Alcazar and later the Roxy.
Undated photo showing poster display boxes and extention of awning overhang:
View link
Problem with link above…this should work:
View link
Problem with link above for “Oh God!” This link should work:
View link
Newspaper ad for “The Spy Who Loved Me” designed by Mike Rogers:
View link
City manager Jerry Tinney and wife Laura:
View link
Columbia Square I & II makes the Associated Press when showing of “Oh God!” is picketed on Sunday, October 23, 1977. Photo from the Atlanta Journal & Constitution:
View link
City manager Jerry Tinney and wife Laura:
View link
Mike Rogers & Julie Brown….Julie was “Jugs!"
View link
City manager Jerry Tinney and wife Laura:
View link
Jim Neely changing marquee:
View link
Portion of old concession stand:
View link