Passed by this location today and it’s no longer a theater. It’s half a Barber Shop, half a Salon. The ticket booth is still there oddly enough. See my pics below:
Another one bites the dust. :( I remember when this theater opened back in 1999, it was definitely state of the art, and the long escalator to the 2nd floor was unique for a movie theater in Tampa, FL (only other one I can think of with the long escalator is the theater at Universal CityWalk in Orlando). That said, there were little to no improvements since its opening. Last film I attended there was a Fathom event for Rifftrax (the team Mike Nelson MST3K folks) for “Godzilla” (1998) some 6+ years ago. The sound was low (had to move up a few rows), the theater dirty and the upstairs concession stand was used for storage. I imagine it only got worse as the years wore on. Also read elsewhere Regal was way behind on rent and money owed to the mall, so they simply closed without warning rather then pay since they are still recovering from Bankruptcy!
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Regal Cinemas location in Hillsborough County shut its doors for good on Tuesday as its parent company tries to come up with the cash to exit bankruptcy.
“I think it’s horrible,” said Patricia Ballard. “It’s a loss to everyone that’s been coming here forever.”
Regal Citrus Park, located at the Citrus Park Town Center mall, closed on June 6, according to the theater’s website.
Citrus Park neighbors were surprised Wednesday afternoon by the news.
“We brought the family yesterday to see Little Mermaid, and everything was beautiful,” said Lisa Baalbaki. “Then we saw the news article today and came over to check because we were shocked.”
Ballard and Baalbaki saw empty movie poster frames in front of the theater entrance and an empty marquee above the ticket booth.
“We’ve been coming here my kids’ whole life,” said Baalbaki. “This is tradition every week, every month, and we’re sorry to lose and hoping they open back up.”
Weeki Wachee residents Robert and Mary Ellen Caesar even bought tickets on Tuesday and drove all the way down to the theater on Wednesday, thinking it was open.
“We bought tickets to the Magic Flute,” Robert said. “We wanted to see it. So we bought tickets yesterday and we came today and they’re closed.”
“This is one of the few places that they show it that we can get to,” Mary Ellen added.
The couple was celebrating Mary Ellen’s birthday.
“It’s nice to get out,” Mary Ellen said. “They had a bar here and they had a little snack if you wanted it. And all of that was lovely.”
The Caesars admitted they don’t come to the theater very often, which they said may have contributed to its decline.
In an email to 8 On Your Side, the mall owner wrote:
We view this as an excellent opportunity to upgrade the theatre operations in Citrus Park Town Center Mall. Hillsborough County deserves a first-class theatre operation and a vibrant mall, and we look forward to working with the Tampa/Hillsborough County officials and leadership team to make the Citrus Park Town Center Mall the number one shopping experience in Tampa. The mall is succeeding both in growing the occupancy levels and in tenant sales, and all indications are that the mall has a bright future.
Regal’s website no longer lets customers buy tickets for the theater and signs on the doors direct people to the Regal Largo Mall and other locations.
Major theater chain warns that shareholders could be wiped out
Regal’s parent company, the U.K.-based Cineworld, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. in Sept. 2022, according to a Reuters report. The company’s net debt, excluding lease liabilities, was $4.84 billion.
The company planned to cut down its massive debt. On May 25, a federal judge approved Cineworld’s plan to raise $2.26 billion as part of its exit from bankruptcy.
Cineworld announced last month that it plans to exit bankruptcy in July. But first, a judge must approve its restructuring strategy during a June 12 court appearance.
“In 2019, there were 40,613 screens,” said Gabriel Rossman. “As of December 2022, which is the most recent data, there’s 38,474 screens. So that’s an appreciable decline.”
UCLA Professor Gabriel Rossman said audiences have changed their viewing habits.
“They only want to go to the movie theater,” Rossman explained. “If they feel like you have to go to the movie theater because it will lose something seeing it at home.”
“You can watch the movie just a month or two after it came out in theaters,” Rossman added. “Audiences now realize this and expect this.”
Cineworld did not respond to 8 On Your Side’s request for comment.
“We’ve lost so much through COVID and everything,” Ballard said. “This is just another smack.”
I’m watching “Deathdream (aka Dead of Night) 1974” directed by Bob Clark (famous for Black Christmas and A Christmas Story) on Prime and the Drive-In is prominently displayed in the last 15 or so minutes of the film. Even more surprised to find out it was filmed in Brooksville, FL which is a 30 minute drive from me. Now there are some boring ‘ol Apartment Duplexes put in the drive-in’s former location. Gotta love “progress”. :(
Was in Waynesville for a friend’s wedding November 2021 & as I drove through main street the marquee for The Strand immediately stuck out.
Unfortunately, it looks like it is no longer a theater and is now an ice cream shop, so this may need to be updated (unfortunately it was closed so I couldn’t go inside). Here is a pic I took.
Watching a horror movie called “Nightmare Cinema” on Shudder & the Rialto is featured prominently (at least the exterior). Looks beautiful & haunting at the same time.
I frequented this theater when I first got married and lived in the nearby lake Carlton Arms apartments. Saw Titanic here on Opening Night. I recall the theater had an ice sculpture of the ship and several other promotions for the film (which back when it first opened, was predicted to be the next Waterworld-style expensive flop).
I remember seeing Godzilla ‘98 here too…lots of promotion then too including film cells with ticket purchase and a CD-Rom with goodies.
I always thought the theater was built relying on further home development all around the area which never really materialized, even to date.
During its Regal days, the IMAX at Channelside was THEE best movie experience in Tampa…recall seeing the likes of Batman Begins, Superman Returns, Matrix Revolutions, Robots and The Polar Express along with several IMAX 3D features. I recall it also showing a lot of independent films at one point. I made an effort to see ‘Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust’ theatrically here, which was a great experience!
Went back there to see Megamind so my kids could experience true IMAX only to discover it got turned into a “Sony Giant Screen”…they charged the same IMAX price and the picture barely filled 60% of the heldover IMAX screen, I was SO dissapointed. Hate to say this, but it comes as no surprise it is closed, that Channelside shopping plaza is dying a slow death.
Wow..can’t believe all the negative talk about this theater here! I’ll admit the outside isn’t anything spectacular, but inside it was GORGEOUS and GRAND! I love the entrances to each theater, complete with curtain, etc.
I recall seeing quite a few movies here for $1 back when I was still new to the area (1995-1997). My fondest memory was a second date with my (now) wife, we went to see Tales From The Crypt: Demon Knight, we wanted to go see a movie, but nothing of interest was playing in the first run theaters, so we hit the Twin Bays. I think we had our first kiss this same night, sealing our fates forever (yikes). We been married 14 years now!
This is good news & bad news…good news in that there is NO immediate movie theater in the vicinity & it’ll be nice to have one there. BAD news in that one of the best & most popular pubs in Carrollwood will be sacrificed for it…O'Briens.
I remember first moving into the TB area & my mom practically FORCING me to see ‘The Little Mermaid’ at this theater because of my sister’s insistance (I was already 15)…reluctant as I was, I ended up really LIKING it (eeep) & wouldn’t ya know it, Disney’s new Golden Age of animation was born with this film. The theater closed a few short months later and recall it becoming a Suncoast Video Store.
I drove by this theater yesterday on my way to pre-screen ‘Machete’ at the AMC Westshore 14…I knew it’d be listed on this great site with a bit of history!
Last movie I watched there was ‘Saw III’. I was on a date & hadn’t been there in quite a few years…let’s just say the patrons in that place were scarier then what was on-screen…the area has really gone down hill and I’m not surprised they decided to close.
I do recall seeing ‘Fifth Element’ in Earth Shattering Surround Sound on the weekend it was released…I was practically DEAF when the movie finished…AWESOME!
R.I.P. University 16…this will likely hurt the mall even further.
Personally, I think Hollywood has NO idea what moviemakers really want. They “assume” because movies like Avatar & Alice In Wonderland raked in millions in 3D box office receipts, people are just attending these movies for the 3D aspect! I know people who saw both based on the filmmakers (Cameron & Burton respectively). Hollywood is churning out dozens more 3D flicks and it WILL get tired..I don’t necessarily see it “going away”, but it WILL get to the point where a new 3D movie coming out every 2 weeks might die down (I didn’t mind when it was once every 2 months).
Wow..given the fact that 3D will be an IN-HOME feature in the very near future (tested the 3D TV’s at the Sony Store & they look GREAT!..almost as good as Real 3D), not sure if that was the wisest decision. I am dissapointed Hollywood has become such greedy bas***s! Glad I kept about 6+ Real 3D glasses to “recycle” whenever I want to sneak into a 3D movie!
Please forgive my ignorance…but I just finished watching “the Curious Case of Benjamin Button” for the 1st time, in it there is a reference to “The Majestic” in New York City (Cate Blanchett’s character dances there)…the only one in NYC I fuond is THIS one & one that closed int he 20s…is this the one referenced in that movie? Sure looks like it from the pics.
Thanks for that google link fatman…I think my mother got confused between the Crossbay UA (which is now a Modell’s) & the old location of the Earl (per my incorrect post above)…hitting ‘terrain’ is the EXACT location of where the theater once was…in fact, the building looks exactly the same & resembles a theater building. I see the ‘Musique’ music store that used to be across the street (Lincoln Ave) is no more…used to be my source for buying all those old-school Freestyle records growing up. :o(
Nick’s story above was indeed heartfelt & touching…I was born in the mid 70s & would simply LOVE to take a time machine back in time to simply experience that drive-in magic, if only for one night! An all nighter sounds like a WILD way to spend an evening! Thanks for sharing such profound memories!
Passed by this location today and it’s no longer a theater. It’s half a Barber Shop, half a Salon. The ticket booth is still there oddly enough. See my pics below:
https://flic.kr/p/2pyvxhi
https://flic.kr/p/2pyCgQ5
RIP Paul Reubens AKA Pee Wee Herman. Finale of “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” took place at this Drive-In.
Another one bites the dust. :( I remember when this theater opened back in 1999, it was definitely state of the art, and the long escalator to the 2nd floor was unique for a movie theater in Tampa, FL (only other one I can think of with the long escalator is the theater at Universal CityWalk in Orlando). That said, there were little to no improvements since its opening. Last film I attended there was a Fathom event for Rifftrax (the team Mike Nelson MST3K folks) for “Godzilla” (1998) some 6+ years ago. The sound was low (had to move up a few rows), the theater dirty and the upstairs concession stand was used for storage. I imagine it only got worse as the years wore on. Also read elsewhere Regal was way behind on rent and money owed to the mall, so they simply closed without warning rather then pay since they are still recovering from Bankruptcy!
Article From the Channel 8 WFLA newsite:
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Regal Cinemas location in Hillsborough County shut its doors for good on Tuesday as its parent company tries to come up with the cash to exit bankruptcy.
“I think it’s horrible,” said Patricia Ballard. “It’s a loss to everyone that’s been coming here forever.”
Regal Citrus Park, located at the Citrus Park Town Center mall, closed on June 6, according to the theater’s website.
Citrus Park neighbors were surprised Wednesday afternoon by the news.
“We brought the family yesterday to see Little Mermaid, and everything was beautiful,” said Lisa Baalbaki. “Then we saw the news article today and came over to check because we were shocked.”
Ballard and Baalbaki saw empty movie poster frames in front of the theater entrance and an empty marquee above the ticket booth.
“We’ve been coming here my kids’ whole life,” said Baalbaki. “This is tradition every week, every month, and we’re sorry to lose and hoping they open back up.”
Weeki Wachee residents Robert and Mary Ellen Caesar even bought tickets on Tuesday and drove all the way down to the theater on Wednesday, thinking it was open.
“We bought tickets to the Magic Flute,” Robert said. “We wanted to see it. So we bought tickets yesterday and we came today and they’re closed.”
“This is one of the few places that they show it that we can get to,” Mary Ellen added.
The couple was celebrating Mary Ellen’s birthday.
“It’s nice to get out,” Mary Ellen said. “They had a bar here and they had a little snack if you wanted it. And all of that was lovely.”
The Caesars admitted they don’t come to the theater very often, which they said may have contributed to its decline.
In an email to 8 On Your Side, the mall owner wrote: We view this as an excellent opportunity to upgrade the theatre operations in Citrus Park Town Center Mall. Hillsborough County deserves a first-class theatre operation and a vibrant mall, and we look forward to working with the Tampa/Hillsborough County officials and leadership team to make the Citrus Park Town Center Mall the number one shopping experience in Tampa. The mall is succeeding both in growing the occupancy levels and in tenant sales, and all indications are that the mall has a bright future.
Regal’s website no longer lets customers buy tickets for the theater and signs on the doors direct people to the Regal Largo Mall and other locations.
Major theater chain warns that shareholders could be wiped out Regal’s parent company, the U.K.-based Cineworld, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. in Sept. 2022, according to a Reuters report. The company’s net debt, excluding lease liabilities, was $4.84 billion.
The company planned to cut down its massive debt. On May 25, a federal judge approved Cineworld’s plan to raise $2.26 billion as part of its exit from bankruptcy.
Cineworld announced last month that it plans to exit bankruptcy in July. But first, a judge must approve its restructuring strategy during a June 12 court appearance.
“In 2019, there were 40,613 screens,” said Gabriel Rossman. “As of December 2022, which is the most recent data, there’s 38,474 screens. So that’s an appreciable decline.”
UCLA Professor Gabriel Rossman said audiences have changed their viewing habits.
“They only want to go to the movie theater,” Rossman explained. “If they feel like you have to go to the movie theater because it will lose something seeing it at home.”
“You can watch the movie just a month or two after it came out in theaters,” Rossman added. “Audiences now realize this and expect this.”
Cineworld did not respond to 8 On Your Side’s request for comment.
“We’ve lost so much through COVID and everything,” Ballard said. “This is just another smack.”
I’m watching “Deathdream (aka Dead of Night) 1974” directed by Bob Clark (famous for Black Christmas and A Christmas Story) on Prime and the Drive-In is prominently displayed in the last 15 or so minutes of the film. Even more surprised to find out it was filmed in Brooksville, FL which is a 30 minute drive from me. Now there are some boring ‘ol Apartment Duplexes put in the drive-in’s former location. Gotta love “progress”. :(
This is exactly how it looked during the filming of the 1985 horror film “Demons”
I’m watching the 1991 slasher “Popcorn”. What a great little B movie! The theater looks beautiful. Wish there was more info.
Was in Waynesville for a friend’s wedding November 2021 & as I drove through main street the marquee for The Strand immediately stuck out. Unfortunately, it looks like it is no longer a theater and is now an ice cream shop, so this may need to be updated (unfortunately it was closed so I couldn’t go inside). Here is a pic I took.
https://flic.kr/p/2mXacrW
Hope I’m doing this right. Facade still looks great in 2021 (I took this photo Dec 2021 just after Christmas)
https://flic.kr/ps/3Y8UoK
Watching a horror movie called “Nightmare Cinema” on Shudder & the Rialto is featured prominently (at least the exterior). Looks beautiful & haunting at the same time.
I frequented this theater when I first got married and lived in the nearby lake Carlton Arms apartments. Saw Titanic here on Opening Night. I recall the theater had an ice sculpture of the ship and several other promotions for the film (which back when it first opened, was predicted to be the next Waterworld-style expensive flop).
I remember seeing Godzilla ‘98 here too…lots of promotion then too including film cells with ticket purchase and a CD-Rom with goodies.
I always thought the theater was built relying on further home development all around the area which never really materialized, even to date.
During its Regal days, the IMAX at Channelside was THEE best movie experience in Tampa…recall seeing the likes of Batman Begins, Superman Returns, Matrix Revolutions, Robots and The Polar Express along with several IMAX 3D features. I recall it also showing a lot of independent films at one point. I made an effort to see ‘Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust’ theatrically here, which was a great experience!
Went back there to see Megamind so my kids could experience true IMAX only to discover it got turned into a “Sony Giant Screen”…they charged the same IMAX price and the picture barely filled 60% of the heldover IMAX screen, I was SO dissapointed. Hate to say this, but it comes as no surprise it is closed, that Channelside shopping plaza is dying a slow death.
@Warren G. Harris: The Cityline is under ‘The Earl’ or just ‘Earl’ in Brooklyn on CT. One of my “home” theaters in my youth as well.
Wow..can’t believe all the negative talk about this theater here! I’ll admit the outside isn’t anything spectacular, but inside it was GORGEOUS and GRAND! I love the entrances to each theater, complete with curtain, etc.
I recall seeing quite a few movies here for $1 back when I was still new to the area (1995-1997). My fondest memory was a second date with my (now) wife, we went to see Tales From The Crypt: Demon Knight, we wanted to go see a movie, but nothing of interest was playing in the first run theaters, so we hit the Twin Bays. I think we had our first kiss this same night, sealing our fates forever (yikes). We been married 14 years now!
This is good news & bad news…good news in that there is NO immediate movie theater in the vicinity & it’ll be nice to have one there. BAD news in that one of the best & most popular pubs in Carrollwood will be sacrificed for it…O'Briens.
I remember first moving into the TB area & my mom practically FORCING me to see ‘The Little Mermaid’ at this theater because of my sister’s insistance (I was already 15)…reluctant as I was, I ended up really LIKING it (eeep) & wouldn’t ya know it, Disney’s new Golden Age of animation was born with this film. The theater closed a few short months later and recall it becoming a Suncoast Video Store.
I drove by this theater yesterday on my way to pre-screen ‘Machete’ at the AMC Westshore 14…I knew it’d be listed on this great site with a bit of history!
Last movie I watched there was ‘Saw III’. I was on a date & hadn’t been there in quite a few years…let’s just say the patrons in that place were scarier then what was on-screen…the area has really gone down hill and I’m not surprised they decided to close.
I do recall seeing ‘Fifth Element’ in Earth Shattering Surround Sound on the weekend it was released…I was practically DEAF when the movie finished…AWESOME!
R.I.P. University 16…this will likely hurt the mall even further.
Personally, I think Hollywood has NO idea what moviemakers really want. They “assume” because movies like Avatar & Alice In Wonderland raked in millions in 3D box office receipts, people are just attending these movies for the 3D aspect! I know people who saw both based on the filmmakers (Cameron & Burton respectively). Hollywood is churning out dozens more 3D flicks and it WILL get tired..I don’t necessarily see it “going away”, but it WILL get to the point where a new 3D movie coming out every 2 weeks might die down (I didn’t mind when it was once every 2 months).
Wow..given the fact that 3D will be an IN-HOME feature in the very near future (tested the 3D TV’s at the Sony Store & they look GREAT!..almost as good as Real 3D), not sure if that was the wisest decision. I am dissapointed Hollywood has become such greedy bas***s! Glad I kept about 6+ Real 3D glasses to “recycle” whenever I want to sneak into a 3D movie!
Please forgive my ignorance…but I just finished watching “the Curious Case of Benjamin Button” for the 1st time, in it there is a reference to “The Majestic” in New York City (Cate Blanchett’s character dances there)…the only one in NYC I fuond is THIS one & one that closed int he 20s…is this the one referenced in that movie? Sure looks like it from the pics.
Here is a music video which was filmed in this majestic theater (note: song in spanish by international artist Chayanne):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJJbrBEZqy8
Here is a short ‘making of’…you can really appreciate the theater in this vid since its in glorious color.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arhgPlsevzg
Enjoy!
Thanks for that google link fatman…I think my mother got confused between the Crossbay UA (which is now a Modell’s) & the old location of the Earl (per my incorrect post above)…hitting ‘terrain’ is the EXACT location of where the theater once was…in fact, the building looks exactly the same & resembles a theater building. I see the ‘Musique’ music store that used to be across the street (Lincoln Ave) is no more…used to be my source for buying all those old-school Freestyle records growing up. :o(
Nick’s story above was indeed heartfelt & touching…I was born in the mid 70s & would simply LOVE to take a time machine back in time to simply experience that drive-in magic, if only for one night! An all nighter sounds like a WILD way to spend an evening! Thanks for sharing such profound memories!