Dolphin Theatre
4645 Gulf Boulevard,
St. Pete Beach,
FL
33706
4645 Gulf Boulevard,
St. Pete Beach,
FL
33706
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This opened on Christmas Day, 1969.
Found on Newspapers.com
When the Dolphin theatre closed, a bank moved into the building. I only have photos of the inside of the projection booth with two Century projection heads, two Century sound heads, Xetron Xenon lamphouses and 6,000 foot reels. No automation. Just before it closed I almost had to strike a match to see if the Xenon bulb was working. They had so many hours on them that they were black and I worried about a bulb explosion every time I struck the lamp.
Just posted the opening day ad. The Dolphin opened on December 25, 1969 with “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice” and closed either on or just before December 13, 1981 with “Dr. Zhivago” as the closing attraction. Operated under ABC Florida State Theatres and later bought out by Plitt Theatres. The Dolphin was a first-run house for several years before reverting to and later closing as a second-run $1.00 theatre. Would love to see photos of the Dolphin which are evidently either very elusive or non-existent.
I’m guessing the theater was on the right side of the plaza, in the courtyard past the Publix and TG&Y. I don’t think there are any visible remnants.