State Theatre
1008 N. Franklin Street,
Tampa,
FL
33602
1008 N. Franklin Street,
Tampa,
FL
33602
1 person
favorited this theater
Small theatre located on N. Franklin Street, north of the main business section of the street. The State Theatre was opened December 26, 1940 with Pat O'Brien in “Knute Rockne All American”. It was operated by the Claughton Theaters chain. It was remodeled with a new Art Deco facade and marquee in 1949. In 1956 it was presenting adult burlesque on the stage and adult movies on the screen. It was closed in March 1957.
It went into retail use by Mae Fabrics. It was demolished prior to 1987, when the city constructed the ill-fated Herman Massey Park.
Contributed by
Andy
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
Works GREAT!
I heard the State Theatre was a Warner Brothers house for some time and played Warners pictures exclusively. The filmed-in-Tampa WWII epic “AIR FORCE” had it’s world premier here and was a huge city event.
When the theatre closed the building became a fabric store for several years. I can’t be sure but I think it was called Mae Fabrics. The State closed before my movie going days so I never got the chance to see it as a theatre. I visited the fabric store a couple times during the mid-1960s anxiously looking around for some detail of the theatre but alas there was nothing remaining of the State.
These two photos are dated 1948. Refreshment stand with lady employee. Looks like candy was a big seller in 1948. Where’s the popcorn machine?
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Line of people waiting to buy tickets for an exciting attraction.
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This is the State in 1984, courtesy of the State Archives. Everything from the State to the traffic light was demolished.
Thanks all for the great pictures.
Great 1948 photos Nick. “Johnny Gonatos on Stage”!!!
Two photos of the gala premier of Warners' “King of the Carnival” at the State in 1955:
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Harry Lauter and Fran Bennett, the stars of the film make an appearance:
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Fran Bennett looks pleased with her crown:
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Love to have that “ROBIN HOOD” one sheet.Great pics,Nick.
The State Theatre suffered from being located in an area that increasingly became a “skid-row” district back in the 1950s-60s. Much of that area was later cleared by urban renewal programs.
This opened on December 26th, 1940. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
From the Tampa History Facebook Group - The State Theatre, which was located at 1008 North Franklin Street and owned by Butler E. Gore, opened on December 26, 1940 with the movie Knute Rockne All-American. The State was a first-run movie house until the early 1950s, when attendance faltered because of the skid row reputation of North Franklin street. In 1956, the theatre featured adult movies and live burlesque shows. In April of 1956, W.T. Freytag Jr., the manager, was tried and convicted of displaying obscene and indecent nude pictures as advertisement for the film, Elysia, that was filmed in a nudist camp. The State Theatre closed and in March of 1957, Mae Fabrics held their grand opening, therefore continuing the history of the building.