Palace Theater
700 Tampa Street,
Tampa,
FL
33601
700 Tampa Street,
Tampa,
FL
33601
3 people
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CORRECTION: The Palace did in fact run a 70mm print of “The Sound of Music” during the first few months of the initial roadshow engagement which opened on April 7, 1965. In my posting of the story above I referred to the opening of the film as “the 35mm roadshow presentation” which I based on the screen masking. This is incorrect.
During my first two or three viewings I distinctly recall the film being projected from the Cinerama booth on the main level. I was just informed by a former operator who had worked at the Palace several times that if the film was projected from this booth it would have been 70mm. The reason for the screen being masked may have been due to a restriction prohibiting non-Cinerama films from utilizing the full screen. Or the possibility that the Palace did not have the optically rectified 70mm lens needed to project the film on the deeply curved screen. Projection with a regular lens would cause the picture to “bow” upward on either side of the screen resulting in a distorted image.
Following the first few months of showings the 70mm print was exchanged for a 35mm print which was projected from the old upstairs booth for the remainder of the engagement. And from this point on the film’s soundtrack was no longer in stereo. Either the 70mm print was needed for an engagement at another theatre or it may have been monetary. Perhaps management no longer wanted to pay for the more expensive 70mm rental rate.
Mike, Yes, it’s sad nearly all the downtown theatres are long gone. I never fail to remember them when I walk or drive by the location where they once stood.
I found out I will need to use a scanner to post photos. My printer also has a built-in scanner but it’s currently not functioning. Hopefully I can get it going soon. In the meantime go ahead and send me your photos and I’ll get ‘em up as soon as I’m able to. No I’m not doing this at work; there’s no way I could do it and get away with it!
Nick.I am going to have to send you some pictures. you ain’t doing this at work are you?
Nick. it is so sad all those old theatre had to come down for all those glass towers. I am so glad i got to see the TAMPA THEATRE and thankgoodness you guys saved it.
Here are some extra shots I found. Click on photos to enlarge.
Exterior view dated 5/18/20 probably taken just after building was completed: View link
Another exterior view dated February 1925:
View link
Entrance w/posters of current and coming attractions dated 8/21/43:
View link
Here is a 1978 photo.
This is a 1945 close-up view.
Please provide any stories or information that you might have about this theatre (or any single-screen theatre in Tampa) here… http://historictheatresintampa.blogspot.com
This will assist us in preserving the history surrounding these theatres in Tampa. Thank you!!
A picture of this theater may be found with an accompanying article from 1951 here:
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