Hillsboro Drive-In
3306 West Hillsborough Avenue,
Tampa,
FL
33614
3306 West Hillsborough Avenue,
Tampa,
FL
33614
4 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 50 of 51 comments
Ad for dusk-to-dawn show Saturday July 9, 1966.
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Yeah, i need to get NIck to make a copy of that KARLOFF marquee.
Very cool vintage photo Nick.
BORIS KAROFF on the Marquee,GREAT! Nick, have you thought about scanning all the newspaper ads you have? I notice alot of theatres have ads.sent some to Robin,but haven’t seen them yet.
Golly,Nick these are great shots!
Here’s a photo of the entrance dated August 21,1943. This screen was demolished in 1969 when the Hillsboro was renovated and a larger steel screen was erected.
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People expect so much from your stories,Nick.
Hey, my cousin asked if you put FOUR SEASONS CINEMAS on ? I guess since you have been down you have not been able to do it. Also Hendersonville Outdoor Cinemas? I know you are busy with Tampa Theatres,so i will let Ray know.
He even printed out a history on Four Seasons. I guess he is computer dumb like me. Happy New year. Hope you liked the gift.
I’m back! My computer was attacked by a nasty virus so I’ve been out of commission for awhile. I’ve been suffering from CT withdrawal and it’s great to be back!
jorgito2001: Thanks for the very nice compliment! Yep, those all-nighters were fun as heck and an amazing way to spend a Saturday night. Of course you slept until Sunday afternoon but what a way to spend an evening if you really love movies! Here’s hoping a time machine is invented in our lifetime!
MikeRogers: I see you’ve resorted to Simon & Garfunkel to let me know I was missed…LOL!
Stay tuned for the story on the 20th Century Drive-In (my second favorite!) which I hope to have posted by the weekend. I don’t think it’ll be as elaborate as the Hillsboro but we’ll see what I can come up with.
Where have you gone Nick Di maggio Heaven holds a place for those who like old theatres. Corny, Iknow.
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!
Your Computer must be broke down.I can’t believe you have been off this long with all these Tampa drive-ins added.
Nick, Hope you spot your Drive in on recent comments.Haven’t seen any of your work.Everything okay?
Nick, also have a cute little story on GASTON MALL when we talked the projectionist to edit a frame of prono in a trailer. Boys will be boys.
Nick, The MANCHESTER DRIVE IN is the drive in i was telling you about being covered up with trees and such. It is on CT.you can read it. Also the Ritz was posted earlier. Hope you see this, I have added a bunch of stories on all my Augusta theatres,somehow they all just came up in my movie theatre mind. Enjoy.
Hi Candace: I sent a message to your email address above.
Thanks for the great aeril drinklime! Took me a minute to spot the drive-in near the upper right-hand corner. Sure looks tiny from the air. Wow! This area has certainly changed since 1948.
Thanks again!
Nick – Can you contact me at or leave me your contact info here. I find what you are doing very interesting, perhaps you can help me, I would like to talk to you about it when you have some free time. Thanks Candace
You can see it in this aerial photo:
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Thanks for the story
Yeah, you are probably right, The management and staff probably did not care. Only one that might have would have been a crusty old projectionist that might have been tempted to say “ Goodbye,Tampa”
Mike, You should have done it! Your local paper may have taken notice and photographed it. They may even have done a feature story on Columbia Square! When the 20th Century Drive-In closed the marquee read: “GOODBYE TAMPA AND THANKS FOR 35 YEARS!” At least that shows some class and an acknowledgment of gratitude. The management of the Hillsboro at the time was either not thinking or just didn’t care, and I’m inclined to believe it was the latter.
Nick, Its funny even though i was long gone from COLUMBIA SQUARE when it closed,and granted it wasn’t the same 2 theatres, 2 more added after i left. When they finally closed all they did was put CLOSED on the marquee.
For months it read CLOSED. Several times i thought about going in the theatre by a back door take enough letters and write THANKS AUGUSTA IT WAS A GOOD RUN. I am convinced no one would have said a word,but i thought about it,just like THE HILLSBORO it to deserved a better out.
Nick, If someone from CINEMA TRES. does not remember these shows i will start to eat a one sheet.
Mike: Nice choice of films for a dusk-to-dawn! I may be wrong but I doubt any drive-in today has had an all-nighter in many, many years. Most would not even attempt it. The last time the Fun-Lan ran one was probably in the 70s when it was still a single screener.
The reason being multiple film rentals would probably be far too costly for today’s drive-in market. Of course they could go the cheaper route with films from the 50s 60s & 70s but it’s doubtful
good prints for most of these remain in existence today. Now let’s see if anyone else out there remembers those dusk-to-dawns!
I KNOW FOLKS IT IS"CAN" NOT “CAB”