Dale Mabry Drive-In
5055 S. Dale Mabry Highway,
Tampa,
FL
33611
5055 S. Dale Mabry Highway,
Tampa,
FL
33611
5 people
favorited this theater
Showing 26 - 49 of 49 comments
Yeah, Nick is pretty good at this. You have to wait several weeks,but when he puts something out you just hope most of the CT fans will read it. I should have,and i told nick this the other night over the phone,I should have just sat down and crafted a story about NATIONAL HILLS and Columbia 1 and 2,with the IMPERIAL to a lesser extent because i did not work there as much,And just write one long story instead of 123 posts.
That was a great introduction…best I have seen on here so far!
Mikeoaklandpark, The last day of operation was 7/14/74. By 1983 I doubt there would have even been any semblance of a drive-in remaining on the property. The apartments were probably already up by then or very close to being finished.
Are you certain you remember the 20th Century on Dale Mabry and Columbus Drive? If you lived here beginning in 1983 it couldn’t have been the 20th Century as it closed on Dec. 5, 1980. Perhaps you’re thinking of another drive-in?
JULY 14.1974 it closed.it is mention in Nick’s great story. I assume its factual if Nick wrote it, Mikeoaklandpark.
I lived in Tampa from 83-96 and don’t remember this theatre. What year did it close? I remember all the other, 20th Century, Auto PArk, Tower, Hillsborough
Its no joke this time Mike.Whis I could remember which site it was on.
Thanks for the tip Chuck. That’s just what I thought. I’ve been having problems with my printer/scanner but once that’s taken care of I’ll be ready to roll.
I just don’t know any group that rides buggys unless it was amish and i know they don’t go to movies. Maybe you are having your Nashvlle fun with me again!
Mike it was the Amish they only watch movies at the drive-in not at home.Not kidding!!!!!!!!Thats what the site said I will I could remember which one.
Hey Guys, I just posted photos of the Auto Park, Floriland, Fun-Lan and Hillsboro Drive-Ins. Also, the Florida, Garden, Palace and Ritz Theatres. Check ‘em out!
It had to be in Pennsylvania or Ohio,but i didn’t think the Amish watched movies. Are either you are kidding again.
O.K. Mike no more jokes about motorcycles or boats or planes or trains or horse and buggys at a drive-in.Lets get serious here.
Mike I saw a site yesterday about a drive-in,cannot remember the name but the had hitches for horse and buggys,no joke!!!I wish I could remember so that you could look it up.Dont know how many they could hold though.
Nick, read what wrote on COMMERCE DRIVE-in. I was just looking for pictures of it,saw a bunch of you and CHarlie at that big Autograph show inL.A.. I sent you some i know.years ago. It was screwed up like The Fun-Lan Drive in in Tampa.
TLSLOEWS drives me crazy with those questions. He asked about how many motorcyles would fit in a DRive-in. I guess one could figure It out,But WHO CARES!
Mike, Those photos were already posted online so I just provided a link to them which was easier than I thought. But I still haven’t figured out how to post photos that I actually have. Not sure but I think you have to use a scanner. I need to check more into this.
Hey tisloews,thanks for checking the links! Now I can search online for photos of other area theatres & get ‘em up on CT. Hey Mike, what’s your bet on this lot holding 736 boats?
Nick, now that i know YOU can do this maybe i will send some pictures for you to put on CT for me. Give Robin a break. You have some of BELMONT DRIVE IN, KINGS MTN DRIVE IN, and DIANE 29 DRIVE IN{ you and me snooping in the old booth and concession stand.}
TSLLOEWS.we gotta get you out of TENN. Of course there is water nearby. He lives in FLORDIA. LOL.
Yhea Nick these posts work,good job Ask Mike how many boats this drive-in would hold?The landing strip is great now if there were only a lake or river by it.
Thanks guys. Your comments are appreciated! I found 3 photos of the Dale Mabry Drive-In online. I’ll post the links below but since I’ve never done this before I’m not sure they’ll work.
Here are two aerial views of the Dale Mabry taken in 1950. The first photo is a better view of the landing strip to the left of the lot. Notice the aircraft sitting near bottom of strip.
View link
View link
This photo below was taken after the drive-in was demolished shows the ramps to the crosstown expressway on the property. The apartments below the ramps is where the drive-n was located.
http://www.drive-ins.com/pictures/fltsou4001.jpg
Can you believe Nick. I thought i did pretty good intros,but this beats anything I have read lately,And Nick, Helps me often with my theatres. Had he worked in business as long as you and i we would be reading “WAR and PEACE”. LOL
Longest into for a drive-in I have ever seen.Interesting thought.
Nick, Fantastic.How do you do it ? It was well worth the wait and of course,i,along with others are waiting for you next theatre project story.