Tampa Theatre

Beautiful theater. This theater is rumored to be haunted by the original projectionist. I remember going there to see Fantasia on a field trip from elementary school. I had never heard the ghost stories, yet I felt an uneasy presence. Recently, I was allowed to enter after hours to explore while the janitors were cleaning up. One of them described several events of toilet paper rolls flying out of the bathroom, doors slamming, and lights turning on or off after hours. This was one of the first buildings with air conditioning in tampa, and it features 10 stories of office space above it.

The Tampa Theatre is currently renovating it's marquees; this is exciting as both the Vertical AND Horizontal Marquees will be done.

This theatre showcases Eberson in a very unique way, namely because Eberson had about half the actual space he was used to working with (namely because the railroad is right behind backstage. Eberson simply put all his decoration in half the space, making for a very dense, rococco effect. Imagine all the statues and gargoyles of, let's say, the Majestic in half the space.

As a movie theatre the Tampa seated 2134 people.

The Tampa Theatre is also working on adding some pipes to the Awesome Wurlitzer Pipe organ.

I think that somebody said that the organ plays itself sometimes. Perhaps it's the old Projectionist ghost! HA HA

The first movie I ever saw, "Bambi," was at the Tampa Theatre. I remember going back, years later, to see William Windom do his one man show of James Thurber there and was more interested in the floating clouds projected on the ceiling than anything else!

A circa-1920s view of the Tampa's highly ornate auditorium and stage can be seen here.

The Tampa Theatre boasts a phenomenal organ that really rocks the house and even in increadibly bright Florida it's always dim and cool inside. The real hit is the twinkling stars in the ceiling and clouds that pass over it!

The theatre serves up an unique mix of movies that you won't find at your local cineplex as well as concerts. You haven't REALLY experienced Echo & The Bunnymen until you've done it Tampa Theatre style...also caught Thomas Dolby, Howard Jones, David Byrne and many other concerts there. It's also home to the annual Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (used to serve on the board). One year the ancient abandoned YMCA building right next to it caught fire...a total loss! The whole town was horrified the theatre would go too, but thanks to the TFD they saved it. The show had to go on two days after the fire and the theatre reeked of smoke, but worse still they were using a wrecking ball to take down sections of the old YMCA. Throughout the movie "Passion" (which is already a VERY tense movie) all you could hear was the constant pounding of the wrecking ball and the theatre shaking ever so slightly. Everyone's nerves were totally wrecked by the end of the movie and fled accross the street to The Hub for some of their wickedly strong cocktails.

Every time I think of the Tampa theater I keep recalling the comment in Ben Hall's book, "The Best Remaining Seats.." where he says..it is replete with a statue of Christopher Columbus discovering the orchestra pit!

Another great theatre that I was recently told about at an organ society dinner party. These 'atmospheric' theatres that have been saved and renovated are a jewel to their communities and are such cinema treasures!

I've seen several concerts at the Tampa Theater and the acoustics are phenominal!!!

This theater is amazing. I remember going on class trips here as a child and being so mesmerized by the interiors. I often go here to see films or go on the tours (I could probably give them myself). I always dreamed of getting married on that grand stage, and very soon I will be doing just that.

StarrBar: Congratulations on your plans to be married on the grand stage! What a neat idea and best wishes to you and your bride!

I've seen a movie here while on vacation in Florida. I highly recommend a visit to this treasure.
Two modern photos can be found on the Library of Congress website.

I worked here in 89-90, and it still holds an important place in my heart. To walk into that beautiful space every evening was heaven.

I've been to the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles and the Ziegfeld in New York. Both theaters combined would not be nearly as beautiful as the shimmering Tampa Theatre. Simply stepping inside is itself an event. The selection offered in the lobby, which includes beer on tap, is as dazzling as the twinkling night-sky ceiling, which is as marvelous as the working Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ, demonstrations of which precede Sunday Classics screenings. I've driven up to Tampa from Fort Lauderdale for showings here, in the past, and would do so again in a heartbeat.

Unfortunately, the screen itself is not properly masked, and so there are blank patches of screen depending upon the aspect ratio for the given film. Considering the very experience of watching a movie at this venue, however, it's a nominal qualm.

My son and I saw "The Blair Witch Project" in 2002 at the Tampa Theater. The setting made the movie, rather than vice versa, and the full house had a great time. I will note, however, that the first seats we tried in the balcony had about 12 inches of leg room (we found better seats ASAP). Were folks so much smaller in 1926? Anyway, the Tampa Theater is an experience not to be missed.

I used to live in FL and over the years went to Tampa, but wasn't into theatres then or I would have made a special trip across the state just to see this Eberson/atmospheric cinema treasure!

"Eberson's magic lives on." What a wonderful quote to read and bears repeating! Congrats to Tampa and all who cared enough!

Patsy, you are into theatres now, so a trip down there to see this beautiful theatre may very well be worth the time.
Your Friend
Norelco

Norelco: Next January I will make the Tampa trip!

Last fall (2004), I had the pleasure of watching the original Phantom of the Opera, accompanied on the Mighty Wurlitzer by Rosa Rio herself! There were children there in awe of the experience, squealing with delight at the film and the sounds of the organ!

An awesome experience, since I listened to my Mother's Rosa Rio recordings while growing up! I shall return to this magnificent theater

Here is an interior view of the Tampa theater and this is a photo of the vertical Tampa sign.

This is a wonderful theater. My wife and I have lived in the Tampa Bay area for about 8 years now and going to the Tampa theater brings back memories of some of the wonderful theaters from where I grew up in New York. We have seen a wide variety of films here like The Bicycle Thief, Adam's Rib, Mark of Zorro (silent verison with the wonderful Rosa Rio on the organ), The Spanish Prisoner, In The Bedroom, Winged Migration, Rabbit Proof Fence and most recently, Born in Brothels and Ladies in Lavender. A real treasure!

Photo of the Tampa Theatre looking toward the stage.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y147/Chuck1231/Florida%20Theatres/TampaTheatreStageTampaFl.jpg

I am happy to report that the fellows at the site: Cinema Tour have added some 40 current color photos of the interior of the wonderful TAMPA. They are at: http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=6760 Here is my comment there on this wonderful addition:

Indeed, you shouldn't miss the Tampa Theatre tour; Scott is to be praised for the fine photos of this "Anadalusian Bon-bon" as the late Ben M. Hall forever christened it in his landmark book: "The Best Remaining Seats" in 1961. For those who forgot their geography, Andalusia is a district in Spain, and for those not a terrible 'sweet tooth' as I am, 'Bon-bons' are little balls of soft, sweet somethings coated in chocolate or another flavor of glaze, hard to find now, but a favorite of the 19th century! The term means "good, good" in French.

That photo of the double-headed drinking fountain is especially good, in that it records what may be a one-of-a-kind, with the two water heads apparently voiding down into an ornate bowl.

Excellent photos of the Tampa theatre. Seeing the ornate interior reminds me immediately of the tongue-in-cheek comment in Ben M Hall's book that the theatre "is replete with a statue of Christopher Columbus discovering the orchestra pit..."
It would appear that the orchestra pit exists no longer since the organ console now rises through a trap in the stage apron. I assume that at some point the stage was extended and the pit covered over.

Sam: It saddens me to think that the orchestra pit no longer exists!

Here are four pages of photos of the Tampa Theater.

lostmemory: Fantastic photos!

Does anyone know if this Eberson atmospheric has the Eberson 'fist' somewhere? I visited the atmospheric Palace Theatre in Canton Ohio this summer and was shown the fist in that theatre. Sorry that I can't post my digital photo of this Eberson 'touch'!

The Eberson 'fist' was above the right organ chamber in the Palace Theatre. I'm trying to locate a possible 'fist' in the Tampa Theatre interior photos that are on the Cinema Tour website, but haven't spotted it as yet.

Here is another view of the Tampa Theater.

Now there is a saying I have not heard in years, the Eberson fist, when I started out in this business the old time projectionist would talk about this. Me being the dummy that I am thought they were joking, until one day one of them showed me where it was in a theatre I worked in the 60`s. I forgot about it till now.
Norelco

norcelco: Glad that I was able to jog your memory concerning the Eberson 'fist'! I've only seen one, but will keep my eyes and ears open for another along my theatre travels. And I'm still trying to confirm the Warner Crest that was in some Warner theatres. One of the Warner family members that I have emailed was not aware of a crest so perhaps my source was incorrect in what he told me. This source owns and operates a theatre in NYS, but at the time of my visit to this theatre the crest was mentioned until AFTER I left so I didn't get to actually see it. It had been painted over with black paint by a previous owner. Can you imagine? Anyway the current owner was going to restore it.

Patsy: I remember a few Warner Crest, they were usually at the top of the stage right smack dab in the center of the arch. Yes I can imagine all the idiots I have been around over the years. How some of them painted over beautiful wall murials, one idiot even painted over a ceiling picture of clouds and the little lights that were stars. The best one was the clown who started to paint the ladies room a God awfull green, ran out of paint and never finished the job, or the moron who tried to paint the water fountains, this all happened in different theatres I have worked over the years. It would take something very different to surprise me.
Have a good one!
Norelco

I just now read your post on the Warner Crest topic. I haven't been able to research much about these historical crests, but am still very much interested! Even a Warner relative couldn't help me much, which surprised me.

The Warner relative is Cass Warner who wrote Hollywood Be Thy Name. She is the granddaughter of one of the Warner brothers. I have a signed copy of her book, but haven't read it yet.

Here is a link with some exterior photos:
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?hh:1:./temp/~ammem_aLLm::

The Tampa does in fact have the Eberson family crest including the "fist". It is located in several places throughout, most prominently on either side of the proscenium arch about 10 - 12 feet off the stage deck. The orchestra pit was covered permanently in the 1970's to provide space for artists to perform, since the original stage depth was a shockingly shallow eight feet.

JohnBell: Thanks so much for the Eberson family crest/"fist" info as the only "fist" that I have personally seen is the one at the Palace Theatre in Canton Ohio.

I'm viewing Tampa Theatre photos on the Cinema Tour site and the one in particular that shows a close up of the proscenium arch is 72KB.

The Tampa theatre is a beautiful theatre. However, comparing it to the Ziegfeld in New York is ludicrous. The Ziegfeld was built during another era, for another type of movie going generatrion. "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." Things should be put in perspective.

The Tampa Theatre opened on October 26th. 1926.

The actual opening date for the Tampa was October 15, 1926.

We have disagreement about opening date here, and while not crucial, it does beg the question as to just what is one's Authority (source) for any information. Since it is highly unlikely that anyone here was alive and of mature years on that day, we all should get in the habit of revealing our sources for factual statements. Doing so not only enhances our reputations for accuracy, but that of this entire web site.

Sources will sometimes conflict as to facts, and then we should note such conflicts, and attempt to resolve them to the best of our abiliies. For example, opening day ads in newspapers are most reliable for dates because those ads were paid for and no one would pay for untimely ads, whereas mere book listings (as in the Film Daily Yearbook) are more prone to errors since it is a mere compilation of statistics, as are city records.

In contrast, city records of building permits and inspection reports are more reliable as to physical descriptions of the property since they are made by those somewhat expert in the area AND under a legal responsibility. For greatest accuracy in such, one should cite the architects' or builders' comments when possible in contrast to newspaper accounts written by non-experts and for the purpose of pleasing readers as much as anything else. So, your source does matter and should bear the responsibility when you say "According to ...."

Jim: Thank you for your astute comments. You're absolutely right, sources of information should be cited in comments so that discrepancies can be resolved. I should have disclosed that I have been the CEO of the Tampa Theatre for the past twenty years, and we have relied on two sources to fix the Theatre's opening date: the Tampa Tribune's 16 page special section on published on the opening day of the Theatre (October 15, 1926) with the bold headline "Magnificent New Theatre Opens Tonight"; and, copies of the original opening night program in our archives which also fix the date as October 15.

I just got a look at the photos posted on this site. What's amazing is how well this theatre's decoration has survived. So many things that have long since disappeared from other movie palaces are still in "in situ" as it were. The tapestries, the furnishings, the pieces of artwork, even the urns of flowers in the lobby!

How very true and how very rare! All the more reason this jewel should be preserved and protected. If I could, I would build a flood/hurricane shield enclosure over the building, made of the strongest steel to withstand winds of force 5! I hope the building at least has adequate high volume sump pumps to remove storm water (and long life batteries to power them), and storm doors and shutters for the windows. An 'Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' as they say!

My wife and I had the pleasure of seeing IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE in 3-D yesterday as part of the Tampa's classics series. Before the film, patrons take pictures of the palace, there is a 20 minute organ recital of movie tunes, coming attractions of next week's CASABLANCA. What a thrill! Great atmosphere! You have to see a classic here, it's our time machine. jerry

Sounds cool, Jerry. Was the screening in the original dual-strip polarized format or was it one of the reissue prints made in the anaglyph (red & blue) system?

Peter, I'm no technical genius but I can tell you that the glasses were red (right eye) and blue (left) from Deep Vision 3-D. So I assume anaglyph.

The film had some nice 3-D depth but very little action "jumping off the screen" as advertised. Leonard Maltin says its one of the weaker uses of early 3-D. Still, it's a better movie in 3-D. jk

Too bad - in the original polarized format not only do you get the correct looking black & white image (the polarized glasses don't add any color distortion, unlike the anaglyph glasses) but the depth effects are notably enhanced.

http://www.tampatheatre.org/openhouse.php

This link will give information for the upcoming 80th anniversary open house to be held on January 7th!

This is a night view of the Tampa Theater.

Love those vertical signs and especially AT NIGHT! Thanks.

On a trip to Florida I travelled 65 miles to see a movie at a John Eberson theatre like I used to do many years ago. It was VOLVER with Penelope Cruz, the night before her Oscar nomination for it. (If anybody still cares about the increasingly foolish Oscars). Fine movie, beautiful theatre, great experience. Each show begins with a Wurlitzer concert (15 min) then the movie.

Loew's Paradise has a listing of comments on this site 100 times the length of Tampa Theater's comments, but the Paradise no longer has their famous twinkling stars sky (painted over). The TAMPA THEATRE still has theirs.

TAMPA THEATRE'S mission is to show high quality foreign films, but they also have frequent stage shows (Taylor Hicks is next) and I'd gladly return here for either.

On a trip to Florida I travelled 65 miles to see a movie at a John Eberson theatre like I used to do many years ago. It was VOLVER with Penelope Cruz, the night before her Oscar nomination for it. (If anybody still cares about the increasingly foolish Oscars). Fine movie, beautiful theatre, great experience. Each show begins with a Wurlitzer concert (15 min) then the movie.

Loew's Paradise has a listing of comments on this site 100 times the length of Tampa Theater's comments, but the Paradise no longer has their famous twinkling stars sky (painted over). The TAMPA THEATRE still has theirs.

TAMPA THEATRE'S mission is to show high quality foreign films, but they also have frequent stage shows (Taylor Hicks is next) and I'd gladly return here for either.

rlvjr: If you go see Taylor Hicks at the Tampa, please let us know about that special concert in a special theatre.

I just went last week to the Tampa Theatre and saw the original silent version of Phantom of The Opera. It was accompanied by the Mighty Wurlitzer....as well as the entire Florida Orchestra. It was like time travel back to the twenties. The orchestra and organ played an incredible scort.........fantastick!!!

drumboy: Great to read about the the Mighty Wurlitzer in the Tampa Theatre. I never knew there was an original silent version of Phantom. As you know the Mighty Wurlitzers were built in the Town of Tonawanda NY in the Buffalo NY area. The main administration building still stands with the word WURLITZER over the front door.

Tsk, tsk, Patsy. You should know that the Wurlitzer factory was in NORTH Tonawanda, not Tonawanda. The locals would never forgive you for that :). Although Wurlitzer vacated their building many decades ago, until fairly recently another organ company occupied a portion of the complex.

The definitive 1925 silent version of Phantom starring Lon Chaney Sr. did indeed have a musical score. I've seen that restored version including the music at an historic local theatre (which dates from 1907) a couple of years ago. It would have been fun seeing it at the Tampa theatre however.

sam_e: Oh, forgive me I was typing so fast I forgot to type the all important word....NORTH Tonawanda and I knew better as I've been to the Riviera Theatre in NORTH Tonawanda many times for their weekly Wurlitzer organ recitals. I believe that one in that theatre was used as the Wurlitzer demo when letting customers hear one of their mighty organs.

Hello Everyone! Happy to see that this Eberson gem has been well preserved. Two items.

I'm trying to find out more about the 'fist' crest, and I've looked at the links to photos and have yet to find it. It's a cool detail sort of like my church which has a 'green man' in the leaves of one detailed area. Does someone have a photo of an example of this? I've seen another atmospheric where there were many 'crests' but they were simple multi-colored ones'.

Also, I noticed the Peacock on the right side 'box' area. This was done in several of his other designs.

If anyone can help me with a photo of the 'fist' I'd appreciate it. I'm working on an article for a historic magazine about Eberson and atmospheric Theaters.

Thanks

Tim
venetianmilw@sbcglobal.net

Timothy: Your comments about peacocks caught my eye as I recently toured the former Latonia Theatre in Oil City PA and was told this theatre had them. The gold peacocks have been restored and are now in the town's museum along with the originally restored Wurlitzer organ.

Were the peacocks an Eberson design? If so, I know of 2 that were in the former Latonia Theatre in Oil City PA but not sure if that theatre was connected with the name Eberson.

Patsy: I recall reading that the parrot (stuffed bird variety) was a trade mark or a tongue-in-cheek joke that Eberson included in his atmospheric theatres. As busy as his atmospheric interiors were/are, the difficulty is in locating the parrot in the finished design. It could be perched almost anywhere. Also, he was known to present a bag of bird seed to the theatre owner(s) (to feed the parrot, of course).

sam_e: Yes, you are right about the parrot being seen in most or all Eberson theatres. The Palace Theatre in Canton OH is on CT and the manager has at least one of these parrots as he showed me one that was in the basement of the theatre. A bit dusty, but all there! I didn't know the 'bag of bird seed' story though!

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/354/

Palace Theatre, Canton Ohio

Tim: Let us know when your article on Eberson and atmospheric theatres has been published as we'd all love to read it. I especially would as my favorite theatres are Eberson atmospherics followed by art deco ones.

This a.m. on HGTV's DYI program a group of volunteers were working on a dressing room at the Tampa. Unfortunately, I only caught the last 5 minutes, but what I saw was interesting. Perhaps if you go to the HGTV site and click on DYI it will tell and show more.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_dttr/episode/0,,HGTV_18218_50544,00.html

This site tells more about the DIY To The Rescue episode though there doesn't seem to be any photos.

The Tampa Theatre episode will air on other June dates and times so check the DYI broadcast list.

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/shows_dttr/episode/0,2046,DIY_15077_50795,00.html

Here are the other June broadcast dates and times.

Here is another photo of the Tampa Theater.

The Tampa Theater from another angle. Function should be movies and concerts as advertised on the marquee.

Love those vertical marquees! I hope to see this atmospheric theatre next winter during a trip to that area to see friends.

Just caught the screening of Touch Of Evil yesterday... Tara and the staff acquired a pristine print of this classic, my third fave movie of all time and it made fora great Sunday. Let the staff now they should have a fall series of classics so we dont have to wait till the winter. We drive from Boca about 6-8x a year to see movies there

brianinboca: If you drive from Boca Raton to Tamps 6-8 times a year to see movies at the Tampa Theatre that tells me it's worth the trip!

Here are some recent photos of the Tampa Theater. Click each photo to expand it.

Lost Memory: These photos are wonderful. I plan to be in FL next March so will check out this theatre then.

http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=6760 This photo site is worth posting again as the photos are spectacular especially the ticket kios photo.

Lost Memory: Your October 3, 2005 photos are wonderful, too.

"Built in 1926 as one of America's most elaborate "movie palaces", the Tampa Theatre today is a fiercely protected and generously supported landmark." Perhaps the Cayuga County Arts Council should read this since their Auburn Schine is an Eberson, too!

Amazing theatre, wish I was on that side of Florida too last january. The organ grill reminds me of the one at the Olympia (Gusman) in Miami, although that one is less Baroque (or almost Rococo as the whole mash of European styles seems to be in these palaces - no disrespect to Ebersons choices and designs of course).
For a more detailed look at the postcard at the top of this page, see my scan on my Flickr stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pulp-o-rama/1518942302/in/set-72057594129975085/
So of who are the other statues on the grill?

"Eberson's magic lives on" with this one! Hope to see it, in person, someday!

Sure would be nice if every major city in the USA was as fortunate as Tampa to have this Eberson atmospheric theatre. The photos on Cinema Tours are always fun to view again and again! I'm sure it is mentioned in a previous post, but did this theatre have an orchestra pit in its past? So many did and then they were removed for various reasons.

Here is an undated interior photo:
http://tinyurl.com/2p76s5

I didn't get to Akron OH this summer to see their atmospheric, but do plan to see this atmospheric in March.

Here are a few pages of photos (mostly interior) of the Tampa Theater.

Tampa Tribune (Florida)
December 22, 2007 Saturday

Still Star-Struck At 80

By Kurt Loft, The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA - Our city has its share of movie houses, concert halls and
auditoriums, but it covets one above all, a magical place where history drifts like a
ghost and a starlit sky twinkles above our heads.

The Tampa Theatre is more than a landmark. It is part of the city's body and
being, a breathing remnant of the past that refuses to fade or lose its
luster. For in this lavishly appointed palace, time moves in all directions, and
visitors slip enchanted into another era.

Tampa rightly takes pride in its prize in the heart of downtown, a
1,450-seat theater built more than 80 years ago and now on the National Register of
Historic Places. Nothing like it exists here, a mixed-breed of Italian
Renaissance, Byzantine, Mediterranean, Spanish, Greek Revival and English Tudor.
Gleaming marble floors and palazzo tile add touches of regal weight.

Defending the premises are mythological figures standing in alcoves around
the proscenium, and exotic beasts, gargoyles and birds hide among darkened
nooks and crannies. On any given night the Mighty Wurlitzer organ - a staple
during the age of silent film - pops up through the center of the stage.

Designed by architect John Eberson and built for $1.2 million, the theater
was Tampa's first "air-cooled" building when it opened on Oct. 15, 1926,
featuring the silent film "Ace of Cads" for 25 cents. Today, the theater offers
more than 700 films and other events each year in an ideal marriage of form and
function.

"What's important is the programming the theater does," says Art Keeble,
director of the Arts Council of Tampa-Hillsborough County. "You can see great
movies and concerts, get married there, go to wine tastings. And while you go
for the event, once you walk in you're struck by the beauty of the place. It's
the heart of the cultural district."

That heart nearly was ripped out by indifference and neglect. By the 1960s,
more and more people were leaving Tampa proper for the suburbs, and soon new
malls and multiplexes stole business from downtown.
With lost revenue, the historic theater fell into decay, leaving little
budget for sufficient maintenance. Termites and rust replaced Gable and Garbo,
and a final act loomed: the wrecking ball.

The mere suggestion that anyone would raze the place sends tingles down the
back of Randi Whiddon, president of the Tampa Theatre Restoration Society and
an architect with Urban Studios.

"People have taken down some amazing buildings that are part of our history,
but this is a real Tampa icon," she says. "It's full of unbelievable detail
and workmanship. There are only a handful of theaters out there with this
kind of feel."

Florida State Theaters, which owned the building at the time, bailed out by
selling it for $1 to the city of Tampa. Local politicians, in particular City
Councilman Lee Duncan, realized the potential of the theater and worked on a
preservation plan with the arts council.

In 1977, the theater reopened as a quasi-nonprofit film and special events
center, and the next year was named to the National Register of Historic
Places. It was declared a Tampa landmark in 1988. A fundraising effort in the
1990s injected $1.5 million in much-needed restoration work.

Today, the theater is regarded as one of the country's best preserved
examples of grand movie palace architecture, and each year more than 135,000 people
attend its classic film series, concerts and social events.

To accommodate the crowds and preserve the theater's charm, management keeps
restoration on the front burner. Nobody seems to mind.

"The day-to-day care and love takes a lot of work and money," says Tara
Schroeder, a theater spokeswoman. "But I'm privileged to work here. I feel like
we're stewards of a community treasure."

Reporter Kurt Loft.

HowardBHaas: Thanks for posting the interesting article. I plan to be in FL in early Feb. and will include a tour of this theatre! Are tours given?

Patsy,
you should look at the theater's website, linked above, which says Tours usually 2ce a month on Wednesday & Saturday. Next month's tour schedule not posted yet.

For this month & Feb, website shows screenings of West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Singin in the Rain, Cabaret, An American in Paris, a double feature of Buster Keaton silent films (there's a Wurlitzer organ), and current movies such as Atonement. Projection equipment doesn't include 70 mm.

Thanks...I did check out the theatre's website and clicked on tours so hopefully a tour will work out while in Tampa....sure hope so! I plan to give them a call.

Just returned from Tampa FL and rec'd a wonderful tour prior to the Buster Keaton silent film concert with organist Rosa Rio who, by the way, is 105 years young! The theatre is truly an Eberson "gem" in downtown Tampa!

This is another recent view of the Tampa Theater.

Lost: The marquee photo is impressive, but even more impressive when seen in person! Looking straight up at it from the sidewalk is awesome!

Here is a July 2008 photo.

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!!

Looks like a cool, cool theatre, both inside and out. Love the Marquee on the outside front, too, especially at night. Oh, how I wish there were more movie palaces left here in Boston and the United States generally.

A September 2008 photo can be seen here.

Hi everyone. I'm the new technology chair for TIGLFF. We had a volunteer training today at the Tampa Theatre and I took time afterwards to get some great pictures of art around this grand building. Ebersons family crest can be fond on either side of the stage above the statues. I put a ladder on the stage today to get a close up shot of one of them. Here is a link to the pictures I took today.

https://www.cliptampabay.com/cflickr/eye-fi.cfm

http://www.cliptampabay.com/stage.jpg

Here I've circled where the crests appear.

Those are great photos. Thanks for posting them.

TIGLFF: Thanks for featuring the Ebersons family crest! I was at this theatre last Feb. for an organ concert and tour though I didn't notice the crests or have them pointed out to me.

Not sure if this is correct, but when I tried to view the flickr/eye-fi.cfm site it came up "international gay and lesbian film fesival".

Here is a link to the flickr set. Of course me being on the board of the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, I shamelessly plug it and show the photo gallery there first. but if you have problems viewing it, here is the link directly to flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cliptampa/sets/72157607536888046/

Yes, the fist! Thanks as it was great to see that particular fist photo.

This is a nice 2008 close-up shot.

Here is a November 2008 photo.

And this is a December 2008 photo.

Here are some exterior and interior photos I took of the Tampa Theater.

http://twentyfourframes.wordpress.com/category/classic-movie-theaters/

This theater is really amazing. On a trip to Florida I traveled to see a movie at a John Eberson theatre like I used to do many years ago. I recommend a visit to this treasure.

Stuart
FSBO

FSBO: Yes, truly amazing as I have been to this theatre...saw and heard the famous Rosa Rio play the theatre's organ prior to Valentine's Day last year.

1956 Night View

1979 Photo

1988 Photo

What a FABULOUS-looking theatre!! It looks like the perfect theatre for all kinds of concerts, movies, and even live stage musicals, operettas and operas! Hope it stays open!

Other great-looking palace theatres I've been to are: the Ziegfeld and Radio City Music Hall, both in NYC, the Providence Performing Arts Center, the Albany Palace Theatre, and, more recently, the Music Hall, up in Portsmouth, NH.

The Brattle Theatre, the Coolidge Corner Theatre and the Somerville theatre are all cool-looking theatres too, which also have the aura of real neighborhood/community theatres.

This is a 2009 photo of the Tampa.

The Wurlitzer is now 14 ranks playing with record and playback. As time and funds permit, 3 more ranks and some special effects are to be added. Two years ago a new Syndyne relay and combination system was installed. Also planed for the future, when that angle comes in with the funds, is a four manual console. This organ is almost totally supported by private donations. It is maintained by the Central Florida Theater Organ Society.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Tampa Theater and Office Building (added 1978 - Building - #78000945)
711 Franklin St., Tampa

Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Eberson,John
Architectural Style: Other
Area of Significance: Performing Arts, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Local Gov't
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Government, Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Government Office, Theater

Here is a recent interior photo.

This is another 2009 exterior photo.

Sad news. On 9/10/09 Bob Baker, long time volunteer organist, passed away. He devoted many hours to playing the pre-show several times a week, every week, and demonstrating the Wurlitzer organ its many voices and effects to theater tours several times a month. He was a member of the Central Florida Theater Organ Society, and the American Guild of Organist. He also played for Sunday services at his church. In his spare time, he held a full time job. He was only 61. It will be hard to fill his shoes. He will be missed.

WHAT A GREAT THEATRE . I TOOK THE TOUR WITH A GOOD THEATRE BUDDY NICK. I WANTED SO BAD TO SEE A MOVIE BUT THAT TIME THEY WERE RUNNING A SING ALONG WITH MARY POPPINS AND I AM NOT MUCH FOR MUSICALS. HAD IT BEEN 2001 MAN I WOULD HAVE DIED AND GONE TO HEAVEN. GLAD THEY STILL SHOW 35 mm and not video discs like the imperial theatre does in my home town of AUGUSTA, GEORGIA,NICK ALSO TOOK ME TO OLD DRIVE IN SITES AND WE SAW A MOVIE AT THE FUN LAND DRIVEIN WHICH WAS THE MOST SCREWED UP LOT I EVER SAW FOR A DRIVE IN THEATRE. NICK SAID IT WAS BEAUTIFUL AS A ONE SCREEN, NOW IT IS FOUR SCREENS AND I SWEAR THE MOVIE WATCHED THEY PRESENTED IT ON A FENCE. I KNOW WHY OLD PROJECTIONISTS DO NOT WANT TO SEE SOMETHING RUINED FOR GREED.

I went to a book signing (Bruce Campbell of the Evil Dead movies) & to screen his directorial debut months before it aired on SyFy...Man With The Screaming Brain!...what a hoot screening that movie with a bunch of fellow horror/Bruce Campbell fans. (Bruce himself admits to "loving" the theater).

Not mentioned, but thought I should, I volunteered on 2 occasions to assist & place people who were swearing their "citizenship" to the United States...it was very moving being present during the vow & celebration with family afterwards!...not sure if they still do that here.

Looking forward to taking my kids to the Ghost & Gargoyles Halloween event on October 25th!

Great site with lots of good pictures,the most that I have seen on any C.T. site.

I hope to add quite a few of The IMPERIAL.

OK Mike when? I'll be looking for them

My wife and I went on the Ghost Tour this past Saturday at the Tampa. This was the second Ghost Tour open to the public. It was a lot of fun and we got to see parts of the theater that the public is not taken into. They have not scheduled the next one yet. There definitely were some unexplainable events. The midnight buffet was very good!