Royal Palm Theatre
751 Atlantic Boulevard,
Jacksonville Beach,
FL
32233
751 Atlantic Boulevard,
Jacksonville Beach,
FL
32233
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Eastern Federal theatre later expanded to eight screens and renamed the Atlantic 8. Now a nightclub/comedy club called the Atlantic Theatres.
Contributed by
Harvey
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
I started working there as asst. mgr.in the early 80’s after eastern federal shut down the midway twin drive in due to economics wnen it was just a 3 screener and I remember two big hit movies we had shown thayt were “To Kill A mockingbird” and “A Chistmas Story"Boy was it packed.
Here is a recent photo of the Atlantic Theatre. I think this should be listed as the Atlantic since that is the current name of the theatre rather than the Royal Palm. Was this initially as single screen? What year did it open?
Here is a 2008 photo of The Atlantic Theatre.
This is located in Atlantic Beach, Fla. which alot of people call Jacksonville Beach because it is so close.
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In regards to Jack’s comment on how this theater should be listed, my personal opinion is that the Royal Palm is appropriate.
During most of its lifetime, it was known as the Royal Palm to the point I think anybody coming here looking for this particular theater would input that before the Atlantic. In a bid to keep up with the times, the Royal Palm was remodled and renamed and lasted nowhere near as long as the Royal Palm.
It now primarily hosts things such as THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES and comedy shows with the occasional showing of surf films, however, I don’t think it’s even open anymore. The website is dead and the myspace page gives no updated information.
At one time, the Freebird Cafe, a concert hall in Jax Beach owned by Ronnie Van Zant’s widow Judy, wanted to move their business in to the Atlantic (about 2005, I think). This never happened.
Jack, I’ll try to find some info on the origins of the Royal Palm. I wish Troy Powell and that other cat, Vaughn, would post more. Apparently they were very involved with local theaters, particularly Eastern Federal Theaters, in Jacksonville back in the day.
To clarify my quickly worded comments, I don’t think it’s considered a live venue (comedy/plays/hip destination) anymore, like it was trying to be.
Thanks. I haven’t been able to locate a directory of the Eastern Federal theatres and was hoping that one would have come available at the time Regal took them over. Maybe someone could check with the main library in the Jackson Beach area.
It definitely was a twin at one time.
EASTERN FEDERAL Newspaper Listings circa 1976
I remember when it was a twin in 1974. “The Mechanic” was playing in one side, and “The Groove Tube” was playing in the other.