Here’s an aerial dated 1957. The small lot is located off Hillsborough Avenue across the road towards the upper center of image. Looks like it may have been a legitimate drive-in with parking ramps although it’s hard to tell from this distance. I don’t see a screen but then again it may have already been closed by 1957: View link
And here’s the lot as it looks today…54 years later: View link
Here’s a current aerial of the former lot as it looks today…54 years later…still vacant: View link
Enlarge to super-size by clicking on image and clicking “view all sizes” on upper left.
It certainly does bring back plenty of great memories. And in contrast to the image above here’s what the property looks like today…54 years later: View link
Image should enlarge to super-size by clicking on image and then clicking “view all sizes” on upper right.
Here’s a 1957 aerial. The dark snakelike line running across photo is the Hillsborough River. The Sulfer Springs Tower is on the left side of lot towards the rear but barely visible in photo: View link
Pcfous, That slipped by me too. It was called the Columbus D/I rather than 28th St. I guess since the location was between 28th & 29th it was referred to by street number rather than actual name.
I recently drove by this location and the building is definitely taking shape. There’s also a new marquee up at the entrance to Main Street Center. As I recall I think Main Street Six Cinemas originally opened in the early 1980s under the Plitt Theatres banner and later became Cineplex Odeon and finally Carmike.
Main Street Six featured four large and two smaller auditoriums. All six were deluxe cinemas with wall-to-wall curtains and nice-size screens. It was nearly identical in size and layout to University Collection Six (not to be confused with University Square Mall.) Interestingly they’re reopening this location when it originally closed mainly due to “underperformace” (not to mention Carmike filing for bankruptcy protection.) Part of the problem was too much competition from the nearby Hillsboro Eight and Mission Bell Eight which are now long gone. So hopefully they’ll be successful with this new venture.
I remember seeing these films here: GHOSTBUSTERS, FATAL ATTRACTION, AGNES OF GOD, LA BAMBA (played on two screens – English & Spanish language versions) GREYSTOKE THE LEGEND OF TARZAN, WITNESS, a midnight showing of John Water’s POLYESTER, and a re-release of WEST SIDE STORY.
I visisted the Polk several years ago and was lucky enough to have been given the grand tour by the projectionist himself. The main seating level is slightly larger than the Tampa although the theatre itself is not quite as elegant but comes very close. The booth had just been cleaned and repainted and still had the old set-up with two projectors that had recently been refurbished and cleaned. The top and lower magazines where still in place and both machines were massive looking. Last I heard the Polk continues to run classic films every so often. Trivia: Elvis performed onstage at the Polk in the late 1950s. Mike, If you ever make it back down a visit to the Polk is in store for you!
Here are two photos:
1. Employees in front of box office/Laura M. Mike G. & Clarence:
2. Sherry all dressed-up promoting Best Little Whorehouse in Texas View link
Anne Kolb promoting Best Little Whorehouse… View link
Thanks for the great aerials Alonzo! Here are some additional National Hills events:
Audience members dressed for Rocky Horror Picture Show 1978: View link
Artwork by Charlies Bruni promoting Close Encounters of the Third Kind 1977: View link
Concessions employee Laurie Ethridge promotes The Longest Yard 1974: View link
In contrast with the 1957 aerial above here’s an aerial showing what the property looks like today:
View link
Here’s an aerial of the former lot as it looks today:
View link
Here’s an aerial dated 1957. The small lot is located off Hillsborough Avenue across the road towards the upper center of image. Looks like it may have been a legitimate drive-in with parking ramps although it’s hard to tell from this distance. I don’t see a screen but then again it may have already been closed by 1957:
View link
And here’s the lot as it looks today…54 years later:
View link
Here’s a current aerial of the former lot as it looks today…54 years later…still vacant:
View link
Enlarge to super-size by clicking on image and clicking “view all sizes” on upper left.
It certainly does bring back plenty of great memories. And in contrast to the image above here’s what the property looks like today…54 years later:
View link
Image should enlarge to super-size by clicking on image and then clicking “view all sizes” on upper right.
Aerial dated 1957. One of Tampa’s largest drive-ins:
View link
Here’s an aerial from 1957:
View link
Aerial from 1957. Lot was narrow but long:
View link
Aerial dated 1957: View link
Here’s an aerial of the single screen Fun-Lan dated 1957. Note track for children’s train ride beneath screen:
View link
Here are two slightly different aerials dated 1957:
View link
View link
Thanks Mike. Here’s an aerial from 1957:
View link
Aerial from 1957. The Sundown had already been closed for 3 years:
View link
Here’s a 1957 aerial. The dark snakelike line running across photo is the Hillsborough River. The Sulfer Springs Tower is on the left side of lot towards the rear but barely visible in photo:
View link
Pcfous, That slipped by me too. It was called the Columbus D/I rather than 28th St. I guess since the location was between 28th & 29th it was referred to by street number rather than actual name.
I recently drove by this location and the building is definitely taking shape. There’s also a new marquee up at the entrance to Main Street Center. As I recall I think Main Street Six Cinemas originally opened in the early 1980s under the Plitt Theatres banner and later became Cineplex Odeon and finally Carmike.
Main Street Six featured four large and two smaller auditoriums. All six were deluxe cinemas with wall-to-wall curtains and nice-size screens. It was nearly identical in size and layout to University Collection Six (not to be confused with University Square Mall.) Interestingly they’re reopening this location when it originally closed mainly due to “underperformace” (not to mention Carmike filing for bankruptcy protection.) Part of the problem was too much competition from the nearby Hillsboro Eight and Mission Bell Eight which are now long gone. So hopefully they’ll be successful with this new venture.
I remember seeing these films here: GHOSTBUSTERS, FATAL ATTRACTION, AGNES OF GOD, LA BAMBA (played on two screens – English & Spanish language versions) GREYSTOKE THE LEGEND OF TARZAN, WITNESS, a midnight showing of John Water’s POLYESTER, and a re-release of WEST SIDE STORY.
pcfous: Yes, I’d love to see it….thanks! Send to
Thanks pcfous! Please send to me at
I visisted the Polk several years ago and was lucky enough to have been given the grand tour by the projectionist himself. The main seating level is slightly larger than the Tampa although the theatre itself is not quite as elegant but comes very close. The booth had just been cleaned and repainted and still had the old set-up with two projectors that had recently been refurbished and cleaned. The top and lower magazines where still in place and both machines were massive looking. Last I heard the Polk continues to run classic films every so often. Trivia: Elvis performed onstage at the Polk in the late 1950s. Mike, If you ever make it back down a visit to the Polk is in store for you!
Chuck, Thanks for catching that and for posting the re-directed link. So much for my proof reading!
Burt Reynolds attends showing of “SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT” on Wednesday evening, March 23rd.
Here’s a link to the article:
View link
Here are two photos:
1. Employees in front of box office/Laura M. Mike G. & Clarence:
2. Sherry all dressed-up promoting Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
View link
Anne Kolb promoting Best Little Whorehouse…
View link
Here’s an exterior shot showing a portion of the building near the entrance:
View link
Here are a couple photos of the box office, lot, concessions, and screen:
View link
Thanks for the great aerials Alonzo! Here are some additional National Hills events:
Audience members dressed for Rocky Horror Picture Show 1978:
View link
Artwork by Charlies Bruni promoting Close Encounters of the Third Kind 1977:
View link
Concessions employee Laurie Ethridge promotes The Longest Yard 1974:
View link