Swap Shop Fun-Lan Drive-In

Can anybody confirm the films shown on the Fun Lan’s final night of operation?

Mike, As I recall the last time I visited, the digital image projected for scope films contained black bars at the top and bottom of the screen displaying a slightly wide image but not true scope.

Well that’s it for Tampa’s drive-ins. The Fun-Lan was the last one in operation within the city having survived all the others now long gone. I saw many films here during the 60s & 70s. The Fun-Lan was a nice, clean and well-managed single screen drive-in during this time under Tampa Bay Theaters Inc. and later Floyd Theaters. The one drawback was the standard-size screen which was never widened for CinemaScope projection. Evidently management wasn’t interested in investing a little extra for a wider screen.

For several decades the swap shop was a weekly destination for flea market lovers so I’m surprised they closed it as well. I would have thought the swap shop (supposedly still drawing decent crowds on the weekends) would have remained open at least for some time following closure of the drive-in.

Sad news. It was reported last night…via the Tampa Bay Creative Loafing website…that the Fun Lan is now history. Their final night of operation was this past December 2. The article in said website shows a photo of the Fun Lan marquee with the words MISS YOU which is the last part of the whole readout: “MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR – WE WILL MISS YOU”

Also I doubt this theater has the capacity for a 700 cars anymore with the addition of the awnings and other structures. I would say 600 at the most.

Now run by the same company that rans the Swap Shop Drive-in in Fort Lauderdale, and the Lake Worth Drive-in in Lake Worth.

We went quite a few years ago and saw Wall-E it was on the screen to the left of Screen 2. I have to agree with the arrangement of the screens it definitely is distracting and with no markings on how to park it makes for a lot of chaotic parking. They could at the very least on the 3rd and 4th screens that where added come up with a parking arrangement. The most they could do is either get rid of those 2 side screens or purchase some more land and make proper ramps. I realize to screen 1st run features nowadays movie companies require you to run them longer so it advantageous for a Drive-In theater to have as many screens as they can to be able to keep the crowds coming. Takes a lot more finesse to run a Drive-In theater than a Indoor Multiplex.

Nick or anyone do you know if they have gone digital since my last post in 2015? Also, can they now show aspect ratio 2.35 on the screen rather then off the side of the screen. I Hated that

Mike, I haven’t been to the Fun-Lan in 6 or 7 years so I can’t say for certain if they’ve gone digital on all 4 screens. But according to an article published in the summer of 2013, they had recently installed one digital projector (more than likely for the original large screen) and were considering adding a second one. At that time the manager was quoted as saying, “there’s no alternative. You either are going to have to do it or you’re out of business. I’d hate to see the drive-in go out of business.” So by now I suspect they’ve gone digital on all screens.

Burkeview: The State has a page on CT with several photos. Search “Tampa FL” and click on all or demolished. I never made it to the State but I remember the building. It became a fabric store, and later sat empty a few years before being demolished.

Trish, My last visit was about 7 years ago. Since the 80s they’ve added two more screens and there isn’t a fence or barrier on the lot separating one screen from the other. Depending where you park you can easily see at least one other screen which was distracting. Once you enter the lot you head towards your screen number and park. Parking is erratic—no ryme or reason—I’ve even seen cars parked sideways! If the lot had to be cleared quickly due to an emergency it would be a nightmare trying to exit. As for being safe—it seemed to be o.k. 7 years ago although that area isn’t known for having the best reputation for many years. So whether it’s safe now I can’t really say. But regardless of all this I’m glad the Fun-Lan is still with us.

Mike, Screen 4 was the last one put up and is actually built on the side fence if you can believe it. It’s slightly wider than the other three so you’re probably seeing about as much of the picture as you would in a standard indoor theatre with a wide screen. Screens 1 2 & 3 are about the same size (ratio-wise) with screen 4 being the smallest but widest (probably about 20-25 feet wide.)

This newest screen on the fence has to rank as the cheapest/tackiest set-up I’ve ever seen for a drive-in. Projection is from the original booth in the center of lot with the lens aimed at the screen from the top of the booth door. On the other 3 screens you’re probably missing about a 3rd of the image on Scope films since the picture projects off the sides into the darkness.