State Theatre
111 W. J. Arden Mays Boulevard,
Plant City,
FL
33563
111 W. J. Arden Mays Boulevard,
Plant City,
FL
33563
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Sad
Yes.
Is the space still an antique and collectible storefront? It should return to being a theatre,imho.
Closed on May 2, 1958 with “Jumping Jacks” (1952) and “Scared Stiff” (1953) as its last films. The State Theatre was sold a couple of days later.
The January 6, 1940 issue of Boxoffice said: “Plant City— The State, E. J. Sparks house seating 700, is in operation.”
What is the update on this theatre?
Hope I’m doing this right. Facade still looks great in 2021 (I took this photo Dec 2021 just after Christmas)
https://flic.kr/ps/3Y8UoK
Photos of the concession stand and the ladies' lounge illustrate this brief article about the remodeling of the State Theatre in Boxoffice of June 7, 1952.
Here is a picture from July 2010.
Plant City seems to have the former State AND the Capitol. The art deco State should still be a theatre and not an antique store as the exterior still seems to look like a theatre!
The Hemmings ad is in the back of the magazine/real estate section.
In the above 1988 photo posted in April ‘09 it shows a completely different facade with NO marquee yet in more recent photos there is a very nice marquee WITH CLOCK so my question is…..did it become a theatre again after it was a jewelry store and before it became an antique/collectibles store? Someone from the area will have the answer, I hope. Let’s hope that it becomes a theatre once again for the fine folks of Plant City!
This theatre is featured in the current issue of Hemmings Motor News (www.hemmings.com) with a photo and the following information: Beautiful 1939 Art Deco Theatre (non-functional), would make a great car museum, residence or antique shop, over 1,000 ft. of neon on facade, 5,000 s/f ground floor, 2,000 s/f balcony, 1,500 s/f lobby is air conditioned, elegantly finished with fine woodwork and ceiling fans, lobby also includes nostalgic gas station facade and 50s soda fountain facade, 20 miles east of Tampa, FL, $285,000. Cecil, 813-621-2220 or 813-312-1701, FL
If anyone calls these numbers and speaks with Cecil, please tell this person you saw the ad on Cinema Treasures. Personally I would hope that a cinema buff would purchase this art deco treasure and return it to a cinema! And if anyone who lives in or near Plant City is familiar with the State please post your thoughts. Thanks.
The June 7, 1952, issue of Boxoffice devoted its Modern Theatre section to articles about remodeling. One article was about the State, which had been expanded and remodeled at a cost of $20,000. The architects for the remodeling were Kemp, Bunch & Jackson.
The State Th. in Plant City is the subject of a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle, measuring 18" x 24" when finished. It’s a beautiful painting by Robert West showing the State’s facade on the left, at twilight, with vintage cars parked in front, and an Atlantic Coast Line passenger train coming at you on the right. Date: 1950s.
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Here’s a view of the STATE theater, 2006: http://www.boxsetgallery.com/stein/index4.html