Tampa Theatre scored big with the recent showing of that campy, largely-shot- in-Florida, 3-D film from the ’50s, “The Creature From The Black Lagoon.” On a blustery Sunday afternoon, a crowd snaked around The Hub and down Polk Street to queue up for the ninth show of the 11-part Winter Classic Movie Series.
The turnout of nearly 900 came as no surprise to community relations manager Tara Schroeder. “This was a new print, which is kind of a big deal, and we got the word out,” said Schroeder. “Not too many films span this kind of audience. We’re talking people reliving their childhood to young ‘groovies,’ who think it’s cool.”
Especially welcome for Tampa Theatre were the long lines at the well-staffed concession stand. Sales topped $3,000, which is more than three times the average. The majority of the revenue from ticket sales goes to the distributor, but all concession profits are the Theatre’s.
The series ends this Sunday (Feb. 26, 3 pm) with “Beyond the Rocks,” the 1922 silent co-starring (for the only time) Rudolph Valentino and Gloria Swanson.