TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Lights Flicker Out At Zephyrhills' Theater

ADVERTISEMENT

By NICOLA M. WHITE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 19, 2007

ZEPHYRHILLS - When it opened in 1948, it was billed as one of the most modern movie theaters in the South, with comfortable seats, a wide stage and a glass-enclosed "crying room" for cranky babies.

It was a big deal for small-town Zephyrhills. On opening day, ladies in evening gowns passed out carnations and cigars to the customers.

Times changed, however. Suburban megaplexes, with multiple screens, corporate advertising budgets and giant parking lots offered stiff competition. The Home Theatre, with its two screens and tiny bathrooms, became an anachronism. It stopped pulling in the crowds.

Now, the lettering on the downtown landmark's darkened marquee reads, "For Rent."

Owner Larry Rutan, who also owns the 10-screen Zephyrhills Cinema 10 on Gall Boulevard, would not say much about what is to become of the cinema. He did not say whether the building at 38521 Fifth Ave., which has two retail spots on the first floor and a couple of apartments on the second floor, is for sale. Down the road, the theater could reopen, he said.

He declined to elaborate.

Whatever the plans are for the theater, most longtime Zephyrhills residents have fond memories of the place, built by lumber magnate and former mayor I.A. Krusen.

"My greatest memories was it was a very safe, comfortable and very reasonable place for entertainment for those of us who grew up here," said Sam Surratt, 61, owner of Lee Reed Insurance on Fifth Avenue. It was run "with an iron fist. There was no cutting-up, no loud-mouthing."

When Surratt was a boy, a ticket cost a quarter. Once he and his pals turned 13, they had to pay 10 cents more. There was no fibbing on their ages, either; the owners at the time, the Henrys, knew all of them.

Rick Moore, the city's public works director, remembers spending almost every Saturday night at the theater.

"Every other row had the love seats - two people could sit in a chair. I don't know what the proper name was, but we called them the 'love chairs,'" said Moore, 55.

Until the 1980s, the movie theater had only a single screen. When Rutan turned it into a twin, he got rid of the crying room.

It was never a grand movie palace along the lines of the Tampa Theatre. There was no velvet curtain or brocade wallpaper. It was just a no-frills, homey place with cold sodas and hot, cheap popcorn ($3 for a large). The movie staple was popped fresh, too. The sign above the concession read, "Old Stuff Thrown Out - No You Can't Have Any!"

The usual movie posters hung in the lobby, and some pen-and-ink drawings by the owner's wife, Ginny. One was of Arnold Schwarzenegger declaring, "You'll Be Back to the Home Theatre."

Depending on Rutan's plans, maybe you will.

Reporter Nicola M. White can be reached at (813) 779-4613 or nwhite1@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT