Movie lovers in Tampa know that if they walk into the Tampa Theatre at 3 p.m. on a Sunday in summer, they are going to be transported back in time and see some of their old favorites on the big screen. That’s because the Tampa Theatre Summer Classics movie series is underway. This series has been inviting the community to come relive their favorite movie moments on the big screen for over 30 years.
History of the Summer Classics series
The Summer Classics series is the brainchild of current CEO John Bell. He’s been with the Theatre for 35 years and the Summer Classics series is in its 31st year. When the series started, there was no Netflix. No buying directly on Amazon. Blockbuster was just starting. There was no way to see beloved films unless you owned a physical copy. Bell wanted to change that and give people the chance to see classic movies the way they were meant to be seen — with an audience.
“There is still a magic to seeing them on the big screen, in the theater, in a community setting with 1,000 friends and family gathered around you and sharing the experience of seeing the movie together,” says Jill Witecki, Director of Marketing and Community Relations with the Theatre.
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As the Summer Classics series became such a hit, the Theatre expanded to include other series. After summer comes A Nightmare on Franklin Street, a series that includes not only classic scary movies but also special guests and live shows. Then there’s the Holiday Classic series which includes movies like It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas. Family Favorites series starts in the spring with movies targeted towards kids and their families. And before COVID-19 there was September Sing-A-Long Sundays. A series that was so popular that is sold out every viewing.
But the summer series is what started it all.
Choosing the Classics
As much fun as it is to watch these movies, the team at Tampa Theatre has just as much fun choosing them. It’s a group effort and often they start with 100 films that have a rightful place in the series. They ask questions like, What film is having an anniversary? Are there any actors who recently died who people would like to see on screen? This year Pulp Fiction got a spot in the series after news broke that Bruce Willis is stepping back from acting due to health concerns. What better way to celebrate his career than seeing one of his best performances back on the big screen?
The team ensures that films from all time periods and genres are represented. “This year the oldest film in the series is from 1920 and the newest film in the series is Pulp Fiction,” Witecki explains, “So we are covering almost a century of filmmaking!”
Some movies make it into the rotation every year. Casablanca and The Wizard of Oz are two such movies and they sell out almost every year. Some people have made seeing these classics in the cool quiet of the Tampa Theatre an annual tradition.
Finally, a New Hope
One movie the team is especially excited about this year is Star Wars IV – A New Hope. It’s a movie that, because of distribution rights, the Tampa Theatre has been trying to show during the Summer Series since its inception.
“The fact that Star Wars is on the list this year is a huge accomplishment. We have been asking for Star Wars for more than 30 years, since the beginning of Summer Classics,” Witecki explains. “They still have a letter on Lucasfilm letterhead from one of the first times they requested a series and they were turned down!”
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Star Wars, like many movies in the Summer Classics series, will sell out or come close to it. Especially since the theatre likes to eventize many of the titles. Sometimes for a movie they will have costumed characters, photo areas or movie props fans can interact with.
If the Tampa Theatre Summer Classics sounds like a new tradition in the making for you, take a look at full selection of films they have on slate for this summer:
Tampa Theatre Summer Classics 2022
West Side Story
Sunday, June 5
3 pm
Tonight, tonight
It all began tonight
I saw you and the world went away
Maria
Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
Sunday, June 12
3pm
You don’t need to see his identification…These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
In the Heat of the Night
Sunday, June 19
3pm
They call me Mister Tibbs!
Detective Virgil Tibbs
Fail Safe
Sunday, June 26
3pm
It is possible. Even probable.
Professor Groeteschele
Stand By Me
Sunday, July 3
3pm
You guys wanna go see a dead body?
Vern Tessio
Pulp Fiction
Sunday, July 10
3pm
You ever read the Bible, Brett?
Jules Winnfield
The Wizard of Oz
Sunday, July 17
3pm
Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.
Dorothy Gale
Rear Window
Sunday, July 24
3pm
Intelligence. Nothing has caused the human race so much trouble as intelligence.
Stella the nurse
The Godfather
Sunday, July 31
3pm
I’m goanna make him an offer he can’t refuse.
Michael Corleone
Blazing Saddles
Sunday, August 7
3pm
My Name Is Jim. But Most People Call Me… Jim
Jim
All That Jazz
Sunday, August 14
3pm
It’s showtime!
Joe Gideon
Casablanca
Saturday, August 20
7:30pm
Sunday, August 21
3pm
Here’s looking at you, kid.
Rick Blaine.
The Cameraman
Sunday, August 28
3pm
*Silent movie
One Week
Sunday, August 28
3pm
*Silent movie
