Opening Night Newspaper Ad

Framed newspaper clipping announcing the grand opening of the Tampa Theatre on Friday, October 15th at 7:30 PM, from the Tampa Morning Tribune dated Wednesday, October 13, 1926. The advertisement includes details about seat reservations, ticket prices (75 cents), and theater policies.

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Tickets for the opening gala went on sale at M. L. Price’s music store (Tampa and Zack Streets) two days before the event. At seventy-five cents each, eager residents snapped up the 1,600 tickets in just two hours. Publix Theatres placed large ads in the newspapers heralding a new age.

“Tonight a procession of the pleasure loving people of Tampa will lead to the new Tampa theater. They will come away with the news that Tampa has one of the most beautiful theaters in the world! Positively luxurious! Perfectly serviced! And a marvelous show! Its beauty will leave you breathless and the entertainment will hold you spellbound. We who have Publix theaters in fifty cities from New York to San Francisco are proud of the new Tampa as we are of no other theater in the chain. It is the last word in luxury and splendor—a magnificent jewel of great beauty that we have set in Tampa for your pleasure and pride. Tonight we turn it over to you. Tonight’s the night!”