The Central Tampa News & Tribune
Theater Boss Lives In Reel World
Tribune photo by JASON BEHNKEN
Tampa Theatre manager John Bell grew up watching films in small-town North Carolina.
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Published: May 14, 2008
DOWNTOWN - John Bell, 53, grew up going to Saturday matinees with his brothers in North Carolina.
He went on to manage a theater in Greensboro, N.C., for six years, leaving in 1985 to manage Tampa Theatre, which opened in 1926 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
When he arrived, the theater held events about 150 days a year; now it's used every day, including about 700 film screenings a year.
Q. How many of these 1920s movie palaces are left today?
A. In the 1920s, about 300 were built with only about 80 surviving. But if you're talking about the style of architect John Eberson, who designed this one, he created 15, with 12 still standing. I imagine if he were alive today, he would be a Disney "imagineer." Some people think this is like entering the world of "Pirates of the Caribbean."
Q. Tell us about the summer movie series.
A. This begins the first week in June and runs each Sunday at 3 p.m. with 15 movies total. We are firming up the schedule. We probably won't show a favorite, "The Wizard of Oz," because that is featured on Saturday in Cotanchobee Park as our outdoor, free event, Sunset Cinema.
Q. Is it difficult to set the summer series?
A. Actually, it's a lot more complicated than ordering from Netflix. We have to look at what studios have available in 35 mm film prints. It's a real game we play, and then we listen to our staff and patrons on their choices. We wanted to run the original "Raiders of the Lost Ark," but with the new movie sequel coming out this summer, that's usually not allowed.
Q. How many movies have you seen?
A. Oh, my gosh. That's pointless to count. I saw my fair share of movies growing up in small-town North Carolina. But I can't remember most of the titles.
Q. What's a favorite movie memory?
A. As a boy, I saw Vincent Price in "The Tingler" a 1959 thriller. I was scared out of my mind. So about 1982-83, we had an "Evening With Vincent Price" in North Carolina. After he spoke, I went backstage to his dressing room to thank him. He was sitting alone, and I startled him as I approached. I thought, "I just scared Vincent Price!"
Q. Is downtown redevelopment helping?
A. It's too early to say because the condo towers aren't filled yet. But it has to eventually be all good for the theater to have people live nearby. But we make our living by being a destination landmark. People travel from all over.
Q. What brings you the most satisfaction working in these splendid surroundings?
A. When people walk in the door for the first time, and I get to see their reaction of awe. Tampa Theatre just hosted thousands of high schoolers from around the state for a thespian convention. I don't think they've ever seen anything like it.
SCREEN GEM
For information about Tampa Theatre's lineup, go to www.tampatheatre.org.
Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com.
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