Tampa’s most historic movie palace will be providing nine nights of frightful entertainment to conjure up goosebumps in the days leading up to Halloween. A Nightmare on Franklin Street has pulled together a great lineup of movies from the animated Nightmare Before Christmas to the silent drama Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and everything in between.
If you haven’t had enough scare with just the movies alone, the Tampa Theatre will be providing two different ghost tours: a "Late-Night, Lights-Off" version and a "Family-Friendly" one for the little bats (or fraidy cats). These guided tours will explore why the Tampa Theatre is considered one of the most haunted buildings in town. Keep your eyes peeled and maybe, just maybe, you’ll spot one of the resident spirits.
Academy Award nominee Linda Blair from The Exorcist will be the theater's special celebrity guest on Oct. 29. Following the screening of the iconic horror film, Blair will host a Q & A session and share behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the movie.
Another special event on the lineup: an intimate gathering on Oct. 27 to listen to Tampa ghost stories told by local author Deborah Frethem, with signings of her three books including her latest: Haunted Ybor City.
Additionally, a local shadow cast known for its performance of the camp classic will make a special appearance before the screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Oct. 25. Audience participation is key: Armed with assorted props (newspaper, cards, toast?), you’ll be part of the show, with the encouragement of the talented shadow cast team of IP.
See below for a schedule of all the screenings and events in "A Nightmare on Franklin Street." For full movie descriptions, prices, and other information, visit their website at tampatheatre.org.
Fri., Oct. 23
7:30 p.m. The Conjuring (2013) 1 hr 52 min / Rated R / Horror. Kissimmee Paranormal Investigations will lead a talk directly following the film. Admission is included with your movie ticket.
11:30 p.m. Late-Night, Lights-Off Ghost Tour In 1965, Tampa Theatre projectionist Foster “Fink” Finley died after 35 years of service to his beloved movie palace. Strange occurrences have been reported in and around the projection booth ever since – an unexplained tap on the shoulder, doors opening and closing, shadows passing through the room, and the lingering smell of lilac aftershave… Foster’s favorite. But Fink isn’t the only spirit suspected of haunting the Theatre’s historic halls. Join Tampa Theatre for a 60-minute lights-off investigation into the building’s five most common supernatural claims. Doors at 11 p.m. General: $15. Members: $10.
Sat. Oct. 24 Frightening Families
11:30 a.m. Family-Friendly Ghost Tour Who was Fink Finley? Why does the Lady in White still roam the mezzanine? Learn the Theatre’s secrets, stories, art and architecture with a “balcony to backstage” tour that will focus on the historic movie palace’s ghostly guests. The 90-minute tour will kick off in the lobby at 11:30 a.m. and will feature a special “demon”stration of the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ. Adults: $10. Children: $8. Members: free. Space limited, so come early.
3:45 p.m. Devil’s Rejects (2005) 1 hr 47 min / Rated R / Horror. General: $10. Members: $8.
6:30 p.m. Pet Sematary (1989) 1 hr 43 min / Rated R / Horror. General: $10. Members: $8.
9:30 p.m. The Shining (1980) 2 hr 26 min / Rated R / Horror. General: $10. Members: $8.
3:30 p.m. Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) 1 hr 16 min / Rated PG / Animated. General: $10. Members: $8.
5:30 p.m. Sweeney Todd (2007) 1 hr 54 min / Rated R / Horror Musical. General: $10. Members: $8.
11 p.m. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) 1 hr 40 min / Rated R / Musical. A local shadow cast will provide a live pre-show and lead audience participation throughout the film. Guests are encouraged to bring their own toilet paper, cards, newspapers, toast and other props – but please, no hot dogs, rice or water guns. For a great audience-participation guide for Rocky Horror “virgins,” visit badmovies.org/movies/rockyhorror/audience (site contains adult language and content). Doors at 9:30. General: $15. Members: $13.
Mon., Oct. 26
7:30 p.m. An American Werewolf in London (1981) 1 hr 37 min / Rated R / Horror. General: $10. Members: $8.
Tues. Oct. 27
7:30 p.m. Tampa Ghost Stories with Deborah Frethem, author of “Haunted Tampa: Spirits of the Bay.” Local author and storyteller Deborah Frethem takes to Tampa Theatre’s historic stage for an intimate evening of Bay-area ghost stories and supernatural tales from her new book, Haunted Ybor City. Following the performance, Frethem will sign copies of all three of her books, including Ghost Stories of St. Petersburg and Haunted Tampa: Spirits of the Bay, with sales benefiting Tampa Theatre’s ongoing restoration efforts. $10.
Wed., Oct. 28 Silent Scream
7:30 p.m. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920) 49 min / Not Rated / Drama Horror. This silent film will be accompanied live by renowned theatrical organist Dr. Steven Ball on the Theatre’s original 1926 Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ. General: $12. Members: $10.
7:30 p.m. The Exorcist: Live discussion with Linda Blair and screening of The Exorcist (1973) Listed as “the scariest movie of all time” by Entertainment Weekly, The Exorcist still shocks and haunts today. Join Academy Award nominee and breakout star Linda Blair (Regan) for a screening of the film, which premiered in 1973. Watch The Exorcist on the big screen the way it was meant to be seen, then stick around for a moderated discussion and audience Q&A with Linda during which she will share behind-the-scenes stories from the filming. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation. A limited number of VIP tickets include preferred seating and a VIP Post-show meet and greet with Blair at which guests can receive an autograph and a photo with the Hollywood icon. Doors at 6:30 p.m. General: $43. VIP Meet & Greet: $103.50.
Fri., Oct. 30
6 p.m. Poltergeist (2015) 1 hr 33 min / Rated PG 13 / Horror. General: $10. Members: $8.
8:30 p.m. Poltergeist (1982) 1 hr 54 min / Rated PG / Horror. General: $10. Members: $8.
11:30 p.m. Late-Night, Lights-Off Ghost Tour (See Oct. 23 description.) Doors at 11 p.m. General: $15. Members: $10.
11:30 a.m. Family-Friendly Ghost Tour (See Oct. 24 description.) Adults: $10. Children: $8. Members: free.
2 p.m. Strangers on a Train (1951) 1 hr 20 min / Rated PG / Thriller. General: $10. Members: $8.
4:45 p.m. Rope (1948) 1 hr 20 min / Rated PG / Thriller. General: $10. Members: $8.
7:15 p.m. The Birds (1963) 1 hr 59 min / Rated PG-13 / Horror. General: $10. Members: $8.
10:15 p.m. Psycho (1960) 1 hr 49 min / Rated R / Horror. General: $10. Members: $8.
This article appears in Sep 24-30, 2015.