places to visit in Lakeland, FL
Polk Theatre
The Polk Theatre is a National Register of Historic Places-listed historic movie palace. It broadcasts live concerts as well as first-run independent and vintage films. The Polk Theatre, a 1400-seat atmospheric theater located at 121 South Florida Avenue in downtown Lakeland, FL, is a popular historic landmark. Founded in 1928 as a movie house, the Theatre now presents films and live entertainment as a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the building’s architecture and cinematic history. Despite the fact that the town’s population was just 15,000 people, the theatre was erected in 1928. J. E. Casale, an Italian-born immigrant, built the Theatre to be a 2,000+ seat vaudeville/movie palace in the center of Central Florida that resembled a Mediterranean hamlet. The patron’s eye was directed to the stage and the full-scale Italian renaissance “townhouse” backdrop that dominates the Polk’s interior, which was flanked by Italianate walls with niches, sconces, and imitation balconies and windows. Twisted columns, intricate cornice and molding work, and brass banded terrazzo flooring adorned the mezzanine lobby, which was reached through an ornately tiled stairwell. All of this opulence was framed by a star-studded ceiling. Its glittering stars and sunrise/sunset effect wowed guests, and it was painted a rich, royal blue. It was dubbed an “atmospheric” theater since it imitated a natural setting. On opening day, December 22, 1928, 2,000 of the 2,200 tickets for the 1:00 p.m. performance were sold. The matinee was sold out within an hour of the box office opening at noon. The first day’s picture was “On Trial,” a Warner Brothers all-talking spectacular. The Polk Theatre presented both vaudeville and pictures during a moment of transition in American popular culture. The Theatre has featured a broad variety of live events in addition to films from its inception in the 1920s and continuing into the 1940s. There was a stage trap door that came in handy for magic acts. The McCord Dancers, the Sun-Tan Revue, and The Green Pastures enticed people with “Hollywood Scandals.” Li Ho Chang, the Chinese Houdini, also performed live on stage, with Sally Rand’s famed fan dance standing out. Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Gene Krupa, Eddy Arnold, Tom Mix, Gene Autrey, Glenn Miller, and the King himself, Elvis Presley, have all performed over the years. While there are no traces of Elvis Presley’s spectacular performance, his autograph may be seen on the wall of the theater’s third-floor dressing area. The autograph was removed from the wall to prevent water damage from a flood, but it has now been framed and will soon be shown in the theater once more. A group of concerned residents formed an organization in 1982 to conserve the Polk Theatre. They founded a non-profit organization, borrowed money, received a state grant, and paid $300,000 for the theater. The Polk continues to rely on grants and contributions to satisfy its financial commitments as a non-profit. The Theatre holds film showings from Friday through Sunday, so you can get a taste of this unusual theater while you’re in Lakeland. For the entire family, enjoy independent films, classic films, international films, and timeless films. When you’re in town, make sure to check out their calendar of events. The concession counter sells beer and wine, and tickets vary from $4.00 to $7.00.
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