TAMPA — A new multimedia exhibition explores the evolution of Tampa’s moviegoing experience from the first short film exhibitions at the Tampa Bay Hotel Casino to the innovations in sound, camera techniques, and social commentary that defined the inaugural decade of film screenings at Tampa Theatre. “Cigar City Cinema: Tampa Goes to the Movies, 1897-1936” will open on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa.
The exhibition runs through Feb. 28 and is included with museum admission. For hours and visitor information, visit www.plantmuseum.com.
The dawn of movie magic began in December 1897 when 2,000 people packed the opera house of the Tampa Bay Hotel Casino to see Biograph Company short films that appeared so lifelike audience members gasped. “Cigar City Cinema” gives modern audiences the opportunity to share this experience by viewing some of these early films.
“Opera houses and vaudeville theaters deserve primary credit for the spread of theatrical film presentations in Tampa and across the nation,” said Charles McGraw Groh, museum director. “Short films took the place of individual songs or skits in variety shows at the turn of the century. It’s not surprising, then, that filmmakers borrowed heavily from the best and worst traditions of vaudeville and minstrel shows, ranging from slapstick to blackface.”
Soon, the Tampa Bay Hotel Casino introduced city residents to the first feature films, culminating in the sprawling epics of D.W. Griffith. Rare artifacts from the Museum of the Moving Image showcase the power of Griffith’s film as propaganda.
The exhibition celebrates Tampa Theatre’s centennial. The opening of Tampa Theatre in 1926 ushered in the golden age of Hollywood. The magnificent Wurlitzer organ and a full orchestra thrilled audiences in the final years of the silent film era. “Cigar City Cinema” guides visitors through the sound revolution and the reactions of local audiences. Tampa Theatre’s gargoyles, statuary, and fabricated starry night sky induced awe, but its sheer opulence could be intimidating. Objects and ephemera on loan from Tampa Theatre reveal how theater employees and audience members redefined the movie palace to make it a beloved community institution and an indispensable part of local life.
Tampa Theatre will present a series of films that are featured in the exhibit. The series kicks off with a matinee screening of “Dracula” on Sunday, Oct. 25. Future showings include Oscar-winning films “Sunrise” and “Grand Hotel.” The exhibit features a rotating film presentation, opening with “King Kong.”
The Henry B. Plant Museum is housed in the former Tampa Bay Hotel, an opulent winter resort that operated from 1891-1932. Since 1933, the Tampa Bay Hotel has been home to the Henry B. Plant Museum and the University of Tampa. The building is a National Historic Landmark, commemorating its role as a military headquarters during the Spanish-American War. Unlike most historic properties, it contains the actual furnishings enjoyed by the hotel’s first guests. It is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.