TAMPA, Fla. – A Nightmare on Franklin Street is returning to the Tampa Theatre for the third year in a row. Tampa’s most historic – and most haunted – grand movie palace will present nine nights of petrifying programming, with enough variety to haunt everyone from the average Halloween enthusiast the hard-core horror fan. Here’s the lineup-
FRIDAY 10/23
·7:30 p.m. THE CONJURING (2013)
In 1970, paranormal investigators and demonologists Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) and Ed (Patrick Wilson) Warren are summoned to the home of Carolyn (Lili Taylor) and Roger (Ron Livingston) Perron. The Perrons and their five daughters have recently moved into a secluded farmhouse, where a supernatural presence has made itself known. Though the manifestations are relatively benign at first, events soon escalate in horrifying fashion, especially after the Warrens discover the house’s macabre history. 1h 52m/Rated R/Horror
A film talk led by Kissimmee Paranormal Investigations will take place directly following the film. Admission to the film talk is included in admission to the film.
Tickets for “A Nightmare on Franklin Street” classic films are $10 for general admission and $8 for Tampa Theatre Members at the box office, located at 711 N. Franklin Street in downtown Tampa, or online at TampaTheatre.org (service fees apply).
11:30 p.m. Late-Night, Lights-Off Ghost Tour (11:00pm Doors)
In 1965, Tampa Theatre’s 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 this 60-minute guided tour as we bring you an evening of lights-off investigation into the building’s five most common supernatural claims.
Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for Tampa Theatre Members at the box office, located at 711 N. Franklin Street in downtown Tampa, or online at TampaTheatre.org (service fees apply).
SATURDAY 10/24 FRIGHTENING FAMILIES
11:30 a.m. Family-Friendly Ghost Tour
Who was Fink Finley? Why does the Lady in White still roam the mezzanine? And what has led to Tampa Theatre being known as one of the most haunted buildings in town? 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. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children ages 2 to 12. Tampa Theatre Members are free. Space is limited, so arrive early!
3:45 p.m. DEVIL’S REJECTS (2005)
After a raid on the rural home of the psychopathic Firefly family, two members of the clan, Otis (Bill Moseley) and Baby (Sheri Moon Zombie), manage to flee the scene. Heading to a remote desert motel, the killers reunite with Baby’s father, Capt. Spaulding (Sid Haig), who is equally demented and intent on maintaining their murder spree. While the trio continues to torment and kill various victims, the vengeful Sheriff Wydell (William Forsythe) slowly closes in on them. 1h 47m/Rated R/Horror
6:30 p.m. PET SEMATARY (1989)
Doctor Louis Creed (Dale Midkiff) moves his family to Maine, where he meets a friendly local named Jud Crandall (Fred Gwynne). After the Creeds’ cat is accidentally killed, Crandall advises Louis to bury it in the ground near the old pet cemetery. The cat returns to life, its personality changed for the worse. When Louis’ son, Gage (Miko Hughes), dies tragically, Louis decides to bury the boy’s body in the same ground despite the warnings of Crandall and Louis’ visions of a deceased patient. 1h 43m/Rated R/Horror
9:30 p.m. THE SHINING (1980)
Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) becomes winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado, hoping to cure his writer’s block. He settles in along with his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and his son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), who is plagued by psychic premonitions. As Jack’s writing goes nowhere and Danny’s visions become more disturbing, Jack discovers the hotel’s dark secrets and begins to unravel into a homicidal maniac hell-bent on terrorizing his family. 2h 26m/Rated R/Horror
Tickets for “A Nightmare on Franklin Street” classic films are $10 for general admission and $8 for Tampa Theatre Members at the box office, located at 711 N. Franklin Street in downtown Tampa, or online at TampaTheatre.org (service fees apply).
SUNDAY 10/25 MONSTROUS MUSICALS
3:00 p.m. NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993)
The film follows the misadventures of Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s beloved pumpkin king, who has become bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the “real world.” When Jack accidentally stumbles on Christmastown, all bright colors and warm spirits, he gets a new lease on life — he plots to bring Christmas under his control by kidnapping Santa Claus and taking over the role. But Jack soon discovers even the best-laid plans of mice and skeleton men can go seriously awry. 1hr 16min/Rated PG /Animated
5:30 p.m. SWEENEY TODD (2007)
Evil Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman) lusts for the beautiful wife of a London barber (Johnny Depp) and transports him to Australia for a crime he did not commit. Returning after 15 years and calling himself Sweeney Todd, the now-mad man vows revenge, applying his razor to unlucky customers and shuttling the bodies down to Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter), who uses them in her meat-pie shop. Though many fall to his blade, he will not be satisfied until he slits Turpin’s throat.
1h 54m/Rated R/Horror Musical
Tickets for “A Nightmare on Franklin Street” classic films are $10 for general admission and $8 for Tampa Theatre Members at the box office, located at 711 N. Franklin Street in downtown Tampa, or online at TampaTheatre.org (service fees apply).
11:00pm – THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975) (9:30pm Doors)
Borrowing largely from conventional cinematic monster movies, the film begins as an innocent young couple is stranded at the home of a mad scientist who is building the “perfect man.” His castle is filled with a most bizarre collection of characters who worship their host, Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry, in leather, pearls, fishnets and heavy makeup). Half guests, half-prisoners, Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) are forced to examine their own sexuality as the lascivious doctor unlocks the hidden desires in each of them.
Based on the stage musical by Richard O’Brien (who appears as Riff Raff), the film explodes with unforgettable song-and-dance numbers like “The Time Warp” and “Sweet Transvestite.” The outstandingly outlandish costumes and makeup and all-star cast (Curry, Bostwick, Sarandon, Patricia Quinn, Meat Loaf) make THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW one of the most bizarrely entertaining and enduring musicals ever made. 1h 40m/Rated R/Musical
Tampa’s own INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS shadow cast will provide a live pre-show and 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 http://www.badmovies.org/movies/rockyhorror/audience/ (Site contains adult language and content!)
Tickets for THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW are $15 for general admission and $13 for Tampa Theatre Members, available at the box office, located at 711 N. Franklin Street in downtown Tampa, or online at TampaTheatre.org (service fees apply).
MONDAY 10/26
7:30 p.m. AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON (1981) (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne), two American college students, are backpacking through Britain when a large wolf attacks them. David survives with a bite, but Jack is brutally killed. As David heals in the hospital, he’s plagued by violent nightmares of his mutilated friend, who warns David that he is becoming a werewolf. When David discovers the horrible truth, he contemplates committing suicide before the next full moon causes him to transform from man to murderous beast. 1h 37m/Rated R/Horror
Tickets for “A Nightmare on Franklin Street” classic films are $10 for general admission and $8 for Tampa Theatre Members available at the box office, located at 711 N. Franklin Street in downtown Tampa, or online at TampaTheatre.org (service fees apply).
TUESDAY 10/27
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 benefitting Tampa Theatre’s ongoing restoration efforts.
Tickets for this special “A Nightmare on Franklin Street” live event are $10 for all admissions available at the box office, located at 711 N. Franklin Street in downtown Tampa, or online at TampaTheatre.org (service fees apply).
WEDNESDAY 10/28 SILENT SCREAM
7:30 p.m. DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1920 )
We asked and the fans voted! This year’s fan favorite pick for the “Silent Scream” Film depicts scientist Dr. Henry Jekyll (John Barrymore) as intelligent and diligent, but also uptight and extremely serious about his work. When his friend, Sir George Carew (Brandon Hurst), takes him to a show featuring the sensual Miss Gina (Nita Naldi), an aroused Jekyll sets out on a quest to separate man’s saintly and sinful sides. His experiments succeed, and his evil alter ego, Mr. Hyde, is created. As the doctor uncontrollably alternates between Jekyll and Hyde, danger looms.
49min/Not Rated/Horror Drama
This silent film will be accompanied live by renowned theatrical organist Dr. Steven Ball on Tampa Theatre’s original 1926 Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ.
Tickets for this special “A Nightmare on Franklin Street” live event are $12 for general admission and $10 for Tampa Theatre Members available at the box office, located at 711 N. Franklin Street in downtown Tampa, or online at TampaTheatre.org (service fees apply).
THURSDAY 10/29
7:30 p.m. Tampa Theatre Presents: THE EXORCIST: LIVE DISCUSSION WITH LINDA BLAIR AND SCREENING OF THE EXORCIST (1973) (6:30p.m. Doors)
Listed as “the scariest movie of all time” by Entertainment Weekly, The Exorcist endures as a defining classic that still shocks and haunts today. Join Academy Award nominee and breakout star Linda Blair (Regan) for a screening of the original ultimate horror movie which premiered back in 1973.
Watch The Exorcist on the big screen the way it was meant to be seen and immediately following the film will be a moderated discussion and audience Q&A with Linda where she will share behind-the-scenes stories from the filming of this classic, worldwide phenomenon. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation. You’ll have to pay for the whole seat but you’ll only be using the edge!
The Exorcist has been called “the scariest film of all time” by Roger Ebert, AFI, Variety, Movies.com, & AMC. In 2010, the “Best Picture” nominated film was selected by the Library of Congress to be preserved as part of its National Film Registry.
Linda Blair has been a Hollywood icon for over 40 years. Her roles as a young actress included several pictures and television programs including The Exorcist, Born Innocent, and Sarah T. – Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic. She had the lead in two cult classics: the women-in-prison film Chained Heat and the femme fatale vigilante action film Savage Streets. In 1997, she took to the Broadway stage and starred as “Rizzo” in the revival of Grease. Linda’s hit Fox Family TV series Scariest Places on Earth followed Linda as she visited notorious “haunted” locations around the world. Linda’s love of animals has led her to create the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abused, neglected, and abandoned dogs from the harsh streets of the Los Angeles area, as well as from the overcrowded and overwhelmed city and county animal shelters.
Tickets for this very special event will go on sale at noon Friday, September 25 at the Tampa Theatre Box Office, located at 711 N. Franklin Street in downtown Tampa, and online at http://www.TampaTheatre.org. Reserved-seating tickets are are $43 and a limited number of VIP Meet & Greet tickets at $103.50, plus applicable fees.
VIP POST-SHOW MEET & GREET:
The limited number of VIP tickets include preferred seating and a VIP Post-show meet and greet with Linda Blair where guests can receive an autograph and a photo with the Hollywood icon herself!
FRIDAY 10/30
6:00p.m. POLTERGEIST (2015)
In the remake of the 1982 classic, all seems well for Eric Bowen (Sam Rockwell), wife Amy (Rosemarie DeWitt) and their three children as they move into their new house in the suburbs of Illinois. Soon, youngest daughter Maddy (Kennedi Clements) begins talking to an imaginary friend, or so the family thinks. It’s not long before sinister spirits wreak havoc in the home, holding Maddy captive and forcing the parents to consult a team of parapsychologists who engage the supernatural entities in a battle for the girl’s freedom. 1h 33m/Rated PG-13/Horror
8:30 p.m. POLTERGEIST (1982)
Strange and creepy happenings beset an average California family, the Freelings — Steve (Craig T. Nelson), Diane (JoBeth Williams), teenaged Dana (Dominique Dunne), eight-year-old Robbie (Oliver Robins), and five-year-old Carol Ann (Heather O’Rourke) — when ghosts commune with them through the television set. Initially friendly and playful, the spirits turn unexpectedly menacing, and, when Carol Ann goes missing, Steve and Diane turn to a parapsychologist and eventually an exorcist for help. 1h 54m/Rated PG/Horror
Tickets for “A Nightmare on Franklin Street” classic films are $10 for general admission and $8 for Tampa Theatre Members at the box office, located at 711 N. Franklin Street in downtown Tampa, or online at TampaTheatre.org (service fees apply).
11:30 p.m. Late-Night, Lights-Off Ghost Tour (11:00pm Doors)
In 1965, Tampa Theatre’s 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 this 60-minute guided tour as we bring you an evening of lights-off investigation into the building’s five most common supernatural claims.
Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for Tampa Theatre Members at the box office, located at 711 N. Franklin Street in downtown Tampa, or online at TampaTheatre.org (service fees apply).
SATURDAY, 10/31 HITCHCOCK HALLOWEEN
11:30 a.m. Family-Friendly Ghost Tour
Who was Fink Finley? Why does the Lady in White still roam the mezzanine? And what has led to Tampa Theatre being known as one of the most haunted buildings in town? 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. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children ages 2 to 12. Tampa Theatre Members are free. Space is limited, so arrive early!
2:00 p.m. STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951)
In Alfred Hitchcock’s adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s thriller, tennis star Guy Haines (Farley Granger) is enraged by his trampy wife’s refusal to finalize their divorce so he can wed senator’s daughter Anne (Ruth Roman). He strikes up a conversation with a stranger, Bruno Anthony (Robert Walker), and unwittingly sets in motion a deadly chain of events. Psychopathic Bruno kills Guy’s wife, then urges Guy to reciprocate by killing Bruno’s father. Meanwhile, Guy is murder suspect number one. 1h 41m/Not Rated/Thriller
4:45 p.m. ROPE (1948)
Just before hosting a dinner party, Philip Morgan (Farley Granger) and Brandon Shaw (John Dall) strangle a mutual friend to death with a piece of rope, purely as a Nietzsche-inspired philosophical exercise. Hiding the body in a chest upon which they then arrange a buffet dinner, the pair welcome their guests, including the victim’s oblivious fiancée (Joan Chandler) and the college professor (James Stewart) whose lectures inadvertently inspired the killing. 1h 20m/Rated PG/Thriller
7:15 p.m. THE BIRDS (1963)
Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) meets Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor) in a San Francisco pet store and decides to follow him home. She brings with her the gift of two love birds and they strike up a romance. One day birds start attacking children at Mitch’s sisters party. A huge assault starts on the town by attacking birds. 1h 59m/Rated PG-13/Horror
10:15 p.m. PSYCHO (1960)
Phoenix secretary Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), on the lam after stealing $40,000 from her employer in order to run away with her boyfriend, Sam Loomis (John Gavin), is overcome by exhaustion during a heavy rainstorm. Traveling on the back roads to avoid the police, she stops for the night at the ramshackle Bates Motel and meets the polite but highly strung proprietor Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), a young man with an interest in taxidermy and a difficult relationship with his mother.
1h 49m/Rated R/Horror
Tickets for “A Nightmare on Franklin Street” classic films are $10 for general admission and $8 for Tampa Theatre Members available at the box office, located at 711 N. Franklin Street in downtown Tampa, or online at TampaTheatre.org (service fees apply).