Polk Theatre

== Polk Theatre == The Polk Theatre is a historic vaudeville/movie palace located in Lakeland, Florida. Established during the optimistic pre-Depression era of the late 1920s, the theatre opened its doors on December 22, 1928, to a bustling crowd eager to experience the grandeur of Hollywood films and the magic of live performances. The Polk Theatre was built by Lakeland businessman John E. Melton, who envisioned a multipurpose building that would serve as a cultural hub for Polk County. Despite the economic challenges of the time, the theatre was completed with the financial assistance of the Publix Theatre Corporation, which purchased the uncompleted building for approximately $300,000. Designed by architect J.E. Casale, an Italian-born immigrant, the theatre's interior is a masterpiece of Mediterranean-inspired design, featuring Italianate walls, niches, sconces, faux balconies, and windows. The atmospheric theatre's ceiling, painted a deep royal blue with twinkling stars and a sunrise/sunset effect, captivated audiences and transported them to an Italian renaissance townhouse setting. Technologically advanced for its time, the Polk Theatre boasted a 100-ton air wash system to cool the air, which was so powerful it would cause city lights to dim when activated. It also featured a Vitaphone sound on reel film system, enhancing the movie-going experience during the early years of "talkies." The theatre's golden years spanned from the late 1920s through the 1940s, a period marked by the transition from silent films to talkies and the rise of television. During this time, the Polk Theatre was much more than a movie house; it hosted vaudeville acts, newsreels, civic functions, and live events, including performances by notable figures such as Elvis Presley in 1956. Promotions like car giveaways and Bank Night, a form of lottery, kept the theatre at the center of community life even through the Great Depression. As the decades passed, the rise of television and the suburbanization of Lakeland threatened the Polk Theatre's existence. However, the theatre managed to remain operational into the 1980s, albeit with diminishing glamour. Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of the Polk Theatre, a group of concerned citizens formed a non-profit organization in 1982 to save the landmark from potential demolition. Through their efforts, the theatre was purchased back for $300,000, the same amount it sold for over five decades earlier. Major restoration efforts were completed in October 1999, and the Polk Theatre continues to require ongoing maintenance as a historic property. Today, the theatre operates as a non-profit entity, supported by film revenues, a Performing Arts Series, fundraisers, rental income, and memberships. It stands as a testament to the community's dedication to preserving its history and as a beacon of entertainment and culture in downtown Lakeland, Florida.