New Film Series Honors Historic Lake Theatre

Old Lake Theatre

(Press Release) Oct. 8, 2025 (Lake Worth Beach, Fla.) — The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is gearing up for its brand-new film series in celebration of the Lake Theatre’s 85th anniversary.

This year, the Lake Theatre Revival Series will feature four screenings on select Friday nights at the Council’s downtown Lake Worth Beach headquarters, the Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building. Originally designed in 1940 by renowned Florida architect Roy A. Benjamin, the 1000-seat Lake Theatre operated until 1974—before becoming a dine-in theatre, lounge, discotheque, and home to three different art museums until 2012, when the Cultural Council moved in.

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The free film series will kick off on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 at 6 p.m. with the 1940 classic comedy His Girl Friday, followed by a post-film discussion with Palm Beach County resident Scott Eyman, a film historian and New York Times bestselling author who wrote Cary Grant: A Brilliant Disguise.

“The Lake Theatre Revival Series reflects our commitment to celebrating Palm Beach County’s rich history and showcasing all artistic disciplines,” said Dave Lawrence, Cultural Council president & CEO. “We invite the public to join us as we revisit classic films and view works in the place where it all began: the historic Lake Theatre.”

In addition to His Girl Friday, the series lineup will include award-winning shorts from this year’s Subtropic Film Festival on Dec. 12, 2025. Another event will celebrate Black film and culture with a screening of The Wiz, in partnership with Palm Beach County-based creative collective, FLAVAR Co., on Feb. 6, 2026. 

The series culminates on April 3, 2026, with a special screening of Orson Welles’ 1941 masterpiece Citizen Kane in partnership with the Lake Worth Playhouse. Like the Cultural Council’s headquarters, the Playhouse has a storied past. Built in 1924 and originally named the Oakley Theatre, it is the oldest building on the Art Deco Society of The Palm Beaches’ register.

Complimentary refreshments will be available. Space is limited; please RSVP at palmbeachculture.com/film to save your seat.

If You Go (Calendar Items)
Classic Premiere: His Girl Friday (1940)
October 24, 2025 (6-8:30 p.m.)
601 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth Beach, Fla., 33460
Save your seat at palmbeachculture.com/film 

Subtropic Film Festival Winners: 2025 Showcase
December 12, 2025 (6-8:30 p.m.)
601 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth Beach, Fla., 33460
Registration opens Oct. 27, 2025 at palmbeachculture.com/film 

The Wiz: A FLAVAR Film Event
February 6, 2026 (6-8:30 p.m.)
601 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth Beach, Fla., 33460
Registration opens Dec. 15, 2025 at palmbeachculture.com/film 

Season Finale: Citizen Kane (1941) with Lake Worth Playhouse
April 3, 2026 (6-8:30 p.m.)
601 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth Beach, Fla., 33460
Registration opens Feb. 9, 2026 at palmbeachculture.com/film 
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