New Film Series Honors Historic Lake Theatre in Palm Beach County

The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is gearing up for a new film series in celebration of the Lake Theatre’s 85th anniversary in Lake Worth Beach.

This year’s Lake Theatre Revival Series will feature four screenings on select Friday nights at the Council’s downtown headquarters, in the Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building. Originally designed in 1940 by renowned Florida architect Roy A. Benjamin, the 1,000-seat Lake Theatre operated until 1974 — before becoming a dine-in theater, lounge, discotheque and home to a trio of different art museums until 2012, when the Cultural Council moved in.

Free for the community, the film series begins with the 1940 classic comedy His Girl Friday Friday on October 24 at 6 p.m. The screening will be followed by a 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 Cultural Council president & CEO Dave Lawrence. “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 includes award-winning shorts from this year’s Subtropic Film Festival, coming December 12. Another event, on February 6, 2026, celebrates Black film and culture with a screening of The Wiz, in partnership with Palm Beach County-based creative collective, FLAVAR Co.

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. Visit palmbeachculture.com/film to RSVP and save your seat.