La Gaceta: The Documentary premiers at the Cuban Club in Ybor City
Audience watches as editor and publisher of La Gaceta Newspaper Patrick Manteiga discusses the papers history
Emmy award-winning documentarian Lynn Marvin Dingfelder has produced a new work titled La Gaceta: The Documentary, and it premiered Friday night at the Cuban Club. The nation's only tri-lingual newspaper recently celebrated its centennial. Dingfelder rounded up a dream team cast, including current and former politicians, journalists, and some of Tampa’s top-notch historians to document the journey of the paper. Retired Judge E.J. Salcines topped the list, followed by history know-a-lots former Mayor Pam Iorio, City Council members Bill Carlson, Guido Maniscalco and former Florida Senator Arthenia Joyner. Tampa Bay Times journalist Paul Guzzo who spent his first years in the biz at La Gaceta, added his own spin on the history of the paper, including reminding the audience of the frequency and popularity of stories and photographs showing dancers from Tampa strip joints. It was the only newspaper at the time that would run those stories and ads, and the paper needed the revenue. Strip club king Joe Redner even makes a cameo appearance discussing the importance of La Gaceta and the mutual benefit.
Tampa historian extraordinaire Rodney Kite Powell, Director of the Touchton Map Library at the Tampa Bay History Center, brings a wealth of knowledge and candor about the plight of the early cigar industry. Another member of Tampa history royalty, Gary Marmino, shared his expertise on Ybor City and some of the players that fostered its development. Tampa Natives Show host Mario R. Núñez and several current and former staffers at La Gaceta rounded out the panel. The combination of the complex brain trust the contributors bring, mixed with Dingfelder and company’s use of humor, fast pace, and strong story threads, make this a documentary to see.
It’s not just about the paper. It is a clinic on the foundation of Tampa and the importance of the cigar industry in galvanizing this city. It is about the fight over the liberation of Cuba, the tribulations and successes of three generations of La Gaceta founder Victoriano Manteiga’s family who still run the publication, and a reminder of the importance of giving a voice to the voiceless. Dingfelder and company have produced an outstanding film, and it deserves to be seen by all who are intrigued by Tampa’s History, the cigar industry, or anyone who has enjoyed the 100 years of La Gaceta newspaper.
La Gaceta: The Documentary will be shown again on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at the Tampa Theater. For tickets, visit Tampatheater.org or call (813) 274-8286. See it!
