Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Havana - The Havana, a new 425-seat house, has been opened here by Spurgeon Dunn, who also operates the Gibson, Chattahoochee.”
Boxoffice, June 17, 1939: “PHOENIX, ARIZ. - A drive-in theatre with a capacity of 600 cars will go into construction here immediately, the first such theatre in the state. K. C. Hooker is president of the new company, with Seth Perkins, who is president of the California Drive-In Theatre Corp., functioning as general manager and director of operations.”
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Phoenix - Seth Perkins has opened his Drive-In theatre. It has a 300-car capacity and is the first theatre of its kind in this state.”
Soon after Park-In sued Rogers and Burgess, but before being renamed, the drive-in reopened on May 1, 1940 under new management. My guess is that the new owner, R. N. Elder, had a Park-In license.
A short article in the San Bernardino County Sun noted, “Improvements have been made at the outdoor theater and the entire parking area has been enclosed by fence.”
Boxoffice, April 6, 1940: “W. H. Hibbert’s new 300-seat Gay-Way is operating five nights weekly since its recent opening. The house is of tile construction.”
On review, it’s apparent Louisville renumbered Main Street between 1932 and 1959, when the Times referred to the old Rialto location as in the 800 block. (Directories from the 1920s showed both theaters in the 300 block.) That would put the Rialto across the street from the Rex, with an approximate modern-day address of 826 Main Street.
According to a retrospective in the Louisville Times, the Rialto was built around 1906 by H. H. Fischer for Tom Metz. In 1922, Metz sold the Rialto to S. G. Biella, who would later buy the Rex a couple doors down. The Louisville directory showed the Rialto’s address at 326 Main Street.
Apparently, the Rialto was a silent-only theater. Biella installed sound equipment in the Rex in 1929 and closed the Rialto in late 1931 or early 1932. The building became a grocery, then a woodshop before being town down in 1959.
Thanks to the fine folks at the Louisville Historial Museum, who helped find these details about the Rialto.
Boxoffice, May 11, 1940: “Alberni, B. C. - Harold Warren opened his new theatre, the Roxy, recently. It seats 300.”
Same theater?
Boxoffice, May 11, 1940: “Battleground (sic) - M. A. Rhoads of Woodland was reported to have opened his new theatre here before giving it a name.”
Boxoffice, May 11, 1940: “Alvarado - Will Barnes' new theatre has opened. This replaces the old one wiped out by fire.”
Boxoffice, May 11, 1940: “Deckerville - Joseph P. Uvick opened his new 350-seat Thumb in January.”
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Eaton - Rader Brothers have opened the new 498-seat James.”
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Cleveland - Phil Smith of Boston has been arranging for the opening of the new West Side Drive-In on or about May 10.”
Same theater?
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Mt. Gilead - N. W. Land’s new theatre had a February opening.”
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “The Ely, Walter Hull’s new house, has been completed.”
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Springview - Howard L. Mock recently opened his 150-seat Niobrara here.”
Same theater?
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Mexico - William Pyle contemplates the opening of a new 400 seater to be known as the Milky Way.”
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Tracy - Jack O'Brien has opened his new theatre.”
Same theater?
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Chisholm - Irving Gillman expects to open his new 800-seat theatre, costing $75,000 immediately.”
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Elizabeth Formento, operator of the Park, has opened her new Lee Theatre.”
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Harry Tanner’s new Roseland has opened. The seating capacity is 900 and cost $100,000.”
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “This week has been set by Marchesi Brothers as opening date for the Carroll now under construction.”
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Havana - The Havana, a new 425-seat house, has been opened here by Spurgeon Dunn, who also operates the Gibson, Chattahoochee.”
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Ozark - The Ozark was formally opened recently.”
Boxoffice, June 17, 1939: “PHOENIX, ARIZ. - A drive-in theatre with a capacity of 600 cars will go into construction here immediately, the first such theatre in the state. K. C. Hooker is president of the new company, with Seth Perkins, who is president of the California Drive-In Theatre Corp., functioning as general manager and director of operations.”
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Phoenix - Seth Perkins has opened his Drive-In theatre. It has a 300-car capacity and is the first theatre of its kind in this state.”
Soon after Park-In sued Rogers and Burgess, but before being renamed, the drive-in reopened on May 1, 1940 under new management. My guess is that the new owner, R. N. Elder, had a Park-In license.
A short article in the San Bernardino County Sun noted, “Improvements have been made at the outdoor theater and the entire parking area has been enclosed by fence.”
Boxoffice, April 6, 1940: “W. H. Hibbert’s new 300-seat Gay-Way is operating five nights weekly since its recent opening. The house is of tile construction.”
Boxoffice, April 6, 1940: “Ryan Beck has opened a theatre in Creede, Colo., with 110 seats.”
Boxoffice, June 24, 1968: “Mrs. Marvin McCuiston, Princess, Booneville, (was) among visiting Mississippi exhibitors (to Memphis Film Row).”
Looks like the Chief was another drive-in that failed to open on time, but it looks like it happened sometime in 1950.
Boxoffice, April 8, 1950: (Theatre Openings) “Natchitoches, La. - Chief, 600 seats (sic?), opened by W. R. and George Younger.”
The Exhibitor, May 10, 1950: “Billy Fox Johnson opened his Chief Drive-In, Natchitoches, La.”
The Exhibitor, May 31, 1950: “New drive-ins scheduled for openings are the Prentiss Drive-In, Prentiss, Miss., and Chief Drive-In, Natchitoches, La.”
On review, it’s apparent Louisville renumbered Main Street between 1932 and 1959, when the Times referred to the old Rialto location as in the 800 block. (Directories from the 1920s showed both theaters in the 300 block.) That would put the Rialto across the street from the Rex, with an approximate modern-day address of 826 Main Street.
According to a retrospective in the Louisville Times, the Rialto was built around 1906 by H. H. Fischer for Tom Metz. In 1922, Metz sold the Rialto to S. G. Biella, who would later buy the Rex a couple doors down. The Louisville directory showed the Rialto’s address at 326 Main Street.
Apparently, the Rialto was a silent-only theater. Biella installed sound equipment in the Rex in 1929 and closed the Rialto in late 1931 or early 1932. The building became a grocery, then a woodshop before being town down in 1959.
Thanks to the fine folks at the Louisville Historial Museum, who helped find these details about the Rialto.