Starlite Drive-In

2304 N. 7th Avenue,
Bozeman, MT 59715

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Excellence Theatres, Theatre Operators, Inc,

Nearby Theaters

Starlite Drive-In

The Starlite-Drive-In was opened in 1950 with Jeanne Crain in “Apartment for Peggy”. It had a 300 car capacity. It was operated by Theatre Operators Inc. initially and followed by Excellence Theatres. The ozoner closed in the early-1990’s.

A ‘new’ Starlite Drive-In located on River Road opened on July 24, 2020 and has its own page on Cinema Treasures.

Contributed by Chuck

Recent comments (view all 8 comments)

TomMc11
TomMc11 on April 24, 2018 at 9:25 am

https://www.flickr.com/photos/henk/37904523145/in/photostream/ has 3 photos of this DI, and it states that it was on Highway 191 but I have been up and down that road on Google Maps and Historic Aerials Topographical included and I cannot find it.

Kenmore
Kenmore on April 24, 2018 at 10:02 am

Found It!

The drive-in was located on the north side of Bozeman, the address is 2304 N. 7th Ave, Bozeman, MT. This is confirmed by a 1988 topography map and the mountains in the background match the photos shown of the drive-in.

Today, Bridger Park Shopping Mall or Strip Mall sits on the property with no traces of the drive-in remaining.

https://tinyurl.com/yaaa4roe

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on June 21, 2019 at 7:54 am

It probably opened in 1950. The Nov. 12, 1949 issue of BoxOffice reported: “BOZEMAN, MONT. – Construction of the drive-in theatre being erected on Route 10 west of here has been stopped for the winter. A building to house the projection booth, the screen tower and a fence are finished.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on August 27, 2019 at 9:26 am

The top part of the old Starlite sign is “on display” in front of Media Station Design Works in Bozeman, according to a note posted by the local radio station. I put that in quotes because the photo with the story showed the sign fragments resting in the grass supported only by leaning against a building, which I would characterize as merely “visible” rather than on display. Anyway, some moron stole the “lite” part, but the cops later found it. A happy ending.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on December 23, 2019 at 2:24 pm

Boxoffice, Feb. 9, 1952: “Joe English sold his three theatres and a drive-in at Bozeman, Mont., to Ed Pegrum, veteran showman of the Intermountain area.”

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on July 21, 2020 at 8:47 am

Reopening with original signage Friday July 24, 2020 at 6465 River Rd. Article and new website below.

https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/coronavirus/bozemans-iconic-starlite-drive-in-theatre-makes-its-return/article_5250e390-243c-5a7a-bae0-2564b86cf345.html?fbclid=IwAR2ew5-IDoOmSS4SUGoJuLW69hBf2dm6m-zNo6q53blN13p91xZyS9PbFww

https://www.starlitedriveinmontana.com/

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on May 31, 2023 at 4:18 pm

The original Starlite closed for the final time on September 4, 1988 with “Crocodile Dundee II” following concession concerns by the Bozeman Police Department on alcohol sales after four 17-to-19-year-old Bozeman teenagers were arrested and charged with single misdemeanor charges involving possessions of underage drinking that same day (either during intermission or during the movie).

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