The Capitol Theatre opened its doors on November 7, 1938 with Wayne Morris in “Valley Of The Giants” (unknown if extras added), with a total capacity of 800 seats. The theater itself was built by the National Cafe Holding Company for the Famous Players chain at the cost of $60,000. A total of 1,070 patrons attended its grand opening that day.
The theater did had a short closure for a few months in 1988 when the theater was sold to Landmark Theatres. It had an updated interior which also included Dolby surround stereo sound.
The Starlight Drive-In operated as early as August 1997. It did had a different operator beforehand but at the time it was operated by Martin Biggerstaff.
This cracked me up with massive laughter! Looks like they bought cheaper equipment from some Circuit City or something, and installed Windows XP via DosBox on their Macintosh while hooked up to a DVD player before opening. That’s why the theater was short-lived.
There are two drive-in theaters in Monroe. I cannot find the M&T but I spotted the Monroe Drive-In off of 409 James Huff Rd, Monroe, GA 30656 (which appears to have opened in the mid-1960s and continued into the 1980s). The Monroe Drive-In was operated by Monroe Theatres Inc. led by Wayne Shields.
All the information above came directly from an announcement posted on The Evening Tribune from December 1953. Unfortunately there is no grand opening ad or article (but I could be wrong. If there is one then I considered as lost). And yes, despite “Poinsett Drive” being listed in the announcement, I don’t see any sign of “Poinsett Drive” from Google or Historic Aerials as I looked up from earlier this afternoon, although I came close with “Lake Poinsett Road” way west of Cocoa.
The Skyview Drive-In opened its gates on December 6, 1953 with “The Greatest Show On Earth” along with an unnamed cartoon and a newsreel, and was located one block west of Yancey Trailer Park on Poinsett Drive.
According to an announcement released by the management before opening, it originally operated as a drive-in for white and black patrons with separated entrances. Unfortunately later into its operation is when most of their special children’s events are focused more towards the colored children while the white children had their events at the State Theatre, meaning that it turned into an African-American drive-in within a year.
Opened with Charles Ray in “A Midnight Bell” along with unknown extras.
The Fox was a first-run movie house throughout most of its life until closing in October 1976. The Fox reopened a short time later screening Spanish features and was closed several years later.
Corrections to fix: The Cinco Cinema III actually opened on March 27, 1975 with “Young Frankenstein” in Screen 1, “The Towering Inferno” in Screen 2, and “Freebie And The Bean” in Screen 3. The theater was already in operation on October 3, 1975.
The previous name also needs an update. It was known as Cinco Cinema III until a fourth screen was added in the early-1980s when it became known as Cinco Cinema IV.
I might be wrong though, but this probably closed in the early-1960s. I might be sure that it was not operational by 1962 judging by newspaper showings. A 1975 aerial view shows the drive-in but the screen was gone.
The Star Theatre was located on 112 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548, and it actually closed for the final time after the February 1, 1967 fire which destroyed the entirety of the building. The rest of the building was demolished on April 20, 1967. The site was left abandoned until November 1971 when Smith’s Town Shop will occupy the former site of the theater that was now occupied by Hardbody Fitness.
The Capitol Theatre opened its doors on November 7, 1938 with Wayne Morris in “Valley Of The Giants” (unknown if extras added), with a total capacity of 800 seats. The theater itself was built by the National Cafe Holding Company for the Famous Players chain at the cost of $60,000. A total of 1,070 patrons attended its grand opening that day.
The theater did had a short closure for a few months in 1988 when the theater was sold to Landmark Theatres. It had an updated interior which also included Dolby surround stereo sound.
The Starlight Drive-In operated as early as August 1997. It did had a different operator beforehand but at the time it was operated by Martin Biggerstaff.
First known as Famous Players Polson Place 7, and replaced a twin-screener also operated by Famous Players.
Closed on September 4, 1988 with “Young Guns” and “A Night Of The Life With Jimmy Reardon”. Last operated by Cineplex Odeon.
Just to avoid confusions that #1 was named after U.S. Highway 1.
The Vanguard actually closed in 1975.
Anytime!
This cracked me up with massive laughter! Looks like they bought cheaper equipment from some Circuit City or something, and installed Windows XP via DosBox on their Macintosh while hooked up to a DVD player before opening. That’s why the theater was short-lived.
There are two drive-in theaters in Monroe. I cannot find the M&T but I spotted the Monroe Drive-In off of 409 James Huff Rd, Monroe, GA 30656 (which appears to have opened in the mid-1960s and continued into the 1980s). The Monroe Drive-In was operated by Monroe Theatres Inc. led by Wayne Shields.
All the information above came directly from an announcement posted on The Evening Tribune from December 1953. Unfortunately there is no grand opening ad or article (but I could be wrong. If there is one then I considered as lost). And yes, despite “Poinsett Drive” being listed in the announcement, I don’t see any sign of “Poinsett Drive” from Google or Historic Aerials as I looked up from earlier this afternoon, although I came close with “Lake Poinsett Road” way west of Cocoa.
Opened in late-December 1985.
Destroyed by a midnight fire on May 11, 1972.
Both 1983 and 1985 aerial views show the theater appearing to be operational. It appears that it was demolished by the end of the decade.
Completely gone by 1965.
The Skyview Drive-In opened its gates on December 6, 1953 with “The Greatest Show On Earth” along with an unnamed cartoon and a newsreel, and was located one block west of Yancey Trailer Park on Poinsett Drive.
According to an announcement released by the management before opening, it originally operated as a drive-in for white and black patrons with separated entrances. Unfortunately later into its operation is when most of their special children’s events are focused more towards the colored children while the white children had their events at the State Theatre, meaning that it turned into an African-American drive-in within a year.
Once known as Island-Beach Outdoor Theatre (renamed in January 1957).
Opened as early as 1976, first known as Martin Twin.
Opened with Charles Ray in “A Midnight Bell” along with unknown extras.
The Fox was a first-run movie house throughout most of its life until closing in October 1976. The Fox reopened a short time later screening Spanish features and was closed several years later.
Once known as “University Mall Cinemas 1-2-3-4-5-6” when it was expanded to six screens on February 16, 1979.
First operated by Gidden-Rester Theatres.
Once operated by ABC Southeastern Theatres.
Once operated by ABC Southeastern Theatres.
Corrections to fix: The Cinco Cinema III actually opened on March 27, 1975 with “Young Frankenstein” in Screen 1, “The Towering Inferno” in Screen 2, and “Freebie And The Bean” in Screen 3. The theater was already in operation on October 3, 1975.
I might be wrong though, but this probably closed in the early-1960s. I might be sure that it was not operational by 1962 judging by newspaper showings. A 1975 aerial view shows the drive-in but the screen was gone.
The Star Theatre was located on 112 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548, and it actually closed for the final time after the February 1, 1967 fire which destroyed the entirety of the building. The rest of the building was demolished on April 20, 1967. The site was left abandoned until November 1971 when Smith’s Town Shop will occupy the former site of the theater that was now occupied by Hardbody Fitness.