A note in the April 17, 1954 issue of Boxoffice said that Mrs. John Edmundson had recently sold the Jackson Drive-In (along with the Advance Theatre) to J. C. Crites and Harry McDonald of Jackson.
Landmark announced this week that Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, will be the Chez Artiste’s final day. Patrons were urged to visit other nearby Landmark theaters. :(
Mr. B. B. Russell opened Jala’s Drive-In in Belmont MS on Sept. 1, 1963, per a note in Boxoffice a couple of weeks later. Jala’s advertised in the 1969 Belmont High School yearbook, the Belmontian.
The drive-in was still included in the 1976 Motion Picture Almanac, although misspelled as Sala’s, with a capacity of 190 cars. The rebooted MPA list in 1977 listed the Starlite, capacity 200, owner J. Curtis. Belmont’s Starlite persisted through the end of the MPA drive-in list in 1988.
Boxoffice, May 14, 1955: “The Midway Drive-In reopened recently with a new widescreen … Manager James B. Bell reports that the speakers also have been overhauled, a new playground area provided and the snack bar enlarged.”
Looks like this drive-in was once called the Westwood. That’s the name that Aberdeen’s drive-in had in the 1955-56 Theatre Catalog and the 1961 Motion Picture Almanac, capacity 300 cars, owner Charles Treas.
This 1955 photo was about Les Davis living in a tent on top of the screen as a publicity stunt. The copyright as listed on Life.com is Yale Joel/Life Pictures/Shutterstock.
The Twilite first appeared in the Motion Picture Almanac in the 1960 edition. It was listed under Bruce (a few miles away), capacity 275 cars, owner J. A. Thornton.
It was still open in October 1970, when Boxoffice noted that Bruce’s “Twilight” had closed for the season.
The MPA’s refreshed drive-in list in its 1977 edition still included the Twilite, now 240 cars, owned by W. Clark. The owner changed to M. Franklin in the 1980 edition. It changed again to B. Bowling in the 1983 edition, but the Twilite left the list in 1985.
Boxoffice, Oct. 26, 1970: “A storm resulted in screen damage to the Morrow Drive-In at Calhoun City, Miss., and the Eupora Drive-In at Eupora, Miss. Both of the airers were forced to close temporarily while repairs were being made."
Boxoffice, July 4, 1977: “Skyvue Drive-In, Savannah, has reopened and the Savannah Theatre has closed, it was announced by Charles Arendall of Arendall Enterprises"
Boxoffice, June 18, 1955: “Gordon Hutchins, who formerly operated the State at Corning, has purchased the 64 Drive-In, Russelville, Ark., from Mrs. Henley Smith and has moved to Russelville”
Boxoffice, July 4, 1977: “Gordon Hutchins sold the 64 Drive-In, Russellville, Ark., to Victor Webber of Kensett, Ark., owner of a circuit of theatres located throughout Arkansas.”
The Hickory’s ad in the 1952 Sharon High School yearbook boasted that the drive-in had “the Country’s Largest Screen” and accommodation for 1000 cars. Chris Lampros was manager.
I believe dallasmovietheaters, but I just found this note.
Motion Picture Herald, July 12, 1952: “Joe Sikes opened his new 250-car, $50,000 Stockade drive-in at Chadron, Neb., on July 5.”
A note in the April 17, 1954 issue of Boxoffice said that Mrs. John Edmundson had recently sold the Jackson Drive-In (along with the Advance Theatre) to J. C. Crites and Harry McDonald of Jackson.
I found this postcard (right?) on Pinterest, and it’s easier to make out the signboard there. It says:
My Dear Secretary with / Loraine Day & Kirk Douglas / Comedy & Free Pony Rides / Continuous Show Starting ?? PM
Landmark announced this week that Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, will be the Chez Artiste’s final day. Patrons were urged to visit other nearby Landmark theaters. :(
Denver Post story
Last year, the New Mexico State Library sent me another Hatch Reporter ad that had drive-in dates through Nov. 9, 1948.
The drive-in also looked pretty intact in that 1955 aerial photo, though the desert air is good at preserving such things.
Motion Picture Exhibitor, June 8, 1960: “The Roxy Drive-In has been closed and is being dismantled.”
On June 8, 1960, Motion Picture Exhibitor listed the Skylark of Newport AR as one of many drive-in theaters that reopened for the season.
Please note that all the advertisements that we see for this drive-in used the correct spelling: Capital, with a second A.
Rule of thumb: the -ol only refers to the building. In every other case, from Piketty’s book to the capital city, use -al.
Mr. B. B. Russell opened Jala’s Drive-In in Belmont MS on Sept. 1, 1963, per a note in Boxoffice a couple of weeks later. Jala’s advertised in the 1969 Belmont High School yearbook, the Belmontian.
The drive-in was still included in the 1976 Motion Picture Almanac, although misspelled as Sala’s, with a capacity of 190 cars. The rebooted MPA list in 1977 listed the Starlite, capacity 200, owner J. Curtis. Belmont’s Starlite persisted through the end of the MPA drive-in list in 1988.
This ad belongs with the Starlite Automovie in Belmont, California. CT page here.
The Whitehaven advertised in the 1964 Rundle High School yearbook.
Boxoffice, May 14, 1955: “The Midway Drive-In reopened recently with a new widescreen … Manager James B. Bell reports that the speakers also have been overhauled, a new playground area provided and the snack bar enlarged.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 20, 1952: “Covington, Tenn. - Raco Enterprises, Inc., opened its Raco Drive-In on Highway 51 north.”
The last Boxoffice note I could find was that Bill Ruffin of Ruffin Amusement Co. had closed the Raco for the season in late September 1977.
In June 1960, Motion Picture Examiner noted that the Midway had reopened for the season.
Looks like this drive-in was once called the Westwood. That’s the name that Aberdeen’s drive-in had in the 1955-56 Theatre Catalog and the 1961 Motion Picture Almanac, capacity 300 cars, owner Charles Treas.
Looks like Nicholson changed his new drive-in’s name.
Boxoffice, March 2, 1964: “Visiting exhibitors in Memphis included … Howard Nicholson, Shelby Drive-In, Millington”
The Theatre Catalog first included the West Point in its 1955-56 edition, capacity 280 cars, owner Finley Moss.
This 1955 photo was about Les Davis living in a tent on top of the screen as a publicity stunt. The copyright as listed on Life.com is Yale Joel/Life Pictures/Shutterstock.
The copyright as listed on Life.com is Yale Joel/Life Pictures/Shutterstock.
The Twilite first appeared in the Motion Picture Almanac in the 1960 edition. It was listed under Bruce (a few miles away), capacity 275 cars, owner J. A. Thornton.
It was still open in October 1970, when Boxoffice noted that Bruce’s “Twilight” had closed for the season.
The MPA’s refreshed drive-in list in its 1977 edition still included the Twilite, now 240 cars, owned by W. Clark. The owner changed to M. Franklin in the 1980 edition. It changed again to B. Bowling in the 1983 edition, but the Twilite left the list in 1985.
Just a bad year for the Eupora.
Boxoffice, Oct. 26, 1970: “A storm resulted in screen damage to the Morrow Drive-In at Calhoun City, Miss., and the Eupora Drive-In at Eupora, Miss. Both of the airers were forced to close temporarily while repairs were being made."
Boxoffice, July 4, 1977: “Skyvue Drive-In, Savannah, has reopened and the Savannah Theatre has closed, it was announced by Charles Arendall of Arendall Enterprises"
Boxoffice, July 4, 1977: “Paul and Pearl Womble are the new owners of the Carousel Drive-In in Fordyce, Ark."
Boxoffice, June 18, 1955: “Gordon Hutchins, who formerly operated the State at Corning, has purchased the 64 Drive-In, Russelville, Ark., from Mrs. Henley Smith and has moved to Russelville”
Boxoffice, July 4, 1977: “Gordon Hutchins sold the 64 Drive-In, Russellville, Ark., to Victor Webber of Kensett, Ark., owner of a circuit of theatres located throughout Arkansas.”
The Hickory’s ad in the 1952 Sharon High School yearbook boasted that the drive-in had “the Country’s Largest Screen” and accommodation for 1000 cars. Chris Lampros was manager.