Billboard, December 1981: “Mrs. Ted Jones, president and general manager, recently announced the opening of the new Balsam Drive In Theatres I & II in Victorville, California. … Each theatre will handle 255 cars, thereby making a total capacity of 510 cars. The theatre will be under the management of Jack Baldock and his assistant manager, Pat Stump. … The Balsam Drive-In Theatres are fully automated and feature the new Polecat Radio Sound plus regular drive-in theatre speakers … alternated every other pole"
The Yale closed on Feb. 22, 1975, according to a March 24 Boxoffice article. “The Yale Theatre was originally a livery stable built by Clem Rogers, and later owned by his son Will. In 1922, Will decided to sell the building. When no owner could be found immediately, the building was leased and turned into a theatre. The Yale Theatre was sold in 1926 to the Robb and Riley interests. … At another time in its long and colorful history, the Yale was purchased by the mysterious Howard Hughes, who kept the property for a few months before selling it to the L. C. Griffith Amusement Co. of Oklahoma City.”
A roundup in the Aug. 8, 1953 issue included: “Bristow, Okla. – The new 300-car Pirate Drive-In here has opened. It is owned by Henry Simpson, who operates the Walmur and Princess theatres.”
Jan. 21, 1963: “Mrs. Willie Wilkinson, co-owner of the Princess Theatre and Pirate Drive-In, … was found dead at her home Saturday (12). … Mrs. Wilkinson … (earlier) moved to Bristow where she was interest in the theatres there with Henry Simpson and wife. Mrs. Simpson is a niece of Mrs. Wilkinson.”
Dec. 6, 1963: “Henry Simpson (has) closed his Pirate Drive-In and did not reopen his Princess Theatre”
March 2, 1964: “The Princess Theatre has been reopened by Bill Wilkinson, manager of the Pirate Drive-In, for weekend bookings. … He also plans to operate the Pirate Drive-In again this summer.”
June 8, 1964: “Bill Wilkinson, who operates the Princess Theatre and Pirate Drive-In in Bristow, … is the son of the late Speck and Mrs. Wilkinson who operated the theatres in Rush Springs and Comanche for many years.”
Dec. 7, 1964: “Bill Wilkinson … borrowed a hay trailer from a friend and built an 8x16-foot plywood frame on it, just the right size for a 24-sheet featuring Liz Taylor and Dick Burton in "Cleopatra.” … His pickup truck pulled the mobile 24-sheet, with loudspeakers and 24x82-inch banners, all over the country. … “I’m happy to say we set new records for any show playing the same length at the Pirate Drive-In.”"
July 8, 1968: “Henry Simpson (who) was operating the Pirate … did not like the theatre business. He became a Creek County deputy sheriff … and the Wilkinsons took over the Princess and the Pirate” The article quoted liberally from a Tulsa World article, which said, “After his mother’s death, young Wilkinson bought out the other partner and has been the sole operator. … The young theatre owner will receive his law degree from the Tulsa University next December … He has stated that he would like to sell his drive-in theatre and spend all his time in the practice of law.”
March 24, 1969: “Freeman Holmes and O. D. Holt are new operators of the Pirate Drive-In, Bristow.”
Feb. 11, 1974: “Freeman Holmes, becoming so involved in selling mobile homes and cattle ranching that he decided to get out of exhibition, has sold the Pirate Drive-In at Bristow to Richard Stromme.”
A Cinema Radio ad in the Aug. 6, 1979 issue included Stromme of the Pirate as one of its delighted customers, and that was the last mention I could find of Bristow’s drive-in.
A roundup in the July 26, 1952 issue of Boxoffice mentioned: “The new Bearcat Drive-In has been opened by Lamar Guthrie.”
July 29, 1963: “Mr. and Mrs. Garland Dobson will close their Bearcat Drive-In (for the season?) in Erick October 31 with a Halloween show.”
And the final note, on Nov. 2, 1964: “Lamar Guthrie, who operated the Rogue Theatre and the Bearcat Drive-In for many years, has announced the dismantling of the drive-in. … For the last few years, Garland Dobson and his wife have been operating the drive-in, but they closed it a few months ago and Guthrie was unsuccessful in getting another operator to take it over … The land has been purchased by a nearby farmer.”
One benefit of paying for a kid’s college tuition – getting a login to search multiple years of Boxoffice …
July 16, 1962: Amos Page … left his mother in charge of the Derby Drive-In at McLean.
July 10, 1967: “On the outskirts of (McLean) was a sign which read: "McLean, Tex., the Uplift City.” We found out why … Amos Page … was instrumental in helping bring the bra factory to McLean. … His mother has charge of the drive-in at McLean and Amos makes visits now and then to check on the theatre. It’s open only three or four months each year."
May 4, 1970: “The Derby Drive-In has been reopened for the season under the new management of Bob Phillips, who leased the theatre from owner Mrs. Madge Page.”
Sept. 25, 1972: “Bob Phillips, Derby Drive-In, McLean, Tex., has been transferred to Velma (OK)”
June 11, 1973: “We called on Mike Williams, who recently leased the Derby Drive-In at McLean, Tex. … This is Mike’s first venture in the movie business and, with the intriguing ideas he has for operating the drive-in, we feel he will be very successful.”
July 23, 1973: “In Oklahoma City on film business were Mr. and Mrs. Mike Williams, Derby Drive-In, McLean, Tex. The Derby represents their first venture in exhibition and they say they’re really enjoying operation of the drive-in. They plan to keep the airer open later into the season that it has been operated in the past.”
But that last note came after the Derby’s final ad in the McLean News, and it was the latest result I could find in my search of Boxoffice. I wonder what happened to the Williamses and the Derby that summer and fall.
Boxoffice, Nov. 27, 1961: “The Wyoming Drive-In … was opened on Thanksgiving Day by Tom Griffing, whose Tom Griffing Construction Co. has erected more than 265 outdoor theatres over the nation from Main to Texas. Griffing will operate the new airer, which features two boxoffices, a 120x60-foot screen tower and a four-unit cafeteria-style Snak-Bar, housed in a building 100 feet long. The Wyoming marks Griffing’s return to the drive-in construction field after two years of semiretirement.”
That announcement was premature. The Albuquerque Journal wrote on Jan. 11, 1962 that general manager James T. Griffing said the Wyoming would open at the end of that month. And sure enough, the grand opening ad that rivest found and posted here is from Friday, Jan. 26, 1962. Now I’ve got to correct that in my book. :)
Boxoffice, Aug. 28, 1961: “Bob Heyl reported considerable damage was done to his Wyoming Theatre and drive-in at Torrington by a severe rain and hailstorm”
Here’s one more spelled-out mention, from the Aug. 14, 1961 issue of Boxoffice: “Cecil Carlton will continue to manage the Mount Baldy Drive-In in La Verne, which has been acquired by Fox West Coast Theatres. … FWC leased the drive-in from the Mount Baldy Drive-In Theatre Corp. in accordance with recent federal court aprpoval for the acquisition.”
Boxoffice, June 19, 1961: “Ross Campbell is closing and dismantling his Orpheum at Sheridan, Wyo. He will continue to operate the Wyo and the drive-in theatre there.”
Boxoffice, April 17, 1961: “Russ Dauterman of Salt Lake City has taken over operation of the Skyline Drive-in and the Fox Theatre at Rawlings (sic), Wyo., from Fox Intermountain Theatres.”
Boxoffice, May 22, 1961: “RAWLINS, WYO. – The Three-D Theatre Co. has purchased two local theatres from the Fox Wyoming Co. and the Wyoming Amusement Corp. The purchase of the Fox Theatre and the Skyline Drive-In became effective May 3. The owners of the Three-D Theatre Co. are Russ Dauterman, … Ray Davis, … and Charles L. DuRyk … The Skyline Drive-In had been owned by the Wyoming Amusement Corp. since 1958. … Extensive improvements have been made at the Skyline Drive-In, including the remodeling of the snack bar, the installation of a new widescreen and new marquee.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 5, 1960: “The Biggers Drive-In, Scottsbluff, Neb., had a fire in the concession stand with damages estimated at $4,000.”
Boxoffice, March 6, 1961: “When it rains, it pours for Floyd Bigger, Bigger Drive-In, Scottsbluff, Neb. Last fall, after their seasonal closing, the concession stand was completely gutted by fire and is now being completely rebuilt. More recently a 75-mile-an-hour wind blew over and destroyed a major portion of the screen tower”
Boxoffice, May 15, 1961: “Floyd Bigger is repairing the screen tower in the Biggers Drive-In, Scottsbluff, Neb. This is the second time this season that the screen has been destroyed by wind”
Boxoffice, Dec. 4, 1954: “Loraine McCarthy, after driving back and forth to Strassburg (sic), 37 miles each way, has decided it was too much of a job and has sold the Ute to Clayton and Edith Crabb.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 12, 1960: “Cleve Grigsby has taken over the Ute Theatre, Strasburg, from the former owners, Pemberton & McGinnis.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 26, 1960: “C. Grigsby has closed the Ute in Strausburg (sic), Colo.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 27, 1961: “C. Grigsby will reopen the Ute Theatre, Strasburg, in mid-March after having closed it for several months”
According to a lengthy article, with photos, in the Dec. 5, 1960 issue of Boxoffice, the entrance to the Twin was lined with “Softly glowing gas lights … to create an easy transition for motorists from the bright lights of the highway to the semi-darkness of the ramp areas.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 5, 1960: “Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Ellis have installed an organ in the foyer of their Holly Theatre, Holly, and their son Trent plays selections for the audience prior to the feature presentations”
Boxoffice, Nov. 28, 1960: “Modernization bids are being taken for the old Alum Rock Drive-In on Alum Rock avenue. The theatre, when renovation is completed, will be known as the Tropicaire Drive-In.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 10, 1960: “Richard Klein, former general manager of Black Hills Amusement Co. … has purchased the Fox Theatre in Longmont, Colo. … and will take over the theatre there November 1.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 14, 1960: “Dick Klein … has taken over the operation of the Fox Theatre at Longmont, and has renamed it the Trojan.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 26, 1960: “DELTA, COLO. – The Egyptian Theatre has been reopened under new ownership after being closed nearly two years. The theatre, which has been renovated, is being operated by Tom Hardy”
Boxoffice, Aug. 22, 1960: “DURANGO, COLO. – George Hyde, manager of the Kiva Theatre, proudly displayed a sheaf of telegrams received in conjunction with the grand opening of the theatre after its remodeling. … Former managers of the Kiva also sent best wishes by wire. They are: Dave Davis, manager from 1927 to 1930 … ; Mike Zalesny, 1933-1936; Jack Kramer and John Tella.”
Billboard, December 1981: “Mrs. Ted Jones, president and general manager, recently announced the opening of the new Balsam Drive In Theatres I & II in Victorville, California. … Each theatre will handle 255 cars, thereby making a total capacity of 510 cars. The theatre will be under the management of Jack Baldock and his assistant manager, Pat Stump. … The Balsam Drive-In Theatres are fully automated and feature the new Polecat Radio Sound plus regular drive-in theatre speakers … alternated every other pole"
The Yale closed on Feb. 22, 1975, according to a March 24 Boxoffice article. “The Yale Theatre was originally a livery stable built by Clem Rogers, and later owned by his son Will. In 1922, Will decided to sell the building. When no owner could be found immediately, the building was leased and turned into a theatre. The Yale Theatre was sold in 1926 to the Robb and Riley interests. … At another time in its long and colorful history, the Yale was purchased by the mysterious Howard Hughes, who kept the property for a few months before selling it to the L. C. Griffith Amusement Co. of Oklahoma City.”
So many Boxoffice notes …
A roundup in the Aug. 8, 1953 issue included: “Bristow, Okla. – The new 300-car Pirate Drive-In here has opened. It is owned by Henry Simpson, who operates the Walmur and Princess theatres.”
Jan. 21, 1963: “Mrs. Willie Wilkinson, co-owner of the Princess Theatre and Pirate Drive-In, … was found dead at her home Saturday (12). … Mrs. Wilkinson … (earlier) moved to Bristow where she was interest in the theatres there with Henry Simpson and wife. Mrs. Simpson is a niece of Mrs. Wilkinson.”
Dec. 6, 1963: “Henry Simpson (has) closed his Pirate Drive-In and did not reopen his Princess Theatre”
March 2, 1964: “The Princess Theatre has been reopened by Bill Wilkinson, manager of the Pirate Drive-In, for weekend bookings. … He also plans to operate the Pirate Drive-In again this summer.”
June 8, 1964: “Bill Wilkinson, who operates the Princess Theatre and Pirate Drive-In in Bristow, … is the son of the late Speck and Mrs. Wilkinson who operated the theatres in Rush Springs and Comanche for many years.”
Dec. 7, 1964: “Bill Wilkinson … borrowed a hay trailer from a friend and built an 8x16-foot plywood frame on it, just the right size for a 24-sheet featuring Liz Taylor and Dick Burton in "Cleopatra.” … His pickup truck pulled the mobile 24-sheet, with loudspeakers and 24x82-inch banners, all over the country. … “I’m happy to say we set new records for any show playing the same length at the Pirate Drive-In.”"
July 8, 1968: “Henry Simpson (who) was operating the Pirate … did not like the theatre business. He became a Creek County deputy sheriff … and the Wilkinsons took over the Princess and the Pirate” The article quoted liberally from a Tulsa World article, which said, “After his mother’s death, young Wilkinson bought out the other partner and has been the sole operator. … The young theatre owner will receive his law degree from the Tulsa University next December … He has stated that he would like to sell his drive-in theatre and spend all his time in the practice of law.”
March 24, 1969: “Freeman Holmes and O. D. Holt are new operators of the Pirate Drive-In, Bristow.”
Feb. 11, 1974: “Freeman Holmes, becoming so involved in selling mobile homes and cattle ranching that he decided to get out of exhibition, has sold the Pirate Drive-In at Bristow to Richard Stromme.”
A Cinema Radio ad in the Aug. 6, 1979 issue included Stromme of the Pirate as one of its delighted customers, and that was the last mention I could find of Bristow’s drive-in.
A roundup in the July 26, 1952 issue of Boxoffice mentioned: “The new Bearcat Drive-In has been opened by Lamar Guthrie.”
July 29, 1963: “Mr. and Mrs. Garland Dobson will close their Bearcat Drive-In (for the season?) in Erick October 31 with a Halloween show.”
And the final note, on Nov. 2, 1964: “Lamar Guthrie, who operated the Rogue Theatre and the Bearcat Drive-In for many years, has announced the dismantling of the drive-in. … For the last few years, Garland Dobson and his wife have been operating the drive-in, but they closed it a few months ago and Guthrie was unsuccessful in getting another operator to take it over … The land has been purchased by a nearby farmer.”
One benefit of paying for a kid’s college tuition – getting a login to search multiple years of Boxoffice …
July 16, 1962: Amos Page … left his mother in charge of the Derby Drive-In at McLean.
July 10, 1967: “On the outskirts of (McLean) was a sign which read: "McLean, Tex., the Uplift City.” We found out why … Amos Page … was instrumental in helping bring the bra factory to McLean. … His mother has charge of the drive-in at McLean and Amos makes visits now and then to check on the theatre. It’s open only three or four months each year."
May 4, 1970: “The Derby Drive-In has been reopened for the season under the new management of Bob Phillips, who leased the theatre from owner Mrs. Madge Page.”
Sept. 25, 1972: “Bob Phillips, Derby Drive-In, McLean, Tex., has been transferred to Velma (OK)”
June 11, 1973: “We called on Mike Williams, who recently leased the Derby Drive-In at McLean, Tex. … This is Mike’s first venture in the movie business and, with the intriguing ideas he has for operating the drive-in, we feel he will be very successful.”
July 23, 1973: “In Oklahoma City on film business were Mr. and Mrs. Mike Williams, Derby Drive-In, McLean, Tex. The Derby represents their first venture in exhibition and they say they’re really enjoying operation of the drive-in. They plan to keep the airer open later into the season that it has been operated in the past.”
But that last note came after the Derby’s final ad in the McLean News, and it was the latest result I could find in my search of Boxoffice. I wonder what happened to the Williamses and the Derby that summer and fall.
Boxoffice, Nov. 27, 1961: “Frank Pierce has bought the Bogue Theatre and Matador Drive-In at Matador, Tex.”
Same theater? Boxoffice, Nov. 27, 1961: “Frank Nelson has purchased the Big Top Theatre at Fort Lupton from Eldon Menagh”
Boxoffice, Nov. 27, 1961: “The Wyoming Drive-In … was opened on Thanksgiving Day by Tom Griffing, whose Tom Griffing Construction Co. has erected more than 265 outdoor theatres over the nation from Main to Texas. Griffing will operate the new airer, which features two boxoffices, a 120x60-foot screen tower and a four-unit cafeteria-style Snak-Bar, housed in a building 100 feet long. The Wyoming marks Griffing’s return to the drive-in construction field after two years of semiretirement.”
That announcement was premature. The Albuquerque Journal wrote on Jan. 11, 1962 that general manager James T. Griffing said the Wyoming would open at the end of that month. And sure enough, the grand opening ad that rivest found and posted here is from Friday, Jan. 26, 1962. Now I’ve got to correct that in my book. :)
Don’t ya hate typos? That grand opening clipping, still on Newspapers.com, is from Friday, Jan. 26, 1962.
Boxoffice, Aug. 28, 1961: “Bob Heyl reported considerable damage was done to his Wyoming Theatre and drive-in at Torrington by a severe rain and hailstorm”
He bought it twice?
Boxoffice, Sept. 12, 1960: “Ken Chism has sold the Mines Theatre, Idaho Springs, to Joe Mohesky.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 14, 1961: “Sam Langwith has sold the Mines Theatre in Idaho Springs to Joe Mohesky”
Boxoffice, Aug. 14, 1961: “Jim Stewart purchased the Ute Theatre at Strausburg (sic) from C. Grisby”
Here’s one more spelled-out mention, from the Aug. 14, 1961 issue of Boxoffice: “Cecil Carlton will continue to manage the Mount Baldy Drive-In in La Verne, which has been acquired by Fox West Coast Theatres. … FWC leased the drive-in from the Mount Baldy Drive-In Theatre Corp. in accordance with recent federal court aprpoval for the acquisition.”
Boxoffice, July 31, 1961: “Allen and Leslie Mercer have taken over the Wigwam Theatre and the Cory Drive-In at Basis (sic), Wyo. from Glen Woods.”
Boxoffice, June 19, 1961: “Ross Campbell is closing and dismantling his Orpheum at Sheridan, Wyo. He will continue to operate the Wyo and the drive-in theatre there.”
Boxoffice, June 19, 1961: “Betty and Charles Crow have purchased the Plains Theatre at Eads from Dorothy and Alvin Johnson”
Boxoffice, April 17, 1961: “Russ Dauterman of Salt Lake City has taken over operation of the Skyline Drive-in and the Fox Theatre at Rawlings (sic), Wyo., from Fox Intermountain Theatres.”
Boxoffice, May 22, 1961: “RAWLINS, WYO. – The Three-D Theatre Co. has purchased two local theatres from the Fox Wyoming Co. and the Wyoming Amusement Corp. The purchase of the Fox Theatre and the Skyline Drive-In became effective May 3. The owners of the Three-D Theatre Co. are Russ Dauterman, … Ray Davis, … and Charles L. DuRyk … The Skyline Drive-In had been owned by the Wyoming Amusement Corp. since 1958. … Extensive improvements have been made at the Skyline Drive-In, including the remodeling of the snack bar, the installation of a new widescreen and new marquee.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 5, 1960: “The Biggers Drive-In, Scottsbluff, Neb., had a fire in the concession stand with damages estimated at $4,000.”
Boxoffice, March 6, 1961: “When it rains, it pours for Floyd Bigger, Bigger Drive-In, Scottsbluff, Neb. Last fall, after their seasonal closing, the concession stand was completely gutted by fire and is now being completely rebuilt. More recently a 75-mile-an-hour wind blew over and destroyed a major portion of the screen tower”
Boxoffice, May 15, 1961: “Floyd Bigger is repairing the screen tower in the Biggers Drive-In, Scottsbluff, Neb. This is the second time this season that the screen has been destroyed by wind”
Boxoffice, Dec. 4, 1954: “Loraine McCarthy, after driving back and forth to Strassburg (sic), 37 miles each way, has decided it was too much of a job and has sold the Ute to Clayton and Edith Crabb.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 12, 1960: “Cleve Grigsby has taken over the Ute Theatre, Strasburg, from the former owners, Pemberton & McGinnis.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 26, 1960: “C. Grigsby has closed the Ute in Strausburg (sic), Colo.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 27, 1961: “C. Grigsby will reopen the Ute Theatre, Strasburg, in mid-March after having closed it for several months”
According to a lengthy article, with photos, in the Dec. 5, 1960 issue of Boxoffice, the entrance to the Twin was lined with “Softly glowing gas lights … to create an easy transition for motorists from the bright lights of the highway to the semi-darkness of the ramp areas.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 5, 1960: “Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Ellis have installed an organ in the foyer of their Holly Theatre, Holly, and their son Trent plays selections for the audience prior to the feature presentations”
Boxoffice, Nov. 28, 1960: “Modernization bids are being taken for the old Alum Rock Drive-In on Alum Rock avenue. The theatre, when renovation is completed, will be known as the Tropicaire Drive-In.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 10, 1960: “Richard Klein, former general manager of Black Hills Amusement Co. … has purchased the Fox Theatre in Longmont, Colo. … and will take over the theatre there November 1.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 14, 1960: “Dick Klein … has taken over the operation of the Fox Theatre at Longmont, and has renamed it the Trojan.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 26, 1960: “DELTA, COLO. – The Egyptian Theatre has been reopened under new ownership after being closed nearly two years. The theatre, which has been renovated, is being operated by Tom Hardy”
Boxoffice, Aug. 22, 1960: “DURANGO, COLO. – George Hyde, manager of the Kiva Theatre, proudly displayed a sheaf of telegrams received in conjunction with the grand opening of the theatre after its remodeling. … Former managers of the Kiva also sent best wishes by wire. They are: Dave Davis, manager from 1927 to 1930 … ; Mike Zalesny, 1933-1936; Jack Kramer and John Tella.”