Boxoffice, May 23, 1960: “AUSTIN, MINN. – M. F. "Mickey” Justad, former manager of the Ely Theatre, Ely, and Leo Ross, Sauk Rapids, have purchased the Outdoor Theatre here."
Boxoffice, May 18, 1959: “The new Sky Drive-In, located just north of Twentynine Palms highway, west of the Victorville road, east of Yucca Valley, was opened recently by Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Weiser. Speakers for 328 cars were provided for the opening but there is ramp space for expansion to a 600-car capacity. The desert drive-in also features a 50x75-foot screen, snack bar and car heaters for the chilly desert evenings."
Boxoffice, March 7, 1960: “Hauk & Everett has taken over the Sky Drive-In Theatre on 29 Palms highway, David E. Hauk has advised Boxoffice.”
Boxoffice, June 1, 1959: “Charles Leonard, who operates the Carson Theatre in Carson City, Nev., has taken over the Skyview Drive-In there from George Gessler jr.”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1959: RUIDOSA (sic), N. M. – A drive-in that will accommodate around 200 cars is being rushed to completion for a June 1 opening by Ken Newton and Ed Wimberly, owners and operators of the Mountain-Vue Sho-Dyn Drive-In."
Boxoffice, May 18, 1959: “LEADVILLE, COLO. – The Fox Liberty Bell Theatre is being operated under a lease agreement between the Fox Intermountain Theatres and Robert C. Nelson, Charles Pologar and Gene Hawkins. When the theatre was closed March 1, the Leadville trade area became theatreless and the community work up to the value of the particular type of entertainment the Liberty Bell once again is supplying.”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1959: “Sid Pink adds two more theatres to his growing chain with the addition of the Mustang Drive-In and Parkway Theatre in Chandler, Ariz., where he takes over from A. J. Woods.”
Boxoffice, July 4, 1960: “Tom Schneider has taken over the Parkway and Mustang Drive-In theatres in Chandler, Ariz., formerly operated by the Sid Pink organization”
Boxoffice, April 13, 1959: “Prudence Underhill, 29 Palms Theatre, 29 Plams, was booking and buying along the (L.A. Film) Row for her drive-in and hardtop theatres”
Boxoffice, April 6, 1959: “The Cactus and Star drive-ins, Albuquerque, N.M., which have been operated by Albuquerque Theatres, will open this year under the banner of the Video Independent Theatres. Video Independent, under the direction of James Griffing, also operates the Terrace and Duke City drive-ins, Albuquerque.”
In my book, Drive-Ins of Route 66, I wrote that the Cactus' final night was Sept. 28, 1975. I’m pretty sure I got that from ads in the Albuquerque Journal.
Once again, I was wrong. Based on an Associated Press story published on Aug. 5, 1995 in The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction CO, 1995 was the final season for the Aircadia, and everyone was well aware of it. “At the end of this season’s run in late September or early October, the 40-year-old Aircadia – the last of the Pikes Peak area’s seven drive-ins, will close to make way for a Wal-Mart.”
And the Aircadia’s final night was Sunday, Sept. 3, 1995, as captured in a front-page story the next morning in the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. The final program was “Lord of Illusions” and “Virtuosity.”
The Sky Vue’s final show was Oct. 4, 1983, showing Octopussy and Rocky III, before closing for the season.
The Colorado Springs Gazette of April 21, 1984 quoted Neal Lloyd, president of Westland Theatres, as saying he had no plans to sell the Sky Vue, but it never opened that year, and apartment construction on the site began in January 1985.
The Falcon’s Grand Opening was on Saturday, Aug. 2, 1969, showing “The War Wagon,” “The Carpetbaggers,” and as a “special grand opening bonus hit,” a 12:55 start to “Beyond the Time Barrier.”
The Falcon’s final night was Nov. 1, 1983. The last movie it showed was “The Day After Halloween.”
Nick and NYozoner are both right, with a healthy dose of Joe Vogel too. As described by Grand Junction’s Daily Sentinel, William E. Moore (two o’s) bought the Starlite from Clarence L. Files in early 1959 and moved it from its original 2403 North Avenue address to 2303 G Road. It closed “for a week or so” in mid-March that year to move the screen tower, though the projection building / concession stand was new. The first ad from the new location was on May 5.
After all that work, the results must have been disappointing. Clarence Files regained control of the Starlite from Moore in the spring of 1960.
Boxoffice, Feb. 16, 1959: “Bob Smith has sold his interests in the Chief Theatre in Steamboat Springs and the Rio in Oak Creek to Ralph and Rota Hinkson. … Smith joined Joe Ashby as partner 18 years ago and both have operated the theatres continuously since that time.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 19, 1959: “Western Amusement Co. directors have no interest of closing the Rig Theatre in the foreseeable future, according to Cliff Mann, former manager here. He said that the directors feel the theatre is a stable one and that, while it is operating only three days a week at present, it could be placed on a fulltime schedule on a day’s notice and that this will be done whenever justified.”
Boxoffice, June 23, 1958: “EFFINGHAM, ILL. – The screen tower of the Rustic Starlite Drive-In on U. S. 40 one mile east of here was blown down in a tornado that hit this area the night of June 10. The drive-in will be closed at least until the latter part of this month.”
The June 2, 1958 issue of Boxoffice ran a two-page spread, with photos, of the “just-completed enlargement and remodeling of the concessions” at the Shawnee. “According to Paul Kelly, secretary-treasurer of the Dickinson Operating Co., only half as many persons as before are needed to man the stand in rush periods.”
Boxoffice, April 11, 1953: “GRANTS, N.M. – J. C. West, owner of the Lux Theatre here, has purchased $15,000 worth of equipment for a new drive-in to be located west of town.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 5, 1953: “J. C. West is opening his new 300-car drive-in at Grants, N.M., this month”
Boxoffice, Jan. 2, 1954: “J. C. West of Grants, N.M., expects to open his new 300-car drive-in there early in the spring.”
Same drive-in? Boxoffice, May 26, 1958: “WEST LIBERTY, KY. – The new Morgan Drive-In, first open-air theatre to be built in Morgan County, has been opened one mile north of West Liberty by Jay Burton, Joe D. Stacy and Dr. H. B. Murray, all of West Liberty. Built during the past winter, the drive-in has a 40x80-foot screen and will accommodate 300 cars.”
If it’s the same drive-in, it was Star-Lit for quite a while. Boxoffice, May 19, 1958: “GLENDIVE, MONT. – Bill Johnson, owner of the Star-Lit Drive-In announced the purchase of the theatre by Henry Hochhalter of Hardin for about $45,000.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 17, 1958: “The Westerner Drive-In here has been sold by Mrs. Robert Gingerich and Ennis Ray to the Reno Amusement Co., which will open the theatre this spring.”
Boxoffice, May 19, 1958: “The Westerner Drive-In here has been reopened by new Manager Barney Warrick after extensive renovations, which include a new 50x100-foot screen, new projection and sound equipment, new snack bar and installation of about $30,000 worth of new equipment. The theatre, now owned by the Reno Amusement & Realty Co., will operate seven days per week throughout the year, according to Warrick.”
Cy Lee and Paul Rothman built the Northside. In a May 13, 1950 note in Boxoffice, it was supposed to open with a week.
By the end of the year, Rothman had leased the Northside to D. C. Trester, effective Spring 1951. Then in June 1951, W. L. “Lloyd” Perry leased it from Rothman.
In January 1952, Kelso and Lem Lee bought a piece of the Northside and Starlight drive-ins from Rothman, then they completed the purchase just before they opened for the 1952 season in April. Lem Lee promised to add 350 seats for an indoor theater that fall.
In December 1954, Westland Theatres bought the Starlight and Northside from Lee Theatres. Westland continued to own the Northside as it advertised in 1960 newspapers, but by 1962, it had ceased advertising.
Oops, this is a Now Open ad. A press-release article buried on Page 38 of the same issue indicated that the Falcon opened the night before, on Aug. 2, 1969.
Boxoffice, May 23, 1960: “AUSTIN, MINN. – M. F. "Mickey” Justad, former manager of the Ely Theatre, Ely, and Leo Ross, Sauk Rapids, have purchased the Outdoor Theatre here."
Boxoffice, May 18, 1959: “The new Sky Drive-In, located just north of Twentynine Palms highway, west of the Victorville road, east of Yucca Valley, was opened recently by Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Weiser. Speakers for 328 cars were provided for the opening but there is ramp space for expansion to a 600-car capacity. The desert drive-in also features a 50x75-foot screen, snack bar and car heaters for the chilly desert evenings."
Boxoffice, March 7, 1960: “Hauk & Everett has taken over the Sky Drive-In Theatre on 29 Palms highway, David E. Hauk has advised Boxoffice.”
Boxoffice, June 1, 1959: “Charles Leonard, who operates the Carson Theatre in Carson City, Nev., has taken over the Skyview Drive-In there from George Gessler jr.”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1959: RUIDOSA (sic), N. M. – A drive-in that will accommodate around 200 cars is being rushed to completion for a June 1 opening by Ken Newton and Ed Wimberly, owners and operators of the Mountain-Vue Sho-Dyn Drive-In."
Boxoffice, May 18, 1959: “LEADVILLE, COLO. – The Fox Liberty Bell Theatre is being operated under a lease agreement between the Fox Intermountain Theatres and Robert C. Nelson, Charles Pologar and Gene Hawkins. When the theatre was closed March 1, the Leadville trade area became theatreless and the community work up to the value of the particular type of entertainment the Liberty Bell once again is supplying.”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1959: “Sid Pink adds two more theatres to his growing chain with the addition of the Mustang Drive-In and Parkway Theatre in Chandler, Ariz., where he takes over from A. J. Woods.”
Boxoffice, July 4, 1960: “Tom Schneider has taken over the Parkway and Mustang Drive-In theatres in Chandler, Ariz., formerly operated by the Sid Pink organization”
Boxoffice, May 11, 1959: “Sid Pink has taken over the Family Drive-In in Brawley, Calif., from Leroy Bowen & Associates.”
Boxoffice, April 13, 1959: “Prudence Underhill, 29 Palms Theatre, 29 Plams, was booking and buying along the (L.A. Film) Row for her drive-in and hardtop theatres”
Boxoffice, April 6, 1959: “The Cactus and Star drive-ins, Albuquerque, N.M., which have been operated by Albuquerque Theatres, will open this year under the banner of the Video Independent Theatres. Video Independent, under the direction of James Griffing, also operates the Terrace and Duke City drive-ins, Albuquerque.”
In my book, Drive-Ins of Route 66, I wrote that the Cactus' final night was Sept. 28, 1975. I’m pretty sure I got that from ads in the Albuquerque Journal.
Once again, I was wrong. Based on an Associated Press story published on Aug. 5, 1995 in The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction CO, 1995 was the final season for the Aircadia, and everyone was well aware of it. “At the end of this season’s run in late September or early October, the 40-year-old Aircadia – the last of the Pikes Peak area’s seven drive-ins, will close to make way for a Wal-Mart.”
And the Aircadia’s final night was Sunday, Sept. 3, 1995, as captured in a front-page story the next morning in the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. The final program was “Lord of Illusions” and “Virtuosity.”
The Sky Vue’s final show was Oct. 4, 1983, showing Octopussy and Rocky III, before closing for the season.
The Colorado Springs Gazette of April 21, 1984 quoted Neal Lloyd, president of Westland Theatres, as saying he had no plans to sell the Sky Vue, but it never opened that year, and apartment construction on the site began in January 1985.
The Falcon’s Grand Opening was on Saturday, Aug. 2, 1969, showing “The War Wagon,” “The Carpetbaggers,” and as a “special grand opening bonus hit,” a 12:55 start to “Beyond the Time Barrier.”
The Falcon’s final night was Nov. 1, 1983. The last movie it showed was “The Day After Halloween.”
Nick and NYozoner are both right, with a healthy dose of Joe Vogel too. As described by Grand Junction’s Daily Sentinel, William E. Moore (two o’s) bought the Starlite from Clarence L. Files in early 1959 and moved it from its original 2403 North Avenue address to 2303 G Road. It closed “for a week or so” in mid-March that year to move the screen tower, though the projection building / concession stand was new. The first ad from the new location was on May 5.
After all that work, the results must have been disappointing. Clarence Files regained control of the Starlite from Moore in the spring of 1960.
Boxoffice, Feb. 16, 1959: “Bob Smith has sold his interests in the Chief Theatre in Steamboat Springs and the Rio in Oak Creek to Ralph and Rota Hinkson. … Smith joined Joe Ashby as partner 18 years ago and both have operated the theatres continuously since that time.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 19, 1959: “Western Amusement Co. directors have no interest of closing the Rig Theatre in the foreseeable future, according to Cliff Mann, former manager here. He said that the directors feel the theatre is a stable one and that, while it is operating only three days a week at present, it could be placed on a fulltime schedule on a day’s notice and that this will be done whenever justified.”
Boxoffice, June 23, 1958: “EFFINGHAM, ILL. – The screen tower of the Rustic Starlite Drive-In on U. S. 40 one mile east of here was blown down in a tornado that hit this area the night of June 10. The drive-in will be closed at least until the latter part of this month.”
The June 2, 1958 issue of Boxoffice ran a two-page spread, with photos, of the “just-completed enlargement and remodeling of the concessions” at the Shawnee. “According to Paul Kelly, secretary-treasurer of the Dickinson Operating Co., only half as many persons as before are needed to man the stand in rush periods.”
Boxoffice, June 2, 1958: “Ray Troyer has taken over the Gem, Hugo, Colo., and has reopened it”
(Note: Please ignore my earlier comment about the Trail, which was in adjacent Milan NM.)
Boxoffice, May 26, 1958: “J. C. West, owner of the Trail Drive-In and the Lux here, has opened his new 400-car Sahara Drive-In at Grants, N. M.”
Boxoffice, April 11, 1953: “GRANTS, N.M. – J. C. West, owner of the Lux Theatre here, has purchased $15,000 worth of equipment for a new drive-in to be located west of town.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 5, 1953: “J. C. West is opening his new 300-car drive-in at Grants, N.M., this month”
Boxoffice, Jan. 2, 1954: “J. C. West of Grants, N.M., expects to open his new 300-car drive-in there early in the spring.”
Same drive-in? Boxoffice, May 26, 1958: “WEST LIBERTY, KY. – The new Morgan Drive-In, first open-air theatre to be built in Morgan County, has been opened one mile north of West Liberty by Jay Burton, Joe D. Stacy and Dr. H. B. Murray, all of West Liberty. Built during the past winter, the drive-in has a 40x80-foot screen and will accommodate 300 cars.”
If it’s the same drive-in, it was Star-Lit for quite a while. Boxoffice, May 19, 1958: “GLENDIVE, MONT. – Bill Johnson, owner of the Star-Lit Drive-In announced the purchase of the theatre by Henry Hochhalter of Hardin for about $45,000.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 17, 1958: “The Westerner Drive-In here has been sold by Mrs. Robert Gingerich and Ennis Ray to the Reno Amusement Co., which will open the theatre this spring.”
Boxoffice, May 19, 1958: “The Westerner Drive-In here has been reopened by new Manager Barney Warrick after extensive renovations, which include a new 50x100-foot screen, new projection and sound equipment, new snack bar and installation of about $30,000 worth of new equipment. The theatre, now owned by the Reno Amusement & Realty Co., will operate seven days per week throughout the year, according to Warrick.”
Cy Lee and Paul Rothman built the Northside. In a May 13, 1950 note in Boxoffice, it was supposed to open with a week.
By the end of the year, Rothman had leased the Northside to D. C. Trester, effective Spring 1951. Then in June 1951, W. L. “Lloyd” Perry leased it from Rothman.
In January 1952, Kelso and Lem Lee bought a piece of the Northside and Starlight drive-ins from Rothman, then they completed the purchase just before they opened for the 1952 season in April. Lem Lee promised to add 350 seats for an indoor theater that fall.
In December 1954, Westland Theatres bought the Starlight and Northside from Lee Theatres. Westland continued to own the Northside as it advertised in 1960 newspapers, but by 1962, it had ceased advertising.
Oops, this is a Now Open ad. A press-release article buried on Page 38 of the same issue indicated that the Falcon opened the night before, on Aug. 2, 1969.