Perhaps March 1953 really was the Humboldt’s “4th grand opening” as its ad in the photo section stated? Boxoffice, Nov. 28, 1953: “HUMBOLDT, CALIF. – A 350-seat auditorium has been added at the Humboldt Drive-In by Meribel Theatres Co. headed by Mary and Walter Bell. The airer, opened in 1950, now will stay open all winter. … In 1950, the Bells opened the Humboldt Drive-In at Alton and the Bel-Air at Eureka.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 10, 1953: “Photos of the Rolla Drive-In and the staff appeared recently in the Rolla News. Gene Parker, manager, said he was about to complete another good season.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 10, 1953: “MONROVIA, CALIF. – The Pacific Drive-In circuit has taken over operation of the Big Sky Drive-In here from Tom Charack and associates. Charack has joined the Pacific organization in a supervisory capacity.”
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “WHITE SALMON, WASH. – The new White Salmon Drive-In here is tentatively scheduled to open August 15. The drive-in is owned by G. E. Prestebak and Norman Johnson and will have a capacity of 300 cars.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 19, 1953: “Norman Johnson and Bud Prestebak have opened the new Rodeo Drive-In”
Boxoffice, Sept. 12, 1953: “SEASIDE, ORE. – Robert A. Henningsen has sold his interest in the Sunset Drive-In here to Harold T. Wright and Avery A. Combs. The 500-car open-airer was built in 1950 by Henningsen, Harold and Cecil Wright. Later, Cecil Wright sold his interest to Combs.”
Boxoffice ran a lengthy article about the “Coed,” with a couple of wide photos, in its Sept. 5, 1953 issue. Owners Jerry and Bonnie Stout had parked a full carnival in front of the place during the showing of the movie “The Greatest Show on Earth”.
Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1953: “The grand reopening of the Waldo Theatre, Friday (24) was held to introduce Commonwealth Theatres to the neighborhood, according to Eddie Mansfield, city manager. … Until July 1 the Waldo was a Fox Midwest house. … The new concession bar, by the way, is something of which the theatre is very proud. It was designed by Clark Rhoden, younger son of Elmer Rhoden st., who also supervised its construction. The building is owned by Mrs. Rhoden, hence Clark’s special interest in it.”
The Aug. 1, 1953 issue of Boxoffice reported that C. H. Halverson and Stanton Danelson had opened the Riv-R-Vue Drive-In and closed the old Rex indoor theater.
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “Silvers and Stafford opened the new Patio Drive-In on Highway 36 here recently. The theatre is owned by local showman Bill Silvers and Mrs. Pearl Stafford, Mrs. Zeltha Crawford and Kenneth and Marlow Stafford.”
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “The new Lake Shore Drive-In opened recently with a capacity of 450 cars. The airer, located on a 6.7-acre tract, was built by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Abbott and their partner Robert Dyer of Martinsville. The Abbotts manage the ozoner.”
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “C. R. Gregg and his son Joe K. … have opened the new Caney Valley Drive-In one mile east of town on Highway 166. The 300-car theatre will be managed by Joe Gregg.”
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “BUTLER, MO. – The new Sky-Vue Drive-In opened here recently with a capacity of 300 cars. Chet Borg of Fort Scott, Kas., is owner. Opening of the airer had been set for several weeks earlier, but recent severe windstorms did much damage to the huge screen tower, which at the time was only partially erected. The drive-in will be managed by H. H. McNabb.”
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “By the time a golden wedding anniversary rolls around most oldsters are thinking of taking things easy – but not Mr. and Mrs. John Welty. The Weltys celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary eight years ago … they’ve just opened the new Riverside Drive-In at Hill City. Nearly 800 persons attended the opening June 24.”
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “DEER PARK, WASH. – The new Deer Drive-In on Highway 395 near here has been opened by co-owners Wayne Mackey and Lola Engle. The new theatre has accommodations for 250 cars, with provision for later expansion.”
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “SMELTERVILLE, IDA. – Pat’s Auto-Vu Drive-In east of town has been opened to the public by owner Pat Metzger. The new open-air theatre has accommodations for 450 cars.”
The July 4, 1953 issue of Boxoffice ran a two-page spread on the Parkade, focusing mainly on the T-shaped apartment home that Herbert Jeans built for his family on the second floor of the drive-in’s concession and projection building.
“Supervising the entire construction himself, Herbert Jeans broke ground for the Parkade, situated on 10 acres, on September 29, 1952, and opened the theatre March 27, just less than six months later.”
Boxoffice, July 4, 1953: “The Leawood Drive-In was opened Friday (27)(sic) to a near-capacity crowd. A Dickinson Theatres operation, its screen tower is designed as to look like a southern mansion from the highway, with lamps in windows and other decorations carrying out this same pleasing effect. Inside are the manager’s office and storerooms. … Fireworks were set off between the two films, “Lure of the Wilderness” and “Tembo.” ”
Perhaps March 1953 really was the Humboldt’s “4th grand opening” as its ad in the photo section stated? Boxoffice, Nov. 28, 1953: “HUMBOLDT, CALIF. – A 350-seat auditorium has been added at the Humboldt Drive-In by Meribel Theatres Co. headed by Mary and Walter Bell. The airer, opened in 1950, now will stay open all winter. … In 1950, the Bells opened the Humboldt Drive-In at Alton and the Bel-Air at Eureka.”
The Nov. 7, 1953 issue of Boxoffice ran a page and a half on the Shawnee, including photos of the three concessions buildings it used.
Boxoffice, Oct. 10, 1953: “Photos of the Rolla Drive-In and the staff appeared recently in the Rolla News. Gene Parker, manager, said he was about to complete another good season.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 10, 1953: “MONROVIA, CALIF. – The Pacific Drive-In circuit has taken over operation of the Big Sky Drive-In here from Tom Charack and associates. Charack has joined the Pacific organization in a supervisory capacity.”
To reinforce Joe Vogel’s admirable fight against link rot, that long article with photo can also be found at the Boxoffice site.
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “WHITE SALMON, WASH. – The new White Salmon Drive-In here is tentatively scheduled to open August 15. The drive-in is owned by G. E. Prestebak and Norman Johnson and will have a capacity of 300 cars.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 19, 1953: “Norman Johnson and Bud Prestebak have opened the new Rodeo Drive-In”
Boxoffice, Sept. 19, 1953: “The Atwood Drive-In Co. has opened its new 284-car at Atwood, Kas. It is equipped for 3-D”
Boxoffice, Sept. 12, 1953: “SEASIDE, ORE. – Robert A. Henningsen has sold his interest in the Sunset Drive-In here to Harold T. Wright and Avery A. Combs. The 500-car open-airer was built in 1950 by Henningsen, Harold and Cecil Wright. Later, Cecil Wright sold his interest to Combs.”
Boxoffice ran a lengthy article about the “Coed,” with a couple of wide photos, in its Sept. 5, 1953 issue. Owners Jerry and Bonnie Stout had parked a full carnival in front of the place during the showing of the movie “The Greatest Show on Earth”.
Boxoffice, Aug. 29, 1953: “Ted Knox has bought out his partners, William Jones and Don Borthwick, at the Peak Drive-In, Wheatland, Wyo.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1953: “The grand reopening of the Waldo Theatre, Friday (24) was held to introduce Commonwealth Theatres to the neighborhood, according to Eddie Mansfield, city manager. … Until July 1 the Waldo was a Fox Midwest house. … The new concession bar, by the way, is something of which the theatre is very proud. It was designed by Clark Rhoden, younger son of Elmer Rhoden st., who also supervised its construction. The building is owned by Mrs. Rhoden, hence Clark’s special interest in it.”
The Aug. 1, 1953 issue of Boxoffice reported that C. H. Halverson and Stanton Danelson had opened the Riv-R-Vue Drive-In and closed the old Rex indoor theater.
Boxoffice, July 25, 1953: “The Patio, a 350-car drive-in, has been opened on the east Ochoco highway. Ken Piercy is manager.”
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “Silvers and Stafford opened the new Patio Drive-In on Highway 36 here recently. The theatre is owned by local showman Bill Silvers and Mrs. Pearl Stafford, Mrs. Zeltha Crawford and Kenneth and Marlow Stafford.”
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “The new Lake Shore Drive-In opened recently with a capacity of 450 cars. The airer, located on a 6.7-acre tract, was built by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Abbott and their partner Robert Dyer of Martinsville. The Abbotts manage the ozoner.”
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “C. R. Gregg and his son Joe K. … have opened the new Caney Valley Drive-In one mile east of town on Highway 166. The 300-car theatre will be managed by Joe Gregg.”
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “Clifford H. Hough of Lebanon … who opened the Moonlite Drive-In in 1949, sold it to W. T. Ash of Texas early in March.”
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “YATES CENTER, KAS. – The new Yates Center drive-in theatre has been opened by owners Darrell Davis and H. C. Lewer.”
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “BUTLER, MO. – The new Sky-Vue Drive-In opened here recently with a capacity of 300 cars. Chet Borg of Fort Scott, Kas., is owner. Opening of the airer had been set for several weeks earlier, but recent severe windstorms did much damage to the huge screen tower, which at the time was only partially erected. The drive-in will be managed by H. H. McNabb.”
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “By the time a golden wedding anniversary rolls around most oldsters are thinking of taking things easy – but not Mr. and Mrs. John Welty. The Weltys celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary eight years ago … they’ve just opened the new Riverside Drive-In at Hill City. Nearly 800 persons attended the opening June 24.”
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “DEER PARK, WASH. – The new Deer Drive-In on Highway 395 near here has been opened by co-owners Wayne Mackey and Lola Engle. The new theatre has accommodations for 250 cars, with provision for later expansion.”
Boxoffice, July 11, 1953: “SMELTERVILLE, IDA. – Pat’s Auto-Vu Drive-In east of town has been opened to the public by owner Pat Metzger. The new open-air theatre has accommodations for 450 cars.”
The July 4, 1953 issue of Boxoffice ran a two-page spread on the Parkade, focusing mainly on the T-shaped apartment home that Herbert Jeans built for his family on the second floor of the drive-in’s concession and projection building.
“Supervising the entire construction himself, Herbert Jeans broke ground for the Parkade, situated on 10 acres, on September 29, 1952, and opened the theatre March 27, just less than six months later.”
Boxoffice, July 4, 1953: “The Leawood Drive-In was opened Friday (27)(sic) to a near-capacity crowd. A Dickinson Theatres operation, its screen tower is designed as to look like a southern mansion from the highway, with lamps in windows and other decorations carrying out this same pleasing effect. Inside are the manager’s office and storerooms. … Fireworks were set off between the two films, “Lure of the Wilderness” and “Tembo.” ”
That is one gorgeous sign. Also, RoadsideArchitecture was right.
Boxoffice, July 4, 1953: “The New Kitsap Lake Drive-In at Bremerton opened Tuesday (30). … A bang-up preview was staged Monday (22).”