Comments from MichaelKilgore

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MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Sky-Hi Drive-In on Dec 29, 2019 at 10:57 pm

Boxoffice, Aug. 30, 1952: “When Helena’s city drinking water was declared "not fit for human consumption” early this week, an advertisement in a daily paper notified the public that well water, free for the taking, had been made available to local residents at the Sky-Hi Drive-In on the east Helena highway. The announcement was made by Ralph Hahn, co-owner of the ozoner."

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Knox Drive-In on Dec 29, 2019 at 10:46 pm

Boxoffice, Aug. 23, 1952: “A windstorm damaged the screen and other installations at the Starlight Drive-In, Newcastle, Wyo. The wind was so strong that it not only blew away 15 speakers, but some of the speaker posts went along for the ride also.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Pawnee Drive-In on Dec 29, 2019 at 8:29 pm

Boxoffice, Aug. 16, 1952: “Commonwealth Theatres, Kansas City, has bought the Pawnee Drive-In, North Platte, Neb., from W. L. Smith.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Red's Crescent Drive-In on Dec 29, 2019 at 8:22 pm

An approximate opening date. Boxoffice, Aug. 16, 1952: “The grand opening of the Ocean Drive-In was held recently. A total of 450 cars may be accommodated at the ozoner, located five miles north of (Crescent City) on Wonder Stump road off Highway 101.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Rocket Drive-In on Dec 29, 2019 at 1:49 pm

Boxoffice, Aug. 2, 1952: “LAS CRUCES, N. M. – The newly completed Rocket Drive-In recently opened on Highway 70 east of here. The airer is owned and operated by Hugh Kane.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about La Fonda Drive-In on Dec 29, 2019 at 12:44 pm

Boxoffice, July 26, 1952: “CLOVIS, N. M. – The La Fonda airer, owned by Lord Franklin and W. O. Bearden, has opened. Construction of the $100,000 situation began last May 12.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Gem Theatre on Dec 29, 2019 at 12:14 pm

Another theater? Boxoffice, July 19, 1952: “Mrs. Marie J. Green has opened her new 280-seat Green Theatre, Lodge Grass, Mont., using equipment and chairs bought from Service Theatre Supply Co., Denver”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Starlight Drive-In on Dec 29, 2019 at 11:46 am

Looks like there was another drive-in before the Starlight.

Boxoffice, July 12, 1952: “Joe Sikes has opened his new Stockade outdoor theatre, with 250-car capacity, which cost about $50,000, at Chadron, Neb.”

And the following week, Boxoffice indicated that Black Hills' drive-in in Chadron was unfinished. “The Black Hills Amusement Co. is building drive-ins in many of its towns … They will be about 300-car capacity, with the Chadron job almost ready for opening.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Starlite Drive-In on Dec 28, 2019 at 9:56 pm

Boxoffice, Dec. 13, 1952: “A flood at the Starlight Drive-In in South San Francisco a year ago has resulted in three suits, totaling $241,000, against South San Francisco. The suits were filed in superior court at Redwood City by the Starlight Theatre Corp., the Trans-California Theatres and Joseph Van Arkel, manager of the theatre. The complaint also named as defendant Arthur W. Baum, a contractor. It accused Baum and South San Francisco of negligence in cutting into the banks of Colma creek thus weakening them. Mud, silt and debris washed over the theatre property, forcing Van Arkle and his wife to evacuate their apartment by rowboat last January 26.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Capitol Drive-In on Dec 28, 2019 at 8:59 pm

Boxoffice ran a full-age article on the Capitol in its Dec. 6, 1952 issue. “The screen tower, built of wood and enclosed with fireproof Transite, houses the manager’s office and storage space. Size of the picture screen is 62½x45½ feet.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Trail Theatre on Dec 28, 2019 at 4:01 pm

The April 9, 1962 issue of Boxoffice ran a lengthy article on the closing of the Trail. It relied on a story in the Colorado Springs Free Press.

Highlights: Started as the Majestic in 1910, first with vaudeville, then movies. Changed its name to the Empress until after World War I, when it became the America. Cooper Foundation Theatres picked it up in the mid 1930s. The theater finally became the Trail after remodeling in 1937. Closed “Thursday night” with the movie “Face in the Crowd.” The building was to be razed to make room for an expansion of the First National Bank. The Trail’s seats were to be moved to the Tompkins.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Holly Theatre on Dec 28, 2019 at 3:48 pm

Filling in the approximate date of the last (?) name change is Boxoffice, April 10, 1948: “HOLLY, COLO. – The Pontiac Theatre has been remodeled and renamed the Holly. Mr. Ellis has redecorated the front and moved the boxoffice to the south side of the entrance.” (So the Exhibitor’s 1953 reference to the Pontiac might have been out of date?)

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Grant Drive-In on Dec 27, 2019 at 11:37 pm

The Nov. 22, 1952 issue of Boxoffice included a photo of the Grant’s twin auditoriums “air conditioned for summer, heated for winter use. The projection booth is between the two auditoriums.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Ellis Drive-In on Dec 27, 2019 at 11:35 pm

The Nov. 22, 1952 issue of Boxoffice included a photo of the Ellis with the words “Celebrating our first anniversary” on its marquee, suggesting a 1951 opening date.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Lib-City & Palm Drive-In on Dec 27, 2019 at 10:46 pm

The Nov. 8, 1952 issue of Boxoffice ran an article about the Liberty Drive-In, which “was opened last April 1” by Leon Task. It included a photo of the huge walk-in area with 700 seats. “Local newspaper and civic officials joined in congratulating Task in providing the recreational center for the Negro population.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Skyline Drive-In on Dec 27, 2019 at 10:35 pm

A wider version of this photo, including all of the marquee sign, was published in the Nov. 8, 1952 issue of Boxoffice.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about East Outdoor Theatre on Dec 27, 2019 at 9:58 pm

Boxoffice ran an article on Oct. 4, 1952 about the East’s use of double ramping to squeeze in more cars in limited space. The site also included “a unique swimming and fishing pool” and a mini-golf course.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Derrick Drive-In on Dec 27, 2019 at 9:50 pm

Boxoffice, Oct. 4, 1952: “Mrs. Theo Kluth has purchased the Ranch Auto Theatre between Shelby and Cut Bank, Mont., from J. E. Kelly and W. G. Hawkins. The Kluth interests took over operation early last month, with Hawkins continuing as manager.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Center Theatre on Dec 27, 2019 at 9:46 pm

Boxoffice, Oct. 4, 1952, referring to the Bessemer neighborhood of Pueblo: “BESSEMER, COLO. – The Center Theatre here has been reopened under new management and a new name. Alex Provas, who has been in theatre business for nearly 40 years, has leased the house. He came to Pueblo from Albuquerque. He will operate the house under the name Teatro Cortez as a strictly Spanish-film house. Provas plans to remodel the theatre.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Skyline Drive-In on Dec 27, 2019 at 9:10 am

The Independent Film Journal, July 9, 1955: “Dwight Cantrell of Niangua, Mo. took over operation of the 250-car Skyline Drive-In, Marshfield, which he bought from Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd B. Schmidt.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Senator Drive-In on Dec 26, 2019 at 10:11 pm

Boxoffice, June 21, 1952: “J. W. Barton has sold his Senator Drive-In in Prescott to W. L. Weir”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Harney Drive-In on Dec 26, 2019 at 10:05 pm

Same drive-in? Boxoffice, June 14, 1952: “CUSTER, S. D. – Jack Richtman and Don Clifford have opened their 275-car, $40,000 drive-in here”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Apache Twin Drive-In on Dec 26, 2019 at 9:34 pm

Boxoffice, Jan. 26, 1952: “FARMINGTON, N. M. – Russell Allen and Kelly Crawford will be the owners and operators of a drive-in which will open at Eastertime. The partners said the theatre will be located adjacent to the city limits. … The ozoner’s name will be chosen in a countywide contest.”

Boxoffice, May 31, 1952: Russell Allen and Kenneth Crawford have opened their new Apache 325-car drive-in at Farmington, N. M."

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Wanee Drive-In on Dec 26, 2019 at 9:18 pm

Boxoffice, May 17, 1952: “Kewanee’s first drive-in, the 400-car Wanee, was to open Thursday (8). The manager is Rud Lohrenz.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore commented about Fort Cochise Drive-In on Dec 26, 2019 at 8:54 pm

Boxoffice, May 10, 1952: “DOUGLAS, ARIZ. – This city’s first drive-in, the Fort Cochise, opened here last week as a Tri-Delta Amusement Co. operation. Tony Bustamonte, who manages the corporation’s other theater in Douglas, is also in charge here.”