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.”
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.”
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”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
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?)
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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."
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.”
Boxoffice, May 3, 1952: “NOGALES, ARIZ. – A 100-car motorcade from the city hall to the El Rancho Drive-In five miles from town highlighted the opening of the border city’s first ozoner. Constructed by the Lyric Amusement Co., which operates the Nogales and Roxy theaters in Nogales, the El Rancho can accommodate 500 cars and is managed by Frank M. Campillo.”
This Jan. 12, 1952 Boxoffice note, a few months before the previously posted May 3 note, gives the impression that the Sierra was not related to the Star-Lite. “George Frantz, theater engineer and appraiser, has gone to New Mexico … and also will look after the building of a 250-car airer, with room for expansion, at Socorro.”
Another Boxoffice note on May 3, 1952, agreed that this was a new drive-in: “Gibralter Theatres has opened its new 200-car Sierra Drive-In, Socorro, N. M.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1950: “TORRINGTON, WYO. – Charles D. Stewart of the U.S. air corps, originally of Riverton, Wyo., has purchased the Kar-Vu Drive-In here from Frank Sheffield of Denver and Bob C. Otwell and Bill Chopping of Riverton. The theatre first was opened last August 19, and has been operated as the KenMor Kar-Vu. It is located one mile north of Torrington and will be reopened in April as the Hilltop Kar-Vu”
Boxoffice, April 26, 1952: “Delbert Stewart has bought the Hill Top Drive-In, Torrington, Wyo., from James B. Nolan”
Boxoffice, Sept. 15, 1975: “Delbert and Pat Stewart have sold their Hilltop Drive-In, Torrington, Wyo., to Lester and Michael Maxfield of that city.”
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.”
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.”
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”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.
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?)
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.”
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.
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.”
A wider version of this photo, including all of the marquee sign, was published in the Nov. 8, 1952 issue of Boxoffice.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
Boxoffice, June 21, 1952: “J. W. Barton has sold his Senator Drive-In in Prescott to W. L. Weir”
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”
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."
Boxoffice, May 17, 1952: “Kewanee’s first drive-in, the 400-car Wanee, was to open Thursday (8). The manager is Rud Lohrenz.”
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.”
Boxoffice, May 3, 1952: “NOGALES, ARIZ. – A 100-car motorcade from the city hall to the El Rancho Drive-In five miles from town highlighted the opening of the border city’s first ozoner. Constructed by the Lyric Amusement Co., which operates the Nogales and Roxy theaters in Nogales, the El Rancho can accommodate 500 cars and is managed by Frank M. Campillo.”
This Jan. 12, 1952 Boxoffice note, a few months before the previously posted May 3 note, gives the impression that the Sierra was not related to the Star-Lite. “George Frantz, theater engineer and appraiser, has gone to New Mexico … and also will look after the building of a 250-car airer, with room for expansion, at Socorro.”
Another Boxoffice note on May 3, 1952, agreed that this was a new drive-in: “Gibralter Theatres has opened its new 200-car Sierra Drive-In, Socorro, N. M.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1950: “TORRINGTON, WYO. – Charles D. Stewart of the U.S. air corps, originally of Riverton, Wyo., has purchased the Kar-Vu Drive-In here from Frank Sheffield of Denver and Bob C. Otwell and Bill Chopping of Riverton. The theatre first was opened last August 19, and has been operated as the KenMor Kar-Vu. It is located one mile north of Torrington and will be reopened in April as the Hilltop Kar-Vu”
Boxoffice, April 26, 1952: “Delbert Stewart has bought the Hill Top Drive-In, Torrington, Wyo., from James B. Nolan”
Boxoffice, Sept. 15, 1975: “Delbert and Pat Stewart have sold their Hilltop Drive-In, Torrington, Wyo., to Lester and Michael Maxfield of that city.”
Boxoffice, April 26, 1952: “Bus Jay has bought the Pine, Buena Vista.”