Better opening date info from the July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
REXBURG, IDA. – The new Teton Vu Drive-In on Route 191 one mile north of here was opened by Leslie Walker. With accommodations for 450 cars, the new theatre has a 40x51-foot screen. Motiograph projectors and other booth equipment was installed by the Service Theatre Supply Co. of Salt Lake City. Among conveniences for patrons is a concession stand."
The Sioux Falls SD Argus-Leader reported on April 15, 1948: “Arden G. Davidson, Sioux Falls, former movie projectionist at Marion and Hartford, has announced that he has purchased the Nancy theatre at Bridgewater. He will take possession on May 1.”
Davidson had advertised in March 1948 for a theater to purchase. He would build the Twilite Drive-In in Lennox SD in 1949.
The Thursday, March 9, 1950 edition of the Sioux Falls SD Argus-Leader tells us a little. “Lennox, S. D., Mar. 9 – Strong winds Tuesday tore down and damaged the screen of the Twi-Light Drive-In theatre here. This is the second time the screen has been blown down since it was constructed early in 1949. Damage was greater this time than it was last year when it was blown down.”
The follow-up came on Friday, April 28, 1950. “Lennox, S. D. – The Twi-lite Drive-in theatre will be open for business Saturday. The screen has been reconstructed, after being completely demolished during the severe wind storm several weeks ago. It was the second time in a year that the screen has been demolished.”
The drive-in’s spelling was inconsistent even in its own for-sale ads in the Argus-Leader.
March 29 & 31, 1952: “SMALL Drive In Theatre. I am alone here and the reason for selling, can’t get good help. Theatre doing good, a very good buy for family. Write Twi-Lite Drive In Theatre, Lennox, South Dakota.”
May 26, 1952: “SMALL drive in theatre. In operation. Doing good. Reason for sale, can’t get help. Write Twilite Drive-in, Lennox.”
Great catch, Drive-In 54! So you can scratch my speculation that it was near the airport. It shows I should apply my rule of shopping: If you can’t find what you want where you’re looking, go look somewhere else!
I can’t find any evidence that this drive-in was ever called the Lawrence. Its name in its grand opening ad is simply Drive-In, and on the first drive-in list in the 1942 Film Daily Year Book as “Drive-In Theater, Pendleton Pike, Indianapolis”.
Spot-checking the Indianapolis Star, in a 1945 ad it’s “Drive-In Theatre, Pendleton Pike”. In a 1948 ad, “Drive-In, Pendleton Pike”. In a 1950 story, “The Pendleton Pike Drive-In Theater”.
The 54 Drive-In was first listed in the 1950 edition of the Film Daily Year Book, implying that it was open in 1949. A note from the July 1, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
KANKAKEE, ILL. – The capacity of the 54 Drive-In near here is being increased from 625 to 900 cars, and other improvements are to include a new fence around the parking area, and additional equipment for the playground.
Many more details, including yet another opening date and the nigh-immediate renaming, in the July 1, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
LITCHFIELD, ILL. – Russell Hogue, who came to Litchfield from St. Charles, Mo., to manage the Frisina Amusement Co. properties here, will manage the new Sky-View Drive-In, which is scheduled to open this week, as well as the Ritz and Capitol theatres. The big drive-in accommodates 507 cars, compared with 535 cars at Taylorville, 410 at Effingham and 400 at Robinson, Ill. The other drive-ins are operated by the Frisina company, which headquarters in Springfield, Ill.
…The Sky-View covers 16 acres and fronts on old Route 66 just north of the Ferndon street road. Simplex projectors were installed by the St. Louis branch of National Theatre Supply. The screen tower measures 55x65 feet, while the screen itself is 42x52 feet. Films will be projected from a building 265 feet from the screen. Two lighted pylons extending to the top of the screen tower carry the Sky-View in neon lights over large block cutout letters.
The snack bar is located in the same building as the projection booth but a four-foot breezeway separates the two rooms. The entire building is of concrete blocks faced in white cement. Interior color scheme is white, trimmed with green and yellow. All types of food and soft drinks will be sold.
The opening of the Sky-View has been delayed form week to week by inclement weather.
When the Seven Drive-In celebrated its second anniversary, manager “Tom Burton announced that two additional ramps, accommodating approximately 100 cars, have been added.” Per a report in the July 1, 1950 issue of BoxOffice.
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO. – The 350-car Spa Motor Movie erected at a site on Route 69 one mile west of here recently was opened by the Winoko Corp. Owners of the new open-air theatre are Carl Koch, B. C. Noah and Richard E. Wiles jr. Equipment furnished by National Theatre Supply, Kansas City, included Simplex X-L projectors, Simplex sound, Magnarc lamps and Strong rectifiers.
“The Dexter Drive-In on Highway 60 about a mile and one-half west of Dexter will open about June 1. This 400-car project is owned by State Senator Newell (sic) Lawrence of Bloomfield and associates. Norwin Garner will be the manager.”
A later issue reported that the Dexter opened June 23. Yewell Lawrence died in a car accident the following January.
From the April 21, 1956 Motion Picture Herald:
“The Family drive-in theatre, Dester (sic), Mo., has been sold to Winifred Garner, Dr. E. G. Bailey, Sr. and Dr. E. G. Bailey, Jr., by the Lawrence family. The theatre was built in 1950 by the late Yewell Lawrence and had been owned and operated by the Lawrence family ever since.”
Weird note from the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
An usher at the 400 Theatre was checking the seats one night when he suddenly yelped to Manager Les Stepner, “Hey boss, somebody smuggled a box of popcorn in here tonight.” Popcorn is verboten at the 400.
The May 6, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “FULTON, MO. – The 400-car drive-in being constructed by Don Fikes and his nephew Kenny Fikes on Route 54 near here will open early in June, unless weather interferes.” And the June 24 issue confirmed that the Fulton “was opened recently.”
The May 20, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported that the 750-car, $100,000 Litchfield Drive-In had been opened by Frisina Amusement Co. But the June 24, 1950 issue nailed down a date of June 22, matching Walter “Chick” Bishop’s story.
LITCHFIELD, ILL. – The 750-car Litchfield Drive-In of the Frisina Amusement Co. on Route 66 opened Thursday (22). Equipment for the drive-in was furnished by National Theatre Supply.
The May 6, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “POPLAR BLUFF, MO. – The 500-car Poplar Bluff Drive-In on Route 67 near here will be opened early in June by Clyde Hogg and Clyde Richardson.”
Followed by an aside on June 24, 1950, “Andy Dietz of Cooperative Theatres … will book and buy for the Poplar Bluff Drive-In, which opened June 23 near Poplar Bluff, Mo.”
AL.com reported yesterday, “Leeds’ Grand River Drive-In is planning a day of events to re-open the entertainment venue July 3. Formerly known as the Coyote, the Grand River Drive-In is just one facet of The Backyard at Grand River, a project of Hunter Lake, the developer behind the Avondale Brewing Co. and Saw’s.”
This note from the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice makes me wonder whether the Trail first opened in the summer of 1950 as the Nevada. Same owners, same location.
“NEVADA, MO. – The new 350-car Nevada Drive-In being erected at a site on Route 54 about two miles east of here by Osborne & Ziegler is expected to be completed and ready for opening about July 15. RCA projection and sound equipment is being installed in the new open-air theatre.”
Based on the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice, the Waycross was a competitor to Georgia Theatre Company’s U.S. 1, and both were new that spring. I’m very curious about the Skyline that Mike Rogers and NYozoner found.
Anyway, here’s that BoxOffice note: “WAYCROSS, GA. – The new Waycross Drive-In erected by L. H. Holloway on the Brunswick highway near here recently was opened. Equipment includes in-car speakers. The open air theatre is being managed by Holloway.”
More details in the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
WAYCROSS, GA. – The new 500-car U. S. 1 Drive-In erected by the Georgia Theatre Co. at a site on Route 1 was opened near here recently. With its entrance on the Alma highway, the new open-air theatre is surrounded by tall pine trees. Offices and living quarters for the manager are located in the base of the 60x61-foot screen tower building. Space between the tower and the first parking ramp will be used later for a playground for children.
A 40x43-foot concession building in the center of the parking area includes the projection booth and storage rooms. Motiograph projection and sound equipment was furnished by the Wil-Kin Theatre Supply Co., Atlanta. Bottle warming service is among conveniences available for patrons.
William K. Jenkins is president of the George Theatre Co., which also operates the Lyric, Ritz and Carver theatre here. John Harrison, city manager for the company here, will supervise operation of the new drive-in, with Charlie Williams as manager. Williams M. Capps is in charge of concessions, and Edward Hunter is projectionist. Mrs. Wanda Huckaby is cashier.
To answer Marklar’s question, yes. Also addressing Jemimah63’s question, the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “The new Geneva Drive-In, located on the site of the old Baden dog track, is utilizing the old grandstand as seating space for walk-in patrons.”
LOS ANGELES – Because flood lights used to illuminate a playing field in the municipally owned Griffith park are blinding patrons of the nearby Los Feliz Drive-In, the city’s park and recreation commission has been given a “reasonable time” to erect an adequate shielding device.
That order was contained in a ruling handed down in superior couts as part of a preliminary injunction granted in an action filed against the city by Marvin M. Chesebro and Frank and Ernest Sbicca, owners of the drive-in, which opened March 15.
Chesebro, an attorney, held that the city should either stop using the flood lights or construct a baffle, which he estimates would cost approximately $3,500. The city’s plea that the cost would be closer to $7,500 and that the theatre should build the shield was denied in the court’s ruling. Chesebro charged that the drive-in is losing $300 worth of business every Friday night, when the Griffith park baseball field is open.
Chesebro is the son of Ray L. Chesebro, city attorney, who disqualified himself from representing the municipality because his son is a stockholder in the drive-in enterprise.
The June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice wrote that the Templeton Wheel-In was the second of three drive-ins that all opened in the Martinsville IN area during May 1950.
The June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice wrote that the Martinsville was the last of three local drive-ins that all opened during May 1950, after the “Center Brook” and the Templeton Wheel-In, 10 miles north.
“Costing approximately $60,000, (the Martinsville) provided not only 300 car speakers but also benches for 200 non-car owners. The Martinsville Drive-In charges 40 cents for patrons in cars and 25 cents for walk-in customers.”
KIRKSVILLE, MO. – The Silver Star Drive-In on Route 63 about one mile north of here was opened recently by Day Mangus. Accommodating 500 cars, the open air theatre is equipped with Century projection and sound, Strong lamps, Kollmorgen lenses and other items furnished by the Shreve Theatre Supply Co., Kansas City.
Better opening date info from the July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
REXBURG, IDA. – The new Teton Vu Drive-In on Route 191 one mile north of here was opened by Leslie Walker. With accommodations for 450 cars, the new theatre has a 40x51-foot screen. Motiograph projectors and other booth equipment was installed by the Service Theatre Supply Co. of Salt Lake City. Among conveniences for patrons is a concession stand."
The July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “The Moon-Glo Drive-In near (Buhl) recently was opened. Leonard Probasco is manager of the project.”
The Sioux Falls SD Argus-Leader reported on April 15, 1948: “Arden G. Davidson, Sioux Falls, former movie projectionist at Marion and Hartford, has announced that he has purchased the Nancy theatre at Bridgewater. He will take possession on May 1.”
Davidson had advertised in March 1948 for a theater to purchase. He would build the Twilite Drive-In in Lennox SD in 1949.
The Thursday, March 9, 1950 edition of the Sioux Falls SD Argus-Leader tells us a little. “Lennox, S. D., Mar. 9 – Strong winds Tuesday tore down and damaged the screen of the Twi-Light Drive-In theatre here. This is the second time the screen has been blown down since it was constructed early in 1949. Damage was greater this time than it was last year when it was blown down.”
The follow-up came on Friday, April 28, 1950. “Lennox, S. D. – The Twi-lite Drive-in theatre will be open for business Saturday. The screen has been reconstructed, after being completely demolished during the severe wind storm several weeks ago. It was the second time in a year that the screen has been demolished.”
The drive-in’s spelling was inconsistent even in its own for-sale ads in the Argus-Leader.
March 29 & 31, 1952: “SMALL Drive In Theatre. I am alone here and the reason for selling, can’t get good help. Theatre doing good, a very good buy for family. Write Twi-Lite Drive In Theatre, Lennox, South Dakota.”
May 26, 1952: “SMALL drive in theatre. In operation. Doing good. Reason for sale, can’t get help. Write Twilite Drive-in, Lennox.”
Great catch, Drive-In 54! So you can scratch my speculation that it was near the airport. It shows I should apply my rule of shopping: If you can’t find what you want where you’re looking, go look somewhere else!
I can’t find any evidence that this drive-in was ever called the Lawrence. Its name in its grand opening ad is simply Drive-In, and on the first drive-in list in the 1942 Film Daily Year Book as “Drive-In Theater, Pendleton Pike, Indianapolis”.
Spot-checking the Indianapolis Star, in a 1945 ad it’s “Drive-In Theatre, Pendleton Pike”. In a 1948 ad, “Drive-In, Pendleton Pike”. In a 1950 story, “The Pendleton Pike Drive-In Theater”.
The 54 Drive-In was first listed in the 1950 edition of the Film Daily Year Book, implying that it was open in 1949. A note from the July 1, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
KANKAKEE, ILL. – The capacity of the 54 Drive-In near here is being increased from 625 to 900 cars, and other improvements are to include a new fence around the parking area, and additional equipment for the playground.
Many more details, including yet another opening date and the nigh-immediate renaming, in the July 1, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
LITCHFIELD, ILL. – Russell Hogue, who came to Litchfield from St. Charles, Mo., to manage the Frisina Amusement Co. properties here, will manage the new Sky-View Drive-In, which is scheduled to open this week, as well as the Ritz and Capitol theatres. The big drive-in accommodates 507 cars, compared with 535 cars at Taylorville, 410 at Effingham and 400 at Robinson, Ill. The other drive-ins are operated by the Frisina company, which headquarters in Springfield, Ill.
…The Sky-View covers 16 acres and fronts on old Route 66 just north of the Ferndon street road. Simplex projectors were installed by the St. Louis branch of National Theatre Supply. The screen tower measures 55x65 feet, while the screen itself is 42x52 feet. Films will be projected from a building 265 feet from the screen. Two lighted pylons extending to the top of the screen tower carry the Sky-View in neon lights over large block cutout letters.
The snack bar is located in the same building as the projection booth but a four-foot breezeway separates the two rooms. The entire building is of concrete blocks faced in white cement. Interior color scheme is white, trimmed with green and yellow. All types of food and soft drinks will be sold.
The opening of the Sky-View has been delayed form week to week by inclement weather.
When the Seven Drive-In celebrated its second anniversary, manager “Tom Burton announced that two additional ramps, accommodating approximately 100 cars, have been added.” Per a report in the July 1, 1950 issue of BoxOffice.
From the July 1, 1950 issue of Box Office:
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO. – The 350-car Spa Motor Movie erected at a site on Route 69 one mile west of here recently was opened by the Winoko Corp. Owners of the new open-air theatre are Carl Koch, B. C. Noah and Richard E. Wiles jr. Equipment furnished by National Theatre Supply, Kansas City, included Simplex X-L projectors, Simplex sound, Magnarc lamps and Strong rectifiers.
From the May 6, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
“The Dexter Drive-In on Highway 60 about a mile and one-half west of Dexter will open about June 1. This 400-car project is owned by State Senator Newell (sic) Lawrence of Bloomfield and associates. Norwin Garner will be the manager.”
A later issue reported that the Dexter opened June 23. Yewell Lawrence died in a car accident the following January.
From the April 21, 1956 Motion Picture Herald:
“The Family drive-in theatre, Dester (sic), Mo., has been sold to Winifred Garner, Dr. E. G. Bailey, Sr. and Dr. E. G. Bailey, Jr., by the Lawrence family. The theatre was built in 1950 by the late Yewell Lawrence and had been owned and operated by the Lawrence family ever since.”
Weird note from the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
An usher at the 400 Theatre was checking the seats one night when he suddenly yelped to Manager Les Stepner, “Hey boss, somebody smuggled a box of popcorn in here tonight.” Popcorn is verboten at the 400.
The May 6, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “FULTON, MO. – The 400-car drive-in being constructed by Don Fikes and his nephew Kenny Fikes on Route 54 near here will open early in June, unless weather interferes.” And the June 24 issue confirmed that the Fulton “was opened recently.”
The May 20, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported that the 750-car, $100,000 Litchfield Drive-In had been opened by Frisina Amusement Co. But the June 24, 1950 issue nailed down a date of June 22, matching Walter “Chick” Bishop’s story.
LITCHFIELD, ILL. – The 750-car Litchfield Drive-In of the Frisina Amusement Co. on Route 66 opened Thursday (22). Equipment for the drive-in was furnished by National Theatre Supply.
The May 6, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “POPLAR BLUFF, MO. – The 500-car Poplar Bluff Drive-In on Route 67 near here will be opened early in June by Clyde Hogg and Clyde Richardson.”
Followed by an aside on June 24, 1950, “Andy Dietz of Cooperative Theatres … will book and buy for the Poplar Bluff Drive-In, which opened June 23 near Poplar Bluff, Mo.”
AL.com reported yesterday, “Leeds’ Grand River Drive-In is planning a day of events to re-open the entertainment venue July 3. Formerly known as the Coyote, the Grand River Drive-In is just one facet of The Backyard at Grand River, a project of Hunter Lake, the developer behind the Avondale Brewing Co. and Saw’s.”
Yesterday’s Provo Daily Herald wrote that the Timp was demolished in June 1993.
This note from the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice makes me wonder whether the Trail first opened in the summer of 1950 as the Nevada. Same owners, same location.
“NEVADA, MO. – The new 350-car Nevada Drive-In being erected at a site on Route 54 about two miles east of here by Osborne & Ziegler is expected to be completed and ready for opening about July 15. RCA projection and sound equipment is being installed in the new open-air theatre.”
Based on the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice, the Waycross was a competitor to Georgia Theatre Company’s U.S. 1, and both were new that spring. I’m very curious about the Skyline that Mike Rogers and NYozoner found.
Anyway, here’s that BoxOffice note: “WAYCROSS, GA. – The new Waycross Drive-In erected by L. H. Holloway on the Brunswick highway near here recently was opened. Equipment includes in-car speakers. The open air theatre is being managed by Holloway.”
More details in the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
WAYCROSS, GA. – The new 500-car U. S. 1 Drive-In erected by the Georgia Theatre Co. at a site on Route 1 was opened near here recently. With its entrance on the Alma highway, the new open-air theatre is surrounded by tall pine trees. Offices and living quarters for the manager are located in the base of the 60x61-foot screen tower building. Space between the tower and the first parking ramp will be used later for a playground for children.
A 40x43-foot concession building in the center of the parking area includes the projection booth and storage rooms. Motiograph projection and sound equipment was furnished by the Wil-Kin Theatre Supply Co., Atlanta. Bottle warming service is among conveniences available for patrons.
William K. Jenkins is president of the George Theatre Co., which also operates the Lyric, Ritz and Carver theatre here. John Harrison, city manager for the company here, will supervise operation of the new drive-in, with Charlie Williams as manager. Williams M. Capps is in charge of concessions, and Edward Hunter is projectionist. Mrs. Wanda Huckaby is cashier.
To answer Marklar’s question, yes. Also addressing Jemimah63’s question, the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “The new Geneva Drive-In, located on the site of the old Baden dog track, is utilizing the old grandstand as seating space for walk-in patrons.”
From the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
LOS ANGELES – Because flood lights used to illuminate a playing field in the municipally owned Griffith park are blinding patrons of the nearby Los Feliz Drive-In, the city’s park and recreation commission has been given a “reasonable time” to erect an adequate shielding device.
That order was contained in a ruling handed down in superior couts as part of a preliminary injunction granted in an action filed against the city by Marvin M. Chesebro and Frank and Ernest Sbicca, owners of the drive-in, which opened March 15.
Chesebro, an attorney, held that the city should either stop using the flood lights or construct a baffle, which he estimates would cost approximately $3,500. The city’s plea that the cost would be closer to $7,500 and that the theatre should build the shield was denied in the court’s ruling. Chesebro charged that the drive-in is losing $300 worth of business every Friday night, when the Griffith park baseball field is open.
Chesebro is the son of Ray L. Chesebro, city attorney, who disqualified himself from representing the municipality because his son is a stockholder in the drive-in enterprise.
The June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice wrote that the Templeton Wheel-In was the second of three drive-ins that all opened in the Martinsville IN area during May 1950.
The June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice wrote that the Martinsville was the last of three local drive-ins that all opened during May 1950, after the “Center Brook” and the Templeton Wheel-In, 10 miles north.
“Costing approximately $60,000, (the Martinsville) provided not only 300 car speakers but also benches for 200 non-car owners. The Martinsville Drive-In charges 40 cents for patrons in cars and 25 cents for walk-in customers.”
From the June 17, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
KIRKSVILLE, MO. – The Silver Star Drive-In on Route 63 about one mile north of here was opened recently by Day Mangus. Accommodating 500 cars, the open air theatre is equipped with Century projection and sound, Strong lamps, Kollmorgen lenses and other items furnished by the Shreve Theatre Supply Co., Kansas City.