Using @jwmovies address; info. from someone close to the area, plus comparing the 1971 aerial (thanks to @NYozoner) to Google Earth, the former Drive-In site is an empty lot. - Dave Lounder
dallasmovietheaters: Not quite. Carrol’s built and operated the theater until about 1978. The manager, John Disantis, renamed it the KENSINGTON CINEMA, which he operated under his JOMAR THEATERS banner. John also operated the CENTRE CINEMA in Wallingford. Declining business prompted Disantis to seek a liquor license with the intention of switching to a cine-pub, not a ‘dinner and a movie’ format. Because of a liquor store being very close to the venue, Disantis was denied a variance, and put the business up for sale. PUSSYCAT CINEMAS had a passing interest. A local man wanted to keep the theater operating as is, but was outbid by the owners of the MANCHESTER TWIN, an X-rated, former Jerry Lewis Cinema. Kensington Cinema was closed sometime in December of 1981, awaiting the change in operators. The new operators (as CALI-CON CORP.) decided that they wanted to assume residence in an operating theater, so Disantis re-opened KENSINGTON CINEMA for the last two weeks of December, 1981. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK was screened the first week to sell-out crowds, and was held-over. The final screening was New Year’s eve (to the best of my recollection, anyway), 1981. The next day, the theater became CINE-FOX THEATER, and began showing X-rated pictures. I stayed on as an employee for four years.
I worked for John Disantis of JOMAR THEATRES at Kensington Cinema in 1981. Disantis operated Kensington Mon. - Sat. and on Sunday operated the Centre Cinema.
The marquee was evidently saved by National Amusements – either the original, or a repro is on display at the chain’s Fairfield Cinemas in Connecticut, which was just PERMANENTLY CLOSED by National Amusements on Aug. 6, 2020 after a 26-year run. The company cites the Coronavirus pandemic as the reasoning behind the shuttering.
Not sure how old Google satellite image of this area is, but when carefully comparing it to the old aerial, I was able to not only locate the field outline, but I literally found the screen frame! You need to look REALLY carefully, and zoom-in pretty far. Judging from the amount and depth of trees fronting the screen in the sat. shot, I highly doubt that it would’ve ever been torn down, as it looks fairly difficult to easily reach (by vehicle, anyway), and appears to be (much like our Torrington, CT screen) enshrouded by the trees. Can anyone make the trek to see if the frame still exists, and then report back here? Thanks, Drive-In Dave Lounder (MR. DRIVE-IN! #GotDriveIn.com ?)
@dansdriveintheater: Hey, Dan. The video you’ve referenced isn’t from the Hartford Drive-In. It looks to me to be the Edgemere, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. – Dave Lounder {TheDriveInGuys.com}
Roger Katz — Rog, Eddie Lord also owned? and operated the Plainfield Drive-In. Be sure to check-out my new website, www.TheDriveInGuys.com. Thanks, my man! Dave
@just1eagle: Wow! Your description absolutely NAILED the true essence of the golden age Drive-In experience — the magical wonder, amazement, and excitement of movies under the moonlight!!! I was blessed with parents who brought me up Drive-In!!! I aim to recreate the experience that you so treasure as I do! Thank you for your inspiration!!!
Dave Lounder (The Drive-In Guy)
IMDb.me/DaLo
DaveLounder.org
@annie11 .. Berlin Cinema was not damaged by the Woolworth fire. Complete backstory several comments above. I’ve acquired several BC 1 & 2 items over the years and plan to sell them via ebay over the coming months. I also have video of the interior which I plan to upload to one of my websites soon. Best, Dave
Wow! $200 per seat – seems a bit steep! How does one abbreviate ‘admission or adm’ as addm? Sad. A suggestion? REPLACE THE YELLOWED PLEXIGLASS!
WOLVERINES!!!
Note: KC was ACROSS THE STREET from the above view — behind the package store and out of sight, but the shell still stands today. The theater WAS more visible before the single fronting edifice – now the expanded package store – was added onto, making the property into more of a ‘strip-mall.’ The operator once told me that he felt the theater would’ve been far more successful had it been built into the ‘former’ Ferndale Plaza, depicted in the above street view. Side note — There was a Foto-Mat location on the front of the property long ago (standing at least as late as 1/82).
@crownx *Drive-In 😉 - Dave Lounder
Using @jwmovies address; info. from someone close to the area, plus comparing the 1971 aerial (thanks to @NYozoner) to Google Earth, the former Drive-In site is an empty lot. - Dave Lounder
Note: David Hyde Pierce (Frasier) was never in a porn flick. The actor that DALLAS MOVIE THEATERS mentions is porn actor, David Pierce.
dallasmovietheaters: Not quite. Carrol’s built and operated the theater until about 1978. The manager, John Disantis, renamed it the KENSINGTON CINEMA, which he operated under his JOMAR THEATERS banner. John also operated the CENTRE CINEMA in Wallingford. Declining business prompted Disantis to seek a liquor license with the intention of switching to a cine-pub, not a ‘dinner and a movie’ format. Because of a liquor store being very close to the venue, Disantis was denied a variance, and put the business up for sale. PUSSYCAT CINEMAS had a passing interest. A local man wanted to keep the theater operating as is, but was outbid by the owners of the MANCHESTER TWIN, an X-rated, former Jerry Lewis Cinema. Kensington Cinema was closed sometime in December of 1981, awaiting the change in operators. The new operators (as CALI-CON CORP.) decided that they wanted to assume residence in an operating theater, so Disantis re-opened KENSINGTON CINEMA for the last two weeks of December, 1981. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK was screened the first week to sell-out crowds, and was held-over. The final screening was New Year’s eve (to the best of my recollection, anyway), 1981. The next day, the theater became CINE-FOX THEATER, and began showing X-rated pictures. I stayed on as an employee for four years.
I worked for John Disantis of JOMAR THEATRES at Kensington Cinema in 1981. Disantis operated Kensington Mon. - Sat. and on Sunday operated the Centre Cinema.
@Randy A Carlisle: Mr. Carlisle, Is the box office still above ground?
The marquee was evidently saved by National Amusements – either the original, or a repro is on display at the chain’s Fairfield Cinemas in Connecticut, which was just PERMANENTLY CLOSED by National Amusements on Aug. 6, 2020 after a 26-year run. The company cites the Coronavirus pandemic as the reasoning behind the shuttering.
Not sure how old Google satellite image of this area is, but when carefully comparing it to the old aerial, I was able to not only locate the field outline, but I literally found the screen frame! You need to look REALLY carefully, and zoom-in pretty far. Judging from the amount and depth of trees fronting the screen in the sat. shot, I highly doubt that it would’ve ever been torn down, as it looks fairly difficult to easily reach (by vehicle, anyway), and appears to be (much like our Torrington, CT screen) enshrouded by the trees. Can anyone make the trek to see if the frame still exists, and then report back here? Thanks, Drive-In Dave Lounder (MR. DRIVE-IN! #GotDriveIn.com ?)
The Bantam is for sale.
@LouRugani: Mr. Rugani, Are you referring to the ‘Keno’ nickname? Thanks, Drive-In Dave Lounder
No ramps? No poles? Odd!
Anyone know the asking price?
Thanks,
Dave Lounder
TheDriveInGuys.com
@dansdriveintheater: Hey, Dan. The video you’ve referenced isn’t from the Hartford Drive-In. It looks to me to be the Edgemere, Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. – Dave Lounder {TheDriveInGuys.com}
Roger Katz — Rog, Eddie Lord also owned? and operated the Plainfield Drive-In. Be sure to check-out my new website, www.TheDriveInGuys.com. Thanks, my man! Dave
Sign of the times: Old Bel-Air Drive-In sign dismantled, sold to collector
https://www.thetelegraph.com/news/article/Sign-of-the-times-Old-Bel-Air-Drive-In-sign-13091470.php
https://youtu.be/yRqDt277krU
Looks like the Drive-In was re-purposed before being razed for a new build?
@just1eagle: Wow! Your description absolutely NAILED the true essence of the golden age Drive-In experience — the magical wonder, amazement, and excitement of movies under the moonlight!!! I was blessed with parents who brought me up Drive-In!!! I aim to recreate the experience that you so treasure as I do! Thank you for your inspiration!!!
Dave Lounder (The Drive-In Guy) IMDb.me/DaLo DaveLounder.org
Kensington, CT
I rest my case.
http://articles.courant.com/1997-09-20/news/9709200387_1_movie-theater-second-run-theater-lily-tomlin
@annie11 .. Berlin Cinema was not damaged by the Woolworth fire. Complete backstory several comments above. I’ve acquired several BC 1 & 2 items over the years and plan to sell them via ebay over the coming months. I also have video of the interior which I plan to upload to one of my websites soon. Best, Dave
KEN LAYTON — Please email me, sir! Thanks, brother! DriveInGuys.com is back online — I want to upload your interview, and more!
Wow! $200 per seat – seems a bit steep! How does one abbreviate ‘admission or adm’ as addm? Sad. A suggestion? REPLACE THE YELLOWED PLEXIGLASS! WOLVERINES!!!
1.4 mil, last I checked. Not even worth one- third of that.
Why is there no option to subscribe to this page?
Note: KC was ACROSS THE STREET from the above view — behind the package store and out of sight, but the shell still stands today. The theater WAS more visible before the single fronting edifice – now the expanded package store – was added onto, making the property into more of a ‘strip-mall.’ The operator once told me that he felt the theater would’ve been far more successful had it been built into the ‘former’ Ferndale Plaza, depicted in the above street view. Side note — There was a Foto-Mat location on the front of the property long ago (standing at least as late as 1/82).
I have pics from 01 — I should post them.
I have photos from Summer of 96. I should post them.