Boxoffice, April 17, 1948: “The Saco Drive-In, Saco, Me., which has the distinction of being the Pine Tree state’s only open air theatre, has been sold to Eugene Boragine of New York City. George O’Neill, who operated the theatre since it was built, returned it to its original owner last month, and he, in turn, sold it to Boragine. Included in the sale, which consists of 54 acres, is a hotel and restaurant. The new owner plans to operate the entire property, although the theatre buying and booking will be handled by Herbert Higgins. Boragine is in the interior decorating business in New York but he will spend the summer months on his new project. He is not a newcomer to the industry as 30 years ago he was the manager of a theatre in Providence for Martin Toohey, who brought his friend into the district to introduce him to the exchanges.”
Boxoffice, April 10, 1948: “NAMPA, IDAHO — Construction of a drive-in theatre at the junction of Karcher road and highway 30, west of Nampa, is moving along and Northwest Theatres, Inc., hopes to have the 400-car layout ready by the middle of April. Incorporators of Northwest Theatres are Dr. L. E. Jewell, A. D. Scrivner, Herb Chriswisser and V. R. Botkin, all of Meridian.”
The drive-in, now spelled Tee Pee, is scheduled to hold its Grand Opening on April 15. See https://www.teepeedrivein.com/tickets
(According to the Tulsa World, the then-unfinished Tee Pee actually showed some movies in October 2022.)
Google Street View now shows the Rock Creek Bridge as reopened but weight-restricted and single-lane.
Aha! There’s a new side-street that Google Earth/Maps hasn’t noticed yet but Street View has: https://goo.gl/maps/kc5EgSTSneqpVLHdA It continues Highway 117 a block north to Ozark Trail, looping around the back of the Tee Pee.
Joe Osborne, former owner and operator of the Lycinda Drive-In Theatre and Joe’s Lycinda grocery at Viper, died at the age of 80 on March 28, 1995, based on a short obituary the next day in the Lexington Herald-Leader. Joe Lycinda True Value hardware in Viper still exists today.
As for the drive-in, looks like it opened in the summer of 1955.
Independent Film Journal, May 14, 1955: “Noah Campbell’s new Lycinda Drive-In, going up in Fusonia, Ky., is expected to be ready by the 1st of June. Located between Whitesburg and Hazard, it will be equipped for CinemaScope and hold 300 cars.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, June 1, 1955: “According to Floyd Morrow, Morrow Theatre Service, a buying and booking service for drive-in theatres, he will handle the buying and booking for Noah Campbell’s Lycinda Drive-In, Fusonia, Ky., which was scheduled to open on May 27.”
Boxoffice, April 30, 1955: “The Gravois Mills Drive-In … was reopened April 1 for its third season by Mr. and Mrs. Glen Jones with an automatic lawnmower advertised as a giveaway. That night, the winner was ready to take his "mower” home in his car, but he hadn’t figured it was April Fool’s Day - the automatic lawnmower was a donkey! At last report the animal was still at the drive-in with the dozen or so other donkeys owned by Jones, which he has kept following his retirement from the donkey baseball business. Jones spent more than 20 years in the novel trade, putting on benefits with Junior Chambers of Commerce and other organizations. He built the 100-car situation at Gravois Mills in 1952."
Boxoffice, April 30, 1955: “C. C. Creamer, partner in Minneapolis Theatre Supply and president of Mile High Corp., building a drive-in at Deadwood, was in (Denver) to confer with Jack Rose, buyer and booker for the new ozoner, which will be named the Mile High. The drive-in will have a capacity for 600 cars. To open about June 1, the theatre will be managed by Leonard Steele, one of the partners in the ozoner”
Boxoffice, April 30, 1955: “The Crescent Drive-In, Vallejo, has been taken over by the United California circuit. Guy Meeks formally owned the theatre”
Boxoffice, March 17, 1951: “LEBANON, ORE. - Mild Weather brought on an early reopening of the Motor Vu Drive-In. Tadd Nelson is manager.”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “LEBANON, ORE. - During a recent showing at the Lebanon Motor Vue, flames followed two explosions in the projection booth when films caught fire. Projectionist Carrol Courtnier fought the fire while throwing all electrical switches, then crawled from the rear door of the booth. Firemen arrived to control the blaze. New equipment was flown to Salem overnight from Salt Lake City and the following evening the place was again in operation.”
Boxoffice, April 15, 1950: “EMMET (sic), IDA. – Virgil Odell and Preston Capell of Nampa have purchased the Emmet Drive-In on South Johns and will open it after completing extensive improvements. The theatre was purchased from Paul Charters. Improvements at the ozoner will include new restrooms, new projection booth and new equipment.”
Boxoffice, March 17, 1951: “Virgil Odell, operator of the Emmett Drive-In, opened the outdoorer (for the season) March 9. The screen tower has been remodeled and new lens installed.”
You may be right, Kenmore. My evidence is weak - the size is right for 100 cars, it became an auto junkyard at about the right time, and somebody cleared this fenced square for something. For all I know, Cavasos might have been living at that house. The concession stand could have been either corner building, and the screen might have been makeshift and temporary.
You’re better at scanning photos than I am. Maybe you could download the 1950 aerials from EarthExplorer and help me find a more satisfying candidate for this mystery drive-in.
Just asking: Since there were two drive-ins in Vivian at the same time, how do we know which is which? Is there a mention somewhere of the Wakea sitting just south of Chapelwood Cemetery, or of the Gay “just another 2000 feet north” like that?
Found it! It was on the east side of town on US 90, of course, and it looked intact in April 1953. The approximate Google Maps address is 4045 East Main Street, Uvalde, TX. There’s an electrical substation on the site today.
Just before the Korean War indirectly caused a pause in most drive-in construction…
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “Charlott, Mich. - Cash R. Beechler, proprietor of the two theatres here and the New Rapids Theatre in Eaton Rapids, is again expanding his business activities by building a drive-in south of town. Beechler has bought about 16 acres of the former Parm Whitcomb farm on U.S. 27. The surveying work has been done, also the engineering work on the ramps. It is planned to complete the theatre this fall and have it ready for opening in the spring.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “Four months late in opening due to delays and shortage in needed materials, the Tusca-Glen Drive-In on the Tuscarawas road was opened recently. The new ozoner is situated six and one-half miles from Beaver and seven and one-half miles from Midland. Capacity at opening is 450 automobiles, with room for an increase to 650. Owners include local business and professional men, including Joseph Taylor of the Taylor Milk Co., Ambridge; Dr. Lewis Urling jr., Attorney Richard H. West, Raymond M. Lewis and Dr. Lewis Urling. Concession is managed by the Taylor Milk Co.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “Featuring opening night ceremonies at the Suburban Drive-In was the presentation of a $50 prize to J. P. Heineckie who named the theatre in a public contest judged by mayors of three nearby cities. The Suburban is owned and operated by Johnny Mitchell, Blake Lancaster and David R. Brown of the Manatee Amusement Co. The new theatre accommodates 600 cars with space available for about 125 more. An interesting feature of the new theatre is a nursery and a first aid station built below the screen. A doctor will be present at all times. The theatre will maintain a constant drive for charity. Two cents of each admission will be put in a fund for a worthy charity and will be distributed on a rotation basis. Admission is 40 cents, plus 8 cents state and federal tax and the 2 cents for charity. The grounds have been beautifully landscaped.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “Elsinore, Calif. - Beginning operations here was the new 830-seat Lake Theatre, built by Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Scott and Mrs. Nelle Jackson, operated by E. D. Patterson and managed by Mrs. Florence Lynch. Utilizing the latest RCA sound and projection systems, the Lake also features a smoking room, a cry room for children, air conditioning and heating, and paved parked areas adjacent to the theatre.”
This drive-in definitely opened as the Motor-In. The 1950 photo I just uploaded included an ad for it “next to Mooney Park,” which pretty much proves that we’re talking about the same place.
Oh, and the latest Google Maps address for the Tulare County Office of Education, current occupants of the former Motor-In site, is 6200 S Mooney Blvd, Visalia, CA 93277.
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “SALMON, IDA. - The Main Theatre here was gutted by an afternoon fire in which three men lost their lives. The showhouse was operated by Hugh Drennen of Rexburg, Ida., and Paul De Mourdant of Blackfoot, Ida. … Those who suffocated in the fire were investigating equipment in the basement and were not patrons of the theatre. No patrons were in the showhouse at the time of the blaze. Total amount of the damage was $50,000.”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “KIRKLAND, WASH. - Outside the Sunset Drive-In is a concrete backyard bomb shelter, featured prominently in a recent issue of Life magazine. Manager Clark Thompson has installed a kiddy playground and an eye-level screen. The drive-in is located four miles east of the Mercer island end of the Floating bridge.”
Boxoffice, April 17, 1948: “The Saco Drive-In, Saco, Me., which has the distinction of being the Pine Tree state’s only open air theatre, has been sold to Eugene Boragine of New York City. George O’Neill, who operated the theatre since it was built, returned it to its original owner last month, and he, in turn, sold it to Boragine. Included in the sale, which consists of 54 acres, is a hotel and restaurant. The new owner plans to operate the entire property, although the theatre buying and booking will be handled by Herbert Higgins. Boragine is in the interior decorating business in New York but he will spend the summer months on his new project. He is not a newcomer to the industry as 30 years ago he was the manager of a theatre in Providence for Martin Toohey, who brought his friend into the district to introduce him to the exchanges.”
Boxoffice, April 10, 1948: “NAMPA, IDAHO — Construction of a drive-in theatre at the junction of Karcher road and highway 30, west of Nampa, is moving along and Northwest Theatres, Inc., hopes to have the 400-car layout ready by the middle of April. Incorporators of Northwest Theatres are Dr. L. E. Jewell, A. D. Scrivner, Herb Chriswisser and V. R. Botkin, all of Meridian.”
The drive-in, now spelled Tee Pee, is scheduled to hold its Grand Opening on April 15. See https://www.teepeedrivein.com/tickets
(According to the Tulsa World, the then-unfinished Tee Pee actually showed some movies in October 2022.)
Google Street View now shows the Rock Creek Bridge as reopened but weight-restricted and single-lane.
Aha! There’s a new side-street that Google Earth/Maps hasn’t noticed yet but Street View has: https://goo.gl/maps/kc5EgSTSneqpVLHdA It continues Highway 117 a block north to Ozark Trail, looping around the back of the Tee Pee.
Joe Osborne, former owner and operator of the Lycinda Drive-In Theatre and Joe’s Lycinda grocery at Viper, died at the age of 80 on March 28, 1995, based on a short obituary the next day in the Lexington Herald-Leader. Joe Lycinda True Value hardware in Viper still exists today.
As for the drive-in, looks like it opened in the summer of 1955.
Independent Film Journal, May 14, 1955: “Noah Campbell’s new Lycinda Drive-In, going up in Fusonia, Ky., is expected to be ready by the 1st of June. Located between Whitesburg and Hazard, it will be equipped for CinemaScope and hold 300 cars.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, June 1, 1955: “According to Floyd Morrow, Morrow Theatre Service, a buying and booking service for drive-in theatres, he will handle the buying and booking for Noah Campbell’s Lycinda Drive-In, Fusonia, Ky., which was scheduled to open on May 27.”
Boxoffice, April 30, 1955: “The Gravois Mills Drive-In … was reopened April 1 for its third season by Mr. and Mrs. Glen Jones with an automatic lawnmower advertised as a giveaway. That night, the winner was ready to take his "mower” home in his car, but he hadn’t figured it was April Fool’s Day - the automatic lawnmower was a donkey! At last report the animal was still at the drive-in with the dozen or so other donkeys owned by Jones, which he has kept following his retirement from the donkey baseball business. Jones spent more than 20 years in the novel trade, putting on benefits with Junior Chambers of Commerce and other organizations. He built the 100-car situation at Gravois Mills in 1952."
Boxoffice, April 30, 1955: “Louis Groy installed a new RCA screen and Panatar lenses in his 300-seat Ute, Sagauche”
Boxoffice, April 30, 1955: “C. C. Creamer, partner in Minneapolis Theatre Supply and president of Mile High Corp., building a drive-in at Deadwood, was in (Denver) to confer with Jack Rose, buyer and booker for the new ozoner, which will be named the Mile High. The drive-in will have a capacity for 600 cars. To open about June 1, the theatre will be managed by Leonard Steele, one of the partners in the ozoner”
Boxoffice, April 30, 1955: “The Crescent Drive-In, Vallejo, has been taken over by the United California circuit. Guy Meeks formally owned the theatre”
The Motor Vu opened before 1951.
Boxoffice, March 17, 1951: “LEBANON, ORE. - Mild Weather brought on an early reopening of the Motor Vu Drive-In. Tadd Nelson is manager.”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “LEBANON, ORE. - During a recent showing at the Lebanon Motor Vue, flames followed two explosions in the projection booth when films caught fire. Projectionist Carrol Courtnier fought the fire while throwing all electrical switches, then crawled from the rear door of the booth. Firemen arrived to control the blaze. New equipment was flown to Salem overnight from Salt Lake City and the following evening the place was again in operation.”
Boxoffice, April 15, 1950: “EMMET (sic), IDA. – Virgil Odell and Preston Capell of Nampa have purchased the Emmet Drive-In on South Johns and will open it after completing extensive improvements. The theatre was purchased from Paul Charters. Improvements at the ozoner will include new restrooms, new projection booth and new equipment.”
Boxoffice, March 17, 1951: “Virgil Odell, operator of the Emmett Drive-In, opened the outdoorer (for the season) March 9. The screen tower has been remodeled and new lens installed.”
From its 1966 aerial photo, the Ponce de Leon looks like it added another ramp between the year it opened and then.
You may be right, Kenmore. My evidence is weak - the size is right for 100 cars, it became an auto junkyard at about the right time, and somebody cleared this fenced square for something. For all I know, Cavasos might have been living at that house. The concession stand could have been either corner building, and the screen might have been makeshift and temporary.
You’re better at scanning photos than I am. Maybe you could download the 1950 aerials from EarthExplorer and help me find a more satisfying candidate for this mystery drive-in.
Just asking: Since there were two drive-ins in Vivian at the same time, how do we know which is which? Is there a mention somewhere of the Wakea sitting just south of Chapelwood Cemetery, or of the Gay “just another 2000 feet north” like that?
To narrow down the opening date, the Stardust was in the 1952 Theatre Catalog, owner R. I. Payne with Theater Enterprises, with a capacity of 450.
And it looked ready for a show in the USGS photo from April 1953 that I just uploaded.
Found it! It was on the east side of town on US 90, of course, and it looked intact in April 1953. The approximate Google Maps address is 4045 East Main Street, Uvalde, TX. There’s an electrical substation on the site today.
Just before the Korean War indirectly caused a pause in most drive-in construction…
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “Charlott, Mich. - Cash R. Beechler, proprietor of the two theatres here and the New Rapids Theatre in Eaton Rapids, is again expanding his business activities by building a drive-in south of town. Beechler has bought about 16 acres of the former Parm Whitcomb farm on U.S. 27. The surveying work has been done, also the engineering work on the ramps. It is planned to complete the theatre this fall and have it ready for opening in the spring.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “Four months late in opening due to delays and shortage in needed materials, the Tusca-Glen Drive-In on the Tuscarawas road was opened recently. The new ozoner is situated six and one-half miles from Beaver and seven and one-half miles from Midland. Capacity at opening is 450 automobiles, with room for an increase to 650. Owners include local business and professional men, including Joseph Taylor of the Taylor Milk Co., Ambridge; Dr. Lewis Urling jr., Attorney Richard H. West, Raymond M. Lewis and Dr. Lewis Urling. Concession is managed by the Taylor Milk Co.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “The Midway Drive-In on Route 37, three miles south of Benton, has been opened by Joe Sullivan and Bob Strauss”
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “Featuring opening night ceremonies at the Suburban Drive-In was the presentation of a $50 prize to J. P. Heineckie who named the theatre in a public contest judged by mayors of three nearby cities. The Suburban is owned and operated by Johnny Mitchell, Blake Lancaster and David R. Brown of the Manatee Amusement Co. The new theatre accommodates 600 cars with space available for about 125 more. An interesting feature of the new theatre is a nursery and a first aid station built below the screen. A doctor will be present at all times. The theatre will maintain a constant drive for charity. Two cents of each admission will be put in a fund for a worthy charity and will be distributed on a rotation basis. Admission is 40 cents, plus 8 cents state and federal tax and the 2 cents for charity. The grounds have been beautifully landscaped.”
Here are a few names from the opening.
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “Elsinore, Calif. - Beginning operations here was the new 830-seat Lake Theatre, built by Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Scott and Mrs. Nelle Jackson, operated by E. D. Patterson and managed by Mrs. Florence Lynch. Utilizing the latest RCA sound and projection systems, the Lake also features a smoking room, a cry room for children, air conditioning and heating, and paved parked areas adjacent to the theatre.”
This drive-in definitely opened as the Motor-In. The 1950 photo I just uploaded included an ad for it “next to Mooney Park,” which pretty much proves that we’re talking about the same place.
Oh, and the latest Google Maps address for the Tulare County Office of Education, current occupants of the former Motor-In site, is 6200 S Mooney Blvd, Visalia, CA 93277.
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “SALMON, IDA. - The Main Theatre here was gutted by an afternoon fire in which three men lost their lives. The showhouse was operated by Hugh Drennen of Rexburg, Ida., and Paul De Mourdant of Blackfoot, Ida. … Those who suffocated in the fire were investigating equipment in the basement and were not patrons of the theatre. No patrons were in the showhouse at the time of the blaze. Total amount of the damage was $50,000.”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “Floyd Bernard’s Midway Drive-In Theatres organization has taken over operation of the Biltmore Motor-Vue in Tucson”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “R. D. Ervin has again opened the Dillon Theatre in the Dillon Town hall. He is showing two complete shows, 7 and 9 p.m.”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “KIRKLAND, WASH. - Outside the Sunset Drive-In is a concrete backyard bomb shelter, featured prominently in a recent issue of Life magazine. Manager Clark Thompson has installed a kiddy playground and an eye-level screen. The drive-in is located four miles east of the Mercer island end of the Floating bridge.”