Wow. There’s a movie promotion & technique that could never take place today. As wholesome & good natured as it was.
The fact that it was co-sponsored by Packard is also cynically somehow fitting.
An auto industry historian would later be quoted on a PBS special, that the merger between Studebaker & Packard was “tantamount to two drunks helping each other out of a bar.”
I would think the fact that it is still open would end the mystery. Can’t someone just call there and ask if they are/were the only Iola 54 Drive-In?
Surely they should know if they have/had a 2nd location or any competitors of the same name.
I was just reminded by a childhood friend, that we exited this theater quite quickly on one occasion.
Apparently with the head shops in such close proximity, their customers took the path of least resistance as to where to “light up” & test out their purchases.
The Aardvark was indeed that cheap, sparsely occupied, quite handy locale.
Since the films were often avant garde, it would go virtually unchecked.
Great pic. It’s a shame it survived 70 years, and came down so recently. Current economic conditions can’t possibly help to save a lot of these places that may still exist.
Years of no heat, who knows how much asbestos, etc. just takes the fight out of most of them.
Just to remind anyone who is interested. The Genesee’s marquee is pretty much identical to that of the Coronado in Rockford Illinois. Shape & style, minus the various colored insets.
Thanks for posting that BW. It’s nice to know that even in it’s current thrift store use, they returned the entrance area to a little more as/like original.
Nothing going on yet. “Pineapple Express” is still on the McCormick side marquee, from when it closed.
Orange city violation notice on the doors last I drove by.
Wow. There’s a movie promotion & technique that could never take place today. As wholesome & good natured as it was.
The fact that it was co-sponsored by Packard is also cynically somehow fitting.
An auto industry historian would later be quoted on a PBS special, that the merger between Studebaker & Packard was “tantamount to two drunks helping each other out of a bar.”
I would think the fact that it is still open would end the mystery. Can’t someone just call there and ask if they are/were the only Iola 54 Drive-In?
Surely they should know if they have/had a 2nd location or any competitors of the same name.
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I was just reminded by a childhood friend, that we exited this theater quite quickly on one occasion.
Apparently with the head shops in such close proximity, their customers took the path of least resistance as to where to “light up” & test out their purchases.
The Aardvark was indeed that cheap, sparsely occupied, quite handy locale.
Since the films were often avant garde, it would go virtually unchecked.
I know, I know… check the box.
Great pic. It’s a shame it survived 70 years, and came down so recently. Current economic conditions can’t possibly help to save a lot of these places that may still exist.
Years of no heat, who knows how much asbestos, etc. just takes the fight out of most of them.
Just to remind anyone who is interested. The Genesee’s marquee is pretty much identical to that of the Coronado in Rockford Illinois. Shape & style, minus the various colored insets.
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This theatre would have been very close to the Trianon Ballroom. If anyone has pics of either they’d be greatly appreciated.
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Forgot to check the box again…Doh!
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Thanks for posting that BW. It’s nice to know that even in it’s current thrift store use, they returned the entrance area to a little more as/like original.
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Nothing going on yet. “Pineapple Express” is still on the McCormick side marquee, from when it closed.
Orange city violation notice on the doors last I drove by.
Reactivate Notification Status.
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