Same drive-in? Boxoffice, Aug. 20, 1949: “LOVELL, WYO. - Al W. Davis of Byron is building a 300-car drive-in here. Equipment including Royal Soundmaster in-car speakers, is being furnished by the Holmes Projector Co., with L. S. Brown acting as the factory representative.”
Boxoffice, July 2, 1949: “The Canyon Drive-In has opened on the Bertha-Beaverton highway just off Canyon road near Beaverton. J. H. Sheffield and William G. Sinclair, both of Portland, describe the new venture as a 500-car capacity drive-in. The 54x40-foot screen was precut by Timber Structures, Inc.”
Boxoffice, August 6, 1949: “Bill and Mabel Sinclair have sold the stock in Clairfield, Inc., owners of the Canyon Drive-In near Beaverton. Art Adamson purchased Sinclair’s interest and will manage the ozoner in conjunction with his many other theatres. Clarence Tillman, former manager of Adamson’s drive-in between Corvallis and Albany, will be manager at this theatre. Theatre Exchange Co. represented the Sinclairs in the transaction”
Boxoffice, July 30, 1949: “MISSOULA, MONT. - Novel feature of the State Drive-In recently opened south of the city off U.S. 93 is a miniature electric train on which children are given free rides. Owned by the Theatre State Amusement Corp., the 450-car theatre was built under the supervision of Bill Powers. Contractors included the Pew Construction Co., the Electrical Shop, Ray Pew, C. W. Schmid Plumbing & Heating and the Montana Ready Mix Co.”
Boxoffice, July 2, 1949: “Work on the $200,000 remodeling on both the interior and exterior of the Bellflower is under way and reopening is expected around September 1. Upon completion, the theatre will be renamed the Nubell.”
Boxoffice, June 18, 1949: “BREMERTON, WASH. - The longest and most colorful commercial parade ever staged here was one of the new features arranged for the recent opening of the new $50,000 Rodeo Drive-In Theatre by Dwight Spracher of Seattle, Rex Thompson of Port Orchard and George Blair of Vashon Island, operators of the project. Blair is manager. More than a mile in length, the parade was led by Mayor Hum L. Kean and other local officials. Units in the lineup included more than 150 riders, a band and an auto caravan depicting special features of the new drive-in. Directional signs reading "Straight Ahead to the Rodeo Drive-In Theatre” were attached to poles along the main street and highway leading to the drive-in. About 125 inches of newspaper publicity and art were given to the opening by the Bremerton Sun, and three pages of co-op advertising by contractors and subcontractors dominated the paper. A Goodyear blimp relayed news flashes over the city on the opening day. A huge barbecue was arranged by the three partners for more than 350 guests from Washington, Oregon and California as a climax to the opening day activities."
Boxoffice, June 4, 1949: “The 500-car Falls Motor Vu Drive-In, opened by Edwin B. Pegram, is a $90,000 project built by Cartwright & Wilson of Utah and seven local subcontractors. The new drive-in, which opened the middle of last month, is located east of the city on Second avenue.”
Boxoffice, June 4, 1949: “ALBANY, ORE. - The $100,000 Midway Drive-In has opened between here and Corvallis on Highway 20. Owned by A. W. Adamson and Charles Whiteside, the 500-car ozoner covers a ten-acre site. C. E. Tillman is managing the theatre. The theatre has been under construction since last summer, and was slowed up by a critical drainage problem which was solved with the laying of 3,600 feet of eight-inch drainage tile.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1949: “OTHELLO, WASH. - Finkbeiner’s Outdoor Theatre has opened on the west edge of Othello near the rodeo grounds. A portable power plant is being used until the Washington Water Power Co. makes a hookup to the lines. The drive-in accommodates 58 cars.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1949: “HAVRE, MONT. - A 400-car drive-in theatre being built here by Emil Don-Tigny and Clarence Golder, operators of the Havre Theatre, is expected to be ready for opening about June 15. Expected to cost approximately $70,000, the open air theatre will have a 30x40-foot screen. Motiograph projection and sound equipment will be installed.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1949: “Two Emmett theatremen, Rex Voeller and J. B. Giezentanner, are the new owners of the K&K Drive-In. Purchase arrangements were made with L. A. Knowles, representing K&K Corp. Voeller owns the Gem Aircraft Co. at Emmett and Giezentanner is owner-manager of the Ideal Theatre at Emmett.”
Boxoffice, March 19, 1949: “Wyoming drive-ins to be completed for spring opening include the Motor Vu, Cheyenne; Skyline, Casper; Skyline, Rawlins and West, Cody.”
Boxoffice, May 7, 1949: “Robert Adams has opened the 500-car Skyline Drive-In, Rawlins, Wyo., with Motiograph booth and sound and Service Theatre Supply speakers, bought from Ted Knox.:
Boxoffice, May 7, 1949: “Huish-Gilhool Theatre Enterprises opened their 810-seat Huish Theatre with city officials and film executives on hand for the affair. The new showcase is in a building with three other rental units, which are expected to be occupied in the near future. Although a modernistic atmosphere predominates in the design of the structure, a rustic touch is lent through the use of sandstone and the redwood finish. One of the most striking features is an 18-foot long mural in the inner foyer. It is a painted blown-up picture of Payson City and the surrounding valley taken from Payson summit. The boxoffice is at the side of the double glass-like entrance doors. The foyer contains a snack bar finished in redwood. Advertising frames in the inner foyer contrast with the modern motif, presenting a beveled appearance of old-fashioned picture frames. Even temperatures throughout the building are assured by the ventilating and heating system, and the air wash device further aids in keeping drafts and cross-currents down. The main auditorium occupies one entire floor with the manager’s office and a cry room on the second floor. The Huish, built as a memorial to the late Charles M. Huish, has been under construction for two years. Fred L. Markham of Provo was the architect. He was assisted by Rove Smith. Vincent A. Gilhool is the general manager in charge of the circuit house. The Huish is managed by Gene Braithwaite.”
Boxoffice, March 12, 1949: “J. E. Keegan, manager, reports the Montez in Grass Valley will be closed until further notice. It had been operating on a Saturday-Sunday basis.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 26, 1949: “The H. C. Tuttles have purchased the theatre business in Covelo from G. W. Taylor of San Andreas, who has owned the business for the last ten years. The Tuttles plan to enlarge, repair and modernize the building in the spring”
Boxoffice, May 15, 1961: “W. McNaught had a robbery in his Martin Drive-In, Martin, S. D., in which the concessions stand was completely stripped of merchandise.”
CT really ought to move Knox Drive-In to a previous name and label this page with the ozoner’s last known name, the Wyo Drive-In.
Boxoffice, May 15, 1961: “Bill Hart is now managing the Wyo Drive-In, Newcastle, Wyo. Hart is a veteran in exhibition and at one time operated the theatre in Hay Springs, Neb. The Wyo Drive-In, under Hart, is remodeling its concessions stand.”
Except for a regional retrospective in the San Francisco Chronicle, published 40 years after the Alameda closed, I can’t find anything that includes “Auto Movie” in the Alameda Drive-In’s name. From the grand opening ad to the drive-in sign, it’s all just “Alameda Drive-In.”
Unless someone can point me to evidence to the contrary, I’m going to assume that the Chronicle or its sources mixed up the next door Island’s name.
Here’s where I got confused. In April 1957, a bunch of guys opened the Tab Drive-In in Yuma AZ on US 80 near the Air Force base. The base pushed back, and that Tab closed in mid-July. It would reopen as the Crest and remain active for decades.
Those same guys opened this Tab in Phoenix at the Indian School Road address. Both drive-ins were built by Hi-Plain Pictures, and their name came from the initials of the company’s partners: Everett Toomey, Melvin Allen, Wayne Arnold, and Marvin Bell. In October 1957, the Phoenix Tab reopened as the Sage under “New Ownership” (a detail I missed five years ago). That name lasted only a few months.
Please add Sage Drive-In to the Previous Names list for this CT entry.
Boxoffice, March 10, 1958: “Saffle’s Theatre Service is now doing the buying and booking for the Liberty and Capital, Yakima, and the Tower Drive-In, Union Gap. Formerly Junior Mercy interests, they were sold to Jensen interests and are now being operated by United Theatres out of Portland”
The final ad that I could find in the Fresno Bee for the Woodland Park was on Sept. 2, 2001. The final four double features were: “American Pie 2” + “Jurassic Park III” / “Rush Hour 2” + “Planet of the Apes” / “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” + “The Others” / “Summer Catch” + “American Outlaws”
The following summer, the drive-in was demolished. The final screen came down on July 29, 2002.
Same drive-in? Boxoffice, Aug. 20, 1949: “LOVELL, WYO. - Al W. Davis of Byron is building a 300-car drive-in here. Equipment including Royal Soundmaster in-car speakers, is being furnished by the Holmes Projector Co., with L. S. Brown acting as the factory representative.”
Boxoffice, July 2, 1949: “The Canyon Drive-In has opened on the Bertha-Beaverton highway just off Canyon road near Beaverton. J. H. Sheffield and William G. Sinclair, both of Portland, describe the new venture as a 500-car capacity drive-in. The 54x40-foot screen was precut by Timber Structures, Inc.”
Boxoffice, August 6, 1949: “Bill and Mabel Sinclair have sold the stock in Clairfield, Inc., owners of the Canyon Drive-In near Beaverton. Art Adamson purchased Sinclair’s interest and will manage the ozoner in conjunction with his many other theatres. Clarence Tillman, former manager of Adamson’s drive-in between Corvallis and Albany, will be manager at this theatre. Theatre Exchange Co. represented the Sinclairs in the transaction”
Boxoffice, July 30, 1949: “MISSOULA, MONT. - Novel feature of the State Drive-In recently opened south of the city off U.S. 93 is a miniature electric train on which children are given free rides. Owned by the Theatre State Amusement Corp., the 450-car theatre was built under the supervision of Bill Powers. Contractors included the Pew Construction Co., the Electrical Shop, Ray Pew, C. W. Schmid Plumbing & Heating and the Montana Ready Mix Co.”
Boxoffice, July 2, 1949: “Work on the $200,000 remodeling on both the interior and exterior of the Bellflower is under way and reopening is expected around September 1. Upon completion, the theatre will be renamed the Nubell.”
Boxoffice, June 18, 1949: “BREMERTON, WASH. - The longest and most colorful commercial parade ever staged here was one of the new features arranged for the recent opening of the new $50,000 Rodeo Drive-In Theatre by Dwight Spracher of Seattle, Rex Thompson of Port Orchard and George Blair of Vashon Island, operators of the project. Blair is manager. More than a mile in length, the parade was led by Mayor Hum L. Kean and other local officials. Units in the lineup included more than 150 riders, a band and an auto caravan depicting special features of the new drive-in. Directional signs reading "Straight Ahead to the Rodeo Drive-In Theatre” were attached to poles along the main street and highway leading to the drive-in. About 125 inches of newspaper publicity and art were given to the opening by the Bremerton Sun, and three pages of co-op advertising by contractors and subcontractors dominated the paper. A Goodyear blimp relayed news flashes over the city on the opening day. A huge barbecue was arranged by the three partners for more than 350 guests from Washington, Oregon and California as a climax to the opening day activities."
Boxoffice, June 4, 1949: “The 500-car Falls Motor Vu Drive-In, opened by Edwin B. Pegram, is a $90,000 project built by Cartwright & Wilson of Utah and seven local subcontractors. The new drive-in, which opened the middle of last month, is located east of the city on Second avenue.”
Boxoffice, June 4, 1949: “ALBANY, ORE. - The $100,000 Midway Drive-In has opened between here and Corvallis on Highway 20. Owned by A. W. Adamson and Charles Whiteside, the 500-car ozoner covers a ten-acre site. C. E. Tillman is managing the theatre. The theatre has been under construction since last summer, and was slowed up by a critical drainage problem which was solved with the laying of 3,600 feet of eight-inch drainage tile.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1949: “OTHELLO, WASH. - Finkbeiner’s Outdoor Theatre has opened on the west edge of Othello near the rodeo grounds. A portable power plant is being used until the Washington Water Power Co. makes a hookup to the lines. The drive-in accommodates 58 cars.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1949: “HAVRE, MONT. - A 400-car drive-in theatre being built here by Emil Don-Tigny and Clarence Golder, operators of the Havre Theatre, is expected to be ready for opening about June 15. Expected to cost approximately $70,000, the open air theatre will have a 30x40-foot screen. Motiograph projection and sound equipment will be installed.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1949: “Two Emmett theatremen, Rex Voeller and J. B. Giezentanner, are the new owners of the K&K Drive-In. Purchase arrangements were made with L. A. Knowles, representing K&K Corp. Voeller owns the Gem Aircraft Co. at Emmett and Giezentanner is owner-manager of the Ideal Theatre at Emmett.”
Boxoffice, May 21, 1949: “CODY, WYO. - Richard Haberman and Robert Otwell have opened their new $50,000, 300-car West Drive-In near here.”
Boxoffice, March 19, 1949: “Wyoming drive-ins to be completed for spring opening include the Motor Vu, Cheyenne; Skyline, Casper; Skyline, Rawlins and West, Cody.”
Boxoffice, May 7, 1949: “Robert Adams has opened the 500-car Skyline Drive-In, Rawlins, Wyo., with Motiograph booth and sound and Service Theatre Supply speakers, bought from Ted Knox.:
Boxoffice, May 7, 1949: “Huish-Gilhool Theatre Enterprises opened their 810-seat Huish Theatre with city officials and film executives on hand for the affair. The new showcase is in a building with three other rental units, which are expected to be occupied in the near future. Although a modernistic atmosphere predominates in the design of the structure, a rustic touch is lent through the use of sandstone and the redwood finish. One of the most striking features is an 18-foot long mural in the inner foyer. It is a painted blown-up picture of Payson City and the surrounding valley taken from Payson summit. The boxoffice is at the side of the double glass-like entrance doors. The foyer contains a snack bar finished in redwood. Advertising frames in the inner foyer contrast with the modern motif, presenting a beveled appearance of old-fashioned picture frames. Even temperatures throughout the building are assured by the ventilating and heating system, and the air wash device further aids in keeping drafts and cross-currents down. The main auditorium occupies one entire floor with the manager’s office and a cry room on the second floor. The Huish, built as a memorial to the late Charles M. Huish, has been under construction for two years. Fred L. Markham of Provo was the architect. He was assisted by Rove Smith. Vincent A. Gilhool is the general manager in charge of the circuit house. The Huish is managed by Gene Braithwaite.”
Boxoffice, March 12, 1949: “J. E. Keegan, manager, reports the Montez in Grass Valley will be closed until further notice. It had been operating on a Saturday-Sunday basis.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 26, 1949: “The H. C. Tuttles have purchased the theatre business in Covelo from G. W. Taylor of San Andreas, who has owned the business for the last ten years. The Tuttles plan to enlarge, repair and modernize the building in the spring”
Boxoffice, Jan. 15, 1949: “SUNBURST, MONT. - Mr. and Mrs. Frank Trettenbach have purchased the Sun Theatre here from Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Neuser.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 8, 1949: “Ben Wright has sold the Pine at Buena Vista to Joe Delongchamp”
From the June 26, 1961 issue of Boxoffice, which should be in the public domain.
Boxoffice, May 15, 1961: “W. McNaught had a robbery in his Martin Drive-In, Martin, S. D., in which the concessions stand was completely stripped of merchandise.”
CT really ought to move Knox Drive-In to a previous name and label this page with the ozoner’s last known name, the Wyo Drive-In.
Boxoffice, May 15, 1961: “Bill Hart is now managing the Wyo Drive-In, Newcastle, Wyo. Hart is a veteran in exhibition and at one time operated the theatre in Hay Springs, Neb. The Wyo Drive-In, under Hart, is remodeling its concessions stand.”
Except for a regional retrospective in the San Francisco Chronicle, published 40 years after the Alameda closed, I can’t find anything that includes “Auto Movie” in the Alameda Drive-In’s name. From the grand opening ad to the drive-in sign, it’s all just “Alameda Drive-In.”
Unless someone can point me to evidence to the contrary, I’m going to assume that the Chronicle or its sources mixed up the next door Island’s name.
Here’s where I got confused. In April 1957, a bunch of guys opened the Tab Drive-In in Yuma AZ on US 80 near the Air Force base. The base pushed back, and that Tab closed in mid-July. It would reopen as the Crest and remain active for decades.
Those same guys opened this Tab in Phoenix at the Indian School Road address. Both drive-ins were built by Hi-Plain Pictures, and their name came from the initials of the company’s partners: Everett Toomey, Melvin Allen, Wayne Arnold, and Marvin Bell. In October 1957, the Phoenix Tab reopened as the Sage under “New Ownership” (a detail I missed five years ago). That name lasted only a few months.
Please add Sage Drive-In to the Previous Names list for this CT entry.
Boxoffice, March 10, 1958: “Saffle’s Theatre Service is now doing the buying and booking for the Liberty and Capital, Yakima, and the Tower Drive-In, Union Gap. Formerly Junior Mercy interests, they were sold to Jensen interests and are now being operated by United Theatres out of Portland”
Boxoffice, March 3, 1958: “industry deaths … reported from Montana: … Jack Suckstorff, owner of the Centre and the Motor-Vue Drive-In, Sidney”
The final ad that I could find in the Fresno Bee for the Woodland Park was on Sept. 2, 2001. The final four double features were: “American Pie 2” + “Jurassic Park III” / “Rush Hour 2” + “Planet of the Apes” / “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” + “The Others” / “Summer Catch” + “American Outlaws”
The following summer, the drive-in was demolished. The final screen came down on July 29, 2002.