Boxoffice, Aug. 20, 1955: “Morris, Ill. - The Morris Theatre here celebrated the 25th anniversary of its opening on July 15, 1930. Fred Anderson, owner and operator of the Morris and Times theatre, first came to Morris in 1928 to operate the old Empire … According to a recent article in the Morris Herald, the theatre … was the first theatre to be built expressly for sound”
Boxoffice, Aug. 20, 1955: “The Hemacinto Drive-In … has been purchased by Grace Martin and her son Harold R. Martin from the No-Ro Amusement Co. The Martins also own the Hemet, Perris and San Jacinto theatres, all indoor houses.”
A few more details from Yumpu’s bound copy that’s missing a few letters.
Boxoffice, Aug. 6, 1955: “Brownwood, Tex. - Mr. and Mrs. ?ck Needham’s new Bluff-Vue Drive-In has opened recently on the Coleman highway near the foot of Bangs Hill. It is equipped for CinemaScope, Superscope or VistaVision, with a four-channel magnetic sound. The refreshment and snack center is equipped with stainless steel fixtures and has a 40-foot counter. Vari-Colored indirect lighting is used.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 6, 1955: “Filmgoers waiting to see a triple feature horror show at the Downs Drive-In, Grand Prairie, on Highway 80 got a bonus thrill. Minutes before the start of the show wires shorted in an electrically controlled "Magnetic Monster” neon sign behind the screen. Patrons watched firemen climb ladders through black smoke for 15 minutes. Then they settled back for tamer entertainment on the screen."
Boxoffice, Aug. 6, 1955: “West Helena, Ark. - J. F. Daugherty, operator of the Palace Theatre here, has closed the theatre permanently, with no plans for reopening. The theatre in recent months had been operating only on weekends.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 6, 1955: “The Alvin Drive-In changed hands August 1. Its former owner, R. L. Honeyman, is moving to California. The new owner, C. E. Mayer, has never been in show business before.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 6, 1955: “Edwin M. Gardiner, 63, manager of the Belt Highway Drive-In, died in a fire which broke out there Monday (1) night. He was suffocated in the windowless office when flames from an air conditioning unit blocked the only escape. The fire, which firemen believed was caused by faulty wiring of the air conditioner, occurred about 6 p. m. before the theatre had opened. Gardiner lived at Mission, Kas., was a former manager of the Shawnee Drive-In and had done promotion work for MGM in Oklahoma City. The Belt is a Durwood operation. Heavy glass bricks served instead of windows in the concrete block building.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 6, 1955: “The Star Theatre has been closed after more than a generation of operation at First South and State streets in Salt Lake. Its site will be part of the property on which a new Federal Reserve Bank building will be constructed.”
Boxoffice, July 30, 1955: “The old DeSoto (Mo.) Theatre is being converted into a store building. Owner B? Collins operates the Collins Theatre and the Skyview Drive-In there”
Boxoffice, July 30, 1955: “Bishop’s new drive-in held its gala opening recently, according to managers Tim Stephens and Ted Amistoso. The new drive-in covers an area of more than ten acres and has a capacity for 330 cars. It includes a snack bar and a kiddyland for children. The theatre features CinemaScope and VistaVision equipment”
Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “The 51 Drive-In opened here recently with a new screen. The old screen was blown down during a windstorm recently, said Owner H. H. Carlile.”
Same drive-in? Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “The Pinto Drive-In, Mineral Wells, was badly damaged in a recent windstorm. It is owned by T. L. Ritchie of Atlanta, Tex.”
I stumbled on the Skyline’s opening date, mentioned seemingly to fill space in the news of its sale three years later.
Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd B. Schmidt of Niangua, Mo., owners of the Skyline Drive-In, 250-car capacity, have sold the drive-into Dwight Cantrell, also of Niangua. Cantrell took over operation of the drive-in July 1. The Skyline was opened by Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt on Apr. 28, 1952.”
From Yumpu’s online hosting of a bound copy that cut off a few letters at the margin:
Boxoffice, May 21, 1955: “Lewis D. All?? and Leland R. Carroll are opening a new drive-in at Green River, Utah, one of the cities booming because of Utah’s uranium activities. Jack Swonson will book and buy for them.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1955: “The Riverview Drive-In opened at Green River, Utah, booming uranium city.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1955: “Mike Hunter of Los Angeles … says he made enough off uranium in Moab to purchase the Ides Theatre in that southern Utah city from W. T. Wheeler. Mrs. R. C. Clark had it for many years before selling the showhouse to Wheeler.”
Boxoffice, May 21, 1955: “After being closed for several years, the Mitchell Drive-In opened recently. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. Brooks of Mitchell are the new operators.”
A note in the Scottsbluff Daily Herald pinpointed the reopening date as April 9, 1955, though the formal reopening was on April 29, per the Mitchell Index, both confirming dallasmovietheaters' post.
Petry leased the Mitchell from owners “Nigren and Copen,” per a note in the March 22, 1956 Index.
The Mitchell continued advertising through at least May 24, 1956, but a classified ad showed the drive-in up for auction on June 15 that year. “200 car capacity, fully equipped concession stand, R.C.A. sound system, Simplex Projector, over 4 acres of land, now operating and quick possession will be given. Terms: 50% cash, balance will be carried over period of 3 years at 5% interest. Mitchell Drive-In Theatre, Owner”
Perhaps there were no bidders. The Aug. 9, 1956 Index reported a break-in “at the Mitchell Drive-In Theatre which has been closed for several months.” By November, the “old drive-in theater” was being used as a navigation landmark in want ads.
Boxoffice, April 9, 1955: “The Shamrock Drive-In, the third in the northwest section of Oklahoma, staged an open house March 31 and started programs April 1. Ermel Lee O'Hern, longtime resident of Laverne, installed the theatre at a cost of more than $30,000. This is his first venture in show business. The capacity will be 200 cars, with room for an extra 50 if necessary. The all-purpose screen is 70x28 feet. The two-story concession building has a projection booth and living quarters for the manager upstairs; the bottom part houses the cafeteria-style concession stand and restrooms.”
The April 9, 1955 issue of Boxoffice ran a lengthy story about the Sunset, owned by Abbott Widdicombe and managed by Bob Kilgore. The drive-in installed “the first Midsouth CinemaScope screen” with a 70x105-foot tower which was so big that radio station KWEM moved its studio into its base. “An ornamental radio transmission tower extends 20 feet above the 70-foot-high screen tower, and the actual transmitting tower is nearby.”
Echo is about eight miles away, so I’m guessing this is the same theater. From Yumpu’s hosting of a bound edition, which cut off one letter per line.
Boxoffice, April 9, 1955: “Echo, Wash. - Mr. and Mrs. Joe Mathe?on of Eugene, Ore., have purchased the local Alpine Theatre from Mr. and Mrs. Henry ?agman of Cashmere. The playing policy for the theatre will be extended from six to seven days a week. Financial details of the transaction which included the building were not revealed.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 26, 1955: “Malden, Mo. - The All-Star Drive-In, which was opened here February 13, has been under construction since last fall. One and a half miles from Holcomb on Highway 25, it is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Vergil Harris. Accommodations for 390 cars are provided on its parking ramps and it is equipped with wide screen and anamorphic lenses for the showing of CinemaScope pictures. A modern, attractive concession bar is part of its equipment and there is also an indoor auditorium, claiming to be the only open air movie in Missouri which has this. This seats 218 persons and the front of the room is entirely of glass. The room is heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 20, 1955: “Morris, Ill. - The Morris Theatre here celebrated the 25th anniversary of its opening on July 15, 1930. Fred Anderson, owner and operator of the Morris and Times theatre, first came to Morris in 1928 to operate the old Empire … According to a recent article in the Morris Herald, the theatre … was the first theatre to be built expressly for sound”
Boxoffice, Aug. 20, 1955: “The Hemacinto Drive-In … has been purchased by Grace Martin and her son Harold R. Martin from the No-Ro Amusement Co. The Martins also own the Hemet, Perris and San Jacinto theatres, all indoor houses.”
A few more details from Yumpu’s bound copy that’s missing a few letters.
Boxoffice, Aug. 6, 1955: “Brownwood, Tex. - Mr. and Mrs. ?ck Needham’s new Bluff-Vue Drive-In has opened recently on the Coleman highway near the foot of Bangs Hill. It is equipped for CinemaScope, Superscope or VistaVision, with a four-channel magnetic sound. The refreshment and snack center is equipped with stainless steel fixtures and has a 40-foot counter. Vari-Colored indirect lighting is used.”
An omen of its larger fire 18 months later.
Boxoffice, Aug. 6, 1955: “Filmgoers waiting to see a triple feature horror show at the Downs Drive-In, Grand Prairie, on Highway 80 got a bonus thrill. Minutes before the start of the show wires shorted in an electrically controlled "Magnetic Monster” neon sign behind the screen. Patrons watched firemen climb ladders through black smoke for 15 minutes. Then they settled back for tamer entertainment on the screen."
Boxoffice, Aug. 6, 1955: “Hettinger, S. D. (sic) - The new 300-car Hettinger Drive-In has been opened here by Manager Peter Rothstein.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 6, 1955: “West Helena, Ark. - J. F. Daugherty, operator of the Palace Theatre here, has closed the theatre permanently, with no plans for reopening. The theatre in recent months had been operating only on weekends.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 6, 1955: “The Alvin Drive-In changed hands August 1. Its former owner, R. L. Honeyman, is moving to California. The new owner, C. E. Mayer, has never been in show business before.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 6, 1955: “Mr. and Mrs. Ray Handley closed the Royal Theatre July 29. They have operated it for more than five years.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 6, 1955: “Edwin M. Gardiner, 63, manager of the Belt Highway Drive-In, died in a fire which broke out there Monday (1) night. He was suffocated in the windowless office when flames from an air conditioning unit blocked the only escape. The fire, which firemen believed was caused by faulty wiring of the air conditioner, occurred about 6 p. m. before the theatre had opened. Gardiner lived at Mission, Kas., was a former manager of the Shawnee Drive-In and had done promotion work for MGM in Oklahoma City. The Belt is a Durwood operation. Heavy glass bricks served instead of windows in the concrete block building.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 6, 1955: “The Star Theatre has been closed after more than a generation of operation at First South and State streets in Salt Lake. Its site will be part of the property on which a new Federal Reserve Bank building will be constructed.”
Boxoffice, July 30, 1955: “The old DeSoto (Mo.) Theatre is being converted into a store building. Owner B? Collins operates the Collins Theatre and the Skyview Drive-In there”
Boxoffice, July 30, 1955: “Bishop’s new drive-in held its gala opening recently, according to managers Tim Stephens and Ted Amistoso. The new drive-in covers an area of more than ten acres and has a capacity for 330 cars. It includes a snack bar and a kiddyland for children. The theatre features CinemaScope and VistaVision equipment”
Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “The 51 Drive-In opened here recently with a new screen. The old screen was blown down during a windstorm recently, said Owner H. H. Carlile.”
Same drive-in? Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “The Pinto Drive-In, Mineral Wells, was badly damaged in a recent windstorm. It is owned by T. L. Ritchie of Atlanta, Tex.”
Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “The Chief Drive-In, one mile west of town, has been reopened by owner H. B. Leathers after renovation.”
Boxoffice, March 21, 1960: “H. B. ‘Red’ Leathers … is dismantling his drive-in theatre, which he has not operated in several years.”
I stumbled on the Skyline’s opening date, mentioned seemingly to fill space in the news of its sale three years later.
Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd B. Schmidt of Niangua, Mo., owners of the Skyline Drive-In, 250-car capacity, have sold the drive-into Dwight Cantrell, also of Niangua. Cantrell took over operation of the drive-in July 1. The Skyline was opened by Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt on Apr. 28, 1952.”
From Yumpu’s online hosting of a bound copy that cut off a few letters at the margin:
Boxoffice, May 21, 1955: “Lewis D. All?? and Leland R. Carroll are opening a new drive-in at Green River, Utah, one of the cities booming because of Utah’s uranium activities. Jack Swonson will book and buy for them.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1955: “The Riverview Drive-In opened at Green River, Utah, booming uranium city.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1955: “Les Brown and his partner have sold their theatre interests in Preston, Ida., to T. D. and Lawrence Jones, brothers.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1955: “Mike Hunter of Los Angeles … says he made enough off uranium in Moab to purchase the Ides Theatre in that southern Utah city from W. T. Wheeler. Mrs. R. C. Clark had it for many years before selling the showhouse to Wheeler.”
Boxoffice, May 21, 1955: “After being closed for several years, the Mitchell Drive-In opened recently. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. Brooks of Mitchell are the new operators.”
A note in the Scottsbluff Daily Herald pinpointed the reopening date as April 9, 1955, though the formal reopening was on April 29, per the Mitchell Index, both confirming dallasmovietheaters' post.
The Mitchell continued advertising through at least May 24, 1956, but a classified ad showed the drive-in up for auction on June 15 that year. “200 car capacity, fully equipped concession stand, R.C.A. sound system, Simplex Projector, over 4 acres of land, now operating and quick possession will be given. Terms: 50% cash, balance will be carried over period of 3 years at 5% interest. Mitchell Drive-In Theatre, Owner”
Perhaps there were no bidders. The Aug. 9, 1956 Index reported a break-in “at the Mitchell Drive-In Theatre which has been closed for several months.” By November, the “old drive-in theater” was being used as a navigation landmark in want ads.
Boxoffice, April 9, 1955: “The Shamrock Drive-In, the third in the northwest section of Oklahoma, staged an open house March 31 and started programs April 1. Ermel Lee O'Hern, longtime resident of Laverne, installed the theatre at a cost of more than $30,000. This is his first venture in show business. The capacity will be 200 cars, with room for an extra 50 if necessary. The all-purpose screen is 70x28 feet. The two-story concession building has a projection booth and living quarters for the manager upstairs; the bottom part houses the cafeteria-style concession stand and restrooms.”
The April 9, 1955 issue of Boxoffice ran a lengthy story about the Sunset, owned by Abbott Widdicombe and managed by Bob Kilgore. The drive-in installed “the first Midsouth CinemaScope screen” with a 70x105-foot tower which was so big that radio station KWEM moved its studio into its base. “An ornamental radio transmission tower extends 20 feet above the 70-foot-high screen tower, and the actual transmitting tower is nearby.”
Echo is about eight miles away, so I’m guessing this is the same theater. From Yumpu’s hosting of a bound edition, which cut off one letter per line.
Boxoffice, April 9, 1955: “Echo, Wash. - Mr. and Mrs. Joe Mathe?on of Eugene, Ore., have purchased the local Alpine Theatre from Mr. and Mrs. Henry ?agman of Cashmere. The playing policy for the theatre will be extended from six to seven days a week. Financial details of the transaction which included the building were not revealed.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 26, 1955: “Malden, Mo. - The All-Star Drive-In, which was opened here February 13, has been under construction since last fall. One and a half miles from Holcomb on Highway 25, it is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Vergil Harris. Accommodations for 390 cars are provided on its parking ramps and it is equipped with wide screen and anamorphic lenses for the showing of CinemaScope pictures. A modern, attractive concession bar is part of its equipment and there is also an indoor auditorium, claiming to be the only open air movie in Missouri which has this. This seats 218 persons and the front of the room is entirely of glass. The room is heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 26, 1955: “The Skyline Drive-In at Richland, a 750-car installation, has been acquired by Midstate Amusement Co., Walla Walla.”