I frequented this theater while stationed at TAFB in the earlier 1990’s. One memory I have is when 5 of us when to the theater in a friends Nova it ended up breaking down in the parking lot and we had to call a friend to pick us up he showed up with his girlfriend in the car so there were only 4 seats and 5 of us so it was decided that the one guys girlfriend would sit on his lap but she was mad at him so she said she wanted to sit on my lap instead. I harassed him about it all the way back to the base.
I was stationed at TAFB in the early 1990’s and we used to frequent this theater. At that time the Chief Auto Movies lot was still there it was to the left of the indoor theater. The screen was gone but the ticket booth, concession stand, and ramps were still intact. I think the indoor theater was built before the drive in theater lost its screen and they operated together for a time.
I was stationed at TAFB in the early 1990’s and we used to frequent this theater. At that time the Chief Auto Movies lot was still there it was to the left of the indoor theater. The screen was gone but the ticket booth, concession stand, and ramps were still intact. I think the indoor theater was built before the drive in theater lost its screen and they operated together for a time.
@Kenmore I don’t think those are ramps I think that’s how they plowed the field. When you zoom in close you’ll see all these lines just like the straight plowed field next to it. That’s my opinion anyway, it would be a weird location for a Drive-In theater which were usually located on main roads. But I may be wrong, they may have plowed it that way due to there being ramps.
This DI (or remnants of?) more accurately maps at Rt 1 and 4, Aruba. On Google maps it south of where it actually is go north on 1 across bridge and it says right on the map ‘Drive In Theater (former)’ so I think it is now closed. It looks as though they are widening the highway.
We went quite a few years ago and saw Wall-E it was on the screen to the left of Screen 2. I have to agree with the arrangement of the screens it definitely is distracting and with no markings on how to park it makes for a lot of chaotic parking. They could at the very least on the 3rd and 4th screens that where added come up with a parking arrangement. The most they could do is either get rid of those 2 side screens or purchase some more land and make proper ramps. I realize to screen 1st run features nowadays movie companies require you to run them longer so it advantageous for a Drive-In theater to have as many screens as they can to be able to keep the crowds coming. Takes a lot more finesse to run a Drive-In theater than a Indoor Multiplex.
NeonMichael – I have heard that Years ago it movie studios did not like drive-in theaters. So it was hard for them to get first run films oftentimes they would order their films in cooperation with a local theater and the distribution companies would drop them off their and theater owners would pick them up and take them to the drive-in and visa-versa when returning them. I think because of this the theater catalogs addresses for the drive-in theaters was sometime incorrect. It may have been the address of an indoor theater or another business. Maybe this was a similar situation.
I think this theater is still standing! Well at least the building is anyways. The address is 109 N. Main St, Colerain, NC 27924. It and the building next to it is or has been used as a church! Cannot see anything inside they have curtains and blinds on the windows. Would love to see if there is anything left of the theater. If you look at the front it looks like it was a segregated theater with a main entrance and a separate door probably with seating in a balcony for colored.
I think this theater became a porn theater, my father said he was looking for a movie to go see in the paper and this theaters ad did not have movies listed it said to call for movies, so my father did and he said that the movies playing were x-rated.
By the Google map view it looks like there might also be a remnant of the base of the ticket booth at the end of the entry exit road toward the back of the lot.
Nice Drive-In Junkyard. Could leave the cars show movies charge by the car seat.
Address is wrong its not 438356 U.S. 60 its 438356 U.S. 66 please change.
I frequented this theater while stationed at TAFB in the earlier 1990’s. One memory I have is when 5 of us when to the theater in a friends Nova it ended up breaking down in the parking lot and we had to call a friend to pick us up he showed up with his girlfriend in the car so there were only 4 seats and 5 of us so it was decided that the one guys girlfriend would sit on his lap but she was mad at him so she said she wanted to sit on my lap instead. I harassed him about it all the way back to the base.
I was stationed at TAFB in the early 1990’s and we used to frequent this theater. At that time the Chief Auto Movies lot was still there it was to the left of the indoor theater. The screen was gone but the ticket booth, concession stand, and ramps were still intact. I think the indoor theater was built before the drive in theater lost its screen and they operated together for a time.
I was stationed at TAFB in the early 1990’s and we used to frequent this theater. At that time the Chief Auto Movies lot was still there it was to the left of the indoor theater. The screen was gone but the ticket booth, concession stand, and ramps were still intact. I think the indoor theater was built before the drive in theater lost its screen and they operated together for a time.
@Kenmore I don’t think those are ramps I think that’s how they plowed the field. When you zoom in close you’ll see all these lines just like the straight plowed field next to it. That’s my opinion anyway, it would be a weird location for a Drive-In theater which were usually located on main roads. But I may be wrong, they may have plowed it that way due to there being ramps.
Interesting Newspaper article on a man who was arrested at the Chief Drive-In theater at web address below:
Article titled: Term Suspended in Movie Assault Case Palatine.
http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper4/Amsterdam%20NY%20Daily%20Democrat%20and%20Recorder/Amsterdam%20NY%20Daily%20Democrat%20and%20Recorder%201954%20Jul-Aug%20Grayscale/Amsterdam%20NY%20Daily%20Democrat%20and%20Recorder%201954%20Jul-Aug%20Grayscale%20-%200438.pdf
This DI (or remnants of?) more accurately maps at Rt 1 and 4, Aruba. On Google maps it south of where it actually is go north on 1 across bridge and it says right on the map ‘Drive In Theater (former)’ so I think it is now closed. It looks as though they are widening the highway.
@davidcoppock Probably Velma-Alma considering that’s what the high school is named!
Walk up concession stand
We went quite a few years ago and saw Wall-E it was on the screen to the left of Screen 2. I have to agree with the arrangement of the screens it definitely is distracting and with no markings on how to park it makes for a lot of chaotic parking. They could at the very least on the 3rd and 4th screens that where added come up with a parking arrangement. The most they could do is either get rid of those 2 side screens or purchase some more land and make proper ramps. I realize to screen 1st run features nowadays movie companies require you to run them longer so it advantageous for a Drive-In theater to have as many screens as they can to be able to keep the crowds coming. Takes a lot more finesse to run a Drive-In theater than a Indoor Multiplex.
1952 Theater Catalog
13th in first column on catalog page 198
11th line down on webpage.
http://drive-ins.com/theatrecatalog/1952/198
Sort of looks like a crop circle with a round building at the center. would love to explore this D-I.
I think this theater was on the corner of W. third and Victory Drive farther east on third. You can see the remnants that have not been bulldozed yet.
NeonMichael – I have heard that Years ago it movie studios did not like drive-in theaters. So it was hard for them to get first run films oftentimes they would order their films in cooperation with a local theater and the distribution companies would drop them off their and theater owners would pick them up and take them to the drive-in and visa-versa when returning them. I think because of this the theater catalogs addresses for the drive-in theaters was sometime incorrect. It may have been the address of an indoor theater or another business. Maybe this was a similar situation.
I think this theater is still standing! Well at least the building is anyways. The address is 109 N. Main St, Colerain, NC 27924. It and the building next to it is or has been used as a church! Cannot see anything inside they have curtains and blinds on the windows. Would love to see if there is anything left of the theater. If you look at the front it looks like it was a segregated theater with a main entrance and a separate door probably with seating in a balcony for colored.
I think this theater became a porn theater, my father said he was looking for a movie to go see in the paper and this theaters ad did not have movies listed it said to call for movies, so my father did and he said that the movies playing were x-rated.
By the Google map view it looks like there might also be a remnant of the base of the ticket booth at the end of the entry exit road toward the back of the lot.
Based on Kenmores information this address should change to 1366 N. Broad St.
You can now scratch Bessemer City Kings Mountain closed after 2014 season, But you can add Hounds in Kings Mountain.
Looks like that screen had a lot of cables bet that one never blew away in a tornado or hurricane.
This is the closest Drive-In Theater to us it was over 2 hour drive but now I am 36 miles closer so now about an hour and a half.
Chetter 79 Thanks for setting me straight. Now we just need to get the marketplace twin added to CT.
And her is another link with another pic with a newer marquis:
http://outerbanksthisweek.com/articles/outer-banks-firsts
Here is the link to the photo I promised over 2 years ago:
http://myouterbankshome.com/the-pioneer-theater/
Sorry I work very, very, very, very slow!LOL