Boxoffice, May 10, 1965: “Mr. and Mrs. Al Spargur, owners of the Grand Theatre (in Du Quoin IL), have reopened the former Melody Drive-In under the name of Holiday Drive-In. Located several miles south of Tamaroa, it has been closed since February for repairs and renovation. The concession stand and projection room have been remodeled and some new equipment added. Repairs have been made to the 45x80-foot screen. New lighting has been added to the entrance and speakers have been tuned and repaired.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Sept. 7, 1955: “The first reports of the storm and flood damage to drive-ins in southern New England fortunately were not as serious as anticipated. The Quaker Drive-In, Uxbridge, Mass., reported out of commission for at least a year, opened again on Sept. 2. Some of the equipment was salvaged and after the mud had dried out it was advisable to reopen.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Sept. 14, 1955: “The aftermath of the worst flood In the history of New England finds theatres in Massachusetts not as badly damaged as first reported … The Quaker Drive-In, Uxbridge, owned by Ned Eisner and Bob Atamian, required $20,000 to be put back in order. It reopened for the Labor Day weekend.”
Showmen’s Trade Review, Jan. 19, 1946: “L. M. Boney is building a new 250-seat theatre at San Jon, N. M. This opens up a new town and according to theatre equipment dealers, he is buying only the best equipment.”
Showmen’s Trade Review, April 27, 1946: “Elmer Boney, recently discharged from the Army, is opening a new 350-seat theatre at San Jon, N. M. It is named the Ute.”
1948 reports in STR referred to Archie A. Boney as the Ute’s owner.
Boxoffice, June 25, 1949: “Exhibitors seen on (Denver) Filmrow included … Fred Mallin, San Jon, N. M.”
Boxoffice, July 9, 1949: “Exhibitors and other attending the (New Mexico Theatre Owners Association) convention included: … San Jon - D. L. Wallace.”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: (Approved for exemption to the National Production Authority’s construction owner) “San Jon, N. M. - Theatre building, $6,900. R. A. Fickel.”
Boxoffice, July 5, 1952: “R. A. Fickel, who recently bought the Ute, San Jon, N. M., from D. L. Wallin, has rebuilt the theatre and renamed it the State”
Boxoffice, Sept. 30, 1963: “Marvin Terry is reopening his State at San Jon, N.M.” (The State was later included in a list of theaters remodeled in 1963.)
“Delta Drive-In Theater, the first outdoor theater of its kind in the Sikeston district, will open for business Monday night, July 4, it was announced today … An initial capacity of approximately 250 automobiles has been provided. Owners of the new enterprise are Earl Ferrell, of Charleston, and Mrs. Geraldine Twitty and Miss Geneva Alliston, of Sikeston.” That was on the front page of the July 1 Sikeston Daily Standard.
“Approximately 300 to 350 cars were admitted to the new Delta Drive-In Theatre, Highway 61, seven miles north of Sikeston, opening night Monday July 4.” That was page-4 news in the Sikeston Herald three days later. The Delta apparently didn’t advertise in the Herald.
We often (rightfully) blame the Motion Picture Almanac for failing to notice drive-in closures over the years. How about the Film Daily Year Book, which continued to list East Prairie’s Drive-In as active through its 1948 edition.
Not sure where this goes, since it’s probably not the Belt Drive-In, but it suggests that St. Joseph had some kind of drive-in in 1942.
Jefferson City Post-Tribune, Sept. 19, 1942: “ST. JOSEPH, Mo., Sept. 19 - (AP) - Policeman John Hartnett, 49, was injured critically last night when struck by a motor car as he was directing traffic near a drive-in theater on the Belt highway. He suffered seven leg fractures and a severe scalp laceration.”
The 40 Hiway was literally across US 40 from the Independence city limits on what was then unincorporated land.
Kansas City Star, April 12, 1942: “This area’s first drive-in theater - the type in which you see and hear the movies in your motor car - now is under construction on U.S. highway No. 40 about 200 feet east of U.S. highway No. 71 cutoff. Completion is scheduled about May 1. The enterprise, to be operated by the Open Air Theater corporation of Kansas City, subsidiary of Mid-West Drive-in Theatres, Inc., will occupy a 15-acre tract, leased several months ago. The site is three miles south of Independence. The main structure will be the 100-foot high screen building. The lower part will house the office. The screen will be 50 by 60 feet. … There will be a capacity of 500 motor cars. Sound amplifiers, individually controlled (?!) from the projection booth, will be provided for each motor car … Philip Smith of Boston is the president of the Kansas City organization and Mike Roth is the manager.”
The East Prairie opened on March 25, 1954, based on articles in Sikeston MO’s Daily Standard. It was owned by Earl Ferrell and Geraldine Twitty, and its playground included “rides, hobby horses, swings, pony ride and other features.” The opening program was a Bugs Bunny cartoon review and the film “Jivaro,” starring Fernando Lamas.
Boxoffice, Sept. 30, 1968: “STILLWATER, OKLA. - Video Independent Theatres opened its new 177 North Drive-In on Highway 177 north of town on September 5. The ozoner has a 428-car capacity and the very latest in equipment. Video also operates three conventional theatres here, the Leachman, Aggie and Campus, and another drive-in, the East 6th Street. Paul Gay is city manager for the circuit. There was another drive-in, the Moonlite, also operated by Video and located within the city limits, but which has been dismantled.”
The Iowa City Drive-In, “located west of Coralville on Highway 6,” opened on May 15, 1949, according to the previous day’s Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Work on the theater, the first to be constructed in this area, has been underway all spring.” The drive-in featured individual speakers for each car and held two shows nightly. The opening day feature was “Suddenly It’s Spring” with Fred McMurray, plus varied short subjects.
Boxoffice, March 10, 1975: “Joe Abousleman, Commonwealth’s Quail Twin city manager, … advised that Commonwealth was taking over the Sooner Twin Drive-In”
Boxoffice, May 20, 1968: “E. T. "Ted” Borum, who owns and operates the Sunset Drive-In and the Earth Theatre in Earth, Tex., has purchased the El Rey Drive-In, Amherst, some 25 miles south of Earth. Borum has been playing Spanish-language pictures only, double billing them on Friday and Saturday and with a single bill on Sunday. In June, he will play one English-language picture on Thursday, with a bingo night."
Boxoffice, Sept. 9, 1963: “LAMESA, TEX. - Phil Isley Theatres has taken over operation of the Palace Theatre and Yucca Drive-In, effective September 8, on a lease from B. J. Vaugh, businessman and civic leader who purchased the properties from Mrs. Audrey Cox.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 8, 1965: “R. A. "Skeet” Noret and John Watson of the Skyvue Theatre Corp. of Lamesa took over operation of the Palace Theatre and Yucca Drive-In from the Phil Isley Theatres. Audrey Cox of Lamesa owns the buildings."
Gettysburg (PA) Times, Aug. 23, 1952: “The new Monocacy Drive-In Theater near Taneytown will have its formal opening Sunday evening (August 24, 1952). Located on the Taneytown-Emmitsburg Highway, Route 32, the Monocacy is owned by John G. Miller, now operating theaters in Taneytown, Emmitsburg and Hancock. The Monocacy will have Kenneth E. Clem, Taneytown, as manager. The Monocacy is equipped with double-cone speakers and down lights. The lights give the theater a system of illumination enabling safe driving while not interfering with the viewers. Other conveniences for moviegoers include a modern concession stand. Future building plans call for a children’s playground. The theater will be operated daily. The comedy, "Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair,” starring Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride, will highlight the Monocacy’s grand opening."
Boxoffice, Sept. 30, 1950: “The Plant City Drive-In has been sold by Charles F. Hanson to Carl T. McKnight and Carl C. Blake, who own and operated the Reynolds Theatre in Youngstown, Ohio. Blake will manager the theatre. The new owners expect to make many improvements, including installation of in-a-car speakers. The car capacity at present is 300.”
Daily Illinois State Journal, March 11, 1973: “A new twin-screen, drive-in theatre will open in Green Meadows Recreation Park this summer, according to Louis Jablonow, president of Mid-America Theatres. The new drive-in will be located adjacent to Skateland and International Health Spa in Green Meadows Recreation Park, now under development at Chatham Road and the South Bypass. Construction on the new 875 automobile theatre facility is underway and plans call for a two-story concession and projection building with facilities that will serve two screens showing two separate movies at the same time. Two large playground areas will be provided and all parking spaces will be equipped with in-car speaker and heater units. Cedar fencing on the perimeter of the theatre grounds will be accented by landscaping.”
Daily Illinois State Journal, June 3, 1955: (caption to illegible photo) “Workmen today are rapidly completing the expansion of the 66 Drive-In theater screen, in order to have it ready for the Sunday (5) showing of full CinemaScope presentation. Already one of the largest screens in the country, the seven story high structure is now being extended to the width of 112 feetm actually two feet longer than the Washington St. length of the entire Strand theater.”
Let me add a couple of details to dallasmovietheaters' fine work.
In its ad in the May 19, 1955, issue of the Bridgeport News-Blade, the Centre announced, “Due to weather conditions and to allow us to complete some necessary work at the theatre, we will be closed through next week and reopen Sunday, May 29”. A short article in the May 26 News-Blade confirmed the opening date, noting that Schmidt’s indoor Trail would run only on weekends.
The July 28 News-Blade said the drive-in would close as of July 30. “Mr. Schmidt states that the Trail will, from that date on, be operated full time”.
Boxoffice, May 10, 1965: “Mr. and Mrs. Al Spargur, owners of the Grand Theatre (in Du Quoin IL), have reopened the former Melody Drive-In under the name of Holiday Drive-In. Located several miles south of Tamaroa, it has been closed since February for repairs and renovation. The concession stand and projection room have been remodeled and some new equipment added. Repairs have been made to the 45x80-foot screen. New lighting has been added to the entrance and speakers have been tuned and repaired.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Sept. 7, 1955: “The first reports of the storm and flood damage to drive-ins in southern New England fortunately were not as serious as anticipated. The Quaker Drive-In, Uxbridge, Mass., reported out of commission for at least a year, opened again on Sept. 2. Some of the equipment was salvaged and after the mud had dried out it was advisable to reopen.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Sept. 14, 1955: “The aftermath of the worst flood In the history of New England finds theatres in Massachusetts not as badly damaged as first reported … The Quaker Drive-In, Uxbridge, owned by Ned Eisner and Bob Atamian, required $20,000 to be put back in order. It reopened for the Labor Day weekend.”
So many names!
Showmen’s Trade Review, Jan. 19, 1946: “L. M. Boney is building a new 250-seat theatre at San Jon, N. M. This opens up a new town and according to theatre equipment dealers, he is buying only the best equipment.”
Showmen’s Trade Review, April 27, 1946: “Elmer Boney, recently discharged from the Army, is opening a new 350-seat theatre at San Jon, N. M. It is named the Ute.”
1948 reports in STR referred to Archie A. Boney as the Ute’s owner.
Boxoffice, June 25, 1949: “Exhibitors seen on (Denver) Filmrow included … Fred Mallin, San Jon, N. M.”
Boxoffice, July 9, 1949: “Exhibitors and other attending the (New Mexico Theatre Owners Association) convention included: … San Jon - D. L. Wallace.”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: (Approved for exemption to the National Production Authority’s construction owner) “San Jon, N. M. - Theatre building, $6,900. R. A. Fickel.”
Boxoffice, July 5, 1952: “R. A. Fickel, who recently bought the Ute, San Jon, N. M., from D. L. Wallin, has rebuilt the theatre and renamed it the State”
Boxoffice, Sept. 30, 1963: “Marvin Terry is reopening his State at San Jon, N.M.” (The State was later included in a list of theaters remodeled in 1963.)
“Delta Drive-In Theater, the first outdoor theater of its kind in the Sikeston district, will open for business Monday night, July 4, it was announced today … An initial capacity of approximately 250 automobiles has been provided. Owners of the new enterprise are Earl Ferrell, of Charleston, and Mrs. Geraldine Twitty and Miss Geneva Alliston, of Sikeston.” That was on the front page of the July 1 Sikeston Daily Standard.
“Approximately 300 to 350 cars were admitted to the new Delta Drive-In Theatre, Highway 61, seven miles north of Sikeston, opening night Monday July 4.” That was page-4 news in the Sikeston Herald three days later. The Delta apparently didn’t advertise in the Herald.
We often (rightfully) blame the Motion Picture Almanac for failing to notice drive-in closures over the years. How about the Film Daily Year Book, which continued to list East Prairie’s Drive-In as active through its 1948 edition.
Not sure where this goes, since it’s probably not the Belt Drive-In, but it suggests that St. Joseph had some kind of drive-in in 1942.
Jefferson City Post-Tribune, Sept. 19, 1942: “ST. JOSEPH, Mo., Sept. 19 - (AP) - Policeman John Hartnett, 49, was injured critically last night when struck by a motor car as he was directing traffic near a drive-in theater on the Belt highway. He suffered seven leg fractures and a severe scalp laceration.”
The 40 Hiway was literally across US 40 from the Independence city limits on what was then unincorporated land.
Kansas City Star, April 12, 1942: “This area’s first drive-in theater - the type in which you see and hear the movies in your motor car - now is under construction on U.S. highway No. 40 about 200 feet east of U.S. highway No. 71 cutoff. Completion is scheduled about May 1. The enterprise, to be operated by the Open Air Theater corporation of Kansas City, subsidiary of Mid-West Drive-in Theatres, Inc., will occupy a 15-acre tract, leased several months ago. The site is three miles south of Independence. The main structure will be the 100-foot high screen building. The lower part will house the office. The screen will be 50 by 60 feet. … There will be a capacity of 500 motor cars. Sound amplifiers, individually controlled (?!) from the projection booth, will be provided for each motor car … Philip Smith of Boston is the president of the Kansas City organization and Mike Roth is the manager.”
The East Prairie opened on March 25, 1954, based on articles in Sikeston MO’s Daily Standard. It was owned by Earl Ferrell and Geraldine Twitty, and its playground included “rides, hobby horses, swings, pony ride and other features.” The opening program was a Bugs Bunny cartoon review and the film “Jivaro,” starring Fernando Lamas.
A note on Etsy said that this was taken in 1976, and was printed and sold as a postcard in the 1980s.
Photo by Lucinda Lewis. It appeared in a 1995 Route 66 calendar with her pictures.
Boxoffice, Sept. 30, 1968: “STILLWATER, OKLA. - Video Independent Theatres opened its new 177 North Drive-In on Highway 177 north of town on September 5. The ozoner has a 428-car capacity and the very latest in equipment. Video also operates three conventional theatres here, the Leachman, Aggie and Campus, and another drive-in, the East 6th Street. Paul Gay is city manager for the circuit. There was another drive-in, the Moonlite, also operated by Video and located within the city limits, but which has been dismantled.”
The Iowa City Drive-In, “located west of Coralville on Highway 6,” opened on May 15, 1949, according to the previous day’s Iowa City Press-Citizen. “Work on the theater, the first to be constructed in this area, has been underway all spring.” The drive-in featured individual speakers for each car and held two shows nightly. The opening day feature was “Suddenly It’s Spring” with Fred McMurray, plus varied short subjects.
Same theater? Boxoffice, March 10, 1975: “Video Theatres has purchased the Movies house in Claremore and have changed the name to Video Theatre.”
Boxoffice, March 10, 1975: “Joe Abousleman, Commonwealth’s Quail Twin city manager, … advised that Commonwealth was taking over the Sooner Twin Drive-In”
Boxoffice, March 10, 1975: (Oklahoma City notes) “The 81 Drive-In in Comanche was practically leveled by a tornado last month”
Boxoffice, May 20, 1968: “E. T. "Ted” Borum, who owns and operates the Sunset Drive-In and the Earth Theatre in Earth, Tex., has purchased the El Rey Drive-In, Amherst, some 25 miles south of Earth. Borum has been playing Spanish-language pictures only, double billing them on Friday and Saturday and with a single bill on Sunday. In June, he will play one English-language picture on Thursday, with a bingo night."
Boxoffice, Sept. 9, 1963: “LAMESA, TEX. - Phil Isley Theatres has taken over operation of the Palace Theatre and Yucca Drive-In, effective September 8, on a lease from B. J. Vaugh, businessman and civic leader who purchased the properties from Mrs. Audrey Cox.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 8, 1965: “R. A. "Skeet” Noret and John Watson of the Skyvue Theatre Corp. of Lamesa took over operation of the Palace Theatre and Yucca Drive-In from the Phil Isley Theatres. Audrey Cox of Lamesa owns the buildings."
From the Oct. 21, 1963 issue of Boxoffice, Modern Theatre section
The Hancock’s first appearance in the Theatre Catalog was its 1950-51 edition, listed with a capacity of 250 cars, owner Irwin W. Livebaugh.
Gettysburg (PA) Times, Aug. 23, 1952: “The new Monocacy Drive-In Theater near Taneytown will have its formal opening Sunday evening (August 24, 1952). Located on the Taneytown-Emmitsburg Highway, Route 32, the Monocacy is owned by John G. Miller, now operating theaters in Taneytown, Emmitsburg and Hancock. The Monocacy will have Kenneth E. Clem, Taneytown, as manager. The Monocacy is equipped with double-cone speakers and down lights. The lights give the theater a system of illumination enabling safe driving while not interfering with the viewers. Other conveniences for moviegoers include a modern concession stand. Future building plans call for a children’s playground. The theater will be operated daily. The comedy, "Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair,” starring Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride, will highlight the Monocacy’s grand opening."
Boxoffice, Sept. 30, 1950: “The Plant City Drive-In has been sold by Charles F. Hanson to Carl T. McKnight and Carl C. Blake, who own and operated the Reynolds Theatre in Youngstown, Ohio. Blake will manager the theatre. The new owners expect to make many improvements, including installation of in-a-car speakers. The car capacity at present is 300.”
Daily Illinois State Journal, March 11, 1973: “A new twin-screen, drive-in theatre will open in Green Meadows Recreation Park this summer, according to Louis Jablonow, president of Mid-America Theatres. The new drive-in will be located adjacent to Skateland and International Health Spa in Green Meadows Recreation Park, now under development at Chatham Road and the South Bypass. Construction on the new 875 automobile theatre facility is underway and plans call for a two-story concession and projection building with facilities that will serve two screens showing two separate movies at the same time. Two large playground areas will be provided and all parking spaces will be equipped with in-car speaker and heater units. Cedar fencing on the perimeter of the theatre grounds will be accented by landscaping.”
Daily Illinois State Journal, June 3, 1955: (caption to illegible photo) “Workmen today are rapidly completing the expansion of the 66 Drive-In theater screen, in order to have it ready for the Sunday (5) showing of full CinemaScope presentation. Already one of the largest screens in the country, the seven story high structure is now being extended to the width of 112 feetm actually two feet longer than the Washington St. length of the entire Strand theater.”
Let me add a couple of details to dallasmovietheaters' fine work.
In its ad in the May 19, 1955, issue of the Bridgeport News-Blade, the Centre announced, “Due to weather conditions and to allow us to complete some necessary work at the theatre, we will be closed through next week and reopen Sunday, May 29”. A short article in the May 26 News-Blade confirmed the opening date, noting that Schmidt’s indoor Trail would run only on weekends.
The July 28 News-Blade said the drive-in would close as of July 30. “Mr. Schmidt states that the Trail will, from that date on, be operated full time”.