Grand opening of the South Park (as shown in the Photos section, submitted by DriveIn54) was August 27, 1940 with “The Housekeeper’s Daughter”. Very appropriate opening feature as the movie’s star, Adolphe Menjou, was a native Pittsburgher.
For the first several years, it was simply known as “Drive-In Theater” with no specific name. It was named South Park in 1947.
Also, to whoever is in charge of editing the overview: There was a change in restaurants in that area several years ago. Please change Taco Bell to Arby’s. Thank you,
Final day of operation was September 7, 1998 with “Knock Off”, “Dance With Me” and “The Mask Of Zorro” on Screen 1, and “Blade”, “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” and “Snake Eyes” on Screen 2.
Opened on April 7, 1917 with “His Sweetheart”, starring George Beban. Last day of first-run operation was apparently November 30, 1958 with “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof” and “When Andy Hardy Comes Home”. Reopened for stage productions on March 9, 1973 with “The Fantasticks”. Reopened as a movie theater December 21, 1979 with “Roller Boogie”. Closed for renovations after February 24, 1989; reopened less than three months later on May 19 with two screens (and renamed “Plaza II”) with “Rain Main” and “Full Moon In Blue Water”. Final day of operation was December 3, 1998 with “Rush Hour” and “Antz”.
The Sheridan Square opened as a vaudeville theater on October 20, 1913. The opening day acts included J.K. Emmett (Illustrious son of the famous “Fritz” Emmett) & Company, Doria Opera Trio, Les Montforts (comedy bar gymnasts), Musical Fredericks, and others.
Final day of operation at the Sheridan Square, according to newspaper listings, was June 1, 1977 with “The Together Brothers” and “Capone”. The theater sat dormant until demolition started in September 1987 and did not finish until summer 1989.
The Blue Ridge Drive-In can be seen from Historic Aerials via 1952 aerial map, located across from Oglevee Lane (road overlay T742b). To the southwest of this point you can see the Comet Drive-In at road overlay T976 (Morrell Rd.)
Opened November 15, 1963 (exactly one week before President Kennedy was assassinated). Closed in 1981.
This was the second of only two drive-ins to be built within the Pittsburgh city limits (the other being Silver Lake in East Liberty). Located in the Spring Garden area off Spring Garden Ave., it sat just off to the left near the point where Williams Rd. (formerly Geyer Rd.) becomes Lamar St. Direct access from the other end via East Street Bridge was blocked off years later with new developments. There is nothing left of the North Side except an empty field as it became vandalized in its waning years.
Sad news. The Weirs Drive-In’s final night of operation was this past Monday, September 4. The owner has decided to retire and sold the land for condos and other so-called “progress”.
It was said the the owner’s son will take ownership of all the theater-related equipment and start searching for land to build a new drive-in theater with it. Of course, I’ll be pulling for him.
Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure of visiting the Weirs. I was always hoping to, but was never able to plan it.
According to the ads in the Arizona Republic, the Velda Rose was to open on October 6, 1972 with the film “War Between Men and Women”, but this was pushed ahead to October 13 with “Joe Kidd”.
Final night of operation was September 11, 1983 with the films “Octopussy” and “Krull”
Grand opening of the South Park (as shown in the Photos section, submitted by DriveIn54) was August 27, 1940 with “The Housekeeper’s Daughter”. Very appropriate opening feature as the movie’s star, Adolphe Menjou, was a native Pittsburgher.
For the first several years, it was simply known as “Drive-In Theater” with no specific name. It was named South Park in 1947.
Also, to whoever is in charge of editing the overview: There was a change in restaurants in that area several years ago. Please change Taco Bell to Arby’s. Thank you,
Final day of operation was September 7, 1998 with “Knock Off”, “Dance With Me” and “The Mask Of Zorro” on Screen 1, and “Blade”, “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” and “Snake Eyes” on Screen 2.
Opened on April 7, 1917 with “His Sweetheart”, starring George Beban. Last day of first-run operation was apparently November 30, 1958 with “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof” and “When Andy Hardy Comes Home”. Reopened for stage productions on March 9, 1973 with “The Fantasticks”. Reopened as a movie theater December 21, 1979 with “Roller Boogie”. Closed for renovations after February 24, 1989; reopened less than three months later on May 19 with two screens (and renamed “Plaza II”) with “Rain Main” and “Full Moon In Blue Water”. Final day of operation was December 3, 1998 with “Rush Hour” and “Antz”.
Final day of operation was December 8, 1978 with, as mentioned above, “Cat and Mouse”
Final day of operation was July 4, 1978 with “The Great Smokey Roadblock” and “Dixie Dynamite”
Final day of operation was September 2, 2002 with “Scooby Doo”, “Mr. Deeds” and “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood”
Final day of operation was July 28, 1985 with “Pale Rider”
Grand opening: May 27, 1964 with “From Russia, With Love” Final day of operation: May 21, 1989 with “She’s Out Of Control”
The Sheridan Square opened as a vaudeville theater on October 20, 1913. The opening day acts included J.K. Emmett (Illustrious son of the famous “Fritz” Emmett) & Company, Doria Opera Trio, Les Montforts (comedy bar gymnasts), Musical Fredericks, and others.
Final day of operation at the Sheridan Square, according to newspaper listings, was June 1, 1977 with “The Together Brothers” and “Capone”. The theater sat dormant until demolition started in September 1987 and did not finish until summer 1989.
I found what appears to be the actual grand opening date of June 2, 1946. The ad is now in the Photos section
The Blue Ridge Drive-In can be seen from Historic Aerials via 1952 aerial map, located across from Oglevee Lane (road overlay T742b). To the southwest of this point you can see the Comet Drive-In at road overlay T976 (Morrell Rd.)
This one did not last very long; the last known showing in the Uniontown papers was for Sunday September 12, 1954 (per Saturday’s paper)
Cuppies opened on June 29, 1947 with the film “Lover Come Back”. First night as Malden Drive-In was May 26, 1976.
I believe this drive-in is still intact at this point, giving great hope that one day it will be bought and reopened.
Ficks was renamed Brownsville on March 26, 1959
Renamed Moonlite on April 1, 1949.
Screen #2 opened July 2, 1980
Grand openings of the other screens include June 16, 1956 (#2), April 3, 1981 (#3), May 25, 1984 (#4), and June 20, 1986 (#5)
Opened November 15, 1963 (exactly one week before President Kennedy was assassinated). Closed in 1981.
This was the second of only two drive-ins to be built within the Pittsburgh city limits (the other being Silver Lake in East Liberty). Located in the Spring Garden area off Spring Garden Ave., it sat just off to the left near the point where Williams Rd. (formerly Geyer Rd.) becomes Lamar St. Direct access from the other end via East Street Bridge was blocked off years later with new developments. There is nothing left of the North Side except an empty field as it became vandalized in its waning years.
Sad news. The Weirs Drive-In’s final night of operation was this past Monday, September 4. The owner has decided to retire and sold the land for condos and other so-called “progress”.
It was said the the owner’s son will take ownership of all the theater-related equipment and start searching for land to build a new drive-in theater with it. Of course, I’ll be pulling for him.
Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure of visiting the Weirs. I was always hoping to, but was never able to plan it.
Sadly, the Corry Drive-In itself is now GONE-ZO. Demolition started in February or March and was completed April 3.
According to the ads in the Arizona Republic, the Velda Rose was to open on October 6, 1972 with the film “War Between Men and Women”, but this was pushed ahead to October 13 with “Joe Kidd”.
Final night of operation was September 11, 1983 with the films “Octopussy” and “Krull”
Grand opening was on October 23, 1971 with the film “Big Jake” starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.
Grand opening of the Southland 9 was May 23, 1986. Thus, it lasted just over 30 years.
The site is now occupied by a new housing development called Villas of Economy
The original big screen tower was torn down yesterday (1/17). The snack bar and second screen are still standing at this point.