Drive-in motion picture theaters had a reputation for being ‘passion pits’ almost from the very beginning. In 1957 a bill was introduced to the Ohio General Assembly by two Montgomery County delegates to ban unmarried persons under eighteen from attending movie theaters after midnight unless accompanied by parents or guardians. The measure was sponsored by State Representative Jesse Yoder and Charles W. Whalen, Jr. Yoder told the committee he had introduced the bill because “people are disturbed by the goings-on in drive-in theaters after midnight.”
Harold B. LeCrone, assistant county prosecutor, told the house judiciary committee that “illegitimate births in the county are stemming primarily from one drive-in.” He did not name the offending theater. “We know it must be happening,” LeCrone continued. “The bars close and the dregs are using the places. They go off in a corner of the drive-in and park. It’s a little cheaper than renting a motel.”
Robert Wile, of the Theater Owners of Ohio, testified against the bill.
“You can’t blame the illegitimate birthrate on the drive-ins because we are cheaper than motels. You should also keep eighteen year olds out of motels.” He also stated that enforcing the law would be difficult since it would take theater operators “hours to check all the cars after midnight to see if there were any minors in them.”
Part of the problem was due to the fact that during the early 1950’s some of the local drive-ins began having all night movie marathons. The last movie of these ‘dusk to dawn shows’ sometimes didn’t end until 4 a.m. or later.
Drive-in theater owners as far away as Troy, Miamisburg, Eaton and Springfield met at the Belmont Auto Drive-In to discuss the problem. They agreed to drop the dusk to dawn shows after November 2, 1957.
“When we saw they (dusk to dawn shows) were hurting the community, we decided to stop them,” said Edward Parker, owner of the North Star Drive-In. “One of the theater operators had been holding out because he felt he was catering to a number of second shift factory workers, but we changed his mind.”
The house judiciary committee shelved the bill after hearing that the number of films being shown would be reduced to three, which meant the box office closed at midnight. Owners also agreed to patrol the theater grounds for “unacceptable” activity, such as lovers and drinkers.
– Text from “On This Date in Dayton’s History" by Curt Dalton
This sign above the ticket booth is still left from the days when electric car heaters were offered to patrons of the Belmont theater. The heaters allowed the Belmont to be open year round. Unfortunately, they were expensive to run and maintain, so theaters did away with them. Gone were the days of cuddling together on a December night while watching a romantic movie under the stars. Author’s collection
That is going to be a tuff one to find. I think I know where it was at in looking at early aerials. I think you are correct about using the name “Autoscope” from what I can find. Clark Smith advertised for somebody to gravel/grade a 600 car drive-in on Aug 11, 1956. Found a few ads and Smith held auctions there also. 600 cars is pretty big and should be seemed on aerial views. But not… He was screening movies up to 1966..
Can anybody tell me who operated the Grand after Cinecome Theatres when bankrupt in 1973? It was reopened after that along with the East Side Drive-In. Cinecome was no more..
Okay…I just uploaded the current location of the drive-ins in area. We did find reference for Sunset Drive-In also..we have not researched that out yet.
The address is: 7607 NE 5th Ave
Vancouver, WA 98665
From the Speaker Post on FB.
November 2, 1957
Drive-in motion picture theaters had a reputation for being ‘passion pits’ almost from the very beginning. In 1957 a bill was introduced to the Ohio General Assembly by two Montgomery County delegates to ban unmarried persons under eighteen from attending movie theaters after midnight unless accompanied by parents or guardians. The measure was sponsored by State Representative Jesse Yoder and Charles W. Whalen, Jr. Yoder told the committee he had introduced the bill because “people are disturbed by the goings-on in drive-in theaters after midnight.” Harold B. LeCrone, assistant county prosecutor, told the house judiciary committee that “illegitimate births in the county are stemming primarily from one drive-in.” He did not name the offending theater. “We know it must be happening,” LeCrone continued. “The bars close and the dregs are using the places. They go off in a corner of the drive-in and park. It’s a little cheaper than renting a motel.” Robert Wile, of the Theater Owners of Ohio, testified against the bill. “You can’t blame the illegitimate birthrate on the drive-ins because we are cheaper than motels. You should also keep eighteen year olds out of motels.” He also stated that enforcing the law would be difficult since it would take theater operators “hours to check all the cars after midnight to see if there were any minors in them.” Part of the problem was due to the fact that during the early 1950’s some of the local drive-ins began having all night movie marathons. The last movie of these ‘dusk to dawn shows’ sometimes didn’t end until 4 a.m. or later. Drive-in theater owners as far away as Troy, Miamisburg, Eaton and Springfield met at the Belmont Auto Drive-In to discuss the problem. They agreed to drop the dusk to dawn shows after November 2, 1957. “When we saw they (dusk to dawn shows) were hurting the community, we decided to stop them,” said Edward Parker, owner of the North Star Drive-In. “One of the theater operators had been holding out because he felt he was catering to a number of second shift factory workers, but we changed his mind.” The house judiciary committee shelved the bill after hearing that the number of films being shown would be reduced to three, which meant the box office closed at midnight. Owners also agreed to patrol the theater grounds for “unacceptable” activity, such as lovers and drinkers. – Text from “On This Date in Dayton’s History" by Curt Dalton
You might be right!! LOL
500 FM 1658, Bridgeport, TX is the address for Bridgeport Manufacturing.
There were two drive-ins theatres in Stanton,TX
The Buffalo DI was located at TX-137 & Co Rd 2300, Stanton, TX
The Ford DI was located under I-20 & TX-137
By 1965 both DI’s were gone.
There were two drive-ins theatres in Stanton,TX
The Buffalo DI was located at TX-137 & Co Rd 2300, Stanton, TX
The Ford DI was located under I-20 & TX-137
By 1965 both DI’s were gone.
Hopefully I will be getting some “good” pictures of the Dayton area drive-ins down the road!!.
This sign above the ticket booth is still left from the days when electric car heaters were offered to patrons of the Belmont theater. The heaters allowed the Belmont to be open year round. Unfortunately, they were expensive to run and maintain, so theaters did away with them. Gone were the days of cuddling together on a December night while watching a romantic movie under the stars. Author’s collection
Thanks for adding the information about Ascot and Gala Drive-Ins.
There was two drive-in theatres in Las Vegas, NM. The Vegas and the Fort Union Drive-Ins. The Vegas Drive-In is listed on CT also.
The address is: 2805 Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NM 87701. That address is on the wrong side of the road. The drive-in was located underneath I-25.
I-70 Drive-In is closed for good!!
From FB….
The Final Measurements are in and the
Car Count has been established!
In our primary parking area we can hold 445 cars!
In our Auxiliary parking area (backfield) we can hold an additional 110 cars!
That’s a total of 555 cars!
We will see you all in 18 days!!
Newspaper article about the opening
The address is Burwell Rd & Cortez Blvd Ridge Manor, FL 33597
bbrrown have you tried asking any of the local historical society’s or library’s?
That is going to be a tuff one to find. I think I know where it was at in looking at early aerials. I think you are correct about using the name “Autoscope” from what I can find. Clark Smith advertised for somebody to gravel/grade a 600 car drive-in on Aug 11, 1956. Found a few ads and Smith held auctions there also. 600 cars is pretty big and should be seemed on aerial views. But not… He was screening movies up to 1966..
Can anybody tell me who operated the Grand after Cinecome Theatres when bankrupt in 1973? It was reopened after that along with the East Side Drive-In. Cinecome was no more..
Okay…I just uploaded the current location of the drive-ins in area. We did find reference for Sunset Drive-In also..we have not researched that out yet.
Look at the post by NYozoner and he does give the correct address’s for all four of them…
Here to you GO It was the Sidney Drive-In.
I got that location listed has the Brazos Twin Drive-In.
Address is: 508 Winchester St. Geneva, IN 46740
I believe that was also the Geneva Drive-In.
The address is :W Virginia 20 at Hanna Rd Craigsville, WV 26205
It is listed as the Craigsville Drive-In also. I believe it opened has the Outdoor Drive-In and then renamed..
The address is: Davis Hwy at Duke St Louisa, VA 23093