Same drive-in? The Carolina Beach Road Drive-In was listed under Wilmington in the 1948-56 Theatre Catalogs, always owner W. E. Thrush, capacity growing from 200 to 300 cars.
Boxoffice, March 24, 1958: “L. G. Harris jr. is opening immediately the Sea Cliff Drive-In, Wilmington, formerly the Carolina Beach Road Drive-In. The Sea Cliff will be for Negro patronage only.”
An early hint on the Starlite’s second screen came in a County Planning Commission preview in the July 10, 1958 issue of the San Bernardino County Sun: “Final item … is an application by W. J. Underhill for a variance to establish facilities for a second drive-in theater on his 10-acre parcel, in the central Twentynine Palms area, to help take care of extra bookings. The snack bar would be removed from its present location and placed between the new and old theaters to serve both units.”
One small hint as to a closing date - on July 29, 1981, the San Bernardino County Sun said there would be a carnival “at the old drive-in theater” at Big Bear Lake.
Boxoffice, April 24, 1961: “Paul Anderson of Jordon & Anderson has opened the Capri Theatre, a subsequent-run house in the southeast part of Denver. The Capri had been closed for several years”
Boxoffice, Oct. 6, 1961: “Lew Sher, president of the Art Cinema Guild, was in for the opening of their new Capri Theatre. The Capri formerly was a subsequent-run house playing regular domestic films. Bill Ramsey will manage the house in addition to the sister Vogue Theatre situated in the same section of Denver”
Boxoffice, Aug. 13, 1962: “The Art Cinema Guild … operates the Vogue, Capri and Paris art houses in Denver … The police department seems confused on the subject of censorship. "The Immoral West” opened at the Capri Theatre but was taken out when police officers said they believed it to be immoral. The picture has now opened at the downtown Victory Theatre with no action being taken by the police"
The Capri advertised in the Denver Post, through at least May 1963, with the address of 1028 S. Gaylord.
Boxoffice, June 21, 1976: “May 19, Commonwealth opened a new twin theatre, the Aztec in Gallup, N.M. Seating capacity of the duplex is 300 per screen.”
Boxoffice, April 26, 1952: “The Yucca Drive-In has been purchased by Richard Wiles jr. and Brooks Noah.”
Motion Picture Herald, May 3, 1952: Charles Brent has sold the Yucca drive-in, Santa Fe, N. M., to Wiles & Noah, who operate a drive-in at Excelsior Springs, Mo.
Boxoffice, Oct. 15, 1973: “Officials of Mountain Bell announced last month that the company had acquired a 21,000-square-foot parcel of land on the southwest corner of Glenn Drive and North 57th Drive, which includes the now-closed Glen Theatre. The movie house was closed in July because of what a spokesman for the Harry Nace Co. called "needed repairs” and “inadequate central air-conditioning.” … The Glen Theatre was completed June 30, 1949, opening to the public the next day with a world premiere of “The Doolins of Oklahoma” starring Randolph Scott … The theatre had lavish, flowered carpeting and special push-back chairs that allowed patrons to enter and leave their seats without causing distraction for others. It was managed from late 1949 to 1954 by the late Lawrence Eaglin."
Boxoffice, Oct. 22, 1973: “A fire at the Gage Drive-In in Bell Gardens caused an estimated $30,000 damage recently. Officers investigating the blaze at the ozoner, located at 6805 East Gage Ave., tentatively cited arson as the cause. They reported finding “considerable evidence of flammable liquid being purposely spilled and ignited” at the site of the fire. Showings at the Gage were continued as usual, despite the heavy damage.”
In a March 3, 1969, Boxoffice article detailing how Commonwealth-Frontier was preparing most of its Albuquerque drive-ins to open that spring, city manager Lou Avolio said that “C-F’s other outdoor house, the Star Drive-In, is not scheduled to reopen under the chain’s management since the lease runs out on May 1”.
Boxoffice, Sept. 12, 1966: “Les Hawley, formerly of Toronto and a 20-year veteran of the theatre business, is the manager of the "66” Drive-In which was recently opened at Kingston, Ont., by General Theatres, Ltd. The first feature was “A Big Hand for the Little Lady.” The capacity is 700 cars and a unique structiral achievement is the concrete screen, 104 feet wide and 74 feet high, built by the Wilson Concrete Products, Ltd., Belleville. The attractive refreshment center is the self-serve type and the theatre will have all-year operation."
Same theater? Motion Picture Exhibitor, July 5, 1961: “Bernie, Mo., will have a theatre again, after closed doors over a period of five years. David Barnhardt will be in charge of the Bernie.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Nov. 27, 1957: “Frank Glenn, Tamaroa, Ill., bought the 460 Drive-In, Carmi, Ill., from Donald R. Tolliver. Glenn is owner of the Melody, Mount Vernon, and Starland, Mt. Vernon, Ill. Tolliver and his family moved to Florida.”
Same drive-in? Showmen’s Trade Review, Sept. 3, 1949: “Walter Lambader is readying his new drive-in at Russell, Kans., for an opening next month. It will hold about 350 cars."
Motion Picture Herald, June 14, 1952: “Lincoln drive-in, the first Negro drive-in theatre in this section, opened at 1770 Cincinnati with the Beale Street Elks Club sponsoring the opening. The 500 car drive-in is owned by N. A. Cook and F. L. Abernathy.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, April 17, 1957: “The Charleston Drive-In, Charleston, Mo., has been leased by Geraldine Twitty and Earl Ferrell for the season. Andy Dietz, Cooperative Theatres, will buy and book. The owner of the situation, Doby Stout, appears to be gradually withdrawing from exhibition."
Variety, Jan. 14, 1949: “Commonwealth Amus. Co., Kansas City, purchased the Wayne, Waynesville, Mo., from J. T. Ghosen, Sedalia, Mo. House will be closed since the Commonwealth owns the Fort Wood, 800-seater in same town.”
Looks like the Woodlane had more than a soft opening in 1954, based on what I just unearthed.
The Exhibitor, April 28, 1954: “The new Woodlane Drive-In, Waynesville, Mo., had a grand opening at which balloons were given to the children, flowers to the ladies, and cigars to the men. Prizes were given to the oldest person present, the car with the most people, and the oldest mother or father present. Commonwealth Company, provided a free playground for kiddies.”
If you want to get picky, the drive-in was bounded by present-day Texas and Ohio avenues, and by Crisp Road and Kansas Street, which was its entrance. The building that’s on the site today, Truck Parts and Supply Co., has an address of 500 Texas Avenue.
As far as I know, this drive-in is the only one with the location and approximate date that matches this wire service story, which ran in the Vinita (OK) Daily Journal on Oct. 12, 1963: “PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (UPI) – Movies have become so long that a new drive-in theater here has had to install watering troughs and buckets of oats. The oats and water are placed near hitching posts provided by the drive-in for equestrian movie goers.”
Pauls Valley Daily Democrat, Sept. 23, 1962: “Charles Smith has leased the Corral Drive-in theater south of Pauls Valley from E. B. Anderson of Norman. He has moved to Pauls Valley with his family and has assumed management of the Corral … Anderson, who owns the Corral theater, operates a drive-in theater at Norman.”
Same drive-in? The Carolina Beach Road Drive-In was listed under Wilmington in the 1948-56 Theatre Catalogs, always owner W. E. Thrush, capacity growing from 200 to 300 cars.
Boxoffice, March 24, 1958: “L. G. Harris jr. is opening immediately the Sea Cliff Drive-In, Wilmington, formerly the Carolina Beach Road Drive-In. The Sea Cliff will be for Negro patronage only.”
An early hint on the Starlite’s second screen came in a County Planning Commission preview in the July 10, 1958 issue of the San Bernardino County Sun: “Final item … is an application by W. J. Underhill for a variance to establish facilities for a second drive-in theater on his 10-acre parcel, in the central Twentynine Palms area, to help take care of extra bookings. The snack bar would be removed from its present location and placed between the new and old theaters to serve both units.”
One small hint as to a closing date - on July 29, 1981, the San Bernardino County Sun said there would be a carnival “at the old drive-in theater” at Big Bear Lake.
That photo ran in the April 24, 1961 issue of Boxoffice, which appears to be in the public domain.
Boxoffice, April 24, 1961: “Paul Anderson of Jordon & Anderson has opened the Capri Theatre, a subsequent-run house in the southeast part of Denver. The Capri had been closed for several years”
Boxoffice, Oct. 6, 1961: “Lew Sher, president of the Art Cinema Guild, was in for the opening of their new Capri Theatre. The Capri formerly was a subsequent-run house playing regular domestic films. Bill Ramsey will manage the house in addition to the sister Vogue Theatre situated in the same section of Denver”
Boxoffice, Aug. 13, 1962: “The Art Cinema Guild … operates the Vogue, Capri and Paris art houses in Denver … The police department seems confused on the subject of censorship. "The Immoral West” opened at the Capri Theatre but was taken out when police officers said they believed it to be immoral. The picture has now opened at the downtown Victory Theatre with no action being taken by the police"
The Capri advertised in the Denver Post, through at least May 1963, with the address of 1028 S. Gaylord.
That photo ran on the front page of the June 4, 1957 Gallup Independent. The original caption:
New Zuni Drive-In theatre sign which will guide the visitors of the theatre which opens tonight on the east side of town. (Staff Photo)
Boxoffice, June 21, 1976: “May 19, Commonwealth opened a new twin theatre, the Aztec in Gallup, N.M. Seating capacity of the duplex is 300 per screen.”
Boxoffice, April 26, 1952: “The Yucca Drive-In has been purchased by Richard Wiles jr. and Brooks Noah.”
Motion Picture Herald, May 3, 1952: Charles Brent has sold the Yucca drive-in, Santa Fe, N. M., to Wiles & Noah, who operate a drive-in at Excelsior Springs, Mo.
Boxoffice, Oct. 15, 1973: “Officials of Mountain Bell announced last month that the company had acquired a 21,000-square-foot parcel of land on the southwest corner of Glenn Drive and North 57th Drive, which includes the now-closed Glen Theatre. The movie house was closed in July because of what a spokesman for the Harry Nace Co. called "needed repairs” and “inadequate central air-conditioning.” … The Glen Theatre was completed June 30, 1949, opening to the public the next day with a world premiere of “The Doolins of Oklahoma” starring Randolph Scott … The theatre had lavish, flowered carpeting and special push-back chairs that allowed patrons to enter and leave their seats without causing distraction for others. It was managed from late 1949 to 1954 by the late Lawrence Eaglin."
Boxoffice, Oct. 22, 1973: “A fire at the Gage Drive-In in Bell Gardens caused an estimated $30,000 damage recently. Officers investigating the blaze at the ozoner, located at 6805 East Gage Ave., tentatively cited arson as the cause. They reported finding “considerable evidence of flammable liquid being purposely spilled and ignited” at the site of the fire. Showings at the Gage were continued as usual, despite the heavy damage.”
In a March 3, 1969, Boxoffice article detailing how Commonwealth-Frontier was preparing most of its Albuquerque drive-ins to open that spring, city manager Lou Avolio said that “C-F’s other outdoor house, the Star Drive-In, is not scheduled to reopen under the chain’s management since the lease runs out on May 1”.
Boxoffice, Sept. 12, 1966: “Les Hawley, formerly of Toronto and a 20-year veteran of the theatre business, is the manager of the "66” Drive-In which was recently opened at Kingston, Ont., by General Theatres, Ltd. The first feature was “A Big Hand for the Little Lady.” The capacity is 700 cars and a unique structiral achievement is the concrete screen, 104 feet wide and 74 feet high, built by the Wilson Concrete Products, Ltd., Belleville. The attractive refreshment center is the self-serve type and the theatre will have all-year operation."
Same theater? Motion Picture Exhibitor, July 5, 1961: “Bernie, Mo., will have a theatre again, after closed doors over a period of five years. David Barnhardt will be in charge of the Bernie.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Nov. 27, 1957: “Frank Glenn, Tamaroa, Ill., bought the 460 Drive-In, Carmi, Ill., from Donald R. Tolliver. Glenn is owner of the Melody, Mount Vernon, and Starland, Mt. Vernon, Ill. Tolliver and his family moved to Florida.”
Same drive-in? Showmen’s Trade Review, Sept. 3, 1949: “Walter Lambader is readying his new drive-in at Russell, Kans., for an opening next month. It will hold about 350 cars."
Where does this fit it? Was there only one drive-in in Freeport?
The Exhibitor, July 12, 1950: “(Steve) Bennis on May 18 opened his drive-in at Freeport, Ill."
Motion Picture Herald, June 14, 1952: “Lincoln drive-in, the first Negro drive-in theatre in this section, opened at 1770 Cincinnati with the Beale Street Elks Club sponsoring the opening. The 500 car drive-in is owned by N. A. Cook and F. L. Abernathy.”
Boxoffice, May 14, 1962: “The Kerasotes Drive-In screen at Rantoul, Ill., was blown down in the recent storms.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, April 17, 1957: “The Charleston Drive-In, Charleston, Mo., has been leased by Geraldine Twitty and Earl Ferrell for the season. Andy Dietz, Cooperative Theatres, will buy and book. The owner of the situation, Doby Stout, appears to be gradually withdrawing from exhibition."
Variety, Jan. 14, 1949: “Commonwealth Amus. Co., Kansas City, purchased the Wayne, Waynesville, Mo., from J. T. Ghosen, Sedalia, Mo. House will be closed since the Commonwealth owns the Fort Wood, 800-seater in same town.”
Looks like the Woodlane had more than a soft opening in 1954, based on what I just unearthed.
The Exhibitor, April 28, 1954: “The new Woodlane Drive-In, Waynesville, Mo., had a grand opening at which balloons were given to the children, flowers to the ladies, and cigars to the men. Prizes were given to the oldest person present, the car with the most people, and the oldest mother or father present. Commonwealth Company, provided a free playground for kiddies.”
The Exhibitor, July 23, 1952: “The Autovue Drive-In, a 300-car theatre near Mountain Grove, Mo., was opened by Austin E. Allcorn, Poplar Bluff, Mo.”
If you want to get picky, the drive-in was bounded by present-day Texas and Ohio avenues, and by Crisp Road and Kansas Street, which was its entrance. The building that’s on the site today, Truck Parts and Supply Co., has an address of 500 Texas Avenue.
As far as I know, this drive-in is the only one with the location and approximate date that matches this wire service story, which ran in the Vinita (OK) Daily Journal on Oct. 12, 1963: “PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (UPI) – Movies have become so long that a new drive-in theater here has had to install watering troughs and buckets of oats. The oats and water are placed near hitching posts provided by the drive-in for equestrian movie goers.”
Pauls Valley Daily Democrat, Sept. 23, 1962: “Charles Smith has leased the Corral Drive-in theater south of Pauls Valley from E. B. Anderson of Norman. He has moved to Pauls Valley with his family and has assumed management of the Corral … Anderson, who owns the Corral theater, operates a drive-in theater at Norman.”