More details and names from the June 8, 1947 edition of the Longview News-Journal:
Construction is to begin immediately on a $50,000 drive-in theater, midway between Longview and Gladewater, just east of the Kilgore cutoff and highway 80 intersection.
The project is being financed by Park Amusement Co., organized by Frank Bolton Jr., and Henry Gossett Jr., local attorneys, and owners of the Gregg theater, Longview; with Dolmor theaters, an independent chain of theaters operating in Texas and New Mexico, headed by Bill Morrow of Longview and Lester Dollison of Sherman.
Ownership note in the June 13, 1953 issue of Boxoffice: “Del Drive-In Theatre, Inc., has filed notice of dissolution of charter of incorporation with the secretary of state.”
The Hinton and State were separate theaters. The Hinton was advertising in the local Hinton Record as early as May 1919. On the other hand, it appears that the State opened in 1944, per Showmen’s Trade Review, April 29, 1944: “J. C. Smock, Oklahoma City exhbitor, has scheduled the opening of his new State Theatre at Hinton, Okla., for the second week in May. The house has a seating capacity of 320.”
More about the Hinton:
Motion Picture News, June 5, 1926: “A. G. Carlyle is enlarging the Hinton Theatre at Hinton, Okla., to a seating capacity of 150 seats.”
Motion Picture Herald, Nov. 13, 1937: “Recent Operadio sound installations in the middle west include A. G. Carlisle’s Hinton theatre at Hinton, Okla.”
The 1950 Film Daily Year Book listed both the Hinton (400 seats) and the State (300) in tiny Hinton OK.
The Hinton Record, April 13, 1961: “The possibility of a bad accident occurring on main street was eliminated this week when workmen removed the sagged and rotted awning from the Hinton Theatre. Hasten Snow, owner of the building, plans to replace it with a new awning”
The Hinton was still advertising in the Record in 1962.
Quay County Sun, March 23, 2010: (looking back, 50 years ago today) “Tucumcari’s school board held a special session 50 years ago today and unanimously approved a plan to build a new high school. The board agreed to acquire 32 acres and a concrete building – formerly used by a drive-in theater – on the “Yessler property,” where the school would be constructed, according to the Tucumcari Daily News. Voters approved the plan, 829-427, a few weeks later and construction soon began on the school that remains today at 1100 S. Seventh St.”
I think that means that the Yessler family kept the land even as it leased the drive-in, that the County closed by the end of the 1959 season if not earlier, and that the correct address is that of the high school, still 1100 S. Seventh St.
This photo also appeared in the 1955-56 Theatre Catalog on a page of Adler Silhouette Letter Co. installations. It ran with the very odd, misleading caption, “Blue Sky, Chola Vista, Calif.”
Boxoffice, July 25, 1953: “An estimated 2,000 persons attended the opening night program of the new Midway Drive-In Theatre recently. The 400-space ozoner is owned by William B. Derrickson, Rehoboth Beach exhibitor.”
This photo is by John Margolies, and is part of the John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive at the Library of Congress. You can download it from Flickr or LOC.gov. All of photos in that collection are effectively in the public domain.
I wonder whether all of these features made it into the finished product.
Boxoffice, July 18, 1953: “Construction of a $250,000 combination drive-in theatre, restaurant, motel and service station at Chestermere Lake, a suburb of Calgary, is scheduled to begin this summer and be ready for business in 1954. Tentative plans also call for construction of a golf course, swimming pool, bowling alley, tennis court and children’s playground. Paul Hansen, a Calgary real estate man, is in charge of the promotion. Plans call for a glass-fronted auditorium with a seating capacity of 350 to cater to walk-in patrons. Capacity of the outdoor theatre will be 500 cars.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 22, 1953: “Cashing in smartly on (Corinne) Calvet’s personal appearance in Winnipeg, the Airport Drive-In, a stone’s throw from the Stadium, featured "Rope of Sand,” featuring the French actress, opening the film 20 minutes after the ceremonies at the Stadium, giving motorists enough time to see Miss Calvet in person at the ceremonies, then drive several feet over to the drive-in and see her on the screen."
Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1953: “The Corinth Drive-In, Guys, Tenn., opens August 6, John M. Carter, secretary-treasurer of Corinth Drive-In Corp., owner, announced. This is a new drive-in.”
The Auto Sho opened in 1950? Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1953: “"Flying saucers” descended on audiences at the Auto Sho Drive-In Theatre during the theatre’s third anniversary. The saucers were sailed from the top of the concession stand. “Lucky” saucers contained $20 and $10 bills. There were a total of 350 prizes. Free lollipops were passed out to the kids."
Same drive-in? Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1953: “Construction of a new drive-in has been started on Highway 19 between Vernon and Sulligent. Owner is Richards Theatres of Fayette, who operates the Strand in Sulligent and the Lamar in Vernon. Person submitting the name selected for the drive-in will receive a $25 defense bond.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 10, 1953: “CHIPLEY, FLA. - Hurricane "Florence,” which hit the northwestern Florida section recently, destroyed the screen tower of the Starlight Drive-In here. I. Roche, owner of the drive-in, started building a new concrete block tower in the shape of a pyramid. Estimated damage to the tower was about $1,500. Another $250 damage was done to the blinds. This was the second time this year that the screen had been damaged by storms."
Boxoffice, Oct. 10. 1953: “AUBURNDALE, FLA. - D. C. Laird has sold the Twinkle Star Drive-In here. The new owner, Talgar Theatres, has taken over operation of the airer.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 14, 1953: “A number of improvements are planned at the Melody Cruise-In before its reopening next spring, according to Michael H. Chakeres, general manager of the Springfield Theatres Co. A 65-foot-wide screen will be installed, along with about 100 more speakers, at the airer on Route 40 east of Springfield.”
The Denver Mart (the exhibit hall/event center) is closing permanently on March 31. The Denver Post reported that it’s the result of a loan default and expected sale of the complex.
Since the concession stand and rest rooms were based in the Mart, it’s not surprising that the drive-in web page now says “The Drive In Is closing and will not be open for the 2021 season.”
All indications are that the drive-in was popular enough to reopen when the complex’s ownership gets squared away. But for now, it’s probably more accurate to mark this one Closed.
Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “The Tri-Delta Amusement Co. of Tucson, headed by George Diamos, opened its new Geronimo Drive-In in Fry, Ariz., on June 29. It is a 500-car installation.”
Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “Chet Borg’s Mo-Kan Drive-In at Fort Scott, Kas., was "attacled” by Cougar jet planes on a recent Sunday afternoon. The public was invited to attend free and saw Borg “fight back” with a 21-gun aerial salute. The planes “attacked” from a height of 2,000 feet. That night Borg showed “An Annapolis Story” and Navy recruiting circulars were distributed during the day. Borg said when he heard the Navy planes were making a tactical training flight in the vicinity, he booked the picture and made the “attack” arrangement. The planes came from the nearby Olathe, Kas., training base."
Looks like Art and Deldee Clemon sold out quickly. Here’s a for-sale classified in the Dec. 1, 1956 Boxoffice: “300-car drive-in. Fast growing southern California desert community. Only 8 month old, showing good profit. Owner has interests in another state. Write, Patio Theatre, Box 936, Twentynine Palms, Calif.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 15, 1956: “ARCADIA, FLA. - DeSoto Drive-In near Brownsville, about four miles north of Arcadia, has been purchased by John Jackson jr. from Mr. and Mrs. George West. The theatre was opened in 1951 under the ownership of Bernie Swiney. Two years later he sold out to George West and Bernie Thompson, and a short time later Thompson sold his interest to Mr. and Mrs. West, who have operated it ever since. The new owner is from Batesville, Ind., where he owns and operates a drive-in which is closed during the winter. Her plans to return to a seven-day-a-week operation of the DeSoto.”
The Kante Group, part of the family of organizations by local entrepreneur Joni Rogers-Kante, has purchased the TeePee, as reported by the Sapulpa Times. Heavy equipment has already begun clearing the overgrown viewing field - photos in the article.
The Times wrote, “It’s unknown at this time exactly in what way the property will be used, but unnamed sources have told Sapulpa Times that they expect to have the theater operating again by the summer of 2021.” Unnamed sources? I wonder whether this was a spokesperson who didn’t want to talk on the record or just some local rumor.
Left unspoken is how patrons would drive to a reborn TeePee. If the Rock Creek Bridge is still closed, that would mean a fairly long drive on a narrow, albeit historic, stretch of old Route 66.
The 1955-56 Theatre Catalog had the sketchy listing: “Bishop, Cal., NEW D. I. Exec: C. A. Ford. (–)”
The Bishop’s first appearance in the Motion Picture Almanac was the 1957 edition, capacity 460, owner F. C. Amistoso
Motion Picture Exhibitor, March 5, 1958: “Louis Wudke and Ned Shafer have sold their Bishop Drive-In, Bishop, to a syndicate.”
Boxoffice, March 30, 1964: “Exhibitors Service, headed by Harry Rackin and Syd Lehman, is booking and buying for Merton Pond’s Bishop Drive-In”
Boxoffice, April 24, 1967: “Merton Pond of the Bishop Theatre and Bishop Drive-In” visited Los Angeles Film Row.
The generally reliable 1977 edition of the MPA still showed the Bishop, now with a capacity of 342 and owner M.H. Pond. It stayed that way through 1979, then dropped off the 1980 MPA drive-in list.
I couldn’t find many mentions of the Lucky. The Sept. 22, 1951 issue of Boxoffice noted that Clayton Gran had obtained a building permit for the drive-in, which was “expected to be completed within six months.”
Boxoffice, June 28, 1952: “Co-owners Clayton Gran and Fremon Klint have opened their new $55,000 drive-in on Fulkerth road north of the Stanislaus district fair grounds. The theatre was named the Lucky Drive-In and it has a self-service snack bar.”
The Lucky was still operating in July 1967, when “The Weird World of LSD,” a black-and-white film directed by Robert Ground, had a record-breaking run there.
The 1978 Motion Picture Almanac, which tended to be reasonably accurate, still included the Lucky, run by R. Laykin. In the 1980 edition, the owner changed to Maestri, which is how it stayed through its final MPA appearance in 1982.
More details and names from the June 8, 1947 edition of the Longview News-Journal:
Construction is to begin immediately on a $50,000 drive-in theater, midway between Longview and Gladewater, just east of the Kilgore cutoff and highway 80 intersection.
The project is being financed by Park Amusement Co., organized by Frank Bolton Jr., and Henry Gossett Jr., local attorneys, and owners of the Gregg theater, Longview; with Dolmor theaters, an independent chain of theaters operating in Texas and New Mexico, headed by Bill Morrow of Longview and Lester Dollison of Sherman.
Ownership note in the June 13, 1953 issue of Boxoffice: “Del Drive-In Theatre, Inc., has filed notice of dissolution of charter of incorporation with the secretary of state.”
The Hinton and State were separate theaters. The Hinton was advertising in the local Hinton Record as early as May 1919. On the other hand, it appears that the State opened in 1944, per Showmen’s Trade Review, April 29, 1944: “J. C. Smock, Oklahoma City exhbitor, has scheduled the opening of his new State Theatre at Hinton, Okla., for the second week in May. The house has a seating capacity of 320.”
More about the Hinton:
Motion Picture News, June 5, 1926: “A. G. Carlyle is enlarging the Hinton Theatre at Hinton, Okla., to a seating capacity of 150 seats.”
Motion Picture Herald, Nov. 13, 1937: “Recent Operadio sound installations in the middle west include A. G. Carlisle’s Hinton theatre at Hinton, Okla.”
The 1950 Film Daily Year Book listed both the Hinton (400 seats) and the State (300) in tiny Hinton OK.
The Hinton Record, April 13, 1961: “The possibility of a bad accident occurring on main street was eliminated this week when workmen removed the sagged and rotted awning from the Hinton Theatre. Hasten Snow, owner of the building, plans to replace it with a new awning”
The Hinton was still advertising in the Record in 1962.
Quay County Sun, March 23, 2010: (looking back, 50 years ago today) “Tucumcari’s school board held a special session 50 years ago today and unanimously approved a plan to build a new high school. The board agreed to acquire 32 acres and a concrete building – formerly used by a drive-in theater – on the “Yessler property,” where the school would be constructed, according to the Tucumcari Daily News. Voters approved the plan, 829-427, a few weeks later and construction soon began on the school that remains today at 1100 S. Seventh St.”
I think that means that the Yessler family kept the land even as it leased the drive-in, that the County closed by the end of the 1959 season if not earlier, and that the correct address is that of the high school, still 1100 S. Seventh St.
This photo also appeared in the 1955-56 Theatre Catalog on a page of Adler Silhouette Letter Co. installations. It ran with the very odd, misleading caption, “Blue Sky, Chola Vista, Calif.”
Boxoffice, July 25, 1953: “An estimated 2,000 persons attended the opening night program of the new Midway Drive-In Theatre recently. The 400-space ozoner is owned by William B. Derrickson, Rehoboth Beach exhibitor.”
This photo is by John Margolies, and is part of the John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive at the Library of Congress. You can download it from Flickr or LOC.gov. All of photos in that collection are effectively in the public domain.
I wonder whether all of these features made it into the finished product.
Boxoffice, July 18, 1953: “Construction of a $250,000 combination drive-in theatre, restaurant, motel and service station at Chestermere Lake, a suburb of Calgary, is scheduled to begin this summer and be ready for business in 1954. Tentative plans also call for construction of a golf course, swimming pool, bowling alley, tennis court and children’s playground. Paul Hansen, a Calgary real estate man, is in charge of the promotion. Plans call for a glass-fronted auditorium with a seating capacity of 350 to cater to walk-in patrons. Capacity of the outdoor theatre will be 500 cars.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 22, 1953: “Cashing in smartly on (Corinne) Calvet’s personal appearance in Winnipeg, the Airport Drive-In, a stone’s throw from the Stadium, featured "Rope of Sand,” featuring the French actress, opening the film 20 minutes after the ceremonies at the Stadium, giving motorists enough time to see Miss Calvet in person at the ceremonies, then drive several feet over to the drive-in and see her on the screen."
Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1953: “The Corinth Drive-In, Guys, Tenn., opens August 6, John M. Carter, secretary-treasurer of Corinth Drive-In Corp., owner, announced. This is a new drive-in.”
The Auto Sho opened in 1950? Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1953: “"Flying saucers” descended on audiences at the Auto Sho Drive-In Theatre during the theatre’s third anniversary. The saucers were sailed from the top of the concession stand. “Lucky” saucers contained $20 and $10 bills. There were a total of 350 prizes. Free lollipops were passed out to the kids."
Same drive-in? Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1953: “Construction of a new drive-in has been started on Highway 19 between Vernon and Sulligent. Owner is Richards Theatres of Fayette, who operates the Strand in Sulligent and the Lamar in Vernon. Person submitting the name selected for the drive-in will receive a $25 defense bond.”
A similar photo appeared in the Sept. 26, 1953 issue of Boxoffice, which appears to be in the public domain.
Boxoffice, Oct. 10, 1953: “CHIPLEY, FLA. - Hurricane "Florence,” which hit the northwestern Florida section recently, destroyed the screen tower of the Starlight Drive-In here. I. Roche, owner of the drive-in, started building a new concrete block tower in the shape of a pyramid. Estimated damage to the tower was about $1,500. Another $250 damage was done to the blinds. This was the second time this year that the screen had been damaged by storms."
Boxoffice, Oct. 10. 1953: “AUBURNDALE, FLA. - D. C. Laird has sold the Twinkle Star Drive-In here. The new owner, Talgar Theatres, has taken over operation of the airer.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 14, 1953: “A number of improvements are planned at the Melody Cruise-In before its reopening next spring, according to Michael H. Chakeres, general manager of the Springfield Theatres Co. A 65-foot-wide screen will be installed, along with about 100 more speakers, at the airer on Route 40 east of Springfield.”
The Denver Mart (the exhibit hall/event center) is closing permanently on March 31. The Denver Post reported that it’s the result of a loan default and expected sale of the complex.
Since the concession stand and rest rooms were based in the Mart, it’s not surprising that the drive-in web page now says “The Drive In Is closing and will not be open for the 2021 season.”
All indications are that the drive-in was popular enough to reopen when the complex’s ownership gets squared away. But for now, it’s probably more accurate to mark this one Closed.
Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “The Tri-Delta Amusement Co. of Tucson, headed by George Diamos, opened its new Geronimo Drive-In in Fry, Ariz., on June 29. It is a 500-car installation.”
Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “Chet Borg’s Mo-Kan Drive-In at Fort Scott, Kas., was "attacled” by Cougar jet planes on a recent Sunday afternoon. The public was invited to attend free and saw Borg “fight back” with a 21-gun aerial salute. The planes “attacked” from a height of 2,000 feet. That night Borg showed “An Annapolis Story” and Navy recruiting circulars were distributed during the day. Borg said when he heard the Navy planes were making a tactical training flight in the vicinity, he booked the picture and made the “attack” arrangement. The planes came from the nearby Olathe, Kas., training base."
Looks like Art and Deldee Clemon sold out quickly. Here’s a for-sale classified in the Dec. 1, 1956 Boxoffice: “300-car drive-in. Fast growing southern California desert community. Only 8 month old, showing good profit. Owner has interests in another state. Write, Patio Theatre, Box 936, Twentynine Palms, Calif.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 15, 1956: “ARCADIA, FLA. - DeSoto Drive-In near Brownsville, about four miles north of Arcadia, has been purchased by John Jackson jr. from Mr. and Mrs. George West. The theatre was opened in 1951 under the ownership of Bernie Swiney. Two years later he sold out to George West and Bernie Thompson, and a short time later Thompson sold his interest to Mr. and Mrs. West, who have operated it ever since. The new owner is from Batesville, Ind., where he owns and operates a drive-in which is closed during the winter. Her plans to return to a seven-day-a-week operation of the DeSoto.”
The Kante Group, part of the family of organizations by local entrepreneur Joni Rogers-Kante, has purchased the TeePee, as reported by the Sapulpa Times. Heavy equipment has already begun clearing the overgrown viewing field - photos in the article.
The Times wrote, “It’s unknown at this time exactly in what way the property will be used, but unnamed sources have told Sapulpa Times that they expect to have the theater operating again by the summer of 2021.” Unnamed sources? I wonder whether this was a spokesperson who didn’t want to talk on the record or just some local rumor.
Left unspoken is how patrons would drive to a reborn TeePee. If the Rock Creek Bridge is still closed, that would mean a fairly long drive on a narrow, albeit historic, stretch of old Route 66.
I wonder where this fits.
Boxoffice classified ad, Dec. 29, 1956: “For sale, complete drive-in theatre. Dirt cheap, must be moved. M. D. Otterback, Wellington, Kas.”
The 1955-56 Theatre Catalog had the sketchy listing: “Bishop, Cal., NEW D. I. Exec: C. A. Ford. (–)”
The Bishop’s first appearance in the Motion Picture Almanac was the 1957 edition, capacity 460, owner F. C. Amistoso
Motion Picture Exhibitor, March 5, 1958: “Louis Wudke and Ned Shafer have sold their Bishop Drive-In, Bishop, to a syndicate.”
Boxoffice, March 30, 1964: “Exhibitors Service, headed by Harry Rackin and Syd Lehman, is booking and buying for Merton Pond’s Bishop Drive-In”
Boxoffice, April 24, 1967: “Merton Pond of the Bishop Theatre and Bishop Drive-In” visited Los Angeles Film Row.
The generally reliable 1977 edition of the MPA still showed the Bishop, now with a capacity of 342 and owner M.H. Pond. It stayed that way through 1979, then dropped off the 1980 MPA drive-in list.
I couldn’t find many mentions of the Lucky. The Sept. 22, 1951 issue of Boxoffice noted that Clayton Gran had obtained a building permit for the drive-in, which was “expected to be completed within six months.”
Boxoffice, June 28, 1952: “Co-owners Clayton Gran and Fremon Klint have opened their new $55,000 drive-in on Fulkerth road north of the Stanislaus district fair grounds. The theatre was named the Lucky Drive-In and it has a self-service snack bar.”
The Lucky was still operating in July 1967, when “The Weird World of LSD,” a black-and-white film directed by Robert Ground, had a record-breaking run there.
The 1978 Motion Picture Almanac, which tended to be reasonably accurate, still included the Lucky, run by R. Laykin. In the 1980 edition, the owner changed to Maestri, which is how it stayed through its final MPA appearance in 1982.