BoxofficeSept. 18, 1948: “R. W. Hendrick of the Stardust Drive-In an San Angelo … said he had taken on R. C. Gunter as a partner in the drive-in … In addition to the drive-in, Hendrick has owned and operated the Pic Theatre nearby for ten years. This is the drive-in’s second year.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 18, 1948: “CORTEZ, COLO. – The new theatre here has been named the Anle in honor of Anna Lee Survant, daughter of owner John Survant. Manager Owen Maxey said the theatre probably would open between September 15 and October 1, as soon as finishing touches have been added to the construction job.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 11, 1948: “PALISADE, COLO. – Harold J. Johnson and his wife Eleanor have been ordered to pay a total of $1,683.71 to the former Johnson-Waite partnership which operated the Elberta Theatre here until the recent dissolution of the partnership. Judge Paul L. Littler’s findings in the court case further ordered the Johnsons to pay the U.S. government internal revenue department the interest and penalties assessed on delinquent admissions taxes, or to make a settlement satisfactory to the revenue department.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 11, 1948 (five pages later, same issue): “PALISADE, COLO. – The Palisade Theatre case, involving ownership of a local theatre, has been settled amicably with Frank H. Waite, one of the owners, taking over complete control of the Elberta, and buying out his former partner Harold J. Johnson, who will retire from exhibition here."
Boxoffice, Sept. 29, 1951: “The Elberta Theatre, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Waite for the past three and one-half years, has been sold to Kermit R. Hurst, recently of Heningford, Neb.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 11, 1948: “TUCUMCARI, N. M. — Construction has begun here on the County Drive-In, a 400-car airer being built by J. H. Snow of Hinton, Okla. The new ozoner is located on highway 66. Snow, a native of Oklahoma, has been in the theatre business only three years. He owns and operates two theatres in Hinton. Snow said the Tucumcari ozoner would be opened about October unless construction work is delayed by material shortages. He plans to operate the airer nine months out of the year.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 4, 1948: “TUCUMCARI, N. M. – The first drive-in in Quay county opened recently on West Highway 66 with accommodations for 400 cars.”
Boxoffice, April 16, 1949: “The County Drive-In, located on west Highway 66, opened for its second season. J. H. Snow of Hinton, Okla., is owner and operator.”
Adding a name, Boxoffice, Sept. 4, 1948: “R. Lewis Barton has opened the Tinker Drive-In west of Midwest City on the Depot drive near the Tinker air force base, the largest military installation in the world.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 4, 1948: “Motor Movies in Hayward advertise: "No need to pay for baby sitters … bring the whole family.” Therefore, it was of great interest last week when a young woman appeared in an auto filled with about seven children ranging from 7 and 9. She was a baby-sitter collecting 75 cents an hour for each kid and paying 60 cents for one carload."
Boxoffice, June 19, 1948: “D. J. Mavevgraves has sold the Isis, Vistor (sic), Colo., to M. B. Lovejoy”
Boxoffice, Aug. 28, 1948: “VICTOR, COLO. – The Isis Theatre here reopened recently under the management of Mr. and Mrs. George M. Lovejoy, who purchased the house a few weeks ago. The Isis was extensively remodeled by the new owners.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 28, 1948: “LEWISTON, IDA. – The Naturvue, a north Lewiston drive-in, was opened here recently by owner F. S. Daugherty. The airer is located near the north and south highway.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 28, 1948: “SILVERTON, COLO. – The Capital Theatre here, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Frame, has been closed and dismantled. Booth equipment was shipped to Denver and C. G. Diller and Les McClary of the Lode Theatre have purchased the seats, screen and carpet for installation at the Beaumont hotel at Ouray. The hotel showcase will be used exclusively while the Ouray Theatre undergoes extensive remodeling.”
A 1968 aerial photo showed a drive-in on the west side of Kermit at about 140 Perry Lane, actually the northeast corner of Perry and Texas Highway 302.
More names in Boxoffice, Aug. 21, 1948: “CLOVIS, N. M. – Three Plainview, Tex., men who built the new Yucca Drive-In near here have estimated the total cost of the ozoner at $60,000. The 400-car ozoner, which opened recently, was built and will be operated by John Sands, W. M. Goates and John Blocker.”
The inaugural Motion Picture Almanac drive-in list, in the 1950-51 edition, included only the Starlite for Roswell, capacity 450, owner Theatre Enterprises. That last bit makes me wonder whether it might have opened as the Valley.
Boxoffice, Aug. 21, 1948: “ROSWELL, N. M. – Construction work was under way on the new $125,000 Valley Drive-In, being erected near the Roswell city limits by Theatre Enterprises, Inc. Ed Kidwell, local manager for Theatre Enterprises, said the company hoped to open the 600-car ozoner some time in September.”
Yes, the Mt. Vernon was on US 66, which ran along Baseline Road when it was built, though it’s more like 55-60 miles east of downtown L.A. A much closer match would be the Foothill Drive-In in Rialto, just west of the San Bernardino city limits. Maybe CT should move the fake matchbook cover to that page? ;)
Boxoffice, Aug. 21, 1948: “SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. – A new drive-in theatre is being erected at Baseline and Cunningham avenue here for the Highland Theatre Co. Projection and screen buildings will be of frame and stucco construction. Designed by theatre architect C. A. and W. G. Balch of Los Angeles the new plant will cost $40,000.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 21, 1948: “Tentative plans call for the opening of the new Starlite Drive-In in South San Francisco in the middle of September. The new ozoner will be located on a 13-acre site at 32 Linden Ave., and will have a 650-car capacity, according to San Francisco Drive-In Theatres Corp., owners. Principals of the firm are Rex Stevenson, Dave Bolton, Thornton Howell and James B. Howell jr.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 15, 1948: “LUBBOCK, TEX. – Texas Rep. Preston Smith of Lubbock has added the Five Points (sic) Drive-In. He also operates the State, Tech and Plains theatres here.”
Thanks so much for finding that, MI-DI! It was much closer to Marshfield (vs. Niangua) than I expected, only about a mile and a half from the center of town. Since the site used to be a cafe, I was a little nervous that the Skyline was really a mislabeled drive-in restaurant, but your find cures that worry!
One more Boxoffice note, March 15, 1952: “Lloyd Smith is erecting the 300-car Skyline.”
And I just checked a USGS photo taken May 1, 1964. In that aerial, the Skyline is long gone, with only its entrance and exit driveways clearly visible.
Billboard, Jan. 1, 1973: “Western Amusement Co.’s plans for a 625-car drive-in in the West Hesperia area recently were approved by the county planning commission. The ozoner is to be located on the east side of Balsam Road, north of Bear Valley Road, and about a half-mile east of the Barstow Freeway.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 23, 1950: “TUCUMCARI, N. M. – This city’s second drive-in will be completed in time for an early spring opening, according to Milas Hurley, owner oft he Princess and Odeon theatres here. The outdoor house, to be named the Canal, will cost more than $100,000 and will accommodate 500 cars. A combination indoor-outdoor theatre will be built at the drive-in with the addition of an auditorium seating 200 persons and constructed to provide filmgoers with comfort in case of stormy or cold weather. Ground for the theatre has been broken. The project is located on Highway 66.”
Boxoffice, March 10, 1951: “Milas Hurley, owner of theatres in Tucumcari, N. M., is putting the finishing touches on his Canal Drive-In there. It will open with an Easter sunrise service. The drive-in is a de luxe 550-car situation and cost about $125,000. A feature is the new five-room bungalow built in the back of the drive-in for the manager. A stone wall surrounds the area.”
Boxoffice followed up on May 5, 1951 to say that Hurley had unveiled the Canal “under construction since last October.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 15, 1949: “Milas Hurley … recently improved his Princess Theatre with the installation of 600 spring-back American Seating Bodiform chairs.”
Boxoffice, April 9, 1949: “TUCUMCARI, N. M. – New plush and leatherette seats are being installed in the 750-sear Princess Theatre here, according to Manager Milas Hurley.”
Also, an entry in a construction roundup in the March 18, 1950 Boxoffice said, “Pontiac, Mich. – Construction of 750-car drive-in on Dixie highway begun by Elton L. and Marjorie Samuels. To open in May.”
The 1949 Film Daily Year Book was the first edition to include a Pontiac MI drive-in, and it had two – the Blue Sky and the Starlite. Both remained through at least 1951. We know the Blue Sky was really in Auburn Hills.
The Starlite, capacity 300, was also included in the first Theatre Catalog drive-in list in the 1948-49 edition. Its address was Williams Lake and Airport Rds, and sure enough, a 1951 aerial photo shows a drive-in at that intersection. Aerials through 1973 showed that location intact, and the 1999 aerial still showed the ramps. Topo maps for 1971-84 also showed that drive-in.
As I type, Bryan Krefft’s description of the Blue Sky, which was actually in Auburn Hills, says, “The Blue Sky Drive-In opened in 1948, around the same time as two other drive-ins, the Walled Lake … and the Pontiac Drive-In.”
From its location, the Starlite, actually in Waterford Township, must have become the Waterford Drive-In. Were folks also calling it the Pontiac? And if not…
I just uploaded a photo from the June 19, 1948 issue of Boxoffice, which published a note about the “new changeable program sign recently installed in the Pontiac, Mich., drive-in.” Which drive-in was that?
Billboard, June 21, 1952: “Bill Rushing has reopened the Pioneer Drive-In at Shamrock, Tex.”
Boxoffice, Feb, 28, 1966: “The Texas Theatre and the Pioneer Drive-In, both units of Friendl Theatres, will be remodeled this year, it was announced by Jack Worley, wo took over management of the circuit and of the Shamrock Community TV System early this year. The properties are owned by Jack’s father, Mayor Seibert Worley, and his uncle, Judge Eugene Worley.”
Boxoffice, June 30, 1969: “Seibert Worley, owner of the Pioneer Drive-In on East Highway 66, completely refurbished the airer prior to opening it early this month for summer operation. New speakers were installed, a new white plexiglass attraction board with black letters was erected, playground improvements made and the entire area painted in a green and white color scheme.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 14, 1974: “Athel Boyter and Dan Wolfenbarger made a business trip to Shamrock, Tex., to become acquainted with their theatre employees in that town. Boyter and Wolfermbarger took over operation of the Shamrock Texas Theatre Tuesday (1) and will remodel the town’s Pioneer Drive-In and reopen it in the spring.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1974: “Seibert Worley … will lease the Pioneer Drive-In to (Boyter and Wolfenbarger) with an option to purchase within two years.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 11, 1963: “Wade Berryman and wife Nan have a one-story indoor theatre at their Matador (Tex.) Drive-In. It seats 104 and has been in use since last spring, when it was formally opened with valuable prizes, free coffee and candy.”
The Miller was described as a 780-seat theatre in its for-lease display ad in the Sept. 18, 1948 issue of Boxoffice.
BoxofficeSept. 18, 1948: “R. W. Hendrick of the Stardust Drive-In an San Angelo … said he had taken on R. C. Gunter as a partner in the drive-in … In addition to the drive-in, Hendrick has owned and operated the Pic Theatre nearby for ten years. This is the drive-in’s second year.”
Here’s the Grand (Re-)Opening ad:
Boxoffice, Sept. 18, 1948: “CORTEZ, COLO. – The new theatre here has been named the Anle in honor of Anna Lee Survant, daughter of owner John Survant. Manager Owen Maxey said the theatre probably would open between September 15 and October 1, as soon as finishing touches have been added to the construction job.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 11, 1948: “PALISADE, COLO. – Harold J. Johnson and his wife Eleanor have been ordered to pay a total of $1,683.71 to the former Johnson-Waite partnership which operated the Elberta Theatre here until the recent dissolution of the partnership. Judge Paul L. Littler’s findings in the court case further ordered the Johnsons to pay the U.S. government internal revenue department the interest and penalties assessed on delinquent admissions taxes, or to make a settlement satisfactory to the revenue department.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 11, 1948 (five pages later, same issue): “PALISADE, COLO. – The Palisade Theatre case, involving ownership of a local theatre, has been settled amicably with Frank H. Waite, one of the owners, taking over complete control of the Elberta, and buying out his former partner Harold J. Johnson, who will retire from exhibition here."
Boxoffice, Sept. 29, 1951: “The Elberta Theatre, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Waite for the past three and one-half years, has been sold to Kermit R. Hurst, recently of Heningford, Neb.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 11, 1948: “TUCUMCARI, N. M. — Construction has begun here on the County Drive-In, a 400-car airer being built by J. H. Snow of Hinton, Okla. The new ozoner is located on highway 66. Snow, a native of Oklahoma, has been in the theatre business only three years. He owns and operates two theatres in Hinton. Snow said the Tucumcari ozoner would be opened about October unless construction work is delayed by material shortages. He plans to operate the airer nine months out of the year.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 4, 1948: “TUCUMCARI, N. M. – The first drive-in in Quay county opened recently on West Highway 66 with accommodations for 400 cars.”
Boxoffice, April 16, 1949: “The County Drive-In, located on west Highway 66, opened for its second season. J. H. Snow of Hinton, Okla., is owner and operator.”
Adding a name, Boxoffice, Sept. 4, 1948: “R. Lewis Barton has opened the Tinker Drive-In west of Midwest City on the Depot drive near the Tinker air force base, the largest military installation in the world.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 4, 1948: “Motor Movies in Hayward advertise: "No need to pay for baby sitters … bring the whole family.” Therefore, it was of great interest last week when a young woman appeared in an auto filled with about seven children ranging from 7 and 9. She was a baby-sitter collecting 75 cents an hour for each kid and paying 60 cents for one carload."
Boxoffice, June 19, 1948: “D. J. Mavevgraves has sold the Isis, Vistor (sic), Colo., to M. B. Lovejoy”
Boxoffice, Aug. 28, 1948: “VICTOR, COLO. – The Isis Theatre here reopened recently under the management of Mr. and Mrs. George M. Lovejoy, who purchased the house a few weeks ago. The Isis was extensively remodeled by the new owners.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 28, 1948: “LEWISTON, IDA. – The Naturvue, a north Lewiston drive-in, was opened here recently by owner F. S. Daugherty. The airer is located near the north and south highway.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 28, 1948: “SILVERTON, COLO. – The Capital Theatre here, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Frame, has been closed and dismantled. Booth equipment was shipped to Denver and C. G. Diller and Les McClary of the Lode Theatre have purchased the seats, screen and carpet for installation at the Beaumont hotel at Ouray. The hotel showcase will be used exclusively while the Ouray Theatre undergoes extensive remodeling.”
A 1968 aerial photo showed a drive-in on the west side of Kermit at about 140 Perry Lane, actually the northeast corner of Perry and Texas Highway 302.
More names in Boxoffice, Aug. 21, 1948: “CLOVIS, N. M. – Three Plainview, Tex., men who built the new Yucca Drive-In near here have estimated the total cost of the ozoner at $60,000. The 400-car ozoner, which opened recently, was built and will be operated by John Sands, W. M. Goates and John Blocker.”
The inaugural Motion Picture Almanac drive-in list, in the 1950-51 edition, included only the Starlite for Roswell, capacity 450, owner Theatre Enterprises. That last bit makes me wonder whether it might have opened as the Valley.
Boxoffice, Aug. 21, 1948: “ROSWELL, N. M. – Construction work was under way on the new $125,000 Valley Drive-In, being erected near the Roswell city limits by Theatre Enterprises, Inc. Ed Kidwell, local manager for Theatre Enterprises, said the company hoped to open the 600-car ozoner some time in September.”
Yes, the Mt. Vernon was on US 66, which ran along Baseline Road when it was built, though it’s more like 55-60 miles east of downtown L.A. A much closer match would be the Foothill Drive-In in Rialto, just west of the San Bernardino city limits. Maybe CT should move the fake matchbook cover to that page? ;)
Boxoffice, Aug. 21, 1948: “SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. – A new drive-in theatre is being erected at Baseline and Cunningham avenue here for the Highland Theatre Co. Projection and screen buildings will be of frame and stucco construction. Designed by theatre architect C. A. and W. G. Balch of Los Angeles the new plant will cost $40,000.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 21, 1948: “Tentative plans call for the opening of the new Starlite Drive-In in South San Francisco in the middle of September. The new ozoner will be located on a 13-acre site at 32 Linden Ave., and will have a 650-car capacity, according to San Francisco Drive-In Theatres Corp., owners. Principals of the firm are Rex Stevenson, Dave Bolton, Thornton Howell and James B. Howell jr.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 15, 1948: “LUBBOCK, TEX. – Texas Rep. Preston Smith of Lubbock has added the Five Points (sic) Drive-In. He also operates the State, Tech and Plains theatres here.”
Thanks so much for finding that, MI-DI! It was much closer to Marshfield (vs. Niangua) than I expected, only about a mile and a half from the center of town. Since the site used to be a cafe, I was a little nervous that the Skyline was really a mislabeled drive-in restaurant, but your find cures that worry!
One more Boxoffice note, March 15, 1952: “Lloyd Smith is erecting the 300-car Skyline.”
And I just checked a USGS photo taken May 1, 1964. In that aerial, the Skyline is long gone, with only its entrance and exit driveways clearly visible.
Billboard, Jan. 1, 1973: “Western Amusement Co.’s plans for a 625-car drive-in in the West Hesperia area recently were approved by the county planning commission. The ozoner is to be located on the east side of Balsam Road, north of Bear Valley Road, and about a half-mile east of the Barstow Freeway.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 23, 1950: “TUCUMCARI, N. M. – This city’s second drive-in will be completed in time for an early spring opening, according to Milas Hurley, owner oft he Princess and Odeon theatres here. The outdoor house, to be named the Canal, will cost more than $100,000 and will accommodate 500 cars. A combination indoor-outdoor theatre will be built at the drive-in with the addition of an auditorium seating 200 persons and constructed to provide filmgoers with comfort in case of stormy or cold weather. Ground for the theatre has been broken. The project is located on Highway 66.”
Boxoffice, March 10, 1951: “Milas Hurley, owner of theatres in Tucumcari, N. M., is putting the finishing touches on his Canal Drive-In there. It will open with an Easter sunrise service. The drive-in is a de luxe 550-car situation and cost about $125,000. A feature is the new five-room bungalow built in the back of the drive-in for the manager. A stone wall surrounds the area.”
Boxoffice followed up on May 5, 1951 to say that Hurley had unveiled the Canal “under construction since last October.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 15, 1949: “Milas Hurley … recently improved his Princess Theatre with the installation of 600 spring-back American Seating Bodiform chairs.”
Boxoffice, April 9, 1949: “TUCUMCARI, N. M. – New plush and leatherette seats are being installed in the 750-sear Princess Theatre here, according to Manager Milas Hurley.”
Also, an entry in a construction roundup in the March 18, 1950 Boxoffice said, “Pontiac, Mich. – Construction of 750-car drive-in on Dixie highway begun by Elton L. and Marjorie Samuels. To open in May.”
The 1949 Film Daily Year Book was the first edition to include a Pontiac MI drive-in, and it had two – the Blue Sky and the Starlite. Both remained through at least 1951. We know the Blue Sky was really in Auburn Hills.
The Starlite, capacity 300, was also included in the first Theatre Catalog drive-in list in the 1948-49 edition. Its address was Williams Lake and Airport Rds, and sure enough, a 1951 aerial photo shows a drive-in at that intersection. Aerials through 1973 showed that location intact, and the 1999 aerial still showed the ramps. Topo maps for 1971-84 also showed that drive-in.
As I type, Bryan Krefft’s description of the Blue Sky, which was actually in Auburn Hills, says, “The Blue Sky Drive-In opened in 1948, around the same time as two other drive-ins, the Walled Lake … and the Pontiac Drive-In.”
From its location, the Starlite, actually in Waterford Township, must have become the Waterford Drive-In. Were folks also calling it the Pontiac? And if not…
I just uploaded a photo from the June 19, 1948 issue of Boxoffice, which published a note about the “new changeable program sign recently installed in the Pontiac, Mich., drive-in.” Which drive-in was that?
Billboard, June 21, 1952: “Bill Rushing has reopened the Pioneer Drive-In at Shamrock, Tex.”
Boxoffice, Feb, 28, 1966: “The Texas Theatre and the Pioneer Drive-In, both units of Friendl Theatres, will be remodeled this year, it was announced by Jack Worley, wo took over management of the circuit and of the Shamrock Community TV System early this year. The properties are owned by Jack’s father, Mayor Seibert Worley, and his uncle, Judge Eugene Worley.”
Boxoffice, June 30, 1969: “Seibert Worley, owner of the Pioneer Drive-In on East Highway 66, completely refurbished the airer prior to opening it early this month for summer operation. New speakers were installed, a new white plexiglass attraction board with black letters was erected, playground improvements made and the entire area painted in a green and white color scheme.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 14, 1974: “Athel Boyter and Dan Wolfenbarger made a business trip to Shamrock, Tex., to become acquainted with their theatre employees in that town. Boyter and Wolfermbarger took over operation of the Shamrock Texas Theatre Tuesday (1) and will remodel the town’s Pioneer Drive-In and reopen it in the spring.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1974: “Seibert Worley … will lease the Pioneer Drive-In to (Boyter and Wolfenbarger) with an option to purchase within two years.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 11, 1963: “Wade Berryman and wife Nan have a one-story indoor theatre at their Matador (Tex.) Drive-In. It seats 104 and has been in use since last spring, when it was formally opened with valuable prizes, free coffee and candy.”