Boxoffice, Aug. 31, 1964: “Bob Smith of the Nu Buflo Theatre, Buffalo, will take over the Ritz Theatre, Marshfield, as of September 4, he announced while on (Kansas City) Filmrow.”
Boxoffice, May 25, 1970: “Oren Davis, Marshfield exhibitor, died Sunday (10). Mrs. Oren (Irene) Davis announced that she would continue to operation of the theatre”
Boxoffice, Dec. 8, 1951: “Marshfield, Mo. – Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Schmidt of Niangua bought the Skyline cafe from Herman Pearce and plan to build a drive-in theatre.”
Boxoffice, April 26, 1976: “GILLESPIE, ILL. – Louis C. Odorizzi, 67, Staunton, died Friday evening (2) in St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Louis, Mo. He was a former theatre owner-operator. Odorizzi had operated the Sunset Drive-In, Mount Olive, the Labor Temple Theatre, Staunton, and most recently, the Canna Theatre, Gillespie.”
This photo is (also?) available as part of the Security Pacific National Bank Collection at the Los Angeles Public Library, which says that commercial use requires permissions and fees. But if Drive-In 54 has rights to release it under a Creative Commons license, then thanks!
This photo is (also?) available as part of the Security Pacific National Bank Collection at the Los Angeles Public Library, which says that commercial use of the image requires permissions and fees. But if dallasmovietheaters found a public domain source for this fine photo, that would be nifty!
Boxoffice, May 29, 1948: “S. R. Claggett is managing the Motor Movies first drive-in in Stockton, which was opened May 14 by the Blumenfeld circuit. It is a 712-car layout.”
Answering the questions of (about) when and why the Rialto was renamed…
Boxoffice, May 8, 1948: “Robert Walker, owner of the Rialto in Fruita, Colo., got a bargain in a sign that had Uintah on it – so that is the new name of the theatre”
Boxoffice, May 1, 1948: “ROCKFORD, ILL. – The contract for construction of the 800-car drive-in in the Lover Park area of Rockford has been awarded by the Riverlane Amusement Corp., controlled by Mannie Burdie and Sidney Schermer of St. Louis. Work has progressed about 30 per cent. The theatre was designed by Leo F. Abrams and is scheduled to open May 30. It will cost well in excess of $100,000.”
Boxoffice, May 1, 1948: “LINCOLN – Construction is well in progress on the 800-car drive-in being installed here by the Starview Amusement Corp., controlled by Mannie Burdie and Sidney Schermer of St. Louis. The theatre was designed by Leo F. Abrams, St. Louis architect. The overall cost of the project will be approximately $150,000. The theatre is scheduled to open Memorial day.”
Boxoffice, April 24, 1948: “RIVERSIDE, CALIF. – Roy Hunt has announced plans to construct a new drive-in theatre, the Rubidoux, in West Riverside. The house takes its name from Mount Rubidoux, famed as the locale for Easter sunrise services.”
Boxoffice, April 3, 1948: “SAN ANTONIO, TEX. – Pictures of the new San Pedro Drive-In near the airport appeared in local newspapers. It is owned by Al Wolf, former Warner salesman, and some of his kinsmen, and it will open early in April.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 3, 1948: “A drive-in theatre will be built on Foothill boulevard, between San Bernardino and Rialto, for William and Lecile Tharp of Dunkirk, Ind., with space for 684 cars. The plans, prepared by architect H. E. Jones of San Bernardino, provide for a machine room and a snack bar and rest rooms behind the screen.”
Boxoffice, March 13, 1948: “RIALTO, CALIF. – A new motif in drive-in theatre design was made public when W. A. Tharp, former Indiana exhibitor, opened his Foothill Drive-In here March 6. The theatre has a 670-car capacity and is the first installation to feature the Moonlight Movies system for the parking of cars. Tharp, who conceived the new system, has applied for a patent and established headquarters in San Bernardino to lease the device to interested showmen.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 14, 1948: “Arthur J. Fountain is reopening the Fountain at Mesilla, N. M. While he was in the armed forces he left the house closed. He uses mainly Spanish and Mexican product.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 14, 1948: “HATCH, N. M. – The drive-in theatre here is being remodeled in preparation for an April opening. Wilson Butler, manager of the Mission, said the showplace would be equipped with in-car speakers and ramps for cars, the walls would be built up and the screen refinished.”
The 1949 Film Daily Year Book listed the Cactus Theatre at 17th and Larimer, 500 seats. Was it the renamed Fun?
Boxoffice, Jan. 31, 1948: “Ted Knox of Service Theatre and Supply has bought the Cactus from Robert Patrick. The theatre will be managed by Ira "Swede” Knox, brother of Ted."
Boxoffice, Aug. 12, 1939: “"Union Pacific” broke the house record by a few dollars at the Trail Theatre at Deertrail, Colo."
Boxoffice, Jan. 31, 1948: “Frank Whalen has reopened his Highway, Deertrail, after closing it for some time while he was taking treatments at an army hospital.”
Boxoffice, April 3, 1948: “Frank Whalen has improved his Highway, Deertrail, Colo., with the installation of new booth and sound equipment, installed by Ted Knox”
Boxoffice, June 2, 1951: “Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Bergtholdt have bought the Hi-Way, Deertrail, from Mrs. Frank Whalen. Frank Whalen, who formerly operated the theatre, died last year. The theatre will be managed by Mrs. C. L. Kinney”
Boxoffice, July 14, 1956: “The Hiway, Deertrail, has been closed.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 3, 1948: “Work has begun on the new drive-in theatre being built by the Pueblo Drive-In Theatre Co. in Pueblo. Dave Pitman, Pueblo builder, has the contract for the screen tower and concession stand, which were designed by Walter DeMordaunt. The theatre will be ready for operation in the spring.”
The first reference I could find in the local Chaffee County Republican was on its front page on July 14, 1967. “The first drive in theatre to hit the pike in the Buena Vista area, The Comanche, is now open and showing nightly at 9:00. Now showing is "Island of Terror”, one you shouldn’t miss!“ The first Comanche ad I could find was in the next issue on July 21.
The Sunset’s first night was on Thursday, Aug. 4, 1949, as described in the Canon City Daily Press. The first movie was “Mickey,” as previously noted here. Adults cost 50 cents, children were 9 cents. The grand opening ad concluded with this plea: (DO) Give us an opportunity to correct any mistakes occurring during our “First Performance.”
In June 1953 (at least), this drive-in advertised in the Boulder Daily Camera as the Motor Vu Drive-In Theatre / Between Louisville & Lafayette". Makes me wonder whether its sign had the L&L on it.
The first program at the Motorena, on Oct. 1, 1948, was a Bugs Bunny cartoon, the Technicolor two-reeler “Power Behind the Nation,” and the Technicolor feature, “I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now,” starring June Haver and Mark Stevens.
According to the Alamosa Daily Courier, over 1000 cars showed up for the Ski-Hi’s grand opening on Thurs., June 1, 1950, and the Colorado Highway Patrol had to be called to regulate traffic as hundreds were turned away. Many parked on the shoulders to watch the fireworks display, which probably followed the drive-in’s first movie, “Belle Starr’s Daughter” starring George Montgomery.
At the other end of its life, the Ski-Hi’s final movie was “A Very Brady Sequel” on Thurs., Sept. 5, 1996.
This 1994 photo by John Margolies is effectively in the public domain. Higher-res versions are available from the Library of Congress.
This 1994 photo by John Margolies is effectively in the public domain. Higher-res versions are available from the Library of Congress.
Boxoffice, Aug. 31, 1964: “Bob Smith of the Nu Buflo Theatre, Buffalo, will take over the Ritz Theatre, Marshfield, as of September 4, he announced while on (Kansas City) Filmrow.”
Boxoffice, May 25, 1970: “Oren Davis, Marshfield exhibitor, died Sunday (10). Mrs. Oren (Irene) Davis announced that she would continue to operation of the theatre”
Boxoffice, Dec. 8, 1951: “Marshfield, Mo. – Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Schmidt of Niangua bought the Skyline cafe from Herman Pearce and plan to build a drive-in theatre.”
Boxoffice, April 26, 1976: “GILLESPIE, ILL. – Louis C. Odorizzi, 67, Staunton, died Friday evening (2) in St. Mary’s Hospital, St. Louis, Mo. He was a former theatre owner-operator. Odorizzi had operated the Sunset Drive-In, Mount Olive, the Labor Temple Theatre, Staunton, and most recently, the Canna Theatre, Gillespie.”
This photo is (also?) available as part of the Security Pacific National Bank Collection at the Los Angeles Public Library, which says that commercial use requires permissions and fees. But if Drive-In 54 has rights to release it under a Creative Commons license, then thanks!
This photo is (also?) available as part of the Security Pacific National Bank Collection at the Los Angeles Public Library, which says that commercial use of the image requires permissions and fees. But if dallasmovietheaters found a public domain source for this fine photo, that would be nifty!
Boxoffice, May 29, 1948: “S. R. Claggett is managing the Motor Movies first drive-in in Stockton, which was opened May 14 by the Blumenfeld circuit. It is a 712-car layout.”
Answering the questions of (about) when and why the Rialto was renamed…
Boxoffice, May 8, 1948: “Robert Walker, owner of the Rialto in Fruita, Colo., got a bargain in a sign that had Uintah on it – so that is the new name of the theatre”
Boxoffice, May 1, 1948: “ROCKFORD, ILL. – The contract for construction of the 800-car drive-in in the Lover Park area of Rockford has been awarded by the Riverlane Amusement Corp., controlled by Mannie Burdie and Sidney Schermer of St. Louis. Work has progressed about 30 per cent. The theatre was designed by Leo F. Abrams and is scheduled to open May 30. It will cost well in excess of $100,000.”
Boxoffice, May 1, 1948: “LINCOLN – Construction is well in progress on the 800-car drive-in being installed here by the Starview Amusement Corp., controlled by Mannie Burdie and Sidney Schermer of St. Louis. The theatre was designed by Leo F. Abrams, St. Louis architect. The overall cost of the project will be approximately $150,000. The theatre is scheduled to open Memorial day.”
Answering the question of why that name…
Boxoffice, April 24, 1948: “RIVERSIDE, CALIF. – Roy Hunt has announced plans to construct a new drive-in theatre, the Rubidoux, in West Riverside. The house takes its name from Mount Rubidoux, famed as the locale for Easter sunrise services.”
Boxoffice, April 3, 1948: “SAN ANTONIO, TEX. – Pictures of the new San Pedro Drive-In near the airport appeared in local newspapers. It is owned by Al Wolf, former Warner salesman, and some of his kinsmen, and it will open early in April.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 3, 1948: “A drive-in theatre will be built on Foothill boulevard, between San Bernardino and Rialto, for William and Lecile Tharp of Dunkirk, Ind., with space for 684 cars. The plans, prepared by architect H. E. Jones of San Bernardino, provide for a machine room and a snack bar and rest rooms behind the screen.”
Boxoffice, March 13, 1948: “RIALTO, CALIF. – A new motif in drive-in theatre design was made public when W. A. Tharp, former Indiana exhibitor, opened his Foothill Drive-In here March 6. The theatre has a 670-car capacity and is the first installation to feature the Moonlight Movies system for the parking of cars. Tharp, who conceived the new system, has applied for a patent and established headquarters in San Bernardino to lease the device to interested showmen.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 14, 1948: “Arthur J. Fountain is reopening the Fountain at Mesilla, N. M. While he was in the armed forces he left the house closed. He uses mainly Spanish and Mexican product.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 14, 1948: “HATCH, N. M. – The drive-in theatre here is being remodeled in preparation for an April opening. Wilson Butler, manager of the Mission, said the showplace would be equipped with in-car speakers and ramps for cars, the walls would be built up and the screen refinished.”
The 1949 Film Daily Year Book listed the Cactus Theatre at 17th and Larimer, 500 seats. Was it the renamed Fun?
Boxoffice, Jan. 31, 1948: “Ted Knox of Service Theatre and Supply has bought the Cactus from Robert Patrick. The theatre will be managed by Ira "Swede” Knox, brother of Ted."
Boxoffice, Aug. 12, 1939: “"Union Pacific” broke the house record by a few dollars at the Trail Theatre at Deertrail, Colo."
Boxoffice, Jan. 31, 1948: “Frank Whalen has reopened his Highway, Deertrail, after closing it for some time while he was taking treatments at an army hospital.”
Boxoffice, April 3, 1948: “Frank Whalen has improved his Highway, Deertrail, Colo., with the installation of new booth and sound equipment, installed by Ted Knox”
Boxoffice, June 2, 1951: “Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Bergtholdt have bought the Hi-Way, Deertrail, from Mrs. Frank Whalen. Frank Whalen, who formerly operated the theatre, died last year. The theatre will be managed by Mrs. C. L. Kinney”
Boxoffice, July 14, 1956: “The Hiway, Deertrail, has been closed.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 3, 1948: “Chick Kelloff has put his theatre and night club at Antonito, Colo., on the market”
Boxoffice, March 30, 1957: “Louis Kelloff has closed the La Plaza, Antonito, Colo., which leaves the town without films”
Boxoffice, Jan. 3, 1948: “Work has begun on the new drive-in theatre being built by the Pueblo Drive-In Theatre Co. in Pueblo. Dave Pitman, Pueblo builder, has the contract for the screen tower and concession stand, which were designed by Walter DeMordaunt. The theatre will be ready for operation in the spring.”
The first reference I could find in the local Chaffee County Republican was on its front page on July 14, 1967. “The first drive in theatre to hit the pike in the Buena Vista area, The Comanche, is now open and showing nightly at 9:00. Now showing is "Island of Terror”, one you shouldn’t miss!“ The first Comanche ad I could find was in the next issue on July 21.
The Sunset’s first night was on Thursday, Aug. 4, 1949, as described in the Canon City Daily Press. The first movie was “Mickey,” as previously noted here. Adults cost 50 cents, children were 9 cents. The grand opening ad concluded with this plea: (DO) Give us an opportunity to correct any mistakes occurring during our “First Performance.”
In June 1953 (at least), this drive-in advertised in the Boulder Daily Camera as the Motor Vu Drive-In Theatre / Between Louisville & Lafayette". Makes me wonder whether its sign had the L&L on it.
The first program at the Motorena, on Oct. 1, 1948, was a Bugs Bunny cartoon, the Technicolor two-reeler “Power Behind the Nation,” and the Technicolor feature, “I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now,” starring June Haver and Mark Stevens.
According to the Alamosa Daily Courier, over 1000 cars showed up for the Ski-Hi’s grand opening on Thurs., June 1, 1950, and the Colorado Highway Patrol had to be called to regulate traffic as hundreds were turned away. Many parked on the shoulders to watch the fireworks display, which probably followed the drive-in’s first movie, “Belle Starr’s Daughter” starring George Montgomery.
At the other end of its life, the Ski-Hi’s final movie was “A Very Brady Sequel” on Thurs., Sept. 5, 1996.