From doing research in the local newspapers, it appears the Dragon Drive-In was opened in August of 1969. The first film shown was Mondo Topless. Prior to that, there are no ads for it or mentions in the movie column. There also does not appear to be another theater prior to that which might have been renamed. It was rechristened the Dragon Art Theater a few years later. Eventually they moved to showing XXX films. The theater closed in June of 1975 after having been sold but it was not re-opened as a drive-in. Today their is a Catholic Church located on the property.
The Ritz was Ocala’s first interacial theater. In the 70’s it specialized in low budget exploitation movies and was the closest thing Ocala, Florida ever had to a grindhouse. It closed for business in April of 1977. The last film that played there was ABAR: The Black Superman. For more information on Ocala movie theaters, check out http://www.popretrorama.com/ocala-movie-theater-memories-the-1970s/
More photos of The Imperial are available on the Facebook page Pop Retrorama. You can also read about some Florida theaters and drive-ins on www.popretrorama.com where we celebrate all things related to vintage pop culture.
From doing research in the local newspapers, it appears the Dragon Drive-In was opened in August of 1969. The first film shown was Mondo Topless. Prior to that, there are no ads for it or mentions in the movie column. There also does not appear to be another theater prior to that which might have been renamed. It was rechristened the Dragon Art Theater a few years later. Eventually they moved to showing XXX films. The theater closed in June of 1975 after having been sold but it was not re-opened as a drive-in. Today their is a Catholic Church located on the property.
The Ritz was Ocala’s first interacial theater. In the 70’s it specialized in low budget exploitation movies and was the closest thing Ocala, Florida ever had to a grindhouse. It closed for business in April of 1977. The last film that played there was ABAR: The Black Superman. For more information on Ocala movie theaters, check out http://www.popretrorama.com/ocala-movie-theater-memories-the-1970s/
More photos of The Imperial are available on the Facebook page Pop Retrorama. You can also read about some Florida theaters and drive-ins on www.popretrorama.com where we celebrate all things related to vintage pop culture.