101 Drive-In

4826 E. Telephone Road,
Ventura, CA 93003

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Pacific Theatres

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101 Drive-In

The 101 Drive-In opened is drive-in opened March 16, 1948 with Ronald Reagan in “Stallion Road” and Dennis O'Keefe in “Mr. District Attorney”. On December 21, 1973 two more screens were added. It was closed on September 17, 1998 and demolished in 2001. In its later years, the grounds were used for a swap meet. The Ventura Shopping Center has been built on the site.

Contributed by Ken McIntyre

Recent comments (view all 20 comments)

R_T
R_T on September 8, 2017 at 9:07 am

I worked at the 101 Drive in from 1970 to 1972. I worked also on loan to the Skyview in Oxnard and the Santa Paula Drive In. In 1972 i worked for a few months at the Star Lite in Fresno.

All of these locations were owned by Pacific Theaters their office was in Hollywood. Richard Benjamin (not the actor) was the 101’s manager for many years- there was a swap meet these every Saturday & Sunday in the 70’s. It was in 1974/ 75 that the snack bar was rebuilt along with other changes that were made.

A number of photos I have seen online that are supposedly the 101 from the 60’s early 70’s are not.

Muggs
Muggs on April 29, 2018 at 11:13 am

HELP Does anyone know if the pizzas made at these drive-ins were frozen or freshly made? And if you do know, where do the ingredients come from a private vendor or did they buy this at a grocery store? I am trying to duplicate a drive-in Pizza. I can’t seem to find that flavor anywhere else or at any pizza parlor.

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on October 11, 2018 at 10:23 am

Screen 3 opened in 1969. 2100 cars. The site is now Gateway Plaza Shopping Center

Muggs
Muggs on October 11, 2018 at 1:29 pm

Yeah I think now there is a Michaels arts and crafts, Barnes & Noble bookstore and a bunch of little food restaurants. But I still wish the driving was there instead.

Fanofcomedy
Fanofcomedy on May 12, 2021 at 3:56 pm

What was the last movie playing at 101?

4everventuragirl
4everventuragirl on August 22, 2021 at 1:07 pm

Fanofcomedy - I wanna say Small Soldiers..maybe How Stella Got Her Groove Back..I’m not too sure. My mom, both my sons and I were at the 101 and they couldn’t finish the movie because out of nowhere, the film literally melted off the screen! We went to this theater almost every Friday or Saturday evening…..Memories..so bittersweet!

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on December 26, 2021 at 1:06 pm

Boxofice, Dec. 1, 1951: “After 13 years as a United Artists salesman, Jack Drumm has resigned to take over the operation and management of the Big Sky Drive-In near Monrovia, in which he is a partner with Lou Berman. The latter is heading for Ventura to manage the 101 Drive-In, which he and Drumm have acquired from Reeves Espy.”

Boxofice, Dec. 22, 1951: “Lou Berman has disposed of his interests in the Big Sky Drive-In near Monrovia to Jack Drumm and a group of associates, and has purchased Reeves Espy’s interest in the 101 Drive-In in Ventura. Berman will have J. Arthur Drielsma, theatrical architect, and Job Sanderson as partners in the latter venture.”

rivest266
rivest266 on March 17, 2023 at 4:00 pm

two screens on December 21st, 1973. ad posted.

Jamey_monroe45
Jamey_monroe45 on July 22, 2023 at 2:55 pm

Now Ventura Gateway shopping center.

Please update.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on August 24, 2023 at 11:55 am

Closed on September 17, 1998.

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