Sunnyside Drive-In
5550 E. Olive Avenue,
Fresno,
CA
93727
5550 E. Olive Avenue,
Fresno,
CA
93727
3 people
favorited this theater
This drive-in opened on May 26, 1965 with Richard Widmark in “Cheyenee Autumn” & Frank Sinatra in “Robin and the Seven Hoods”. It was equipped for Cinerama, Todd-A-O and 70mm. On January 31, 1975 a second screen was opened. It was closed in 1987. Pacific Theaters used the property for swap meets until the late-1990’s. The grounds had space for 1,612 cars. Everything was demolished in 2004.
Contributed by
Ken McIntyre
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Recent comments (view all 18 comments)
My memory is of working there..not for the Drive In part but for the Swap Meet part. 1983 to 1986..I am sad that it is gone, but they have reopened the Swap Meet part again. I haven’t been back there. I am thinking maybe one day, I will venture back.
Here is a link to a photo of the marquee on Pinterest.
http://www.stagedive-records.com/images/toxiccdcvr01.jpg
to the sunnyside drive-in and all of the other drive-ins that have been demolished i have honered them by making a parody of titanium called demolition proof. it is about someone who wants to demolish a drive-in screen but no matter what he does the screen won’t fall!
https://soundcloud.com/user-468726290
just uploaded a 1972 aerial from historic aerials.com of the old sunnyside drive-in from when it was still a single screen drive-in
Another drive-in grand opening ad with “World’s largest screen” on it from May 26th, 1965. They also laid claim to the “World’s most beautiful Drive-In theatre” claim.
2nd screen opened on January 31st, 1975. Grand opening ad posted.
Stopped showing movies in 1987.
i remember reading it was 86 this theatre closed. also a brush fire was happening right next to the theatre when i last went by no idea if the raps were affected or not.
Now a parking lot for an Amazon building the ramps still remain although the swap meet has since closed
Opened on 31st January 1975 on screen 1 with “Swiss Family Robinson” and “Old Yeller” and on screen 2 with"Bananas", “Sleeper” and “Play it again Sam”.