Isle of View Drive-In
Everitt Avenue and E. 5th Ct,
Panama City,
FL
32401
Everitt Avenue and E. 5th Ct,
Panama City,
FL
32401
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The projection booth(and snack bar underneath?) building is still used as an(office?) by the mobile home park.
Here is better address:
Everitt Ave and E 5th CT.,Panama City, FL 32401
Hi everyone. I have learned that my great grandfather Zebedee Hightower worked here as a watchmen/janitor. Does anyone remember him?
Address above is incorrect. This drive-in was east of that intersection. The entrance is approx. 3100 East 5th Street. The theatre would be north of this where the trailer park stands now.
My name is Steve Ellis and I used to work at drive-in. I knew Ruby well. She was quite a character! She and Irene would have a little spat every now and then! Great times! Jimmy&Irene McGriff were cool to work for. They had two sons, Ricky&Timmy? Projectionist was a cool guy, too. I used to fix drinks&pizzas, climb up/change marquee on HWY98. I was there night third of screen cracked, then fell to ground(I had just walked out from under it!) Made $25.wk. and free pass to all Martin theaters! We even had a rock band play before Monterey Pop Festival movie! I lasted a year, then worked @Miracle Strip Amusement Park on beach for $60.wk. Great memories all!!!
See attached map for general area of Isle of View Drive-In
View link
Unlike the Gulf Drive-In, this drive-in would have been a challenge to find for those not from that area because it was quite a distance from a major road.
Here is a June 1952 ad from the Panama City News-Herald:
http://tinyurl.com/ykdlrmu
Hi, My mother Ruby Astor-Cox and I, Gail Astor-Layton worked at this drive-in during the 70’s. I worked the Entrance Ticket Booth and the in the Concession Stand at the drink machine and making pizzas. Star Wars came out that this drive-in. The manager’s was James & Irene McGriff which still live at 614 Bay Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401.