121 Outdoor Drive-In

The screen was blown down in a windstorm on Tuesday July 20, 1954 forcing it’s closure. It remained closed until Thursday April 27, 1955, when it reopened with the first aluminum, 7 story CinemaScope screen in that part of the country. Reopening features were “The Adventures of Hajji Baba” in CinemaScope and color, and “Down Three Dark Streets” in B&W. Articles added to photo gallery credit Decatur Herald. Courtesy Decatur Public Library.

The Outdoor Theatre opened July 28, 1950 originally with 700 spots, the sister o-zoner to the Decatur Drive-In both for the Kerasotes Theater Circuit. Opening features were “The Nevadan” and “Adventure in Baltimore.” In 1955, the theater went to a Mancovision aluminum screen to accommodate widescreen presentations including CinemaScope and to try to get a brighter image. The family-centric location had a train, ferris wheel, merry-go-round and other playground fun for the kids.