Rancho Verde Drive-In

12200 W. Hobsonway,
Blythe, CA 92225

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MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on February 18, 2026 at 9:52 am

Korean War materials restrictions paused a lot of drive-in development. For example…

Boxoffice, July 22, 1950: “BLYTHE, CALIF. – Construction has begun on a new 350-car drive-in by Dave Jarvis and Bob Dunagan, who already operate two conventional theatres here. Architect Howard Elwell has also provided facilities for 200 walk-in customers via a covered and air conditioned structure.”

Boxoffice, March 15, 1952: “Dave Jarvis, operator of the Hub Theatre in Blythe, has broken ground for a 500-car ozoner there.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on June 9, 2021 at 12:48 pm

Boxoffice, June 18, 1965: “INDIO, CALIF. - Robert L. Lippert, E. Van Gortel and the Indio Co., owners of the Aladdin and Desert theatres and the Indio Drive-In here, have purchased three additional theatres in Blythe … Van Gortel, spokesman for the local company, said two indoor houses and a drive-in were acquired from Bob Dunnigan, owner of the Blythe properties since 1933.”

kennerado
kennerado on December 7, 2019 at 4:02 am

The site has now been completely cleared and looks like its now farm land? Nothing at all now remains.

jwmovies
jwmovies on January 7, 2017 at 12:38 am

The address listed is incorrect.

The address for this Drive-in is 12200 W Hobsonway, Blythe, CA 92225. This is at S Defrain Blvd not Main Street.

The screen base is still there. Most ramps are still visible.

Please update.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on February 24, 2008 at 7:01 pm

Here are some photos of the Rancho Verde:
http://tinyurl.com/35pc4m