Riviera Drive-In

1801 N. Park Avenue,
Herrin, IL 62948

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Marlow Brothers

Architects: Earl O. Warweg

Firms: Warweg & Hagel

Previous Names: Marlow's Drive-In

Nearby Theaters

MARLOW'S RIVIERA DRIVE - IN ENTRANCE SIGNAGE 1950

Marlow’s Drive-In opened in 1948, and was operated by the Marlow Brothers. In August 1964 it was taken over by Mid-America Theatres and renamed Riviera Drive-In.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on November 18, 2008 at 12:50 am

Paragraph 7 of this legal document about a 1955 lawsuit by the owner of this theater, has this information: “…Marlow’s Amusement Corporation, another plaintiff, owns and operates Marlow’s Drive-In Theater, near Herrin, and has so owned and operated it since May 7, 1949; that it is a modern drive-in theater accommodating 1,000 cars, being one of the finest in southern Illinois.”

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on December 10, 2008 at 8:43 pm

The Marlow had space for 900 cars in the early 1960s.

melders
melders on April 13, 2009 at 12:48 am

Lost Memory, when my fathers talks about this drive-in, he always refers to it as the Riviera. I couldn’t tell you though when the name change occured.

melders
melders on May 3, 2009 at 2:39 pm

I would have to agree Memory, this should probably be listed as the Riviera instead of the Marlow. Another thing I had orginally considered putting in my prior post, but didn’t, was that my dad used to tell me the old screen to the drive-in was still back in the woods that now cover the site. But, since my dad’s not always the most reliable source, I didn’t! Maybe someone else that visits this site has heard that rumor too, and can confirm if its true or not.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on December 12, 2009 at 3:34 am

Boxoffice of May 22, 1948, said that construction was underway on two new drive-ins at Herrin. The one being built for the Marlow Amusement Corporation was designed by the Evansville architectural firm of Warweg & Hagel.

jwmovies
jwmovies on March 27, 2019 at 1:46 am

The address above is incorrect. This drive in was across the street.

A more accurate address for this theater is 1801 N Park Ave, Herrin, IL 62948. This points directly to the entrance road (Reis Ave). Most ramps and the concession foundation are still visible. Houses sit in the rear of the drive in and next to where the box office stood.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on July 22, 2019 at 8:35 pm

From Motion Picture Exhibitor, Aug. 26, 1964: “Mid America Theatres has purchased Marlow’s Drive-In, Herrin, Ill. The drive-in was renamed the Riviera. Earl Ritchey, Herrin, has been named manager. A new concessions building, electric in-car heaters, and other improvements have been announced.”

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