Gulf Coast Do Drive-In

The Do Drive In had a air conditioned indoor seating area with a glass front in a building located at the back of the lot. As kids, we would walk down the street and were admitted free to the show. We sometimes sat in the indoor seating area or stayed in the play ground area until the double feature ended. The first movie I saw there was Spike Jones in “Fireman Save My Child” and another feature that I can’t remember. When dating my furure wife and we went there often, still being admitted free. I grew up working in the theatres in Gulfport and knew everyone at all the theatres and would always visit the booth to say hello to my friends.

The $60,000 drive-in was announced on a 30-year leasing agreement by Chester A. Knight in 1948. The ozoner opened to its 300-car capacity as the Gulf Coast Drive-In Theatre on May 18, 1948 with Dick Powell in “Johnny O'Clock.” Its 30x40' wood-framed screen was built by Dismuke Construction of Biloxi.

After a refresh, the theatre was doubled in size to accommodate 600 cars and became the Gulf Coast Do Drive-In Theatre in September of 1950. It then became the Do Drive-In. Though Gulf States Circuit took on operation of the Do, “Gulf Coast” was dropped from its name.

The Do Drive-In closed at the end of a 30-year lease on August 29, 1978 with Claude Brasseur in “Let’s Make A Dirty Movie” and Adam West in “The Specialist” claiming just that it was the end of season. Though negotiations for a new lease were perhaps entertained for a reopening, the Do didn’t and was done.