Don Drive-In
2681 Ct Switzer Sr. Drive,
Biloxi,
MS
39531
2681 Ct Switzer Sr. Drive,
Biloxi,
MS
39531
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The Don Drive-In was located on Highway 90 between Gulfport and Biloxi, Mississippi. It had a capacity of 850 cars and was operated by Gulf States Theatres until it was closed in 1976.
When the Don Drive-In was opened on June 28, 1956 it was advertised as having the largest screen in the South. It was opened with the Cornel Wilde picture "The Star of India" and Tony Martin in “Frontier Scout”. It was closed on November 28, 1976 with Gwynn Barbee in “Bad, Black and Beautiful” & Ted Henning in “Blood of the Dragon”.
Later after the lot was cleared, the UA Biloxi 10 Theatre was built in 1995 on the back part of the former drive-in site that faced Switzer Drive. The Biloxi 10 itself was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and has been demolished.
Contributed by
Wayne Saucier
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
Sorry but it was not destroyed by Hurrican Camille. It closed in 1976 due to declining business. I was city manager for Biloxi for Gulf States theatres in the late 70’s and had to check on the property once a week. The concessin stand burned down in 78 due to some kids playing around. A good number of pine trees had started to grow in the field, but the screen were intact. The screens were finally brought down by Hurricane Elena in 1985.
United Artists did do a land lease on the property and built the Biloxi 10.
You can still see the outline of a part of the theater. Type in 2662 Switzer.
Entrance was between what is now Walmart(!) Ln & Eisenhower on Beach Boulevard (Hwy 90).
The Don Drive-In launches with Cornel Wilde in “Star of India” and Tony Martin in “Frontier Scout” on June 28, 1956. The Don closed gracefully with a super double feature of “Bad, Black and Beautiful” and “"Blood of the Dragon” on November 28, 1976 at the end of a 20-year lease and declining revenue. The former ozoner’s buildings were then hit by two fires in 1978 and 1979 followed by storm damage in 1985 that permanently ended things.
Grand opening ad:
Don Drive-In opening 28 Jun 1956, Thu The Daily Herald (Biloxi, Mississippi) Newspapers.com
The June 29, 1970 issue of Boxoffice reported that Gulf States Theatres planned to expand the Don to two screens, but later aerial photos say that never happened.