100 Twin Drive-In
710 Medtronic Parkway NE,
Fridley,
MN
55432
710 Medtronic Parkway NE,
Fridley,
MN
55432
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Opened as 100 Twin Drive-in on 11nd June 1958 on the east screen with “Dragstrip riot” and “Cool and the crazy' and on the west screen with Dragstrip riot”, “Cool and the crazy'” and “Peyton Place”.
The drive-in does sorta sit between Minneapolis and St. Paul, although when it was built it sat north of both cities. So, that use of the word “Twin” would make sense.
And considering that two-screen drive-ins were quite rare in those days, there would not be any confusion about the name.
Of course, the other odd thing about the name is the “100” which refers to the highway that the drive-in sits next to, but does NOT connect with. The 100 Twin connected to the popular Medtronic HWY and would be how most residents of St. Paul would reach the drive-in.
However, the use of “100” may be to differentiate the drive-in from the nearby Hill-Top which sat about one mile to the south and also connected to the Medtronic HWY.
Looking at the 1951 newspaper ads for the drive-in, I was reminded of the regional usage of “Twin” - it’s a way of including the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. (For example, the name of the baseball team there.) That would explain the name that would otherwise be misleading until 1958, when the drive-in switched to a two-sided screen.
It should’ve named the theater, 100 Drive-In, or something similar with “100” in it. But it’s strange that the paper said “100 Twin” way before it became a twin theater.
The 1957 aerial is quite clear in showing a single-screen drive-in at that location. By 1966, it became a “twin”.
So, the question is whether this is the correct location or whether it was named “100 Twin” when it only had one screen for at least the first six years of its operation?
Or some other explanation.
The theater was owned by Robert B. Brazil who owned the theater throughout its history. During its last years in operation, Robert was diagnose with cancer. Because of the illness after 34 years of owning the theater since the 100 Twin Drive-In’s grand opening in April 1951, Robert closed the 100 Twin Drive-In for the final time in 1985. Sadly the following year, Robert passed away from it on May 27, 1986.
Strangely enough, right when the theater began construction in September of 1950, a newspaper advertisement explains the questions on where the theater was and even telling what the “100 Twin” is.
This Is Confusing. Did This 100 Twin Actually Is An Early Twin?
The Motion Picture Yearbook lists this drive-in as the 100 Twin Drive-In in 1951. Each year after it lists it as the same.
Chris..I checked the aerials thinking I put the wrong date on the picture. That is the right date according to the website. Was the 100 Twin built/opened as a twin screen drive-in? We need a opening day ad, that would tell us. From my research there was not to many twin drive-ins being built in the early 1950’s. In Pensacola, FL. Gulf States Theatres opened one in 1952.
I don’t think the aerial above is of the 100 Twin. It says the aerial is from 1957 but the 100 was a twin drive-in in 1951.
I grew up on West Moore Lake Drive. EVERYONE went to the 100 Twin. My Mom took us to “Mary Poppins” when we were very young. We watched countless Elvis Presley movies as well! It was common to bring your own popcorn in a large grocery bag.
The 100 Twin had great fireworks on the 4th of July. My Dad would get out the ladder and we’d climb up on the roof and watch.
On Summer nights you could easily view the movies while driving on the freeway (694.) The screens (positioned back to back) were jumbo large. Both sides (east and west) had concession stands with small playgrounds. It was great.
In High School it was common to sneak in your pals (under a blanket or tucked away in the trunk.) The 100 Twin was the best! I’m pretty sure it was still open beyond 1979 (when I graduated.) I wish the Drive In was still there. In hindsight, it was a moment of American innocence, a time when life wasn’t so expensive.
I can still remember driving into the theatre like it was yesterday. “Turn your headlights off!” the entrance signs encouraged, as we waited behind scores of cars on the dusty gravel road.
This drive-in was actually located off of Hwy. 65. The entrance was on West Moore Lake Drive. The location is now Medtronic, Inc. (1 screen)and the field west of the campus (the other streen).
Approx. address is 710 Medtronic Parkway Northeast now in Minneapolis.
As a child, I spent many summer nights in my pajamas watching movies from within my dad’s station wagon along with the rest of my family at the 100 Twin Drive-in theatre. The screens did blow down in a storm in the 60’s, but they were rebuilt and the drive-in remained operational until about 1977, or so.
Ken, My 1956 Motion picture Almanac has 638 cars and still owned by Avro. I have heard from others often Drive-ins give different numbers on cars.