Parkview Drive-In
5064 River Road,
Washington,
NC
27889
5064 River Road,
Washington,
NC
27889
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The Parkview Drive-In parked 150 cars and was located in the small town of Washington, N.C. It was nice small drive-in that took care of the moviegoing needs of Washington from its opening on April 15, 1948 with Elizabeth Taylor in “Courage of Lassie”.
Tom Bateman ran the Parkview Drive-In and was always worried about; clearance and availability, restrictions, print attainability and audience suitability. This from his booker William C. Cline of Carolina Booking service. Cline explains in his book about theatre business in the Carolinas, "Stroke of Fortune" that Bateman was wheelchair bound and someone had to constanly be there to get him to all parts of the Parkview Drive-In. But Bateman always stayed positive even when Television hit the rural areas.
The Parkview Drive-In was closed on March 14, 1975 with Steve McQueen in “Papillon” when the screen was destroyed by a tornado.
Contributed by
Mike Rogers
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
It must have really been hard to run a Drive-in from a Wheelchair,but it semed liked Mr.Bateman wouldn’t have it any other way and was there every night.Thanks Mr.Cline for writing it down in a book.
Open 1950-1980?
Need an address, more info, and photos.
This theater was actually on Hwy 32. I located it on Google Earth if you follow Hwy 32 south after it intersects with Hwy 26, where the hwy comes to a “y” you turn left and a little way down on the right hand side is were the theater was. If you use the history feature you can see the ramps better the farther you go back. I will try to get an address location.
I meant intersects Hwy 264.
River Rd, .2 mile east of Park View Dr
Washington, NC 27889
There’s a drive-in there, visible on Google Earth 1993 imagery.
5064 River Rd Washington, NC is about as close as I can get with Google. You can still see the remnants of the ramps. http://tinyurl.com/nuqk6wx
The Parkview Drive-In opened its gates on April 15, 1948 with Elizabeth Taylor in “Courage Of Lassie” along with an unnamed comedy. It opened exactly twelve days right after the nearby Choco Drive-In opened its gates in neighboring Chocowinity.
The Parkview Drive-In closed for the final time on March 14, 1975 with Steve McQueen in “Papillon” after the screen was destroyed by a tornado that left a little more than 10 injured from a nearby trailer park. The aftermath became notable after an unknown person sprayed the words “GONE WITH THE WIND!” on its marquee.