Vista Vue Drive-In
6770 Camden Boulevard,
Fountain,
CO
80817
6770 Camden Boulevard,
Fountain,
CO
80817
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The “Vista Vue” held its grand opening on Friday, June 29, 1956. Its ad said that its 68x120-foot screen was the largest of its kind in the West. The opening program was “Many Rivers to Cross,” a CinemaScope film with Robert Taylor, and “Men of the Fighting Lady” with Van Johnson.
Although newspaper advertisements through at least 1976 also used the Vista View spelling, the Motion Picture Almanacs' drive-in lists always spelled its name as “Vista Vu”. The 1958-59 editions listed it in Security with a capacity of 652, owner W. H. Claiborne. The 1960-76 MPAs listed the owner as Westland Theatres, Inc.
The 1977-88 MPAs listed the Vista Vu Drive-In in Colorado Springs, capacity 600, owner Westland Theatres, Inc. In its Circuit entry, Westland called it the Vista Vue during 1961-85 before Westland fell off the circuit list in 1986.
Nothing remains of the Vista View Drive-In. Today a garden center occupies most of the former site. Most of the ramps were in what is now Security-Widefield, but the screen was in what is now Fountain.
This drive-in opened in late June or early July 1956, per a note in the July 7, 1956 Motion Picture Herald: “William Claiborne has opened his new Vista View drive-in, with 650-car capacity, at Security, Colo., near Colorado Springs.”
Update NY: A more accurate address for this theater is now 6770 Camden Blvd, Fountain, CO 80817. This points directly to the entrance road now Burger King.
Please update.
Peacheyeball gave the address for the wrong drive-in, and changed the address to the location of North Side Drive-In. There were seven drive-ins in Colorada Springs, so I guess it is easy to get them mixed up.
Jwmovies had the correct address for Vista-Vue Drive-In. I have it here:
US 87 at Center Valley Dr
Fountain, CO 80817
This address will track fairly well on Google Earth: 3750 N Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80907. Drive-In was slightly south of this address in the Shangri La Mobile Home Park on B St. Couldn’t get and exact address.
Re: Vista Vue Drive in: I stand corrected on the movie “The Hunters”,saw different movie' I’m bad.
Bill
Vista Vue Drive-In, located across from Security, Colo on old highway 85-87; had It’s “Gala Reopening” on April 13, 1960 The opening night movies were to feature “The Hunters” and “Sierra Baron”, which I saw, however, slept thru the second. Interesting fact, I believe, was that the theater screen was acclaimed the largest this side of the Mississippi. If any one interested can recall the details of the Marquee as well as the site itself, please let me know. I also discovered that the ticket price at the time was; Adults 65 cents and kids were free.
Respectfully submitted, Bill Lively
I am finding a lot about myAlmanac.I guess every year they miss a few here and there.
Must have opened later I have three Drive-ins there in the late fifties,but no Vista Vue Drive-in.