Chief Drive-In
5600 N. Lamar Boulevard,
Austin,
TX
78751
5600 N. Lamar Boulevard,
Austin,
TX
78751
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Claude Ezell and Associates Inc., Trans-Texas Theatres
Architects: Jack M. Corgan
Previous Names: Joseph's Drive-In, North Austin Drive-In
Nearby Theaters
No theaters found within 30 miles
The Chief Drive-In was opened in September 19, 1947 by Claude Ezell & Associates Inc. The opening movie was Joel McRea in “The Virginian”. It was Austin’s oldest drive-in. In 1964 the screen was resurfaced and a twin box-office was built, plus a new marquee and remodeled concession area. The Chief Drive-In parked 814 cars and was a Trans-Texas Theatre. It was closed on July 24, 1973 with Charlton Heston in “Soylent Green” & Charlton Heston in “Skyjacked”.
Contributed by
MikeRogers
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Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
I remember this place well. I grew up in the trailer under the movie screen. Lil Toot was always fun to ride. I guess what I remember the most was learning how to ride my bike up and down the rows, and watching the movies from the front of my yard.
A brief article with two photos depicting the recently-opened family dining room and television lounge at the Chief Drive-In appeared in the May 9, 1960, issue of Boxoffice.
The Montopolis and Chief drive-in theatres both opened on September 19th, 1947. Grand opening ads below and the photo section.
This weblog post from Preservation Austin credits architect Jack Corgan with the design of the Chief Drive-In. There’s a nice black and white photo of the screen tower, featuring a Texas longhorn painted by Dallas muralist H. R. McBride.
Whats “Little Toot”?
Little Toot was the kiddie train at the drive in.
The Chief Drive-In closed after the night’s showings on Tuesday, July 24, 1973. The last films to play there were a double bill of Soylent Green and Skyjacked.
Opened as the Chief Drive-in with a colour cartoon(not named), and “The Virginian”.
“The Chief Drive-In now has a giant chief on horseback on the front of its motion picture screen tower – the side facing the highway. The figure was painted by H. R. McBride, artist whose work appeared on the covers of the old Liberty and Colliers magazines. The Indian and horse are approximately 50x30 feet.” — Boxoffice, July 18, 1960
I raced there in 1958 dodging the speaker poles going over the humps.
Seems like yesterday…vivid memories of winning a race passing a yellow Kool Kart.
Still racing 62 years later. Some things do not change