Airport Drive-In
7777 Essington Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19153
7777 Essington Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19153
3 people
favorited this theater
The Aiport Drive-In was opened on October 30, 1957 with James Cagney in “Man of a Thousand Faces” & Lex Barker in “War Drums”. It was one of the highest grossing drive-ins in the Philadelphia area. This was a very large theatre. It ran triple feature programs (first runs for drive-ins). It had a giant free playground for kids.
Playgrounds were money makers, attracting customers. The best playground in the area was at the Bucks County Drive-In. Both theatres were operated by Budco.
The Airport Drive-In was closed December 16, 1969 with Miriam Hopkins in “Russ Meyer’s Fanny Hill”, Peter Fonda in “The Wild Angels”, Dennis Hopper in “The Glory Stompers” & Jack Nicholson in “Hells Angels on Wheels”.
Contributed by
raymondgordonsears
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
This is now Bentley Truck Services and parking behind it to the northeast.
can anyone tell me what year did the airport have it’s last doo wop show i’m thinking it was 1960-61?? Help
I thought this theater closed in the early 60’s which was why they built the 61St drive in. I know it closed because I 95 ran right through it. Can anyone confirm this?
hi Mike this i can tell you it is now the home of Bentley Trunking and car dealers outlets been on this computer all day looking up whereit was. Essington ave goes into I95 around 84th & Island rd,Mike the funny part of this story is my son in law works for Bentley Trunking 7777 Essington ave Thanks Mike
Last listing I can find for this one is December 16, 1969, with a quadruple feature of “Fanny Hill,” “The Wild Angels.” “The Glory Stompers” and “Hell’s Angels on Wheels.” For a few days after that ads ran saying “Theatre Closed—Visit our 61st Street Drive-In.”
The 61st Street Drive-in was built to handle the over flow from the Airport D-I. The Airport D-I was so busy on the W/Es it would turn away cars. Soooooo thats why the 661st was built.
Thanks for all the replies. Gee the good old drive in days. I miss them.
The Airport Drive-In Theatre took flight on October 30, 1957 with “Man of a Thousand Faces” and “War Drums.” The Airport crash landed on December 16, 1969, with a quadruple feature of “Fanny Hill,” “The Wild Angels.” “The Glory Stompers” and “Hell’s Angels on Wheels.”