Willow Drive-In

51300 Michigan Avenue,
Belleville, MI 48111

Unfavorite 1 person favorited this theater

Additional Info

Previously operated by: General Cinema Corp., Wayne Amusements

Nearby Theaters

Willow Drive-In

The Willow Drive-In opened on September 16, 1966 with “Music City U.S.A.” & Marlon Brando in “One Eyed Jacks”. It was one of three drive-in theatres in the area owned by Arthur and Roger Robinson (along with the Scio Drive-In and the Ypsi-Ann Drive-In). It could originally hold about 1,000 cars (increased to 1,050 in the 1970’s) and its single screen measured 118' by 50'.

Like the Robinson’s other drive-ins, the Willow Drive-In was taken over by the General Cinemas Corporation in 1967. In 1978, Wayne Amusements acquired the Willow Drive-In, but it was closed five years later.

Today, a trailer park occupies the former drive-in’s site.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 6 comments)

jwmovies
jwmovies on January 6, 2013 at 11:43 am

Are you sure there was a drive-in @ this location as early as the 50’s?

Looking at the historical aerials for ‘55, '63 & '64, there wasn’t a drive-in there…

Also the drive-in & the trailer park coexisted as t he park was next to the show.

Drive-In 54
Drive-In 54 on January 6, 2013 at 1:19 pm

More information on this drive-in Here

CMHurley
CMHurley on March 19, 2016 at 2:35 pm

Visited this drive in once, around I would guess 1980. Saw Smokey and the Bandit II and the second film was Battle Beyond The Stars. Drove past it many times growing up riding with my Parents, but only saw films there one time.

TomMc11
TomMc11 on June 20, 2018 at 11:52 am

jwmovies is correct. According to Waterwinterwonderland.com this opened up in 1966. It is a farm field in 1964 and a drive-in in 1966 if you look at Historic Aerials.

kennerado
kennerado on August 31, 2021 at 7:40 pm

Opened on September 16, 1966.

rivest266
rivest266 on May 30, 2024 at 3:53 pm

Grand opening ad posted.

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.