Paulo Drive-In
550 Paularino Avenue,
Costa Mesa,
CA
92626
550 Paularino Avenue,
Costa Mesa,
CA
92626
4 people
favorited this theater
Located on Newport Boulevard and Paularino Road, between Costa Mesa and Santa Ana, CA. After four months of construction and a cost of $300,000, the Paulo Drive-In, Orange County’s third ozoner opened on July 8, 1949 with William Holden in “Streets of Larado” & Stephen McNally in “City Across the River”.
Built by Ward Theatres, it was advertised as having a 40x60 foot mammoth screen. It was briefly listed as a Cabart Theatre in the early-1950’s until September of 1952 when it became part of Pacific Theatres, California’s largest drive-in chain.
It’s last double bill was on February 2, 1976 with “Flesh Gordon” and “The Cheerleaders.” Later, it was demolished and apartments were built on the site.
Contributed by
Ron Pierce
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
If anyone wants to see some old black and white aerial shots of this theater let me know! I used to go here often. I was sad to see it closed down but that freeway thing was needed I guess!
From socaldriveins.com:
View link
Per newspaper listings: The Paulo opened on 7/8/49, with a double bill of “Streets of Laredo” and “City Across the River”.
What a blast from the past this web site is to me. I was once employed at the Paulo Drive-In from 1964 thru 1965. I was hired by Mr. Brian Kelly manager to work in the snack bar. Had more fun working at this drive-in at $1.00 per hour and weekends mandatory than my career in the aerospace industry. Worked with many people but the ones that I can still remember are Anthony Roe and Dennis Nelson. Anthony’s dad Fred Roe was the District Manager of all the Pacific theaters in Orange County.
Address above does not map correctly. Use 550 Paularino Avenue.
Uploaded two aerials from 1952 and 1972. Look at the difference in 20 years!!
The correct address is:
550 Paularino Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Opened on 8/7/1949 with “Streets of Laredo” and “City accross the river”. The site is also Del Mesa Park.
Martin Hires (A do-over of February 27, 2010 comment)
What a blast from the past this web site is to me. I was once employed at the Paulo Drive-In Theater in costa Mesa, CA from 1964 thru 1965. I was hired by Mr. Brian Kelly theater manager to work in the snack bar. Had more fun working at this drive-in at $1.00 per hour and weekends mandatory than my career in the aerospace industry. Worked with many people but the ones that I can still remember are Anthony Roe and Dennis Nelson. Anthony’s dad Fred Roe was the District Manager of all the Pacific theaters in Orange County, CA. Pearl Dolan was the snack bar supervisor. Also, Leonard Bartoszek(SP) who was an entrance cashier. If anyone has any information regarding this post, let me know.
Here you go, Hires2U.
Boxoffice, Oct. 18, 1965: “Pacific Drive-In Theatres announced personnel changes … Hans Korten, Orange County swing manager, moved into the Paulo Drive-In, Santa Ana, and Bill Spurlin was transferred from the Paulo to the Lakewood Drive-In, Long Beach.”