Rubidoux Drive-In
3770 Opal Street,
Rubidoux,
CA
92509
3770 Opal Street,
Rubidoux,
CA
92509
10 people
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Grand opening ad:
Rubidoux Drive-In theatre opening 03 Nov 1948, Wed Riverside Daily Press (Riverside, California) Newspapers.com
Boxoffice, June 27, 1953: “After a quarter-century in show business with her late husband, Mrs. Roy Hunt has sold her Rubidoux Drive-In near Riverside to the Sero Amusement Co., which takes over the property July 1.”
Using the name Riverside still works to fetch this theater’s location in Google maps, but officially the area is now called Jurupa Valley. Here’s the rather old news from Wikipedia: “On March 8, 2011, voters of Rubidoux and adjoining towns passed Measure A by a 54% ‘Yes’ vote, to incorporate the areas of Mira Loma, Pedley, Rubidoux, Glen Avon, and Sunnyslope into the new city of Jurupa Valley. The effective date of incorporation was July 1, 2011.”
Rubidoux is also the name of that particular area of Riverside.
Answering the question of why that name…
Boxoffice, April 24, 1948: “RIVERSIDE, CALIF. – Roy Hunt has announced plans to construct a new drive-in theatre, the Rubidoux, in West Riverside. The house takes its name from Mount Rubidoux, famed as the locale for Easter sunrise services.”
Five 1949 photos added courtesy of the Americas Past In Photos Facebook page.
November 3rd, 1948 grand opening ad in photo section
The Rubidoux Drive-In was the subject of a two-page article in Boxoffice of February 5, 1949. There are five photos and a floor plan of the concession-rest room building.
This drive-in is slated to convert to digital projection in 2013.
I worked here in the early nineties, Menace to Society era, interesting crowds.
This from Wikipedia: “As of the 2000 Census, Rubidoux is the largest unincorporated community in the Inland Empire and in Riverside County.”
Especially if we’re going to make the “their website says so arguement” that is so often made about the name of theatres elsewhere on the site.
Regardless, I think it’s still in Riverside.
Updated website address: http://www.rubidouxdrivein.com/
From Boxoffice Magazine, November 13, 1948: “Roy Hunt’s new Rubidoux Drive-In in Riverside opened November 3 to a capacity attendance of 780 cars….” This was a special event with a tariff of $4.80 per person, the proceeds going to a local charity. Regular operations began the following night.
Most likely the location was given as Riverside because Rubidoux did not become a census-designated place until 1950.
I saw all the classic beach movies with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello at the Rubidoux. You have to admit those intermission commercials did a good job at bringing patrons to the snack bar. My whole family, Mom, Dad, and 4 kids loaded up with food and snacks for next to nothing back then.
Vintage Drive-In Intermission Videos
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Does anyone know if there are any pictures of the mini amusemant park at the Rubidoux Drive-In from the 60’s on line?
I remember when there was a mini amusemant park in front of the screen at the Rubidoux Drive-In back in the 60’s. A mini train ran through a tunnel underneath the screen. There was also a mini ferris wheel, mini merry go round, and mini boats. I couldnt wait until intermission to get on the rides. I have very fond memories from going to the Rubidoux Drive-In with my parents and siblings.
Here are some recent (summer 2007) pictures of the Rubidoux:
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From socaldriveins.com:
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Super clean drive-in…one of the cleanest ever! Visited many times in the summer of 2004. Can’t wait to get back here!
The Rubidoux was built and had it’s first show in 1948.
There are some photos of Rubidoux at:
www.drive-insdownunder.com.au/worldwide/ca_rubidoux.htm