Grayslake Outdoor Theatre

813 E. Belvidere Road,
Grayslake, IL 60030

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50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on April 9, 2023 at 12:41 pm

Grand Opening ad posted.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on April 9, 2023 at 12:34 pm

The Family Outdoor Theatre opened its gates on September 24, 1948 with John Wayne in “Tycoon” along with an unnamed Disney cartoon. The theater changed its name to the Family Drive-In by 1955, and later the Grayslake Outdoor Theatre by 1960.

After almost 50 years of operation, the Grayslake Outdoor Theatre closed for the final time on September 6, 1998 with “Saving Private Ryan” and “Blade”.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on September 29, 2021 at 10:19 pm

The October 2, 1948 issue of Boxoffice said that the Family Outdoor Theatre recently opened near Grayslake had been designed by architects Arthur Swanson and Associates.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on June 14, 2021 at 3:44 pm

The Original Screen Before CinemaScope Is 45x60 Ft.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on December 23, 2019 at 10:55 am

In The Early 1950s It Was Named Family Outdoor Theatre Before Changing Its Name To Family Drive-In In 1955.

Dawn
Dawn on January 21, 2018 at 9:24 pm

Years ago I went to Volo Car museum with my family and drive by a drive-in down the street. I have reason to believe this is that drive-in, am I correct?

zebtheamerican
zebtheamerican on August 9, 2017 at 2:32 am

I lived in Grayslake from 1975 to 1985, I was 9 to 18 years old. Our family went to this drive in regularly during the summer, it was magical. We would go in the station wagon and Dad would park backwards, open the tailgate and my lil'sister and I would lay on our pillows and eat popcorn we brought from home and drink Pepsi from glass bottles with our parents sitting in lawn chairs beside us. Had my first make out session with my first girlfriend there when I was 16, and then my first boyfriend a year later. Magical time!

jwmovies
jwmovies on September 15, 2016 at 3:04 am

This drive in was located at approximately 813 E. Belvidere Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030. The entrance was where Dunkin Donuts is now located. Please update.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on May 10, 2009 at 11:52 am

Here is a June 1982 ad from the Daily Herald:
http://tinyurl.com/qsc8xm

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on February 3, 2008 at 1:28 pm

The bottom photo shows the drive-in in 1990:
http://tinyurl.com/35j493

jjohnson
jjohnson on December 26, 2004 at 7:40 pm

This theatre was built by my grandfather, Frederick Dobe. He also owned the Dobe Tree Farm, which is now the Arbor Vista subdivision.

karaoketom
karaoketom on January 16, 2004 at 6:50 pm

As a kid growing up, this is the Drive-In that we frequented most and it was sad to have it close. I remember bringing brown paper bags of homemade buttery popcorn there and coolers filled with Kool-Aid – aaahhhh, “the good ole days”. One of my favorite movies viewed there: “Dirty Larry, Crazy Mary”.