Capri Drive-In
299 E. Locust Street,
Carter Lake,
IA
51510
299 E. Locust Street,
Carter Lake,
IA
51510
1 person
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Douglas Theaters
Previous Names: Airport Drive-In
Nearby Theaters
The Airport Drive-In opened April 17, 1954 with “Beneath the 12-Mile Reef”. Entrance is now Carter Lake Auto. Later taken over by Douglas Theaters and renamed Capri Drive-In it was closed September 20. 1972. The theater itself is the lot with the containers just south of this location.
Contributed by
James Monroe
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
The Airport Drive-In opened on April 17, 1954 with owner J. Robert Hoff making a grand opening statement on KBON radio with announcer Ed Morgan hosting. The opening film was “Beneath the 12-Mile Reef.” The 70-foot curved screen allowed for CinemaScope and with stereo sound at launch, patrons used a blue speaker on the driver side and a grey speaker on the passenger side. The 750-spot drive-in also had sit-down capability for walk-ins.
Its final owner Douglas Theatre Company Circuit took it to closure as the Capri drive-in shuttering on September 20, 1972. It has subsequently been demolished.
A note in the April 3, 1961 issue of Boxoffice said the Airport was owned by Russell Brehm of Lincoln and Senator Roman Hruska of Omaha, who also owned the 84th and O Drive-In there. Both were equipped with car heaters and stayed open during the winter.
The May 1, 1954 issue of Boxoffice ran a lengthy article about the opening of the Airport, including a photo of its cement block screen tower. “The huge screen literally is awe-inspiring. It is curved, and is formed by one side of a five-story building of cement block construction … The first floor contains a garage and office space, the second floor has an apartment for Manager Robert Huntling. Third, fourth and fifth floors are for storage.”
The Grand Opening of the Airport Drive-In Theatre took place on April 15, 1954 with “Beneath the 12-Mile Reef” supported by “The Tournament of Roses (1954)” short and two cartoons. Ad in photos.