West Side Drive-In
Brookpark Road and Rocky River Drive,
Cleveland,
OH
44135
Brookpark Road and Rocky River Drive,
Cleveland,
OH
44135
4 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Co-Operative Theatres of Ohio, General Cinema Corp.
Nearby Theaters
The West Side Drive-In was located in the Brookpark district and opened on July 3, 1940 with Deanna Durbin in “It’s a Date”. It was operated by Co-Operative Theatres of Ohio and later General Cinemas. This drive-In closed in 1955 to allow expansion of the Cleveland Hopkins Airport. When it was open though, the little speaker that you hang on the car window to hear the movie was no match for the roar of the jet engines on the other side of the fence.
Contributed by
dave-bronx
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
My parents used to take me to this drive-in when I was a young boy. I remember that there was a playground in front of the screen and they had pony rides before the show started.
I seem to remember that the place closed in 1959 to make way for airport expansion. I don’t think it could have still be open in 1975 as mentioned above. Maybe someone can confirm the exact close date.
The drive-in can be seen in this 1952 aerial view, but it was gone by 1970.
http://tinyurl.com/yg46cs3
this opened on July 4th, 1940. ad: View link
Before the airport expansion, the drive-in would have been 2 blocks south of Hwy 237 SB on-ramp. Rocky River Dr. extended further south when this was open.
Uploaded 1952 aerial map. The drive-in was gone in 1962. Also, the design of the screen tower must have been a common one. I have see other screen towers in Ohio that were built just like it.
wow..you folks know heaps bout these old theatres . Man i thought i was knowledgeable on the subject .
Detroit’s Westside Drive-In had an identical tower: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/11103
July 4th, 1940 grand opening ad uploaded in the photo section
Opened on 3/7/1940 with “It’s a date”. Closed in 1955. Site is now near runway 28.
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Cleveland - Phil Smith of Boston has been arranging for the opening of the new West Side Drive-In on or about May 10.”