South Twin Drive-In
2516 Lemay Ferry Road,
St. Louis,
MO
63125
2516 Lemay Ferry Road,
St. Louis,
MO
63125
2 people
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Wehrenberg Theatres
Architects: Edward Francis Gordon
Nearby Theaters
The South Twin Drive-In was one of the big drive-ins that were built in 1954 by Wehrenberg Theatres. The South Twin Drive-In opened November 19, 1954 with Jane Wyman in “Magnificent Obsession” & Sterling Hayden in “Naked Alibi”. It accommodated 500 cars for each screen.
Like all the other Wehrenberg drive-ins the South Twin had a large playground area for the kiddies. At the South Twin Drive-In, because of the double screens, it was in the middle by the concession stand. There was also a live bear in a cage and a small train that you could ride, that went around the playground.
The entrance was on Lemay Ferry Road at Buckley Road.
The back of one of the screens faced Lemay Ferry Road and in neon there were two screens and two projectors with the words in large letters stating ‘South Twin’.
The South Twin Drive-In was closed in November 1983, and was demolished on April 23, 1984 to make way for another shopping center named Lemay Plaza and was anchored by a huge Dierbergs Super Market.
Contributed by
Chuck Van Bibber, Terry Madden
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
Lots of pics & ads for the South Twin here: St. Louis Flashback Movie & Drive-In Theatres
November 19th, 1954 grand opening ad in photo section.
This was the hot spot in the 60’s Johnny Rabbitt would broadcast from the drive-in What great memories
Does anyone have a picture of the bear cage?
Back in the mid 70’s, before we were old enough to drive, we used to walk along the north side of the property to the back screen and jump the fence and come in. We’d sit outside the snack building and hit on the girls. Don’t know why there aren’t more drive in theaters, as they were lots of fun for all ages.
“The Wehrenberg-Krueger theatre interests will construct a 1,000-car twin-screen drive-in at a cost of about $350,000, to be opened early in 1954. It will be located at Lemay and Ferry and Buckley road and named the South Drive-In.” —BoxOffice, Sept. 19, 1953
“Could you take a nice 500-pound bear or two into your home or drive-in zoo? You can get one or both free of charge. One is named Louis, age 6, and the other is slightly younger. They are now on display at the South Twin Drive-In in St. Louis County, a unit of the Fred Wehrenberg circuit. The bears were brought to St. Louis from Minnesota as cubs by Fred Krueger, president of the circuit. Ed Spradlin, manager of the drive-in, will gladly show the bears, who will make nice pets, to any prospective adoptive owners. Call Spradlin at VIctor 3-9675 after 5:00 p.m.” —Boxoffice, May 16, 1960
The happy ending was reported in the Aug. 1, 1960 Boxoffice. Spradlin placed the bears, Louie and Suzy, with a small zoo in Hayti MO.
Opened with “Magnificent Osession” and “Naked alibi”.
Demolished April 23, 1984 – Bulldozers were tearing down the South Twin Drive-In at Lemay Ferry and Buckley. Wehrenberg Theaters President Ron Krueger said that the land would be much more valuable when developed into a supermarket. Per Vintage St. Louis & Route 66 Facebook page.
Bears are WILD ANIMALS. They are not pets, and are not for display. Note to Fred Krueger: YOU MAKE ME SICK. - Dave Lounder (DaLo Animal Rescue)