Just a bump to note that there is no contemporary evidence that the Del Mar existed before 1970, but plenty of photographic proof that there was no drive-in at that site before then. Kudos to anyone who can figure out what was confusing those drive-in historians.
Boxoffice, March 22, 1971: “Bill Padget, BLB Drive-In, Clayton, is mayor of that Oklahoma city. His BLB Drive-In is named for daughter Brenda, his wife Laverne and himself”
A 1955 aerial photo showed a drive-in just southeast of the intersection of US 22 and Highway 987. It was still intact in 1962 but razed by 1972.
Although part of the viewing field is now covered by the expanded highway intersection, a small cluster of motels and restaurants occupies another part. A decent address is 1881 Catasauqua Rd, Allentown, PA 18109.
On June 1, 1970, Boxoffice wrote that W. W. Fincher of Chatsworth GA sold the Jet and the Montgomery to the Atlanta-based Wilby-Kincey circuit. The article added that the circuit flipped the Jet to R. M. Kennedy, Birmingham exhibitor.
Turns out there that this part of Tennessee had both a Starlite AND a Midway.
Boxoffice, June 1, 1970: “W. W. Fincher of Chatsworth … sold his Starlite Drive-In at Athens, Tenn., to Jack Jones … (who) also owns and operated the Midway Drive-In at Etowah, Tenn.”
Boxoffice, June 1, 1970: “Billy Bowen, owner of the Europa (sic) Drive-In at Europa, Miss., has had to close the airer temporarily after fire destroyed his home. Bowen said that while he was trying to get his residential problems solved he didn’t have time to operate the drive-in. He hopes to relight it soon.”
Boxoffice, June 1, 1970: “Sidney J. Cohen announces excellent business at his new Sheridan II Drive-In at Sheridan Drive and Ensminger Road. The 850-car ozoner is equipped with a 100-foot screen and the last word in projection and sound equipment. "Loving” was the opening film"
Boxoffice, May 25, 1970: “Texas Cinema Corp. of Ennis has purchased a half-interest in the local King’s Theatre and Rancho Drive-In from L. D. Sipes of Kingsville and has assumed operation of both situations. Sipes will concentrate on management of his Parkway Foods Store, 1906 East Kennedy.”
Boxoffice, May 25, 1970: “Motion Picture Booking Agency announced taking over the booking and buying for the Regent and Chisholm Trail drive-ins in Wellington, Kas., effective Saturday (2). The theatre, formerly operated by James Brakeall, is now under the ownership of Paul Corey.”
Boxoffice, May 25, 1970: “Owens Drive-In Theatres has opened the old Rialto on Quarrier Street under the name Owens Midtown, it was announced by Jack Cadle, manager of the firm.”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1970: “William Wetsman has increased his holdings by the purchase of the following Ashmun theatres: … Auto Drive-In, Saginaw; Belair Drive-In, Saginaw; amd the Twilight Drive-In, Saginaw.”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1970: “William Wetsman has increased his holdings by the purchase of the following Ashmun theatres: … Auto Drive-In, Saginaw; Belair Drive-In, Saginaw; amd the Twilight Drive-In, Saginaw.”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1970: “William Wetsman has increased his holdings by the purchase of the following Ashmun theatres: … Auto Drive-In, Saginaw; Belair Drive-In, Saginaw; amd the Twilight Drive-In, Saginaw.”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1970: “Cincinnati-based Mid States Theatres reopened its 438-car drive-in after a complete remodeling with a three-day old-fashioned festival Thursday, April 30 through Saturday (2) to celebrate the occasion. The new decor is in the old-western style of the early 1900s and the drive-in name has been changed from Flatwoods to Corral Drive-In.”
This note said that the Monroe opened in October 1969.
Boxoffice, May 18, 1970: “The Tom Jones Agency in nearby Decatur has added the Monroe Drive-In and the Madison Theatre to its accounts. Jones will buy and book for the Monroe airer, which was opened in October and is owned and operated by Charles Whitley.”
Just a bump to note that there is no contemporary evidence that the Del Mar existed before 1970, but plenty of photographic proof that there was no drive-in at that site before then. Kudos to anyone who can figure out what was confusing those drive-in historians.
Boxoffice, March 22, 1971: “Bill Crosby, Little River Drive-In, Wright City, has installed a one-way exit treadle which he built himself.”
Verifying kennerado’s note…
Boxoffice, March 22, 1971: “Bill Padget, BLB Drive-In, Clayton, is mayor of that Oklahoma city. His BLB Drive-In is named for daughter Brenda, his wife Laverne and himself”
This 2006 photo is by JoshBerglund19 on Flickr.
A 1955 aerial photo showed a drive-in just southeast of the intersection of US 22 and Highway 987. It was still intact in 1962 but razed by 1972.
Although part of the viewing field is now covered by the expanded highway intersection, a small cluster of motels and restaurants occupies another part. A decent address is 1881 Catasauqua Rd, Allentown, PA 18109.
On June 1, 1970, Boxoffice wrote that W. W. Fincher of Chatsworth GA sold the Jet and the Montgomery to the Atlanta-based Wilby-Kincey circuit.
On June 1, 1970, Boxoffice wrote that W. W. Fincher of Chatsworth GA sold the Jet and the Montgomery to the Atlanta-based Wilby-Kincey circuit. The article added that the circuit flipped the Jet to R. M. Kennedy, Birmingham exhibitor.
Boxoffice, June 1, 1970: “W. W. Fincher of Chatsworth … purchased the Blue Sky Drive-In at LaFayette in this state from Jim Maffett."
Turns out there that this part of Tennessee had both a Starlite AND a Midway.
Boxoffice, June 1, 1970: “W. W. Fincher of Chatsworth … sold his Starlite Drive-In at Athens, Tenn., to Jack Jones … (who) also owns and operated the Midway Drive-In at Etowah, Tenn.”
Boxoffice, June 1, 1970: “Billy Bowen, owner of the Europa (sic) Drive-In at Europa, Miss., has had to close the airer temporarily after fire destroyed his home. Bowen said that while he was trying to get his residential problems solved he didn’t have time to operate the drive-in. He hopes to relight it soon.”
Boxoffice, June 1, 1970: “Sidney J. Cohen announces excellent business at his new Sheridan II Drive-In at Sheridan Drive and Ensminger Road. The 850-car ozoner is equipped with a 100-foot screen and the last word in projection and sound equipment. "Loving” was the opening film"
This note implies the Dublin was open before 1970.
Boxoffice, May 25, 1970: “The newly renovated Dublin Drive-In in suburban Columbus, operated by Paul Vogel, is to open Wednesday (27).”
Boxoffice, May 25, 1970: “Jim Travis again is operating the Strand Theatre and Lakeland Drive-In at Milford, Iowa.”
Boxoffice, May 25, 1970: “Texas Cinema Corp. of Ennis has purchased a half-interest in the local King’s Theatre and Rancho Drive-In from L. D. Sipes of Kingsville and has assumed operation of both situations. Sipes will concentrate on management of his Parkway Foods Store, 1906 East Kennedy.”
Boxoffice, May 25, 1970: “The name of the Joey Drive-In at Monroe has been changed to Showtown USA Drive-In”
Boxoffice, May 25, 1970: “Storm damage to the screen has brought about the temporary closing of the Trace Drive-In at Amory, Miss.”
Boxoffice, May 25, 1970: “Don Davison has changed the name of his Dragon Drive-In at High Springs to the Art Theatre Drive-In”
Boxoffice, May 25, 1970: “Motion Picture Booking Agency announced taking over the booking and buying for the Regent and Chisholm Trail drive-ins in Wellington, Kas., effective Saturday (2). The theatre, formerly operated by James Brakeall, is now under the ownership of Paul Corey.”
Boxoffice, May 25, 1970: “Owens Drive-In Theatres has opened the old Rialto on Quarrier Street under the name Owens Midtown, it was announced by Jack Cadle, manager of the firm.”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1970: “William Wetsman has increased his holdings by the purchase of the following Ashmun theatres: … Auto Drive-In, Saginaw; Belair Drive-In, Saginaw; amd the Twilight Drive-In, Saginaw.”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1970: “William Wetsman has increased his holdings by the purchase of the following Ashmun theatres: … Auto Drive-In, Saginaw; Belair Drive-In, Saginaw; amd the Twilight Drive-In, Saginaw.”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1970: “William Wetsman has increased his holdings by the purchase of the following Ashmun theatres: … Auto Drive-In, Saginaw; Belair Drive-In, Saginaw; amd the Twilight Drive-In, Saginaw.”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1970: “William Wetsman has increased his holdings by the purchase of the following Ashmun theatres: Sunset Drive-In, Midland”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1970: “Cincinnati-based Mid States Theatres reopened its 438-car drive-in after a complete remodeling with a three-day old-fashioned festival Thursday, April 30 through Saturday (2) to celebrate the occasion. The new decor is in the old-western style of the early 1900s and the drive-in name has been changed from Flatwoods to Corral Drive-In.”
This note said that the Monroe opened in October 1969.
Boxoffice, May 18, 1970: “The Tom Jones Agency in nearby Decatur has added the Monroe Drive-In and the Madison Theatre to its accounts. Jones will buy and book for the Monroe airer, which was opened in October and is owned and operated by Charles Whitley.”