Well, yeah, Jamey_monroe45. We’re in agreement, so you don’t have to yell. I was trying to offer a “modern-day equivalent” of where the drive-in was when it existed.
We seem to agree on the southeast corner of Elgin and Almond. I picked the spot closest to the screen, (so of course it predated the street that replaced it), and you picked a sensible alternative near the probable entrance. Either address points the reader to the right place.
Looks like the Dos Palos opened in 1950, based on this note in the Oct. 7, 1950 issue of Boxoffice: “Julian H. Hales, owner with Sam J. Regas of the new $75,000 Dos Palos Drive-In will be resident manager of the theatre. The drive-in is located in the Nylander and Sorenson subdivision on Elgin avenue just off Highway 33”. Another mention in the same issue said that “Hales formerly operated a department store in Dos Palos.”
The last Boxoffice note for this place that I could find tonight was from the July 3, 1967 issue. “Hoger Tegtmeier … operates the Dos Palos Drive-In, the Solano Theatre and Solano Drive-In in Fairfield and the Lakeport Theatre in Lakeport.”
Boxoffice, May 7, 1979: “Gene O'Neill … will oversee operation of … the Yuba City Drive-In (formerly Auto-see) and the Marysville Drive-In (formerly Sierra).”
Marysville-Yuba City Appeal-Democrat, April 9, 2005: “Robert Golding has run the Marysville Drive-In Theater since 1978, outlasting corporate ownership and many other drive-ins … The Marysville Drive-In Theatre, in operation since 1966, is expected to close Oct. 30 … Golding said he could not renew the theater’s lease on a long-term basis because of the pending sale of the property … Golding has been at the theater since 1978, when he started running it for the previous, corporate owners. He has leased the property since 1986. The movie theater sits just off the west side of Highway 70 near Erle Road. With a 45-foot by 90-foot screen, it can accommodate 450 cars.”
The last newspaper mention I saw of the Auto-See was in September 1976. On the other hand…
Boxoffice, May 7, 1979: “Gene O'Neill … will oversee operation of … the Yuba City Drive-In (formerly Auto-see) and the Marysville Drive-In (formerly Sierra).”
Boxoffice, March 10, 1980: “Lippert Theatres … (f)uture projects include triplexing of the circuit’s drive-ins in Marysville and Yuba City.”
Marysville-Yuba City Appeal-Democrat, April 9, 2005: “The area’s other drive-in theater, the Yuba City Drive-In, shut down in 1980.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 10, 1949: “Boise, Ida. - A new 500-car drive-in will be built this winter near the intersection of Highway 30 and Broadway here, according to Milt Fry, one of three local men who filed articles of incorporation for the firm. Others in the enterprise are Joy Naylor, who has an interest with Fry in the Boise Drive-In near the Ada county fairgrounds, and Omer R. Travers, Naylor, who also operated the Riverdale Drive-In at Ogden. Initial cost of the Broadway will be between $40,000 and $60,000, Fry said. The screen will measure 55x42 feet. Contract for grading work has been awarded to Stan Nelson. The Electric Service Co. will handle wiring.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 10, 1949: “Rudyard, Mont. - Mr. and Mrs. Albin Gustafson opened their ultramodern-style theatre here this week. Work on the $35,000 structure continues up to the last minute, with the ticket booth last on the schedule. The 31x90-foot building seats 312.”
Boxoffice, June 4, 1955: “The new snack bar at the Alamo Drive-In had a gala opening. There were free drinks and souvenirs for the children, courtesy of the management.”
The last reference I saw in an LA Times ad was on Aug. 25, 1990. Whittier’s Sundown was one of dozens of theaters showing Steve Martin’s “My Blue Heaven.”
Signs that point to a late 1952 opening for the Lake Park:
The Exhibitor, Sept. 17, 1952: “Ralph Pielow’s Quad States Theatre Service will handle the buying and booking for the new Lake Park Drive-In, Williston, N. D., owned by John Snyder and son. Pielow also handles the buying and booking for Snyder’s two conventional houses in Williston.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 25, 1952: “Williston, N. D. - Construction is progressing rapidly on the new 492-car Lake Park Drive-In, by the Snyder Theatre Co.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 10, 1953: (in a list of drive-ins opened in 1952) “Williston, Lake Park, 500 cars, Snyder Theatre Co.”
Independent Film Journal, Jan. 22, 1955: “J. P. Edge scheduled opening of his new Blue Sky Drive-In at LaFayette, Ga. for around the 15th of Jan.”
Motion Picture Herald, April 30, 1955: “The Blue Sky drive-in, La Fayette, Ga., owned by J. P. Edge and Dr. T. A. Cochran, has opened. Wil-Kin Theatre Supply supplied the equipment.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, June 8, 1955: “Dr. T. A. Cochran and John P. Edge, owners, Blue Sky Drive-In, La Fayette, Ga., feature 400-car capacity and a 100-foot screen.”
The Exhibitor, Dec. 24, 1952: “Delaware / Dogsboro - Al Goodyear, well-known in the industry and formerly with Motion Picture Advertising Service, is now building the Del-Air Drive-In.”
The Exhibitor, Feb. 18, 1953: “Delaware / Dogsboro - Alfred W. Goodyear announced that the buying and booking for his new Del-Air Drive-In, now in the process of being completed, will be handled by Independent Theatres Service, Inc., Washington, D. C.”
The Exhibitor, April 29, 1953: “Harley Davidson’s Independent Theatre Service is booking and buying for the new Del-Air Drive-In, Dagsboro, Del.”
Mr. Goodyear and the Del-Air were mentioned in a May 22, 1954 note in the Wilmington News Journal, so we know it was operating by then.
Be careful what you wish for. I count the Gem, Lee, Evans/Dixie, Stone, and Mountain View theaters in town. (And for every clip here, there were three more noting that actor Dick Powell was born in Mountain View, Ark.)
Moving Picture World, Sept. 24, 1927: “M. E. Hixon has sold the Gem, Mountain View, Ark., to Sherber Brown.”
Boxoffice, June 24, 1939: (quoting Mrs. Margaret F. Harkey, widow of the late John Harkey, owner of the Ozark Amusement Co.) “In April, 1935, we opened our first film house at Mountain View, Ark. We used Simplex portables and a fireproof portable booth. Every attempt was made to produce a first-class performance. After financing this project, which ran into several hundred dollars, we found ourselves virtually broke. We were totally unknown in this territory and had opened our first show with a reserve of $4.35!”
Motion Picture Daily, Oct. 27, 1939: “Mountain View, Ark, Oct. 26. — Walter Lee of Batesville has opened the Lee here, seating 247.”
Variety, Nov. 8, 1939: “Mountain View, Ark.: Nov. 7. Walter Lee, of Batesville, has opened the Lee theatre here. House has 246 seats. Lee also operates the Gem, Heber Springs.”
Film Daily Year Book, 1940: “Mt. View, Lee … 300”
Boxoffice, Feb. 15, 1941: “W. R. Lee, who for the past couple of years has operated the Lee at Mt. View, Ark., and the Gem at Heber Springs, advised that effective February 15, he was selling his house in Mt. View to M. H. Evans.”
Showman’s Trade Review, April 6, 1946: “C. E. McLendon, husband of Mrs. C. E. McLendon, Dixie Theatre manager, Mountain View, Ark., is recovering from an operation at Batesville, Ark.”
Boxoffice, June 28, 1947: “MOUNTAIN VIEW, ARK.— The Evans Theatre here has been renamed the Dixie.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 13, 1947: “MOUNTAIN VIEW, ARK.— Two new theatres are under construction here. Both will have approximately 500 seats. One is being built by a local man, T. T. Foster, who, in his building is including a bakery, and the other is being erected by the Southern Theatre Construction Co. The theatre here owned by McClendon & Decker burned. They were unable to find a suitable site and have been operating in the courthouse.”
Motion Picture Herald, Oct. 18, 1947: “The Southern Theatre Construction Company is building a new theatre to seat 500 at West Mountain View, Ark., W. W. Latham, vice-president, has announced. The theatre will be named the Stone.”
Film Daily, Nov. 28, 1947: “Altec Lansing’s ‘Voice of the Theater’ loudspeaker systems have been purchased by the following theaters: … Stone, Mountain View, Ark.”
Film Daily, Dec. 5, 1947: “The new Mountain View Theater in Mountain View, Ark., is built entirely of native stone with decorative murals inside.”
Motion Picture Herald, Dec. 13, 1947: “R. N. James has opened his newly built stone theatre at Mountain View, Ark. It seats 500, has an interior decorated in wine, gold and blue with murals painted by George Stevens of Marcella.”
Motion Picture Herald, Jan. 17, 1948: “ Mid-south exhibitors visiting on (Memphis) Film Row included : Mrs. T. T. Foster, who has just opened the new Uptown theatre, Mountain View, Ark.”
Film Daily Year Book, 1950: “Mountainview (sic), Stone … 500”
Boxoffice, March 18, 1963: “Gene Thompson has leased the Stone Theatre, Mountain View, Ark., and has closed the Uptown Theatre in the same town.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Aug. 10, 1966: “Gene Thompson, Mountain View, Ark., announces that the Stone Theatre has closed and that Stone Drive-In, Mountain View, has opened.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 22, 1973: “Larry Vinson, Tri-State Booking Service, reported two new theatres … Mountain View Theatre, Mountain View, Ark., owned by Art Clemens and opened Thursday (18)”
Boxoffice, Nov. 19, 1973: “MOUNTAIN VIEW, ARK. - Mountain View Theatre, after several weeks of remodeling and the installation of a new screen, new sound and new projection equipment, was reopened to the public late last month.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 1, 1981: “Art Clemons has re-opened the Mountain View Theatre in Mountain View, Ark. after extensive remodeling.”
This drive-in advertised in the local Tangi Talk weekly newspaper as the Skaggs Drive-In in 1959-60, so that’s another alias (plus the no-possessive Mixon Drive-In) to add to this CT page.
The last ad for the Amite Drive-In that I could find in the Tangi Talk was in July 1969, though the newspaper may have dropped all movie ads later that year.
That 1946 date better matches the notes I’ve found of a drive-in under construction a mile north of Amite in early 1946.
Motion Picture Daily, March 25, 1946: “April has been scheduled … for the opening of a new drive-in on the outskirts of Amite, La.”
Showmen’s Trade Review, March 30, 1946: “A new drive-in theatre, scheduled to open early in August, is under construction one mile north of Amite, La.”
Boxoffice, May 10, 1947: “Mr. and Mrs. Neal Mixon of Mixon’s Drive-In Theatre at Amite, La., spent several hours on the (New Orleans Film) Row.”
Independent Film Journal, March 6, 1954: “Recently reopened and due to reopen soon are the Mission D-I, Amite, La., …” (Someone probably misheard Mixon’s as Mission.)
Motion Picture Herald, Dec. 17, 1955: “Neil Mixon closed the Mixon drive-in, Amite, La., with reopening scheduled in early spring.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, March 4, 1959: “Hiram S. Skaggs has taken over the operation of the Mixon Drive-In, Amite, La., and it has reopened.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Jan. 20, 1960: “The Skaggs Drive-In, Amite, La., is now open Saturdays only”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Feb. 16, 1961: “Joseph Baiamonte is the new owner of the drive-in at Amite, La., renamed the Amite, and formerly known as Skaggs, while Hiram Skaggs held the reins.”
Boxoffice, April 8, 1963: “Donald Dietrich resumed a full-week schedule at the Amite Drive-In”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Oct. 28, 1964: “Don Dieterich is keeping the Amite, La., Drive-In, damaged by Hurricane Hilda, closed for the season”
Boxoffice, March 9, 1940: “Vincent Currier of the Amite, Amite, La., is also the town banker. He recently installed new seats, sound and rugs in his theatre.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Nov. 18, 1959: “Charles and Dorothy Levy took over the operation of the Amite, Amite, La.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 20, 1962: “Eric Pittman closed the Amite, La., theatre indefinitely”
Boxoffice, April 8, 1963: “E. J. Pittman closed the Amite (La.) Theatre”
Boxoffice, Feb. 22, 1965: “Barbara Andrews has reopened the Amite (La.) Theatre. She’s a newcomer to the business”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, March 30, 1966: “Frank Olah, Jr., has taken over the four-walled Amite, Amite, La. He also operates the Star, Albany, La., in partnership with his father.”
Boxoffice, April 17, 1967: “OGDEN, UTAH - The 800-car Motor Vu Drive-In here started operating under the banner of Fox Mountain-Midwest Theatres Wednesday (12), it is announced by William H. Thedford and Dan A. Polier, vice-presidents and co-directors of theatre operations for National General Corp. Howard Coleman will continue as manager of the drive-in which has been acquired from Sam Gillette and Bill Hazan.”
Same drive-in? Motion Picture Daily, Nov. 20, 1956: “LIVINGSTON, Tenn., Nov. 19 - Leland Alfred has taken over the Ritz and Sundown Drive-in theatres here from Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rose and Mr. and Mrs. Dwain Peterson, purchasing both properties and equipment.”
My guess is that the Sundown became the Star-Vue. At least, that’s what the Exhibitor reported on April 29, 1953: “Fred T. McLendon Theatres assumed ownership-operations of the Sundown Drive-In, McKenzie, Ala., from H. C. Jenkins. Al Morgan, booker, advised that operations will resume shortly, and that it was renamed the Star-Vue Drive-In.”
Well, yeah, Jamey_monroe45. We’re in agreement, so you don’t have to yell. I was trying to offer a “modern-day equivalent” of where the drive-in was when it existed.
We seem to agree on the southeast corner of Elgin and Almond. I picked the spot closest to the screen, (so of course it predated the street that replaced it), and you picked a sensible alternative near the probable entrance. Either address points the reader to the right place.
Looks like the Dos Palos opened in 1950, based on this note in the Oct. 7, 1950 issue of Boxoffice: “Julian H. Hales, owner with Sam J. Regas of the new $75,000 Dos Palos Drive-In will be resident manager of the theatre. The drive-in is located in the Nylander and Sorenson subdivision on Elgin avenue just off Highway 33”. Another mention in the same issue said that “Hales formerly operated a department store in Dos Palos.”
The last Boxoffice note for this place that I could find tonight was from the July 3, 1967 issue. “Hoger Tegtmeier … operates the Dos Palos Drive-In, the Solano Theatre and Solano Drive-In in Fairfield and the Lakeport Theatre in Lakeport.”
Boxoffice, May 7, 1979: “Gene O'Neill … will oversee operation of … the Yuba City Drive-In (formerly Auto-see) and the Marysville Drive-In (formerly Sierra).”
Marysville-Yuba City Appeal-Democrat, April 9, 2005: “Robert Golding has run the Marysville Drive-In Theater since 1978, outlasting corporate ownership and many other drive-ins … The Marysville Drive-In Theatre, in operation since 1966, is expected to close Oct. 30 … Golding said he could not renew the theater’s lease on a long-term basis because of the pending sale of the property … Golding has been at the theater since 1978, when he started running it for the previous, corporate owners. He has leased the property since 1986. The movie theater sits just off the west side of Highway 70 near Erle Road. With a 45-foot by 90-foot screen, it can accommodate 450 cars.”
The last newspaper mention I saw of the Auto-See was in September 1976. On the other hand…
Boxoffice, May 7, 1979: “Gene O'Neill … will oversee operation of … the Yuba City Drive-In (formerly Auto-see) and the Marysville Drive-In (formerly Sierra).”
Boxoffice, March 10, 1980: “Lippert Theatres … (f)uture projects include triplexing of the circuit’s drive-ins in Marysville and Yuba City.”
Marysville-Yuba City Appeal-Democrat, April 9, 2005: “The area’s other drive-in theater, the Yuba City Drive-In, shut down in 1980.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 10, 1949: “Milt Fry … and (Joy) Naylor … are planning to enlarge the capacity of the Boise Drive-In to accommodate 500 cars.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 10, 1949: “Boise, Ida. - A new 500-car drive-in will be built this winter near the intersection of Highway 30 and Broadway here, according to Milt Fry, one of three local men who filed articles of incorporation for the firm. Others in the enterprise are Joy Naylor, who has an interest with Fry in the Boise Drive-In near the Ada county fairgrounds, and Omer R. Travers, Naylor, who also operated the Riverdale Drive-In at Ogden. Initial cost of the Broadway will be between $40,000 and $60,000, Fry said. The screen will measure 55x42 feet. Contract for grading work has been awarded to Stan Nelson. The Electric Service Co. will handle wiring.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 10, 1949: “Rudyard, Mont. - Mr. and Mrs. Albin Gustafson opened their ultramodern-style theatre here this week. Work on the $35,000 structure continues up to the last minute, with the ticket booth last on the schedule. The 31x90-foot building seats 312.”
Boxoffice, June 4, 1955: “The new snack bar at the Alamo Drive-In had a gala opening. There were free drinks and souvenirs for the children, courtesy of the management.”
Boxoffice, June 4, 1955: “The Zaragoza in Taft reopened following a recent fire.”
The last reference I saw in an LA Times ad was on Aug. 25, 1990. Whittier’s Sundown was one of dozens of theaters showing Steve Martin’s “My Blue Heaven.”
Signs that point to a late 1952 opening for the Lake Park:
The Exhibitor, Sept. 17, 1952: “Ralph Pielow’s Quad States Theatre Service will handle the buying and booking for the new Lake Park Drive-In, Williston, N. D., owned by John Snyder and son. Pielow also handles the buying and booking for Snyder’s two conventional houses in Williston.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 25, 1952: “Williston, N. D. - Construction is progressing rapidly on the new 492-car Lake Park Drive-In, by the Snyder Theatre Co.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 10, 1953: (in a list of drive-ins opened in 1952) “Williston, Lake Park, 500 cars, Snyder Theatre Co.”
Trion’s Moonlite was included in the 1950 Film Daily Year Book’s drive-in list.
All signs point to a 1955 opening.
Independent Film Journal, Jan. 22, 1955: “J. P. Edge scheduled opening of his new Blue Sky Drive-In at LaFayette, Ga. for around the 15th of Jan.”
Motion Picture Herald, April 30, 1955: “The Blue Sky drive-in, La Fayette, Ga., owned by J. P. Edge and Dr. T. A. Cochran, has opened. Wil-Kin Theatre Supply supplied the equipment.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, June 8, 1955: “Dr. T. A. Cochran and John P. Edge, owners, Blue Sky Drive-In, La Fayette, Ga., feature 400-car capacity and a 100-foot screen.”
Opening day hints.
The Exhibitor, Dec. 24, 1952: “Delaware / Dogsboro - Al Goodyear, well-known in the industry and formerly with Motion Picture Advertising Service, is now building the Del-Air Drive-In.”
The Exhibitor, Feb. 18, 1953: “Delaware / Dogsboro - Alfred W. Goodyear announced that the buying and booking for his new Del-Air Drive-In, now in the process of being completed, will be handled by Independent Theatres Service, Inc., Washington, D. C.”
The Exhibitor, April 29, 1953: “Harley Davidson’s Independent Theatre Service is booking and buying for the new Del-Air Drive-In, Dagsboro, Del.”
Mr. Goodyear and the Del-Air were mentioned in a May 22, 1954 note in the Wilmington News Journal, so we know it was operating by then.
Motion Picture Almanac, 1966, under Ontario: “Sault Ste Marie, Sou (sic?), (capacity) 300, Bregman & Cohen”
Motion Picture Almanac, 1966, under New Brunswick: “Martinon, Grand Bay Drive-In, (capacity) 600 & 300, Franklin-Herschorn Theas. Ltd.”
Be careful what you wish for. I count the Gem, Lee, Evans/Dixie, Stone, and Mountain View theaters in town. (And for every clip here, there were three more noting that actor Dick Powell was born in Mountain View, Ark.)
Moving Picture World, Sept. 24, 1927: “M. E. Hixon has sold the Gem, Mountain View, Ark., to Sherber Brown.”
Boxoffice, June 24, 1939: (quoting Mrs. Margaret F. Harkey, widow of the late John Harkey, owner of the Ozark Amusement Co.) “In April, 1935, we opened our first film house at Mountain View, Ark. We used Simplex portables and a fireproof portable booth. Every attempt was made to produce a first-class performance. After financing this project, which ran into several hundred dollars, we found ourselves virtually broke. We were totally unknown in this territory and had opened our first show with a reserve of $4.35!”
Motion Picture Daily, Oct. 27, 1939: “Mountain View, Ark, Oct. 26. — Walter Lee of Batesville has opened the Lee here, seating 247.”
Variety, Nov. 8, 1939: “Mountain View, Ark.: Nov. 7. Walter Lee, of Batesville, has opened the Lee theatre here. House has 246 seats. Lee also operates the Gem, Heber Springs.”
Film Daily Year Book, 1940: “Mt. View, Lee … 300”
Boxoffice, Feb. 15, 1941: “W. R. Lee, who for the past couple of years has operated the Lee at Mt. View, Ark., and the Gem at Heber Springs, advised that effective February 15, he was selling his house in Mt. View to M. H. Evans.”
Showman’s Trade Review, April 6, 1946: “C. E. McLendon, husband of Mrs. C. E. McLendon, Dixie Theatre manager, Mountain View, Ark., is recovering from an operation at Batesville, Ark.”
Boxoffice, June 28, 1947: “MOUNTAIN VIEW, ARK.— The Evans Theatre here has been renamed the Dixie.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 13, 1947: “MOUNTAIN VIEW, ARK.— Two new theatres are under construction here. Both will have approximately 500 seats. One is being built by a local man, T. T. Foster, who, in his building is including a bakery, and the other is being erected by the Southern Theatre Construction Co. The theatre here owned by McClendon & Decker burned. They were unable to find a suitable site and have been operating in the courthouse.”
Motion Picture Herald, Oct. 18, 1947: “The Southern Theatre Construction Company is building a new theatre to seat 500 at West Mountain View, Ark., W. W. Latham, vice-president, has announced. The theatre will be named the Stone.”
Film Daily, Nov. 28, 1947: “Altec Lansing’s ‘Voice of the Theater’ loudspeaker systems have been purchased by the following theaters: … Stone, Mountain View, Ark.”
Film Daily, Dec. 5, 1947: “The new Mountain View Theater in Mountain View, Ark., is built entirely of native stone with decorative murals inside.”
Motion Picture Herald, Dec. 13, 1947: “R. N. James has opened his newly built stone theatre at Mountain View, Ark. It seats 500, has an interior decorated in wine, gold and blue with murals painted by George Stevens of Marcella.”
Motion Picture Herald, Jan. 17, 1948: “ Mid-south exhibitors visiting on (Memphis) Film Row included : Mrs. T. T. Foster, who has just opened the new Uptown theatre, Mountain View, Ark.”
Film Daily Year Book, 1950: “Mountainview (sic), Stone … 500” Boxoffice, March 18, 1963: “Gene Thompson has leased the Stone Theatre, Mountain View, Ark., and has closed the Uptown Theatre in the same town.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Aug. 10, 1966: “Gene Thompson, Mountain View, Ark., announces that the Stone Theatre has closed and that Stone Drive-In, Mountain View, has opened.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 22, 1973: “Larry Vinson, Tri-State Booking Service, reported two new theatres … Mountain View Theatre, Mountain View, Ark., owned by Art Clemens and opened Thursday (18)”
Boxoffice, Nov. 19, 1973: “MOUNTAIN VIEW, ARK. - Mountain View Theatre, after several weeks of remodeling and the installation of a new screen, new sound and new projection equipment, was reopened to the public late last month.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 1, 1981: “Art Clemons has re-opened the Mountain View Theatre in Mountain View, Ark. after extensive remodeling.”
Yes, Newspapers.com (among others) has bit me like that before. Always check the date on the image itself.
This drive-in advertised in the local Tangi Talk weekly newspaper as the Skaggs Drive-In in 1959-60, so that’s another alias (plus the no-possessive Mixon Drive-In) to add to this CT page.
The last ad for the Amite Drive-In that I could find in the Tangi Talk was in July 1969, though the newspaper may have dropped all movie ads later that year.
That 1946 date better matches the notes I’ve found of a drive-in under construction a mile north of Amite in early 1946.
Motion Picture Daily, March 25, 1946: “April has been scheduled … for the opening of a new drive-in on the outskirts of Amite, La.”
Showmen’s Trade Review, March 30, 1946: “A new drive-in theatre, scheduled to open early in August, is under construction one mile north of Amite, La.”
Boxoffice, May 10, 1947: “Mr. and Mrs. Neal Mixon of Mixon’s Drive-In Theatre at Amite, La., spent several hours on the (New Orleans Film) Row.”
Independent Film Journal, March 6, 1954: “Recently reopened and due to reopen soon are the Mission D-I, Amite, La., …” (Someone probably misheard Mixon’s as Mission.)
Motion Picture Herald, Dec. 17, 1955: “Neil Mixon closed the Mixon drive-in, Amite, La., with reopening scheduled in early spring.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, March 4, 1959: “Hiram S. Skaggs has taken over the operation of the Mixon Drive-In, Amite, La., and it has reopened.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Jan. 20, 1960: “The Skaggs Drive-In, Amite, La., is now open Saturdays only”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Feb. 16, 1961: “Joseph Baiamonte is the new owner of the drive-in at Amite, La., renamed the Amite, and formerly known as Skaggs, while Hiram Skaggs held the reins.”
Boxoffice, April 8, 1963: “Donald Dietrich resumed a full-week schedule at the Amite Drive-In”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Oct. 28, 1964: “Don Dieterich is keeping the Amite, La., Drive-In, damaged by Hurricane Hilda, closed for the season”
kennerado, is this the ad you found? Because it’s from June 1946.
Boxoffice, March 9, 1940: “Vincent Currier of the Amite, Amite, La., is also the town banker. He recently installed new seats, sound and rugs in his theatre.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Nov. 18, 1959: “Charles and Dorothy Levy took over the operation of the Amite, Amite, La.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 20, 1962: “Eric Pittman closed the Amite, La., theatre indefinitely”
Boxoffice, April 8, 1963: “E. J. Pittman closed the Amite (La.) Theatre”
Boxoffice, Feb. 22, 1965: “Barbara Andrews has reopened the Amite (La.) Theatre. She’s a newcomer to the business”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, March 30, 1966: “Frank Olah, Jr., has taken over the four-walled Amite, Amite, La. He also operates the Star, Albany, La., in partnership with his father.”
Boxoffice, April 17, 1967: “OGDEN, UTAH - The 800-car Motor Vu Drive-In here started operating under the banner of Fox Mountain-Midwest Theatres Wednesday (12), it is announced by William H. Thedford and Dan A. Polier, vice-presidents and co-directors of theatre operations for National General Corp. Howard Coleman will continue as manager of the drive-in which has been acquired from Sam Gillette and Bill Hazan.”
Independent Film Journal, Dec. 11, 1954: “Sundown Drive-In, Newton, N.C. installed wide screen and CinemaScope.”
Same drive-in? Motion Picture Daily, Nov. 20, 1956: “LIVINGSTON, Tenn., Nov. 19 - Leland Alfred has taken over the Ritz and Sundown Drive-in theatres here from Mr. and Mrs. Fred Rose and Mr. and Mrs. Dwain Peterson, purchasing both properties and equipment.”
My guess is that the Sundown became the Star-Vue. At least, that’s what the Exhibitor reported on April 29, 1953: “Fred T. McLendon Theatres assumed ownership-operations of the Sundown Drive-In, McKenzie, Ala., from H. C. Jenkins. Al Morgan, booker, advised that operations will resume shortly, and that it was renamed the Star-Vue Drive-In.”