Looks like both the Grand Vu and Hill Top were built in 1954. Boxoffice, April 24, 1954: “The uranium boom in southeastern Utah has resulted in construction of two drive-ins at Moab … (whose) population has doubled in little more than a year”
Boxoffice, April 24, 1954: “San Pedro valley will have a $25,000 drive-in ready for use in about 60 days, according to Elliot Long of Safford, contractor, who will build the airer for the L. F. Long theatre firm. Location is about one mile south of Benson on U.S. 80. Capacity will be 350 cars. Frame for the screen will be 50x60 feet, with the screen itself measuring 30x40.”
The April 3, 1954 issue of Boxoffice ran a two-page story on the Hillside with several photos. “Travelers on the heavily-trafficked highway cannot fail to be impressed by the huge screen tower with an animated name sign. The tower is further enhanced by giant theatre masks representing laughter and sadness.”
Fun story in the March 27, 1954 issue of Boxoffice: “Every evening for more than two weeks the ramps of Anthony L. Fenton’s Starlite Drive-In were filled and the concession stand did a landoffice business, although it was in the dead of winter and there was no picture on the big screen. Through arrangements made by army channels, the Starlite was used as an overnight stopover by the 31st Dixie division in its move from Indiana to Camp Carson in Colorado. The division made the journey in relays, an average of 400 men in motor vehicles pulling in around 4 p.m. and staying to 12:30 p.m. the next day … The men slept in trucks or in pup tents on the ground.”
Boxoffice, March 20, 1954: “High winds recently hit the Sage Drive-In here, ripping off board siding on the front of the 60-foot screen structure, collapsing the marquee and wrecking neon light signs. Manager Allen Klindt said workmen were remodeling the steel-framed structure when the wind struck. He estimated damage at between $5,000 and $6,000.”
Finally, the scaled-down version was complete. Boxoffice, March 13, 1954: “ALBUQUERQUE – The new San Jose Drive-In was opened here recently. It has a capacity for 400 automobiles and will feature pictures for Spanish-American citizens. The feature bill will usually include one Spanish-language picture and one American picture, according to Robert E. Morley, a partner, who also has interests in the Sunset Drive-In and the Ernie Pyle Theatre. The other partners in the San Jose Drive-In are Fidel Gonzales and Harvey Canaday.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 13, 1954: “The Rimrock Drive-In was sold at a sheriff’s sale to Aldrich and Co. and Marshall Wells. The business will be resold to settle the bills due these two firms and other local business firms.”
The Feb. 6, 1954 issue of Boxoffice ran a three-page article about the Park, mostly about the efficient design of its concession / projection building. Not only did it include the owners' living quarters, the boxoffice was attached on its north side. The article featured a diagram of the layout by Mrs. Swank and several photos by Mr. Swank.
The Feb. 6, 1954 issue of Boxoffice included a four-page article about the Glaize Drive-In’s extensive use of live entertainment. There were a half-dozen photos and a diagram of the concession / projection building layout.
To amplify BobFermanek’s note, that issue of Boxoffice had a two-page article about the Lake Park’s extensive playground area. It also had several photos, including a fairly impressive merry-go-round near the base of the screen tower.
The Feb. 6, 1954 issue of Boxoffice ran a full-page profile about the rustic look of the Cow Town. It included several photos, most of which have already been uploaded here.
In a four-page article about Commonwealth’s drive-ins, the Feb. 6, 1954 issue of Boxoffice included a photo of patrons playing at a horseshoe pitching court at the Sunset.
In a four-page article about Commonwealth Theatres' drive-ins in the Feb. 6, 1954 issue of Boxoffice, they included four photos of the extensive Children’s Zoo at the Grand Island drive-in.
Boxoffice, Feb. 6, 1954: “The Canby Theatre has reopened under the management of Mr. and Mrs. Herald McKellips, who … bought the theatre business and leased the building from Irvin Westenskow of Woodburn. The Canby Theatre, originally opened Nov. 1, 1950, was closed last November by the O. A. Nelsons for lack of patronage.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 6, 1954: “Another ownership change found the Pacific Drive-In circuit acquiring the Edwards Drive-In in San Gabriel from Jimmy Edwards.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 2, 1954: “SANTA MARIA, CALIF. – Seeking recovery of $6,000 allegedly due in back rent and demanding possession of the premises, Charles Pasquini has filed suit here against James Toler and Victor S. Goss, operators of the Park-Aire Theatre. Pasquini, owner, contends that Toler and Goss are in arrears in their rent and charges they have refused to surrender possession of the drive-in.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 19, 1953: “Construction has been started on the San Jose Drive-In, off Broadway, south of Woodward avenue. The new drive-in will have space for 600 cars, according to Robert E. Morley, owner.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 26, 1953: “A drive-in screen 70 feet high and 85 feet wide is being erected for the San Jose Drive-In, under construction off Broadway south of Woodward road SE. The theatre, which will have space for 600 cars, is owned by Robert. E. Morley, part owner of the Ernie Pyle Theatre and Sunset Drive-In.”
Perhaps March 1953 really was the Humboldt’s “4th grand opening” as its ad in the photo section stated? Boxoffice, Nov. 28, 1953: “HUMBOLDT, CALIF. – A 350-seat auditorium has been added at the Humboldt Drive-In by Meribel Theatres Co. headed by Mary and Walter Bell. The airer, opened in 1950, now will stay open all winter. … In 1950, the Bells opened the Humboldt Drive-In at Alton and the Bel-Air at Eureka.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 10, 1953: “Photos of the Rolla Drive-In and the staff appeared recently in the Rolla News. Gene Parker, manager, said he was about to complete another good season.”
Looks like both the Grand Vu and Hill Top were built in 1954. Boxoffice, April 24, 1954: “The uranium boom in southeastern Utah has resulted in construction of two drive-ins at Moab … (whose) population has doubled in little more than a year”
Boxoffice, April 24, 1954: “San Pedro valley will have a $25,000 drive-in ready for use in about 60 days, according to Elliot Long of Safford, contractor, who will build the airer for the L. F. Long theatre firm. Location is about one mile south of Benson on U.S. 80. Capacity will be 350 cars. Frame for the screen will be 50x60 feet, with the screen itself measuring 30x40.”
A slightly cropped version of this photo can be found in the April 17, 1954 issue of Boxoffice, which should be in the public domain.
The April 3, 1954 issue of Boxoffice ran a two-page story on the Hillside with several photos. “Travelers on the heavily-trafficked highway cannot fail to be impressed by the huge screen tower with an animated name sign. The tower is further enhanced by giant theatre masks representing laughter and sadness.”
Boxoffice, April 3, 1954: “John Feys & Associates have purchased the Cine-Car Drive-In, a 700-seat (sic) operation, from Bill Montgomery.”
Fun story in the March 27, 1954 issue of Boxoffice: “Every evening for more than two weeks the ramps of Anthony L. Fenton’s Starlite Drive-In were filled and the concession stand did a landoffice business, although it was in the dead of winter and there was no picture on the big screen. Through arrangements made by army channels, the Starlite was used as an overnight stopover by the 31st Dixie division in its move from Indiana to Camp Carson in Colorado. The division made the journey in relays, an average of 400 men in motor vehicles pulling in around 4 p.m. and staying to 12:30 p.m. the next day … The men slept in trucks or in pup tents on the ground.”
Boxoffice, March 20, 1954: “High winds recently hit the Sage Drive-In here, ripping off board siding on the front of the 60-foot screen structure, collapsing the marquee and wrecking neon light signs. Manager Allen Klindt said workmen were remodeling the steel-framed structure when the wind struck. He estimated damage at between $5,000 and $6,000.”
Finally, the scaled-down version was complete. Boxoffice, March 13, 1954: “ALBUQUERQUE – The new San Jose Drive-In was opened here recently. It has a capacity for 400 automobiles and will feature pictures for Spanish-American citizens. The feature bill will usually include one Spanish-language picture and one American picture, according to Robert E. Morley, a partner, who also has interests in the Sunset Drive-In and the Ernie Pyle Theatre. The other partners in the San Jose Drive-In are Fidel Gonzales and Harvey Canaday.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 13, 1954: “The Rimrock Drive-In was sold at a sheriff’s sale to Aldrich and Co. and Marshall Wells. The business will be resold to settle the bills due these two firms and other local business firms.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 13, 1954: “Pacific Drive-Ins is taking over operation of two local ozoners, the Victory and Gilmore, from Sero Amusement”
Boxoffice, Feb. 13, 1954: “Pacific Drive-Ins is taking over operation of two local ozoners, the Victory and Gilmore, from Sero Amusement”
The Feb. 6, 1954 issue of Boxoffice ran a three-page article about the Park, mostly about the efficient design of its concession / projection building. Not only did it include the owners' living quarters, the boxoffice was attached on its north side. The article featured a diagram of the layout by Mrs. Swank and several photos by Mr. Swank.
The Feb. 6, 1954 issue of Boxoffice included a four-page article about the Glaize Drive-In’s extensive use of live entertainment. There were a half-dozen photos and a diagram of the concession / projection building layout.
To amplify BobFermanek’s note, that issue of Boxoffice had a two-page article about the Lake Park’s extensive playground area. It also had several photos, including a fairly impressive merry-go-round near the base of the screen tower.
The Feb. 6, 1954 issue of Boxoffice ran a full-page profile about the rustic look of the Cow Town. It included several photos, most of which have already been uploaded here.
In a four-page article about Commonwealth’s drive-ins, the Feb. 6, 1954 issue of Boxoffice included a photo of patrons playing at a horseshoe pitching court at the Sunset.
In a four-page article about Commonwealth Theatres' drive-ins in the Feb. 6, 1954 issue of Boxoffice, they included four photos of the extensive Children’s Zoo at the Grand Island drive-in.
Boxoffice, Feb. 6, 1954: “The Canby Theatre has reopened under the management of Mr. and Mrs. Herald McKellips, who … bought the theatre business and leased the building from Irvin Westenskow of Woodburn. The Canby Theatre, originally opened Nov. 1, 1950, was closed last November by the O. A. Nelsons for lack of patronage.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 6, 1954: “Another ownership change found the Pacific Drive-In circuit acquiring the Edwards Drive-In in San Gabriel from Jimmy Edwards.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 16, 1954: “The Ocean Drive-In at Crescent City was sold by Jacob A. Leech and Richard Miller to Arthur Grenfell.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 2, 1954: “SANTA MARIA, CALIF. – Seeking recovery of $6,000 allegedly due in back rent and demanding possession of the premises, Charles Pasquini has filed suit here against James Toler and Victor S. Goss, operators of the Park-Aire Theatre. Pasquini, owner, contends that Toler and Goss are in arrears in their rent and charges they have refused to surrender possession of the drive-in.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 19, 1953: “Construction has been started on the San Jose Drive-In, off Broadway, south of Woodward avenue. The new drive-in will have space for 600 cars, according to Robert E. Morley, owner.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 26, 1953: “A drive-in screen 70 feet high and 85 feet wide is being erected for the San Jose Drive-In, under construction off Broadway south of Woodward road SE. The theatre, which will have space for 600 cars, is owned by Robert. E. Morley, part owner of the Ernie Pyle Theatre and Sunset Drive-In.”
Perhaps March 1953 really was the Humboldt’s “4th grand opening” as its ad in the photo section stated? Boxoffice, Nov. 28, 1953: “HUMBOLDT, CALIF. – A 350-seat auditorium has been added at the Humboldt Drive-In by Meribel Theatres Co. headed by Mary and Walter Bell. The airer, opened in 1950, now will stay open all winter. … In 1950, the Bells opened the Humboldt Drive-In at Alton and the Bel-Air at Eureka.”
The Nov. 7, 1953 issue of Boxoffice ran a page and a half on the Shawnee, including photos of the three concessions buildings it used.
Boxoffice, Oct. 10, 1953: “Photos of the Rolla Drive-In and the staff appeared recently in the Rolla News. Gene Parker, manager, said he was about to complete another good season.”