This 1987 photo is from the John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive of the Library of Congress, effectively in the public domain. Higher-res versions are also available.
This 1983 photo is from the John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive of the Library of Congress, effectively in the public domain. Higher-res versions are also available.
This 1979 photo is from the John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive of the Library of Congress, effectively in the public domain. Higher-res versions are also available.
This 1977 photo is from the John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive of the Library of Congress, effectively in the public domain. Higher-res versions are also available.
This photo is from the John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive of the Library of Congress, effectively in the public domain. Higher-res versions are also available.
Motion Picture Exhibitor, April 27, 1966: “Formerly known as the Rustic, the renamed Village hardtop in the resort center of Estes Park, Colo., is being rebuilt by Stanley Pratt, present owner.”
A Theatres For Lease classified ad in the April 1, 1959 issue of Motion Picture Exhibitor read: “1959 SEASON. 300 car Drive-In and Snak Bar to responsible Theatre Man. $3,600 in advance. Excellent Grosser. D. D. SHANKS, Ph 300, Estes Park, Colo.”
“MANITOU, COLO. – The Vita Theatre here, which has been closed since last December, has opened its doors again under the management of L. M. Kennedy and E. T. Paschall. Kennedy and Paschall have been operating theatres for C. G. Diller, owner of the Manitou Springs show house.”
Also, here’s a note I found in the April 5, 1952 edition: “Ralph Nichols, collector of internal revenue, said the Vida in Manitou Springs, owned by C. G. Diller, has been seized and is scheduled to be sold for nonpayment of amusement taxes. Nichols said the theatre was delinquent more than $34,000 for back taxes, penalties and interest.”
The thought of teaching 6-year-olds to drive at a drive-in theater seems so weird today that I’m hanging on to this note in the June 6, 1960 issue of Boxoffice:
Since 1958, many drive-in theatres have earned goodwill by sponsoring safe driving course on their grounds for kids from six to 12. The courses are under the auspices of Junior Crusaders National Ass’n., Inc., a nonprofit organization.
The Twin Drive-In Theatre, Cincinnati, was one of the first drive-ins to promote this successful program. One of the attendant goodwill features is the approval of and attendance at the opening by civic, religious and educational leaders, and the widespread publicity received.
Youngsters participating are divided into three groups: the six to seven-year olds, the eight to nine-year children and the ten through 12-year youths. They drive small, gas-driven convertibles on a course designed with simulated traffic and highway conditions to help them learn traffic safety laws.
The cars are sponsored by local or national advertisers; the theatre provides the track.
Boxoffice magazine, always chummy with Film Row denizens, ran the saga of Ward Pennington over several issues in early 1952. He was a manager for Paramount (or was that the Paramount Theatre?) in Denver, but bought the Crest and moved his family and effects to Beatrice. Sounds like it was culture shock even then.
April 5, 1952 Boxoffice: “ARRIBA, COLO. – Woodrow Williams, owner of the Plains Theatre at Eads, Colo., died here recently from a heart attack. He was in his early 40s and operated the theatre himself.”
DOLORES, COLO. – Raye Benham, owner and manager of the Rio Theatre, resumed operations at the house in March after it had been shut down two months for repair and renovation. Since the closing late in December, alterations were made on the exterior as well as the auditorium. Centralized heating was the largest expenditure in the program. Minor improvements in the plumbing still await warmer weather.
Based on this note and the drive-in’s MPA debut above, I’d guess it opened in 1951. April 12, 1952 Boxoffice: “J. H. Roberts has temporarily closed the Fort Morgan Theatre, which he bought in February from Jake Bauer. When the remodeling and improvement program is completed, Roberts will rename the situation the Valley Drive-In. He also owns the Brush Drive-In at Brush, Colo.”
April 12, 1952 Boxoffice: “J. H. Roberts has temporarily closed the Fort Morgan Theatre, which he bought in February from Jake Bauer. When the remodeling and improvement program is completed, Roberts will rename the situation the Valley Drive-In. He also owns the Brush Drive-In at Brush, Colo.”
CLAY CENTER, KAS. – A capacity crowd of 2,400 people in more than 400 cars attended the reopening of the Skyline Drive-In, Manager Ken Ehret reported, and saw the mishap when a loose spark ignited the gala fireworks display and set it all off at once. Gordon Erickson, who was presenting the pyrotechnics, lost his topcoat in the blaze.
The concession stand was remodeled this year. Arrangements were made to serve patrons inside during bad weather. The parking area was resurfaced.
April 26, 1952 Boxoffice: “CHANDLER, ARIZ. – Mr. and Mrs. Joe H. Woods have opened a new drive-in here, the Mustang, with accommodations for 400 cars. It includes a children’s playground. The Woods are celebrating their twentieth year as theatre operators in Chandler. They opened the Rowena Theatre in February 1932, and the Parkway in May 1945. Both are downtown houses.”
April 26, 1952 Boxoffice: “PHOENIX – The Twin Screen Drive-In, which closed early last January, has been reopened by Fred Crockett and Harry L. Nace as the Acres of Fun. Only one screen is being utilized, reducing the capacity of the airer, formerly a McCormack-Nace enterprise, to around 625 cars. The duel screen outdoorer was the largest drive-in in the state under its original operation. The current manager is Otto Silvester.”
This little note in the May 3, 1952 Boxoffice is phrased as if the Sierra first opened that year: “Gibraltar Theatres has opened its new 200-car Sierra Drive-In, Socorro. N. M.”
Nov. 6, 1957 Motion Picture Exhibitor: “Wayne Long is selling his Corral Drive-In, the Texan, and the Ward at Monahans, Tex. The two latter were purchased from Frontier Theatres in 1956. The real estate, buildings and equipment will be offered at auction.”
This April 3, 1963 note in Motion Picture Exhibitor suggests the Wagon Wheel was closed by then: “Wright Hale, who operates the Lyric, indoor house, and the Holiday Drive-In, Spearman, Tex., and Everett Mahanley, who is constructing the Corral Drive-In, Guymon, have purchased the Wagonwheel (sic) Drive-In, Spearman, from J. D. Wilbanks and will dismantle the drive-in.”
The Corral probably opened in 1963, based on this April 3, 1963 note in Motion Picture Exhibitor: Wright Hale, who operates the Lyric, indoor house, and the Holiday Drive-In, Spearman, Tex., and Everett Mahanley, who is constructing the Corral Drive-In, Guymon, have purchased the Wagonwheel Drive-In, Spearman, from J. D. Wilbanks and will dismantle the drive-in.
Wow, that took forever! The Dec. 10, 1962 issue of Boxoffice included an announcement that the Corral Drive-In of Eldon MO had finally joined the Theatre Owners of America. “The Corral Drive-In is owned and operated by Tom E. Edwards of Eldon.”
March 25, 1964 Motion Picture Exhibitor: Walter Allen, Maquoketa, has purchased the Bel-Air Drive-In, Davenport, from George Dinelli, Peru, Ill. Allen, who also operates the Corral Drive-In, Moline, Ill., plans some renovating at the Davenport Drive-In.
This 1987 photo is from the John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive of the Library of Congress, effectively in the public domain. Higher-res versions are also available.
This 1983 photo is from the John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive of the Library of Congress, effectively in the public domain. Higher-res versions are also available.
This 1979 photo is from the John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive of the Library of Congress, effectively in the public domain. Higher-res versions are also available.
This 1977 photo is from the John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive of the Library of Congress, effectively in the public domain. Higher-res versions are also available.
This photo is from the John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive of the Library of Congress, effectively in the public domain. Higher-res versions are also available.
Motion Picture Exhibitor, April 27, 1966: “Formerly known as the Rustic, the renamed Village hardtop in the resort center of Estes Park, Colo., is being rebuilt by Stanley Pratt, present owner.”
A Theatres For Lease classified ad in the April 1, 1959 issue of Motion Picture Exhibitor read: “1959 SEASON. 300 car Drive-In and Snak Bar to responsible Theatre Man. $3,600 in advance. Excellent Grosser. D. D. SHANKS, Ph 300, Estes Park, Colo.”
The late Georgia Engel (a fine comic actress) was eight years old when this photo was printed, so that’s not her.
Anthony, if you’re still around, here’s your June 26, 1948 issue of Boxoffice. I presume you were talking about this story:
“MANITOU, COLO. – The Vita Theatre here, which has been closed since last December, has opened its doors again under the management of L. M. Kennedy and E. T. Paschall. Kennedy and Paschall have been operating theatres for C. G. Diller, owner of the Manitou Springs show house.”
Also, here’s a note I found in the April 5, 1952 edition: “Ralph Nichols, collector of internal revenue, said the Vida in Manitou Springs, owned by C. G. Diller, has been seized and is scheduled to be sold for nonpayment of amusement taxes. Nichols said the theatre was delinquent more than $34,000 for back taxes, penalties and interest.”
The thought of teaching 6-year-olds to drive at a drive-in theater seems so weird today that I’m hanging on to this note in the June 6, 1960 issue of Boxoffice:
Since 1958, many drive-in theatres have earned goodwill by sponsoring safe driving course on their grounds for kids from six to 12. The courses are under the auspices of Junior Crusaders National Ass’n., Inc., a nonprofit organization.
The Twin Drive-In Theatre, Cincinnati, was one of the first drive-ins to promote this successful program. One of the attendant goodwill features is the approval of and attendance at the opening by civic, religious and educational leaders, and the widespread publicity received.
Youngsters participating are divided into three groups: the six to seven-year olds, the eight to nine-year children and the ten through 12-year youths. They drive small, gas-driven convertibles on a course designed with simulated traffic and highway conditions to help them learn traffic safety laws.
The cars are sponsored by local or national advertisers; the theatre provides the track.
Boxoffice magazine, always chummy with Film Row denizens, ran the saga of Ward Pennington over several issues in early 1952. He was a manager for Paramount (or was that the Paramount Theatre?) in Denver, but bought the Crest and moved his family and effects to Beatrice. Sounds like it was culture shock even then.
April 5, 1952 Boxoffice: “ARRIBA, COLO. – Woodrow Williams, owner of the Plains Theatre at Eads, Colo., died here recently from a heart attack. He was in his early 40s and operated the theatre himself.”
Same theater? April 5, 1952 Boxoffice:
DOLORES, COLO. – Raye Benham, owner and manager of the Rio Theatre, resumed operations at the house in March after it had been shut down two months for repair and renovation. Since the closing late in December, alterations were made on the exterior as well as the auditorium. Centralized heating was the largest expenditure in the program. Minor improvements in the plumbing still await warmer weather.
Based on this note and the drive-in’s MPA debut above, I’d guess it opened in 1951. April 12, 1952 Boxoffice: “J. H. Roberts has temporarily closed the Fort Morgan Theatre, which he bought in February from Jake Bauer. When the remodeling and improvement program is completed, Roberts will rename the situation the Valley Drive-In. He also owns the Brush Drive-In at Brush, Colo.”
April 12, 1952 Boxoffice: “J. H. Roberts has temporarily closed the Fort Morgan Theatre, which he bought in February from Jake Bauer. When the remodeling and improvement program is completed, Roberts will rename the situation the Valley Drive-In. He also owns the Brush Drive-In at Brush, Colo.”
Fun note from the April 26, 1952 Boxoffice:
CLAY CENTER, KAS. – A capacity crowd of 2,400 people in more than 400 cars attended the reopening of the Skyline Drive-In, Manager Ken Ehret reported, and saw the mishap when a loose spark ignited the gala fireworks display and set it all off at once. Gordon Erickson, who was presenting the pyrotechnics, lost his topcoat in the blaze.
The concession stand was remodeled this year. Arrangements were made to serve patrons inside during bad weather. The parking area was resurfaced.
April 26, 1952 Boxoffice: “CHANDLER, ARIZ. – Mr. and Mrs. Joe H. Woods have opened a new drive-in here, the Mustang, with accommodations for 400 cars. It includes a children’s playground. The Woods are celebrating their twentieth year as theatre operators in Chandler. They opened the Rowena Theatre in February 1932, and the Parkway in May 1945. Both are downtown houses.”
April 26, 1952 Boxoffice: Delbert Stewart has bought the Hill Top Drive-In, Torrington, Wyo., from James B. Nolan.
April 26, 1952 Boxoffice: “PHOENIX – The Twin Screen Drive-In, which closed early last January, has been reopened by Fred Crockett and Harry L. Nace as the Acres of Fun. Only one screen is being utilized, reducing the capacity of the airer, formerly a McCormack-Nace enterprise, to around 625 cars. The duel screen outdoorer was the largest drive-in in the state under its original operation. The current manager is Otto Silvester.”
This little note in the May 3, 1952 Boxoffice is phrased as if the Sierra first opened that year: “Gibraltar Theatres has opened its new 200-car Sierra Drive-In, Socorro. N. M.”
Nov. 6, 1957 Motion Picture Exhibitor: “Wayne Long is selling his Corral Drive-In, the Texan, and the Ward at Monahans, Tex. The two latter were purchased from Frontier Theatres in 1956. The real estate, buildings and equipment will be offered at auction.”
This April 3, 1963 note in Motion Picture Exhibitor suggests the Wagon Wheel was closed by then: “Wright Hale, who operates the Lyric, indoor house, and the Holiday Drive-In, Spearman, Tex., and Everett Mahanley, who is constructing the Corral Drive-In, Guymon, have purchased the Wagonwheel (sic) Drive-In, Spearman, from J. D. Wilbanks and will dismantle the drive-in.”
The Corral probably opened in 1963, based on this April 3, 1963 note in Motion Picture Exhibitor: Wright Hale, who operates the Lyric, indoor house, and the Holiday Drive-In, Spearman, Tex., and Everett Mahanley, who is constructing the Corral Drive-In, Guymon, have purchased the Wagonwheel Drive-In, Spearman, from J. D. Wilbanks and will dismantle the drive-in.
Wow, that took forever! The Dec. 10, 1962 issue of Boxoffice included an announcement that the Corral Drive-In of Eldon MO had finally joined the Theatre Owners of America. “The Corral Drive-In is owned and operated by Tom E. Edwards of Eldon.”
March 25, 1964 Motion Picture Exhibitor: Walter Allen, Maquoketa, has purchased the Bel-Air Drive-In, Davenport, from George Dinelli, Peru, Ill. Allen, who also operates the Corral Drive-In, Moline, Ill., plans some renovating at the Davenport Drive-In.