Tragic note from BoxOffice, Jan. 18, 1960: “Bernard D. Bright, 44, owner of the Hi-Y Drive-In Theatre in Henderson the last eight years, was killed recently in what apparently was an after-closing holdup at the Bright Star cafeteria, which he had opened only 17 days previous to his death.”
A couple of names, from the Jan. 11, 1960 issue of BoxOffice: “Kansas exhibitors seen on (Film) Row early last week included Al McClure and Woody Barritt of the Westport Drive-In, Wichita.”
From BoxOffice, Jan. 11, 1960: Harley Fryer of Lamar (MO?) “has acquired the Kansas Theatre and the Fredonia Drive-In in the Wilson County seat in the southeast part of the state from A. W. Pugh and the new management will be effective Thursday (17). Fryer’s brother Richard will manage the Fredonia operation”.
From BoxOffice, Jan. 11, 1960: Harley Fryer of Lamar (MO?) “has acquired the Kansas Theatre and the Fredonia Drive-In in the Wilson County seat in the southeast part of the state from A. W. Pugh and the new management will be effective Thursday (17). Fryer’s brother Richard will manage the Fredonia operation”.
Richard Wyse probably bought the Star after seeing this “Theatres For Sale” ad in the Jan. 4, 1960 issue of BoxOffice: “In Northwestern Ohio beautiful drive-in including approximately 10 acres of land. Owner retiring. Contact D. Lee McLain, Route 2, Wauseon, Ohio.”
From BoxOffice, Jan. 4, 1960: “Jack L. Haynie has purchased the Texas Theatre and 281 Drive-In, Hamilton, from Mrs. H. H. Stroud sr. and H. H. Stroud jr. Ed V. Green is also associated with Haynie in the venture.”
From BoxOffice, Jan. 4, 1960: “The Eagles Drive-In, Benavides, gave away a turkey for the holidays. The drive-in, which opened recently, is owned by Leo Pena and Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Pena.”
From BoxOffice, Jan. 4, 1960: “Lester and Margaurite Adrian must move their Dillon Theatre to the new townsite of Dillon prior to April 1961. The present town of Dillon will go under water after completion of the new dam and the entire city is being moved to higher ground.”
From BoxOffice, Jan. 4, 1960: “C. E. Langford opened the new Covina Drive-In, a 400-car situation, December 18. The drive-in is on Arrow highway and Grand avenue and has a large playground and a self-service snack bar. RCA equipment for the Covina was furnished by John C. Filbert Co. John Reynolds is manager of the new drive-in and Film Booking Service is doing the booking and buying.”
AZCentral.com wrote today about the Rodeo, saying it opened in 1953 at the site of the former Jacob Waltz ranch near 12th Street and Buckeye Road, then known as Henshaw Road. (Indeed, I can’t find any mention of it in any of the three industry drive-in lists for 1952.) The opening night program included the movies “Branded" (1950), “Flying Leathernecks" (1951), and “The Sniper" (1952).
The article concludes, “The drive-in closed in 1981. The Central City Campus of Gateway Community College now occupies the site.” If the link is still active, you ought to read the whole thing.
From the Theatres For Sale section of BoxOffice, May 30, 1966: “FLORIDA, Titusville. … 300-car drive-in. Ground and equipment. Less than one year old. Selling due to dissolving partnership.” The seller was a P.O. Box in Titusville.
The May 30, 1966 issue of BoxOffice reporter that owner/manager Bob Smith notified his patrons via the local newspaper that the Grand would close for a week for remodeling. “We are going to remodel the foyer, the concession area and part of the outside.”
The next ownership change came in 1966, per this May 30 note in BoxOffice: “Recently General Cinema Corp. of Boston, Mass., purchased the Admiral Twin Drive-In in Tulsa from Alex Blue and Hank Robb”.
“CAMDEN, TENN. – The Mid-Way Drive-In here, which had been operated by Exhibitors Services, is now being operated by new owners J. W. Bowden and J. C. Harris.” —BoxOffice, May 30, 1966
“Chuck Thomas of Osawatomie-Paola, Kas., reports bad weather has prevented completion of a renovation program at his Midway Drive-In.” —BoxOffice, May 30, 1966
This note in the May 30, 1966 issue of BoxOffice may have marked the end: “Eldon Eaton is closing the Civic Theatre, Hay Springs, Neb., and will be moving to Huron, S. D.”
It was still open for this note in the May 30, 1966 issue of BoxOffice: “Lee Tile has resigned as assistant manager of the Sparks Theatre to enter the motorcycle business. His replacement is Philip Brown, whose father owns a local drugstore.”
The April 18, 1966 issue of BoxOffice reported that among the exhibitors visiting the Oklahoma City film row were “Mr. and Mrs. Joe Harris, Rex Theatre, Konawa, who reported the house had been closed and his equipment was for sale, since he has other interests to take care of and does not have time to operate the theatre.”
Stanley and Jeanne Dewsnup bought two other Delta theaters in 1966, according to a Sept. 21, 2013 article in The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction. An earlier Daily Sentinel story added, “A year later came the acquisition of the Tru-Vu,” which would make the year of their purchase 1967.
Stan passed away in 2008, and Jeanne died April 9, 2019.
Not so long after Hardy bought the Big Sky, both the drive-in and the indoor Egyptian were purchased by Stanley and Jeanne Dewsnup “in the late ‘60s after the former owner was killed in a plane crash,” according to an April 14, 2000 story in The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction. “A year later came the acquisition of the Tru-Vu. The oil shale bust forced the sale of the Big Sky in 1986.”
(The purchase of the Big Sky & Egyptian was in 1966, according to a Sept. 21, 2013 article.)
An Aug. 26, 2018 story in the Daily Sentinel said the couple acquired the first two theaters after seeing an ad in BoxOffice. The Dewsnups “kept them running for years, showing Spanish-language films at the Big Sky.” After the oil shale bust of the 1980s, they decided to close one and preferred the Tru-Vu for its lack of light pollution. Stan passed away in 2008, and Jeanne died April 9, 2019.
The long story of the Taggerts reaching an out-of-court settlement in 1962 with the former Tru-Vu owners is available in that drive-in’s listing on CT. Subsequent newspaper stories imply that’s about the time the Taggerts ceased to own the Skylite.
The name change occurred in March 1964 along with another ownership change, as reported in the March 30, 1964 edition of The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction. “DELTA – The newly remodeled Big Sky Drive-In Theater on Crawford avenue east of here was opened this week under new management. Formerly known as the Skylite theater, the outdoor movie was purchased by Tom Hardy, manager of the Egyptian Theater here, from Edgar Jones of Vernal, Utah. Hardy will continue management of both units.”
Although newspaper advertisements through at least 1976 also used the Vista View spelling, the Motion Picture Almanacs' drive-in lists always spelled its name as “Vista Vu”. The 1958-59 editions listed it in Security with a capacity of 652, owner W. H. Claiborne. The 1960-76 MPAs listed the owner as Westland Theatres, Inc.
The 1977-88 MPAs listed the Vista Vu Drive-In in Colorado Springs, capacity 600, owner Westland Theatres, Inc. In its Circuit entry, Westland called it the Vista Vue during 1961-85 before Westland fell off the circuit list in 1986.
Nothing remains of the Vista View Drive-In. Today a garden center occupies most of the former site. Most of the ramps were in what is now Security-Widefield, but the screen was in what is now Fountain.
Tragic note from BoxOffice, Jan. 18, 1960: “Bernard D. Bright, 44, owner of the Hi-Y Drive-In Theatre in Henderson the last eight years, was killed recently in what apparently was an after-closing holdup at the Bright Star cafeteria, which he had opened only 17 days previous to his death.”
A couple of names, from the Jan. 11, 1960 issue of BoxOffice: “Kansas exhibitors seen on (Film) Row early last week included Al McClure and Woody Barritt of the Westport Drive-In, Wichita.”
From BoxOffice, Jan. 11, 1960: Harley Fryer of Lamar (MO?) “has acquired the Kansas Theatre and the Fredonia Drive-In in the Wilson County seat in the southeast part of the state from A. W. Pugh and the new management will be effective Thursday (17). Fryer’s brother Richard will manage the Fredonia operation”.
From BoxOffice, Jan. 11, 1960: Harley Fryer of Lamar (MO?) “has acquired the Kansas Theatre and the Fredonia Drive-In in the Wilson County seat in the southeast part of the state from A. W. Pugh and the new management will be effective Thursday (17). Fryer’s brother Richard will manage the Fredonia operation”.
Richard Wyse probably bought the Star after seeing this “Theatres For Sale” ad in the Jan. 4, 1960 issue of BoxOffice: “In Northwestern Ohio beautiful drive-in including approximately 10 acres of land. Owner retiring. Contact D. Lee McLain, Route 2, Wauseon, Ohio.”
From BoxOffice, Jan. 4, 1960: “Jack L. Haynie has purchased the Texas Theatre and 281 Drive-In, Hamilton, from Mrs. H. H. Stroud sr. and H. H. Stroud jr. Ed V. Green is also associated with Haynie in the venture.”
From BoxOffice, Jan. 4, 1960: “The Eagles Drive-In, Benavides, gave away a turkey for the holidays. The drive-in, which opened recently, is owned by Leo Pena and Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Pena.”
From BoxOffice, Jan. 4, 1960: “Lester and Margaurite Adrian must move their Dillon Theatre to the new townsite of Dillon prior to April 1961. The present town of Dillon will go under water after completion of the new dam and the entire city is being moved to higher ground.”
From BoxOffice, Jan. 4, 1960: “C. E. Langford opened the new Covina Drive-In, a 400-car situation, December 18. The drive-in is on Arrow highway and Grand avenue and has a large playground and a self-service snack bar. RCA equipment for the Covina was furnished by John C. Filbert Co. John Reynolds is manager of the new drive-in and Film Booking Service is doing the booking and buying.”
Note that this was the (second) season-opener, not the Grand Opening. The mention of “Our Improved Snackbar” was a clue.
AZCentral.com wrote today about the Rodeo, saying it opened in 1953 at the site of the former Jacob Waltz ranch near 12th Street and Buckeye Road, then known as Henshaw Road. (Indeed, I can’t find any mention of it in any of the three industry drive-in lists for 1952.) The opening night program included the movies “Branded" (1950), “Flying Leathernecks" (1951), and “The Sniper" (1952).
The article concludes, “The drive-in closed in 1981. The Central City Campus of Gateway Community College now occupies the site.” If the link is still active, you ought to read the whole thing.
From the Theatres For Sale section of BoxOffice, May 30, 1966: “FLORIDA, Titusville. … 300-car drive-in. Ground and equipment. Less than one year old. Selling due to dissolving partnership.” The seller was a P.O. Box in Titusville.
A note in the May 30, 1966 BoxOffice said, “Bill Crosby and Harve Wooden operate the Little River Drive-In at Wright City.”
The May 30, 1966 issue of BoxOffice reporter that owner/manager Bob Smith notified his patrons via the local newspaper that the Grand would close for a week for remodeling. “We are going to remodel the foyer, the concession area and part of the outside.”
The next ownership change came in 1966, per this May 30 note in BoxOffice: “Recently General Cinema Corp. of Boston, Mass., purchased the Admiral Twin Drive-In in Tulsa from Alex Blue and Hank Robb”.
“CAMDEN, TENN. – The Mid-Way Drive-In here, which had been operated by Exhibitors Services, is now being operated by new owners J. W. Bowden and J. C. Harris.” —BoxOffice, May 30, 1966
“Chuck Thomas of Osawatomie-Paola, Kas., reports bad weather has prevented completion of a renovation program at his Midway Drive-In.” —BoxOffice, May 30, 1966
This note in the May 30, 1966 issue of BoxOffice may have marked the end: “Eldon Eaton is closing the Civic Theatre, Hay Springs, Neb., and will be moving to Huron, S. D.”
It was still open for this note in the May 30, 1966 issue of BoxOffice: “Lee Tile has resigned as assistant manager of the Sparks Theatre to enter the motorcycle business. His replacement is Philip Brown, whose father owns a local drugstore.”
The April 18, 1966 issue of BoxOffice reported that among the exhibitors visiting the Oklahoma City film row were “Mr. and Mrs. Joe Harris, Rex Theatre, Konawa, who reported the house had been closed and his equipment was for sale, since he has other interests to take care of and does not have time to operate the theatre.”
“Mrs. Sam Covey is reopening the Mertzon Drive-In, Mertzon, prior to May 1. The airer has been closed since 1961.” —BoxOffice, April 18, 1966
Stanley and Jeanne Dewsnup bought two other Delta theaters in 1966, according to a Sept. 21, 2013 article in The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction. An earlier Daily Sentinel story added, “A year later came the acquisition of the Tru-Vu,” which would make the year of their purchase 1967.
Stan passed away in 2008, and Jeanne died April 9, 2019.
Not so long after Hardy bought the Big Sky, both the drive-in and the indoor Egyptian were purchased by Stanley and Jeanne Dewsnup “in the late ‘60s after the former owner was killed in a plane crash,” according to an April 14, 2000 story in The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction. “A year later came the acquisition of the Tru-Vu. The oil shale bust forced the sale of the Big Sky in 1986.”
(The purchase of the Big Sky & Egyptian was in 1966, according to a Sept. 21, 2013 article.)
An Aug. 26, 2018 story in the Daily Sentinel said the couple acquired the first two theaters after seeing an ad in BoxOffice. The Dewsnups “kept them running for years, showing Spanish-language films at the Big Sky.” After the oil shale bust of the 1980s, they decided to close one and preferred the Tru-Vu for its lack of light pollution. Stan passed away in 2008, and Jeanne died April 9, 2019.
The long story of the Taggerts reaching an out-of-court settlement in 1962 with the former Tru-Vu owners is available in that drive-in’s listing on CT. Subsequent newspaper stories imply that’s about the time the Taggerts ceased to own the Skylite.
The name change occurred in March 1964 along with another ownership change, as reported in the March 30, 1964 edition of The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction. “DELTA – The newly remodeled Big Sky Drive-In Theater on Crawford avenue east of here was opened this week under new management. Formerly known as the Skylite theater, the outdoor movie was purchased by Tom Hardy, manager of the Egyptian Theater here, from Edgar Jones of Vernal, Utah. Hardy will continue management of both units.”
Although newspaper advertisements through at least 1976 also used the Vista View spelling, the Motion Picture Almanacs' drive-in lists always spelled its name as “Vista Vu”. The 1958-59 editions listed it in Security with a capacity of 652, owner W. H. Claiborne. The 1960-76 MPAs listed the owner as Westland Theatres, Inc.
The 1977-88 MPAs listed the Vista Vu Drive-In in Colorado Springs, capacity 600, owner Westland Theatres, Inc. In its Circuit entry, Westland called it the Vista Vue during 1961-85 before Westland fell off the circuit list in 1986.
Nothing remains of the Vista View Drive-In. Today a garden center occupies most of the former site. Most of the ramps were in what is now Security-Widefield, but the screen was in what is now Fountain.