“DENVER – The new 800-car Motorena Drive-In in north Denver, built by Carvue Theatres, Inc., has been opened. David Samuels is manager. A feature of the new amusement center is an artesian well from which patrons may obtain drinking water for home use.” —Box Office, July 17, 1948
“John Wolfberg, president of Wolfberg Theatres, announces the purchase of the Motorena Drive-In in north Denver, Colo. from Carvue Theatres, a Salt Lake City corporation. The purchase price was reported in excess of $200,000. Improvements planned for the ozoner include a playground for children and a free bottle-warming service. Mickey Gross is city manager for the circuit.” —BoxOffice, Oct. 9, 1948
Looks like the Skyway opened in the summer of 1948, a little before this July 17 note in BoxOffice: “Griffith’s Starlite Drive-In at Shawnee and the Skyway Drive-In at Seminole opened recently.”
The Jones Theatres site says the Starlite opened in 1947, but this note from the July 17, 1948 issue of BoxOffice disagrees: “Griffith’s Starlite Drive-In at Shawnee and the Skyway Drive-In at Seminole opened recently.”
“CARMICHAELS, PA. – The drive-in on Route 88, which will be opened within a few days, is unique in its screen tower construction. Cemenstone Corp., Neville Island, is producing the 53x50 screen tower in blocks poured at Neville Island and fabricated here. These blocks are 22 and 28 feet long, 6 feet wide and 4 inches thich. The tower itself is supported by four concrete posts, the weight being over 90 tons for the 45x33 screen. Louis Stuler and Durward Coe are owners of the drive-in.” —BoxOffice, July 17, 1948
“BEAVER FALLS, PA. – Chippewa township school board was awaiting the inaugural of the recently opened Hi-Way 51 Drive-In owned by John Wincek and Albert R. Tate. The board had passed an amusement tax June 7 and it became effective July 8.” —BoxOffice, July 17, 1948
Maybe this was temporary. From the July 17, 1948 issue of BoxOffice: “The Plaza at Illmo, Mo., will be closed Feb. 1, 1949. Failure to secure a renewal of his lease, and inability to find another suitable location are given by Martin Operle, owner, as reasons for a decision to suspend operations.”
“COLORADO SPRINGS – The $100,000 Starlight Drive-In Theatre was opened here recently after three and a half months of construction work. The 650-car drive-in was equipped with Simplex projectors, and complete modern facilities. Paul Rothman of Colorado Springs is manager of the new ozoner.” —BoxOffice, July 17, 1948
Perhaps the El Paso opened with loudspeakers? From the Jan. 8, 1949 issue of BoxOffice:
EL PASO, TEX. – E. L. Pack reportedly was considering building a third local drive-in as the improvement program on the El Paso Drive-In got under way with installation of a new $30,000 sound system to provide 600 individual speakers. The parking area also was resurfaced. Pack’s Del Norte Drive-In, his second local situation, is equipped with individual speakers. The two ozoners represent an investment of $250,000.
“The St. Louis Theatre Supply Co. will provide all of the projection, sound, in-car speakers and other equipment for the 500-car drive-in being constructed on Highway 61 (sic) north of Farmington, Mo., by Edwards & Plumlee Theatres. Provision is being made to increase the capacity by 250 cars if and when business warrants.” —BoxOffice, Jan. 8, 1949
A note in the Jan. 1, 1949 issue of BoxOffice said that Charles Weisenberg was working on opening a new indoor theater in Seagoville. “Then he will build his new Pike Drive-In on a site between the new house and the Dallas city limits.”
Looks like the Trail existed during late 1948. From the Jan. 1, 1949 issue of BoxOffice: “FORT STOCKTON, TEX. – The Trail Drive-In gave away one-half ton of oranges and grapefruit during the holiday season. The Trail shows American and Spanish films and the citrus fruits were purchased from the Rio Grande valley.”
OLNEY, ILL.—Construction of a 450-car drive-in theatre has been started on a ten-acre tract on the north side of route 50 west of the local city limits. It is opposite the skating rink on the Lemay property.
Those interested in the project are H. E. “Barney” Coen, president; C. P. Porter, vice-president; Anson Gher, L. R. Forsyth, John Nix and Robert Hill.
The general contract has been awarded to Leland Jared of Olney, while Robert Hill, whose home is in Evansville, Ind., is personally supervising the construction. The plans call for a screen tower 50 feet high and 55 feet wide. There will be individual car speakers and other modern conveniences for patrons.
It is planned to open the theatre early next April and to operate it until November 15.
The Edwardsville (IL) Intelligencer reported on May 25, 1962 that Jerry Lindemann had sued the owners of the Falcon. Lindemann said that he “was parked with a loudspeaker on the window when another patron passing his auto hit the wire and knocked the loudspeaker against his head.” He said he suffered head, jaw, and teeth injuries when the speaker was dislodged from his window.
The June 5, 1955 St. Louis Globe-Democrat wrote that the 648-car Shop City was being developed by St. Louis investors and would be managed by Jablonow-Komm Theaters.
The Mound was built in 1954, based on a May 13, 1955 article in The Press-Gazette of Hillsboro OH. It discussed a possible new drive-in operated by a subsidiary of Associated Theatres, which operated the Mound. The chain was widening other drive-in screens, but the screen at the Mound “which was completed only last year, was already a wide screen”.
Associated Press weird news note that got picked up by several newspapers: On Sunday, Sept. 7, 1952, thieves cracked the safe “of the Bluemound Drive-In Theater in Elm Grove” and stole 8650 pennies. Manager Roberg Gross said the pennies were around to make change but the weekend’s proceeds were already deposited.
More notes. Motion Picture Herald, May 10, 1947: “Ray Toepfer and Lida Cummins, operating the Blue Grass drive-in, have secured a site south of Lexington where they will build another drive-in.”
Motion Picture Herald, Oct. 4, 1952: “The Blue Grass Drive-In theatre, which has been in operation outside of Georgetown, Kentucky, since 1941, was denied a permit Sept. 22 by Judge G. G. Barkley of Scott County. Although in operation 11 years, the theatre had never been granted a permit. Judge Barkley, after hearing testimony said, ‘… to gain a permit a person must abide by the laws. It has been brought out that the theatre has remained open several times until after midnight, implying that the law would not be carried out if a permit is granted. Therefore, I am denying a permit.’ ”
It must have worked out. The Exhibitor, December 23, 1953: “Mark Cummins, exhibitor, is in St. Petersburg, Fla., for several weeks. Midwest Theatre Supply furnished RCA projection equipment for his Blue Grass Drive-In, Georgetown, Ky.”
“Graham and Rockholt have opened their 220-car drive-in at Dayton, Tenn.” — Showmen’s Trade Review, Oct. 1, 1949
From the Dec. 4, 1948 issue of BoxOffice, which I believe is in the public domain
“DENVER – The new 800-car Motorena Drive-In in north Denver, built by Carvue Theatres, Inc., has been opened. David Samuels is manager. A feature of the new amusement center is an artesian well from which patrons may obtain drinking water for home use.” —Box Office, July 17, 1948
“John Wolfberg, president of Wolfberg Theatres, announces the purchase of the Motorena Drive-In in north Denver, Colo. from Carvue Theatres, a Salt Lake City corporation. The purchase price was reported in excess of $200,000. Improvements planned for the ozoner include a playground for children and a free bottle-warming service. Mickey Gross is city manager for the circuit.” —BoxOffice, Oct. 9, 1948
From the Oct. 9, 1948 issue of BoxOffice, which I believe is in the public domain.
Also found in the Sept. 11, 1948 issue of BoxOffice, which I believe is in the public domain.
This clipping is from the July 17, 1948 issue of BoxOffice, which I believe is in the public domain.
Looks like the Skyway opened in the summer of 1948, a little before this July 17 note in BoxOffice: “Griffith’s Starlite Drive-In at Shawnee and the Skyway Drive-In at Seminole opened recently.”
The Jones Theatres site says the Starlite opened in 1947, but this note from the July 17, 1948 issue of BoxOffice disagrees: “Griffith’s Starlite Drive-In at Shawnee and the Skyway Drive-In at Seminole opened recently.”
“CARMICHAELS, PA. – The drive-in on Route 88, which will be opened within a few days, is unique in its screen tower construction. Cemenstone Corp., Neville Island, is producing the 53x50 screen tower in blocks poured at Neville Island and fabricated here. These blocks are 22 and 28 feet long, 6 feet wide and 4 inches thich. The tower itself is supported by four concrete posts, the weight being over 90 tons for the 45x33 screen. Louis Stuler and Durward Coe are owners of the drive-in.” —BoxOffice, July 17, 1948
“BEAVER FALLS, PA. – Chippewa township school board was awaiting the inaugural of the recently opened Hi-Way 51 Drive-In owned by John Wincek and Albert R. Tate. The board had passed an amusement tax June 7 and it became effective July 8.” —BoxOffice, July 17, 1948
Maybe this was temporary. From the July 17, 1948 issue of BoxOffice: “The Plaza at Illmo, Mo., will be closed Feb. 1, 1949. Failure to secure a renewal of his lease, and inability to find another suitable location are given by Martin Operle, owner, as reasons for a decision to suspend operations.”
“COLORADO SPRINGS – The $100,000 Starlight Drive-In Theatre was opened here recently after three and a half months of construction work. The 650-car drive-in was equipped with Simplex projectors, and complete modern facilities. Paul Rothman of Colorado Springs is manager of the new ozoner.” —BoxOffice, July 17, 1948
Based on aerial photos, the Midway expanded its capacity between 1948 and 1966.
Perhaps the El Paso opened with loudspeakers? From the Jan. 8, 1949 issue of BoxOffice:
EL PASO, TEX. – E. L. Pack reportedly was considering building a third local drive-in as the improvement program on the El Paso Drive-In got under way with installation of a new $30,000 sound system to provide 600 individual speakers. The parking area also was resurfaced. Pack’s Del Norte Drive-In, his second local situation, is equipped with individual speakers. The two ozoners represent an investment of $250,000.
The drive-in was still intact in a 1985 aerial photo but was gone by 1990.
“The St. Louis Theatre Supply Co. will provide all of the projection, sound, in-car speakers and other equipment for the 500-car drive-in being constructed on Highway 61 (sic) north of Farmington, Mo., by Edwards & Plumlee Theatres. Provision is being made to increase the capacity by 250 cars if and when business warrants.” —BoxOffice, Jan. 8, 1949
A note in the Jan. 1, 1949 issue of BoxOffice said that Charles Weisenberg was working on opening a new indoor theater in Seagoville. “Then he will build his new Pike Drive-In on a site between the new house and the Dallas city limits.”
Looks like the Trail existed during late 1948. From the Jan. 1, 1949 issue of BoxOffice: “FORT STOCKTON, TEX. – The Trail Drive-In gave away one-half ton of oranges and grapefruit during the holiday season. The Trail shows American and Spanish films and the citrus fruits were purchased from the Rio Grande valley.”
From the Jan. 1, 1949 issue of BoxOffice:
OLNEY, ILL.—Construction of a 450-car drive-in theatre has been started on a ten-acre tract on the north side of route 50 west of the local city limits. It is opposite the skating rink on the Lemay property.
Those interested in the project are H. E. “Barney” Coen, president; C. P. Porter, vice-president; Anson Gher, L. R. Forsyth, John Nix and Robert Hill.
The general contract has been awarded to Leland Jared of Olney, while Robert Hill, whose home is in Evansville, Ind., is personally supervising the construction. The plans call for a screen tower 50 feet high and 55 feet wide. There will be individual car speakers and other modern conveniences for patrons.
It is planned to open the theatre early next April and to operate it until November 15.
The Edwardsville (IL) Intelligencer reported on May 25, 1962 that Jerry Lindemann had sued the owners of the Falcon. Lindemann said that he “was parked with a loudspeaker on the window when another patron passing his auto hit the wire and knocked the loudspeaker against his head.” He said he suffered head, jaw, and teeth injuries when the speaker was dislodged from his window.
On Oct. 14, 1960, The Maryville (MO) Daily Forum mentioned a field trip that included a visit to the “Mound City drive-in theater.”
The June 5, 1955 St. Louis Globe-Democrat wrote that the 648-car Shop City was being developed by St. Louis investors and would be managed by Jablonow-Komm Theaters.
The Mound was built in 1954, based on a May 13, 1955 article in The Press-Gazette of Hillsboro OH. It discussed a possible new drive-in operated by a subsidiary of Associated Theatres, which operated the Mound. The chain was widening other drive-in screens, but the screen at the Mound “which was completed only last year, was already a wide screen”.
Associated Press weird news note that got picked up by several newspapers: On Sunday, Sept. 7, 1952, thieves cracked the safe “of the Bluemound Drive-In Theater in Elm Grove” and stole 8650 pennies. Manager Roberg Gross said the pennies were around to make change but the weekend’s proceeds were already deposited.
More notes. Motion Picture Herald, May 10, 1947: “Ray Toepfer and Lida Cummins, operating the Blue Grass drive-in, have secured a site south of Lexington where they will build another drive-in.”
Motion Picture Herald, Oct. 4, 1952: “The Blue Grass Drive-In theatre, which has been in operation outside of Georgetown, Kentucky, since 1941, was denied a permit Sept. 22 by Judge G. G. Barkley of Scott County. Although in operation 11 years, the theatre had never been granted a permit. Judge Barkley, after hearing testimony said, ‘… to gain a permit a person must abide by the laws. It has been brought out that the theatre has remained open several times until after midnight, implying that the law would not be carried out if a permit is granted. Therefore, I am denying a permit.’ ”
It must have worked out. The Exhibitor, December 23, 1953: “Mark Cummins, exhibitor, is in St. Petersburg, Fla., for several weeks. Midwest Theatre Supply furnished RCA projection equipment for his Blue Grass Drive-In, Georgetown, Ky.”