Picketed Drive-in Theater Wrecked Damage Set At $20,000. VICKSBURG: A drive-in theatre involved in a controversy with union projectionist here was wrecked Tuesday night, and Wednesday the head of the union offered his services to the police in an effort to bring the guilty parties to justice. Police Capt. James Abies estimated damage at the Rivoli Drive In at $20,000. It was entered after closing time Tuesday night and its projection equipment battered to bits. In addition more than a hundred speakers were taken, Capt. Abies said. The Union official Lloyd Ledbet, executive vice president and chairman of the Board of Local 589. International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Operators, said the union had picketed the theatre after a controversy over wages. He said he had volunteered his services to police in “clearing up this unfortunate incident and bringing the guilty parties to justice.”
Actually opened in June 1950. Also it provided access for people with small planes, if you look at the oldest aerial photos there was a long access road on the southern part of the property. This lead to a small airstrip.
Opened on May 21, 1954 with “Hangman’s Knot”. Not sure on closing date but the last ad I can find was from June 1978, probably closed in the late 70’s.
Kenmore, I’ve also had a look and I might’ve possibly found it. The closest address I can get that works on google maps is Industrial Boulevard & Louisiana 1148 - if you look at this area there is a vacant tree filled lot. Just start at Plaquemine and go north on LA-1 and you should see it in the 1962 aerial, you can see old ramp markings. The location is just out of Plaquemine so it might be the one?
According to an article in the Lebanon Express, the original name was going to be Lebanon Drive-In but it was changed because they thought it would be confusing as the other drive-in was already informally known by that name. Also the opening movies were “Grounds For Marriage” and “Wagon Master” plus an unnamed cartoon.
Was managed by Lester Persall at some point, possibly in the late 50’s. Apparently Lester pulled some funny publicity stunts, he would have “state night” where a carload would get free admission if they had a licence plate from the state on the marquee. Of course he never put Florida on there until one night during a thunderstorm. He also hired an ambulance to take away a patron who “fainted” during a horror film.
Also, I’ve got a closing date – it closed on April 30th 1996 with “Sgt. Bilko” and “Jumanji”.
Opened on March 14, 1952 with “Canadian Pacific”. Also Mrs Brackin’s first name was Fannie, which I assume is where the drive-in name came from. Her husband, Walter Brackin died in 1947.
Opened on June 7, 1957 with “Strategic Air Command” and “7 Men from Now” plus a color cartoon. Also had an indoor seating area for walk-ins. Opened by Jim Boyd with space for 600 cars and 140 indoor seats.
It actually opened as the Cedar Drive-In on May 25, 1950.
Approximate address was Hyman Circle, Lawrenceville. The remains can be seen in a 1972 aerial photo.
From the December 23, 1950 edition of Box Office: “The new Bar-X drive-in was opened on Highway 129 with Copper Canyon by J.O. Biddle.
August 25, 1955 from the Clarion-Ledger:
Picketed Drive-in Theater Wrecked Damage Set At $20,000. VICKSBURG: A drive-in theatre involved in a controversy with union projectionist here was wrecked Tuesday night, and Wednesday the head of the union offered his services to the police in an effort to bring the guilty parties to justice. Police Capt. James Abies estimated damage at the Rivoli Drive In at $20,000. It was entered after closing time Tuesday night and its projection equipment battered to bits. In addition more than a hundred speakers were taken, Capt. Abies said. The Union official Lloyd Ledbet, executive vice president and chairman of the Board of Local 589. International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Operators, said the union had picketed the theatre after a controversy over wages. He said he had volunteered his services to police in “clearing up this unfortunate incident and bringing the guilty parties to justice.”
Opening date was June 8, 1966. A close address is 61 Talent rd, Litchfield. It can be seen in a 1978 aerial photo. Its now housing.
no, that was actually the Frankston drive-in.
Actually opened in June 1950. Also it provided access for people with small planes, if you look at the oldest aerial photos there was a long access road on the southern part of the property. This lead to a small airstrip.
Opened on May 21, 1954 with “Hangman’s Knot”. Not sure on closing date but the last ad I can find was from June 1978, probably closed in the late 70’s.
Looks like it was still standing in a 1986 aerial
I can’t find the exact location but according to a news article it was located 2 miles north of Marshall on US 25-70.
Kenmore, I’ve also had a look and I might’ve possibly found it. The closest address I can get that works on google maps is Industrial Boulevard & Louisiana 1148 - if you look at this area there is a vacant tree filled lot. Just start at Plaquemine and go north on LA-1 and you should see it in the 1962 aerial, you can see old ramp markings. The location is just out of Plaquemine so it might be the one?
According to an article in the Lebanon Express, the original name was going to be Lebanon Drive-In but it was changed because they thought it would be confusing as the other drive-in was already informally known by that name. Also the opening movies were “Grounds For Marriage” and “Wagon Master” plus an unnamed cartoon.
Opened with “Duchess of Idaho” and “Happy Years”
Actually closed in 1967.
Closed in fall of 1979 according to an article in the Press-Tribune.
Opened on April 17, 1954 with “Silver City” and “Desperate Search”.
Was managed by Lester Persall at some point, possibly in the late 50’s. Apparently Lester pulled some funny publicity stunts, he would have “state night” where a carload would get free admission if they had a licence plate from the state on the marquee. Of course he never put Florida on there until one night during a thunderstorm. He also hired an ambulance to take away a patron who “fainted” during a horror film.
Also, I’ve got a closing date – it closed on April 30th 1996 with “Sgt. Bilko” and “Jumanji”.
Closed in the mid-1970s.
Was actually open as early as 1951 and looks like it closed in 1985.
Opened on March 14, 1952 with “Canadian Pacific”. Also Mrs Brackin’s first name was Fannie, which I assume is where the drive-in name came from. Her husband, Walter Brackin died in 1947.
It looks like the August 4th date was the opening date as well, apparently they had zoning issues which delayed it’s opening.
It was still open in May 1975 as well.
Opened on May 28 1954 with “Branded”.
Actually opened on January 29, 1961 with “Bells Are Ringing” and “Fastest Gun Alive”. Elmo Howard purchased it in mid-1970 renaming it the Chapparal.
Opened on June 7, 1957 with “Strategic Air Command” and “7 Men from Now” plus a color cartoon. Also had an indoor seating area for walk-ins. Opened by Jim Boyd with space for 600 cars and 140 indoor seats.