The best address for the Tesuque is probably the address of the present-day Mesa Verde Community Center in Mesa Verde Park: 7900 Marquette Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
Motion Picture Daily, Oct. 11, 1938: “Omaha, Oct. 10. — Lester Dollison, former Texas independent circuit operator, will open the 350-seat Nebraska here shortly. He remodeled M. Sigal’s Time Theatre, dark for over a year.”
Film Daily, Oct. 17, 1938: “Omaha — The Nebraska Theater, located in the city’s downtown business sector, reopens today. Lester Dollison, former Kermit, Tex., exhib., will operate with duals at 5-10-15 cents.
Make that four ownership changes record by Film Daily in 1937. You can insert this note from Jan. 26 that year: “Park (formerly Ritz) transferred to Lester Dollison.”
The Film Daily, March 8, 1934: “The Kiva in Santa Rosa, N. M., one of the few houses in this (Denver) territory still using discs, will install sound-on-films.”
Motion Picture Daily, May 25, 1936: “J. T. Whelan purchased the Kiva at Santa Rosa, N. M. from R. L. Riddle. He will rename it the Pecos.”
Motion Picture Herald, July 25, 1936: “T. A. Whalen, who recently purchased the Kiva theatre at Santa Rosa, N. M., from R. L. Riddle, has reopened it as the Pecos after remodeling.”
Motion Picture Herald, June 15, 1946: “Max Kugelman has bought the Pecos at Santa Rosa, N. M., from W. J. Flannery.”
The Film Daily, March 8, 1934: “Denver - Another town in this territory that has been without a theater for two years will have movies again when H. D. Bishop reopens the Star as Estancis (sic), N. M., after remodeling and installing new equipment.”
Boxoffice, March 8, 1965: “As promotion coincident with remodeling and repainting of the Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa, N.M., owner Les Dollison has asked his patrons to submit suggestions for a new name for the house. He ran an ad in the local weekly paper suggesting that 30 years is long enough for the theatre to maintain the same name. He said a new name would fit in nicely with the remodeling and repair work in the house. In the ad, he carried a ballot for suggestions, with the winners to be selected by a panel of local merchants. The winner of that contest, announced February 14, was given a year’s free pass to the house.”
Boxoffice, March 22, 1965: “The former Pecos Theatre, Santa Rosa, N.M., is now the Rodeo”
Variety, Jan. 12, 1955: “Chicago, Jan 11 - Essaness interest in the Starlite Drive-In here has been bought by a syndicate headed by Stanton Kohlberg. Kohlberg has operated the suburban ozoner in the past in conjuction with the Essaness circuit. Starlite has been a strong drive-in competitor in this area with frequent gimmick shows and often as many as six features on a single bill.”
More details and names from the June 8, 1947 edition of the Longview News-Journal:
Construction is to begin immediately on a $50,000 drive-in theater, midway between Longview and Gladewater, just east of the Kilgore cutoff and highway 80 intersection.
The project is being financed by Park Amusement Co., organized by Frank Bolton Jr., and Henry Gossett Jr., local attorneys, and owners of the Gregg theater, Longview; with Dolmor theaters, an independent chain of theaters operating in Texas and New Mexico, headed by Bill Morrow of Longview and Lester Dollison of Sherman.
Ownership note in the June 13, 1953 issue of Boxoffice: “Del Drive-In Theatre, Inc., has filed notice of dissolution of charter of incorporation with the secretary of state.”
The Hinton and State were separate theaters. The Hinton was advertising in the local Hinton Record as early as May 1919. On the other hand, it appears that the State opened in 1944, per Showmen’s Trade Review, April 29, 1944: “J. C. Smock, Oklahoma City exhbitor, has scheduled the opening of his new State Theatre at Hinton, Okla., for the second week in May. The house has a seating capacity of 320.”
More about the Hinton:
Motion Picture News, June 5, 1926: “A. G. Carlyle is enlarging the Hinton Theatre at Hinton, Okla., to a seating capacity of 150 seats.”
Motion Picture Herald, Nov. 13, 1937: “Recent Operadio sound installations in the middle west include A. G. Carlisle’s Hinton theatre at Hinton, Okla.”
The 1950 Film Daily Year Book listed both the Hinton (400 seats) and the State (300) in tiny Hinton OK.
The Hinton Record, April 13, 1961: “The possibility of a bad accident occurring on main street was eliminated this week when workmen removed the sagged and rotted awning from the Hinton Theatre. Hasten Snow, owner of the building, plans to replace it with a new awning”
The Hinton was still advertising in the Record in 1962.
Quay County Sun, March 23, 2010: (looking back, 50 years ago today) “Tucumcari’s school board held a special session 50 years ago today and unanimously approved a plan to build a new high school. The board agreed to acquire 32 acres and a concrete building – formerly used by a drive-in theater – on the “Yessler property,” where the school would be constructed, according to the Tucumcari Daily News. Voters approved the plan, 829-427, a few weeks later and construction soon began on the school that remains today at 1100 S. Seventh St.”
I think that means that the Yessler family kept the land even as it leased the drive-in, that the County closed by the end of the 1959 season if not earlier, and that the correct address is that of the high school, still 1100 S. Seventh St.
This photo also appeared in the 1955-56 Theatre Catalog on a page of Adler Silhouette Letter Co. installations. It ran with the very odd, misleading caption, “Blue Sky, Chola Vista, Calif.”
Boxoffice, July 25, 1953: “An estimated 2,000 persons attended the opening night program of the new Midway Drive-In Theatre recently. The 400-space ozoner is owned by William B. Derrickson, Rehoboth Beach exhibitor.”
This photo is by John Margolies, and is part of the John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive at the Library of Congress. You can download it from Flickr or LOC.gov. All of photos in that collection are effectively in the public domain.
I wonder whether all of these features made it into the finished product.
Boxoffice, July 18, 1953: “Construction of a $250,000 combination drive-in theatre, restaurant, motel and service station at Chestermere Lake, a suburb of Calgary, is scheduled to begin this summer and be ready for business in 1954. Tentative plans also call for construction of a golf course, swimming pool, bowling alley, tennis court and children’s playground. Paul Hansen, a Calgary real estate man, is in charge of the promotion. Plans call for a glass-fronted auditorium with a seating capacity of 350 to cater to walk-in patrons. Capacity of the outdoor theatre will be 500 cars.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 22, 1953: “Cashing in smartly on (Corinne) Calvet’s personal appearance in Winnipeg, the Airport Drive-In, a stone’s throw from the Stadium, featured "Rope of Sand,” featuring the French actress, opening the film 20 minutes after the ceremonies at the Stadium, giving motorists enough time to see Miss Calvet in person at the ceremonies, then drive several feet over to the drive-in and see her on the screen."
Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1953: “The Corinth Drive-In, Guys, Tenn., opens August 6, John M. Carter, secretary-treasurer of Corinth Drive-In Corp., owner, announced. This is a new drive-in.”
The Auto Sho opened in 1950? Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1953: “"Flying saucers” descended on audiences at the Auto Sho Drive-In Theatre during the theatre’s third anniversary. The saucers were sailed from the top of the concession stand. “Lucky” saucers contained $20 and $10 bills. There were a total of 350 prizes. Free lollipops were passed out to the kids."
Same drive-in? Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1953: “Construction of a new drive-in has been started on Highway 19 between Vernon and Sulligent. Owner is Richards Theatres of Fayette, who operates the Strand in Sulligent and the Lamar in Vernon. Person submitting the name selected for the drive-in will receive a $25 defense bond.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 10, 1953: “CHIPLEY, FLA. - Hurricane "Florence,” which hit the northwestern Florida section recently, destroyed the screen tower of the Starlight Drive-In here. I. Roche, owner of the drive-in, started building a new concrete block tower in the shape of a pyramid. Estimated damage to the tower was about $1,500. Another $250 damage was done to the blinds. This was the second time this year that the screen had been damaged by storms."
Boxoffice, Oct. 10. 1953: “AUBURNDALE, FLA. - D. C. Laird has sold the Twinkle Star Drive-In here. The new owner, Talgar Theatres, has taken over operation of the airer.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 14, 1953: “A number of improvements are planned at the Melody Cruise-In before its reopening next spring, according to Michael H. Chakeres, general manager of the Springfield Theatres Co. A 65-foot-wide screen will be installed, along with about 100 more speakers, at the airer on Route 40 east of Springfield.”
The Denver Mart (the exhibit hall/event center) is closing permanently on March 31. The Denver Post reported that it’s the result of a loan default and expected sale of the complex.
Since the concession stand and rest rooms were based in the Mart, it’s not surprising that the drive-in web page now says “The Drive In Is closing and will not be open for the 2021 season.”
All indications are that the drive-in was popular enough to reopen when the complex’s ownership gets squared away. But for now, it’s probably more accurate to mark this one Closed.
I found this note on the Oklahoma Historical Society’s web site for this photo:
21412.M958.7. Drive-in movie theater (oil wells in background), Oklahoma City, National Theatre Supply Acct., photo by Meyers Photo Shop. Aug. 1947
The best address for the Tesuque is probably the address of the present-day Mesa Verde Community Center in Mesa Verde Park: 7900 Marquette Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
Motion Picture Daily, Oct. 11, 1938: “Omaha, Oct. 10. — Lester Dollison, former Texas independent circuit operator, will open the 350-seat Nebraska here shortly. He remodeled M. Sigal’s Time Theatre, dark for over a year.”
Film Daily, Oct. 17, 1938: “Omaha — The Nebraska Theater, located in the city’s downtown business sector, reopens today. Lester Dollison, former Kermit, Tex., exhib., will operate with duals at 5-10-15 cents.
Make that four ownership changes record by Film Daily in 1937. You can insert this note from Jan. 26 that year: “Park (formerly Ritz) transferred to Lester Dollison.”
The Film Daily, March 8, 1934: “The Kiva in Santa Rosa, N. M., one of the few houses in this (Denver) territory still using discs, will install sound-on-films.”
Motion Picture Daily, May 25, 1936: “J. T. Whelan purchased the Kiva at Santa Rosa, N. M. from R. L. Riddle. He will rename it the Pecos.”
Motion Picture Herald, July 25, 1936: “T. A. Whalen, who recently purchased the Kiva theatre at Santa Rosa, N. M., from R. L. Riddle, has reopened it as the Pecos after remodeling.”
Motion Picture Herald, June 15, 1946: “Max Kugelman has bought the Pecos at Santa Rosa, N. M., from W. J. Flannery.”
The Film Daily, March 8, 1934: “Denver - Another town in this territory that has been without a theater for two years will have movies again when H. D. Bishop reopens the Star as Estancis (sic), N. M., after remodeling and installing new equipment.”
Boxoffice, March 8, 1965: “As promotion coincident with remodeling and repainting of the Pecos Theatre in Santa Rosa, N.M., owner Les Dollison has asked his patrons to submit suggestions for a new name for the house. He ran an ad in the local weekly paper suggesting that 30 years is long enough for the theatre to maintain the same name. He said a new name would fit in nicely with the remodeling and repair work in the house. In the ad, he carried a ballot for suggestions, with the winners to be selected by a panel of local merchants. The winner of that contest, announced February 14, was given a year’s free pass to the house.”
Boxoffice, March 22, 1965: “The former Pecos Theatre, Santa Rosa, N.M., is now the Rodeo”
Variety, Jan. 12, 1955: “Chicago, Jan 11 - Essaness interest in the Starlite Drive-In here has been bought by a syndicate headed by Stanton Kohlberg. Kohlberg has operated the suburban ozoner in the past in conjuction with the Essaness circuit. Starlite has been a strong drive-in competitor in this area with frequent gimmick shows and often as many as six features on a single bill.”
More details and names from the June 8, 1947 edition of the Longview News-Journal:
Construction is to begin immediately on a $50,000 drive-in theater, midway between Longview and Gladewater, just east of the Kilgore cutoff and highway 80 intersection.
The project is being financed by Park Amusement Co., organized by Frank Bolton Jr., and Henry Gossett Jr., local attorneys, and owners of the Gregg theater, Longview; with Dolmor theaters, an independent chain of theaters operating in Texas and New Mexico, headed by Bill Morrow of Longview and Lester Dollison of Sherman.
Ownership note in the June 13, 1953 issue of Boxoffice: “Del Drive-In Theatre, Inc., has filed notice of dissolution of charter of incorporation with the secretary of state.”
The Hinton and State were separate theaters. The Hinton was advertising in the local Hinton Record as early as May 1919. On the other hand, it appears that the State opened in 1944, per Showmen’s Trade Review, April 29, 1944: “J. C. Smock, Oklahoma City exhbitor, has scheduled the opening of his new State Theatre at Hinton, Okla., for the second week in May. The house has a seating capacity of 320.”
More about the Hinton:
Motion Picture News, June 5, 1926: “A. G. Carlyle is enlarging the Hinton Theatre at Hinton, Okla., to a seating capacity of 150 seats.”
Motion Picture Herald, Nov. 13, 1937: “Recent Operadio sound installations in the middle west include A. G. Carlisle’s Hinton theatre at Hinton, Okla.”
The 1950 Film Daily Year Book listed both the Hinton (400 seats) and the State (300) in tiny Hinton OK.
The Hinton Record, April 13, 1961: “The possibility of a bad accident occurring on main street was eliminated this week when workmen removed the sagged and rotted awning from the Hinton Theatre. Hasten Snow, owner of the building, plans to replace it with a new awning”
The Hinton was still advertising in the Record in 1962.
Quay County Sun, March 23, 2010: (looking back, 50 years ago today) “Tucumcari’s school board held a special session 50 years ago today and unanimously approved a plan to build a new high school. The board agreed to acquire 32 acres and a concrete building – formerly used by a drive-in theater – on the “Yessler property,” where the school would be constructed, according to the Tucumcari Daily News. Voters approved the plan, 829-427, a few weeks later and construction soon began on the school that remains today at 1100 S. Seventh St.”
I think that means that the Yessler family kept the land even as it leased the drive-in, that the County closed by the end of the 1959 season if not earlier, and that the correct address is that of the high school, still 1100 S. Seventh St.
This photo also appeared in the 1955-56 Theatre Catalog on a page of Adler Silhouette Letter Co. installations. It ran with the very odd, misleading caption, “Blue Sky, Chola Vista, Calif.”
Boxoffice, July 25, 1953: “An estimated 2,000 persons attended the opening night program of the new Midway Drive-In Theatre recently. The 400-space ozoner is owned by William B. Derrickson, Rehoboth Beach exhibitor.”
This photo is by John Margolies, and is part of the John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive at the Library of Congress. You can download it from Flickr or LOC.gov. All of photos in that collection are effectively in the public domain.
I wonder whether all of these features made it into the finished product.
Boxoffice, July 18, 1953: “Construction of a $250,000 combination drive-in theatre, restaurant, motel and service station at Chestermere Lake, a suburb of Calgary, is scheduled to begin this summer and be ready for business in 1954. Tentative plans also call for construction of a golf course, swimming pool, bowling alley, tennis court and children’s playground. Paul Hansen, a Calgary real estate man, is in charge of the promotion. Plans call for a glass-fronted auditorium with a seating capacity of 350 to cater to walk-in patrons. Capacity of the outdoor theatre will be 500 cars.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 22, 1953: “Cashing in smartly on (Corinne) Calvet’s personal appearance in Winnipeg, the Airport Drive-In, a stone’s throw from the Stadium, featured "Rope of Sand,” featuring the French actress, opening the film 20 minutes after the ceremonies at the Stadium, giving motorists enough time to see Miss Calvet in person at the ceremonies, then drive several feet over to the drive-in and see her on the screen."
Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1953: “The Corinth Drive-In, Guys, Tenn., opens August 6, John M. Carter, secretary-treasurer of Corinth Drive-In Corp., owner, announced. This is a new drive-in.”
The Auto Sho opened in 1950? Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1953: “"Flying saucers” descended on audiences at the Auto Sho Drive-In Theatre during the theatre’s third anniversary. The saucers were sailed from the top of the concession stand. “Lucky” saucers contained $20 and $10 bills. There were a total of 350 prizes. Free lollipops were passed out to the kids."
Same drive-in? Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1953: “Construction of a new drive-in has been started on Highway 19 between Vernon and Sulligent. Owner is Richards Theatres of Fayette, who operates the Strand in Sulligent and the Lamar in Vernon. Person submitting the name selected for the drive-in will receive a $25 defense bond.”
A similar photo appeared in the Sept. 26, 1953 issue of Boxoffice, which appears to be in the public domain.
Boxoffice, Oct. 10, 1953: “CHIPLEY, FLA. - Hurricane "Florence,” which hit the northwestern Florida section recently, destroyed the screen tower of the Starlight Drive-In here. I. Roche, owner of the drive-in, started building a new concrete block tower in the shape of a pyramid. Estimated damage to the tower was about $1,500. Another $250 damage was done to the blinds. This was the second time this year that the screen had been damaged by storms."
Boxoffice, Oct. 10. 1953: “AUBURNDALE, FLA. - D. C. Laird has sold the Twinkle Star Drive-In here. The new owner, Talgar Theatres, has taken over operation of the airer.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 14, 1953: “A number of improvements are planned at the Melody Cruise-In before its reopening next spring, according to Michael H. Chakeres, general manager of the Springfield Theatres Co. A 65-foot-wide screen will be installed, along with about 100 more speakers, at the airer on Route 40 east of Springfield.”
The Denver Mart (the exhibit hall/event center) is closing permanently on March 31. The Denver Post reported that it’s the result of a loan default and expected sale of the complex.
Since the concession stand and rest rooms were based in the Mart, it’s not surprising that the drive-in web page now says “The Drive In Is closing and will not be open for the 2021 season.”
All indications are that the drive-in was popular enough to reopen when the complex’s ownership gets squared away. But for now, it’s probably more accurate to mark this one Closed.