I think I’ve finally found confirmation of the Belle Aire. From the Historic Aerials website, key in MAGNUS LANE IRWIN PA, bring up the 1957 aerial photo, and select “All Roads” from the overlay menu. The Blue Dell Pool is right across from Edwin Drive on Route 30; if you look to the right of the pool you can see what is undoubtedly the Belle Aire Drive-In. The current satellite photo shows the Elizabeth-Hata International building on the former drive-in site with the open field that used to be the Blue Dell Pool in front of the main parking lot.
Opening night feature on October 31, 1940: “No Time For Comedy”, starring James Stewart and Rosalind Russell. Final day features on July 1, 1999: “Analyze This”, “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Doug’s 1st Movie”
These dates are unconfirmed as there is no indication of a grand opening, but the first ad I found for this Cameraphone (as well as two others in Pittsburgh) was from March 2, 1913. This one, the best known of the three, opened on March 6 with the silent short “Pickwick Papers' starring John Bunny. The last ad I came across was from January 31, 1967, by which time the Cameraphone was an adult cinema (I’ll be looking for the transformation date soon). The features that day were "Everybody Loves It” and “Tales of a Salesman”.
I was just driving along West Liberty Ave. yesterday and the sad sight of the demolished South Hills Theater just caught my eye. I stopped and took photos.
R.I.P. South Hills Theater. Thanks for many great memories.
I drove past the Tri-State for the first time in a while yesterday. The TRI-STATE DRIVE-IN/Coca-Cola sign is gone, and the stone pillar that said TRI-STATE as well as the ticket booth have been torn down. The deteriorating screen is still up but is now missing one of the metal slabs.
The Hi-Way 51 opened on May 1, 1948. Located on Darlington Rd. north of the Beaver County Airport. Last known night of operation as Hi-Way 51 (per newspaper listings) was August 28, 1967. Sometime thereafter, Monessen Amusements bought the drive-in, did a complete renovation, and renamed it Super 51 which opened June 26, 1969 (See that title in the listing for description)
That’s just great! Don’t they realize that when they assassinate a drive-in theater, they assassinate a Great American Pastime as Americana as baseball, hot dogs and apple pie? Whether they do or not, they obviously don’t care. (Sarcastically): Let’s hear it for politics!!
This was the very first drive-in I remember visiting as a kid. It was the mid-to-late 70’s and I was about 6 or 7. Me and my family lived in nearby Burgettstown back then; we either went to this drive-in (The Penn-Lincoln at that time) 8 ½ miles away or the Twin Hi-Way another six miles east. Of course, I don’t remember what we saw at either drive-in except “Star Wars” at the Twin Hi-Way when they acquired it in 1978.
Hopefully, somebody bought the old Penn-Lincoln/Super 30 West screen and moved it to another operating drive-in; it was in too great of shape to be scrapped.
Ah, yes! “West Side Story”! My favorite movie since I was 6. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing it at one of Pittsburgh’s clasic downtown moviehouses several years ago and I would love nothing more than to see this 10-Oscar-winning classic on a drive-in screen and listen to it from the classic drive-in speakers.
I finally got to visit the Cherry Bowl Drive-In this year, and I must say it’s a Top 10 for pure nostalgists like me! Beautiful screen tower design, great pink and light-blue color scheme, speakers all over the place, and excellent snack bar with old photos of entertainers and the drive-in itself. If you’re in the mood for something different to eat, try a “cherry pizza” from the Cherry Bowl Gifts & Goodies shop next door. I got one with ham, pineapple and cherries; mouth-watering delicious!
If you’re a drive-in theater purist (like me) who prefers using drive-in speakers than radio, the popular Skyview Cruise-In (cool name) in Lancaster is the place for you! The management and owners dedicate themselves by continuously maintaining their speakers which fill the lot. Great, crisp sound.
I’ve been there twice, and I plan on getting there this year. Wonderful place! I know Mr. Shankweiler and Mr. Hollingstead are celebrating this incredible landmark in Drive-In Heaven.
Speaking of landmarks, Shankweiler’s should DEFINITELTY be designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Ah, yes! The famous “green box” marquee of the Denis. If you look where the square hole is down from the “S” in “DENIS”, a smaller neon sign reading either “Denis Encore” or “Encore Theater” was monunted there.
I suggested to the organization that is restoring this classic theater that they should try to get a replica of the original marquee from its earlier days. It’s probably a one-in-a-trillion shot, but you may never know.
The beauty and nostalgia of those kind of marquees always knocked me out! Eventually, somebody out there has a 60’s photo of the nearby Cameraphone with similar marquee and will post it on the same website.
I’ve always loved that yellowish marquee from the 1980 photo; so classic and nostalgic! In the 60’s when the Hollywood was owned by Harris-Warner, there was a WB logo (not the famous shield, though) mounted in the center, between the displays. If I can find a copy of that photo, I’ll try to post it.
Eventually, somebody will reopen it (yet again) and KEEP it open.
Great photo! I stumbled upon that website a few days ago and couldn’t believe all the great photos of Pittsburgh theaters and drive-ins I came across. There’s bound to be more added; I certainly hope so.
I think I’ve finally found confirmation of the Belle Aire. From the Historic Aerials website, key in MAGNUS LANE IRWIN PA, bring up the 1957 aerial photo, and select “All Roads” from the overlay menu. The Blue Dell Pool is right across from Edwin Drive on Route 30; if you look to the right of the pool you can see what is undoubtedly the Belle Aire Drive-In. The current satellite photo shows the Elizabeth-Hata International building on the former drive-in site with the open field that used to be the Blue Dell Pool in front of the main parking lot.
I drive past the Showcase West every day going to and from work. As of this morning, the building is, sad to say, half gone.
I drove past the Parkway earlier this week and saw FOR SALE signs on the marquee. Could we see a possible comeback here?
There’s a great photo of the Rustic marquee in the book from the Images Of America series: “Norvelt: A New Deal Subsistence Homestead”.
This one was near the intersection of Mt. Pleasant Road (SR 2021) and Brinkerton Road.
Opening night feature on October 31, 1940: “No Time For Comedy”, starring James Stewart and Rosalind Russell. Final day features on July 1, 1999: “Analyze This”, “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Doug’s 1st Movie”
These dates are unconfirmed as there is no indication of a grand opening, but the first ad I found for this Cameraphone (as well as two others in Pittsburgh) was from March 2, 1913. This one, the best known of the three, opened on March 6 with the silent short “Pickwick Papers' starring John Bunny. The last ad I came across was from January 31, 1967, by which time the Cameraphone was an adult cinema (I’ll be looking for the transformation date soon). The features that day were "Everybody Loves It” and “Tales of a Salesman”.
I found the grand opening ads from the Carnegie library. The Denis opened on June 1, 1938 and its Encore counterpart opened July 15, 1965.
You are absolutely right on all counts, norelco. It’s just as painful as seeing a beautiful drive-in theater being demolished for a (yuck!) Wal-Mart.
I was just driving along West Liberty Ave. yesterday and the sad sight of the demolished South Hills Theater just caught my eye. I stopped and took photos.
R.I.P. South Hills Theater. Thanks for many great memories.
I drove past the Tri-State for the first time in a while yesterday. The TRI-STATE DRIVE-IN/Coca-Cola sign is gone, and the stone pillar that said TRI-STATE as well as the ticket booth have been torn down. The deteriorating screen is still up but is now missing one of the metal slabs.
The Hi-Way 51 opened on May 1, 1948. Located on Darlington Rd. north of the Beaver County Airport. Last known night of operation as Hi-Way 51 (per newspaper listings) was August 28, 1967. Sometime thereafter, Monessen Amusements bought the drive-in, did a complete renovation, and renamed it Super 51 which opened June 26, 1969 (See that title in the listing for description)
That’s just great! Don’t they realize that when they assassinate a drive-in theater, they assassinate a Great American Pastime as Americana as baseball, hot dogs and apple pie? Whether they do or not, they obviously don’t care. (Sarcastically): Let’s hear it for politics!!
This was the very first drive-in I remember visiting as a kid. It was the mid-to-late 70’s and I was about 6 or 7. Me and my family lived in nearby Burgettstown back then; we either went to this drive-in (The Penn-Lincoln at that time) 8 ½ miles away or the Twin Hi-Way another six miles east. Of course, I don’t remember what we saw at either drive-in except “Star Wars” at the Twin Hi-Way when they acquired it in 1978.
Hopefully, somebody bought the old Penn-Lincoln/Super 30 West screen and moved it to another operating drive-in; it was in too great of shape to be scrapped.
Ah, yes! “West Side Story”! My favorite movie since I was 6. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing it at one of Pittsburgh’s clasic downtown moviehouses several years ago and I would love nothing more than to see this 10-Oscar-winning classic on a drive-in screen and listen to it from the classic drive-in speakers.
I finally got to visit the Cherry Bowl Drive-In this year, and I must say it’s a Top 10 for pure nostalgists like me! Beautiful screen tower design, great pink and light-blue color scheme, speakers all over the place, and excellent snack bar with old photos of entertainers and the drive-in itself. If you’re in the mood for something different to eat, try a “cherry pizza” from the Cherry Bowl Gifts & Goodies shop next door. I got one with ham, pineapple and cherries; mouth-watering delicious!
If you’re a drive-in theater purist (like me) who prefers using drive-in speakers than radio, the popular Skyview Cruise-In (cool name) in Lancaster is the place for you! The management and owners dedicate themselves by continuously maintaining their speakers which fill the lot. Great, crisp sound.
HAPPY 75TH ANNIVERSARY (BELATED), SHANKWEILER’S DRIVE-IN!!!
I’ve been there twice, and I plan on getting there this year. Wonderful place! I know Mr. Shankweiler and Mr. Hollingstead are celebrating this incredible landmark in Drive-In Heaven.
Speaking of landmarks, Shankweiler’s should DEFINITELTY be designated as a National Historic Landmark.
I was fortunate to have visited the Starlite in its last season. Nice view behind the screen, and the owner was very conversational.
Expanding on the first comment above, I’m kinda curious to know how many drive-ins have been assassinated by Wal-Mart (sigh of frustration)
I remember the 1985 version of the Parkway, but never saw the 1982 version. Great!!
Ah, yes! The famous “green box” marquee of the Denis. If you look where the square hole is down from the “S” in “DENIS”, a smaller neon sign reading either “Denis Encore” or “Encore Theater” was monunted there.
I suggested to the organization that is restoring this classic theater that they should try to get a replica of the original marquee from its earlier days. It’s probably a one-in-a-trillion shot, but you may never know.
The beauty and nostalgia of those kind of marquees always knocked me out! Eventually, somebody out there has a 60’s photo of the nearby Cameraphone with similar marquee and will post it on the same website.
Here it is, the way that it was, the way that it should still be…
View link
And a great night shot…
View link
I’ve always loved that yellowish marquee from the 1980 photo; so classic and nostalgic! In the 60’s when the Hollywood was owned by Harris-Warner, there was a WB logo (not the famous shield, though) mounted in the center, between the displays. If I can find a copy of that photo, I’ll try to post it.
Eventually, somebody will reopen it (yet again) and KEEP it open.
Great photo! I stumbled upon that website a few days ago and couldn’t believe all the great photos of Pittsburgh theaters and drive-ins I came across. There’s bound to be more added; I certainly hope so.
Thanks for posting this, LM!