The April 6, 1957 issue of Boxoffice ran a three-page article on Bengies. It focused on architectural engineer Jack K. Vogel’s design, “a unique contribution to outdoor movies”, especially of the concession stand. It included plenty of diagrams and photos, including small photos of the box office and the then-humble marquee.
The April 6, 1957 issue of Boxoffice included a long article about the “giant-size miniature train for adults” that Wilbanks installed in 1956. The “young, energetic exhibitor” laid his own 2,500 feet of track, which looped in front of the screen tower and returned to a station in the rear of the ramp area. The article included photos of the train and a nice aerial view of the drive-in with the track.
The April 6, 1957 issue of Boxoffice ran a two-page article, with photos, on the East 50’s kiddie train, which was installed in 1955. The track included a tunnel in the screen tower, where the train was stored at night and during the winter. It was an “exact replica of the Baltimore and Ohio National Limited crack train. Since the East 50 is located in the bailiwick of the B&O yards, Harry Switow, owner of the theatre, received splendid cooperation from the railroad officials.”
George Bennett must have had some great contacts at Boxoffice. The April 6, 1957 Modern Theatre section included yet another two pages about the Lakeside, this time about its “highly successful (ice skating) rink which was opened in November 1955”. The article included several photos, all of the ice rink.
Boxoffice, April 6, 1957: “The Beach Drive-In has been leased from E. V. Landiache by Soloman Theatres of McComb, Miss., which also operates … theatres in several other cities. Teddy Solomon has transferred Charles Levy, who has been manager of the Beach, to manager of the Wren Drive-In in McComb … John Kenlo of Alexandria, La., will manage the Beach. Berlo Vending Co. of Philadelphia will operate the concession stand at the Beach, as it does at all Solomon theatres.”
Snipes, I’d love to know where you got that superb color photo of the El Rancho marquee.
And to be finicky, the drive-in wasn’t on US 87. It was a block east on 16th Street, where a mobile home park sits today. The entrance was about at present-day 2005 1 E 16th St, and the screen was just a bit farther north, maybe about 2005 5 E 16th St.
Biddeford Journal Tribune, Dec. 21, 2002: (reviewing Will Anderson’s Maine history book “Those Were the Days!”) “Other notable York County drive-ins included in the book are … the Cornish Drive-In on Route 25, which opened in 1953, nearly went under, switched to X-rated movies in 1970 and flourished, then closed in 1983.”
Biddeford Journal Tribune, Dec. 21, 2002: (reviewing Will Anderson’s Maine history book “Those Were the Days!”) “Other notable York County drive-ins included in the book are … the Kennebunk Drive-In on Route 1, which operated from 1950 to 1980 and is now the site of an office condominium complex”
Biddeford Journal Tribune, Dec. 21, 2002: (reviewing Will Anderson’s Maine history book “Those Were the Days!”) “Other notable York County drive-ins included in the book are the Acton Drive-In, run by Sanford natives Ralph Ross and Leonard Bucklin at the site of the Acton Fairgrounds for all of 13 weeks in 1949”
The Exhibitor, June 28, 1950: “According to Samuel Horenstein, New England franchise holder, Manley’s Inc., Manley’s popcorn machines are fast taking hold in drive-ins throughout New England. Installations recently completed for the E. M. Loew Circuit include: … Sanford Drive-In, Sanford, Me.”
The Independent Film Journal, Nov. 1, 1952: “E. M. Loew has taken over lease on the Sanford Drive-In, Sanford, Me from Russell Martin.”
Boxoffice, July 15, 1968: “SANFORD, ME. - Police in this southern Maine town ordered the closing of the Sanford Drive-In because a motion picture, "Mondo Freudo,” could be seen from the highway. Police Chief John C. Pride said the showing was ordered removed because it could be seen from the highway and was considered adult entertainment only."
Biddeford Journal Tribune, Dec. 21, 2002: (reviewing Will Anderson’s Maine history book “Those Were the Days!”) “Other notable York County drive-ins included in the book are … the Sanford Drive-In on Route 109, begun by Russell Martin in 1950 and run by the E.M. Loew’s Theaters chain until 1971, when it gave way to the Breary Farms apartment complex”
Boxoffice, Sept. 22, 1969: “George Brehm, general manager of Edmondson and Elkridge drive-ins, has discontinued running dusk-to-dawn shows at both drive-ins.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 22, 1969: “George Brehm, general manager of Edmondson and Elkridge drive-ins, has discontinued running dusk-to-dawn shows at both drive-ins.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 22, 1969: “Herbert Goldstein, younger brother of Howard, reported the General Warren Drive-In, Castleton, Vt., enjoyed a pretty good summer despite rain and product shortage. "The Love Bug” proved among the top grossers, Herb added. A fourth grade teacher in the Troy public school system, the articulate, quiet-spoken partner in the Vermont ozoner now lives in Niskayuna with his wife (ex-instructor at Shaker Ridge School, Colonie) and their two children"
Boxoffice, Sept. 22, 1969: “ALBANY - The postponement of the opening of Fabian’s new Latham Drive-In on Route 9, Albany-Saratoga Road was apparently caused by a shortage of labor and building materials. The contractor has encountered difficulty in finding a sufficient number of carpenters and electricians, lumber for the projection booth did not arrive as scheduled and a shortage of electrical power is alleged to have hampered progress. Construction engineer for the 850-car Fabian ozoner is Fred Haas. Industry men express differing opinions about the situation. Some feel the drive-in can premiere this fall but others indicate the debut will have to be deferred until spring. Bill With, former Palace manager, supervises area Fabian drive-ins from an office at the Mohawk, Albany-Schenectady Road.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 22, 1969: “HUDSON, N. Y. - A fall opening is planned for the new 360-seat Brandt Theatre now under construction on Fairview Avenue Extension next to the Jamesway Shopping Center.”
I doubt that this was unique, but it’s the first story I’ve read of an ozoner garden.
Boxoffice, Aug. 26, 1968: “Bill Meyers, owner of the Pocomoke Drive-In sent George Brehm, general manager of the Westview Cinema, some tomatoes he raised in his garden at the airer.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 26, 1968: “Starlite Drive-In, Fairmount, W. Va., sustained the loss of its concession building via fire some weeks ago, and has since been rebuilt and reopened.”
This appeared in the Wagner Sign Service ad in the Oct. 16, 1967 issue of Boxoffice (and possibly elsewhere). I can’t find a copyright notice in that issue; if true, that would put its contents in the public domain.
One more note. Boxoffice, Nov. 13, 1961: “A. L. Royal Theatres acquired the operations of the East Forest Drive-In, Petal, Miss., and renamed it the Royal”
Boxoffice ran an article on Oct. 18, 1976 about officer elections for the Southern Independent Theatre Exhibitors. One of the vice presidents was Larry Daniels, Nancy Cinema, Forsyth, Ga.
The Nancy was included in Boxoffice’s “For Sale or Lease” classified ads for several weeks in January 1977. “Central Georgia - 296 seats, two years old, 5,000 city population, 20,000 drawing area. Only theatre in town. Owner retiring, terms to suit. 100% first class. Nancy Cinema, P.O. Box 846, Forsyth, Ga. 31029. (912) 994-9467.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1977: “Southern Independent Theatres reported that they will begin doing the booking and buying for the Nancy Cinema, Forsyth”
The Independent Film Journal, July 24, 1954: “D. A. Olson has opened his new 400-car Green Lake Drive-In at Spicer, Minn.”
Boxoffice, June 26, 1961: “SPICER, MINN. — Richard R. Henderson has purchased the Green Lake Drive-In from D. A. Olson. To assist him in efficient operation of his new property, Henderson has entered a long term subscription to Boxoffice.”
Following up Valley’s post from 2008, I found that 1951 Boston Blackie episode, partly filmed at the Reseda, at the Internet Archive.
The April 6, 1957 issue of Boxoffice ran a three-page article on Bengies. It focused on architectural engineer Jack K. Vogel’s design, “a unique contribution to outdoor movies”, especially of the concession stand. It included plenty of diagrams and photos, including small photos of the box office and the then-humble marquee.
The April 6, 1957 issue of Boxoffice included a long article about the “giant-size miniature train for adults” that Wilbanks installed in 1956. The “young, energetic exhibitor” laid his own 2,500 feet of track, which looped in front of the screen tower and returned to a station in the rear of the ramp area. The article included photos of the train and a nice aerial view of the drive-in with the track.
The April 6, 1957 issue of Boxoffice ran a two-page article, with photos, on the East 50’s kiddie train, which was installed in 1955. The track included a tunnel in the screen tower, where the train was stored at night and during the winter. It was an “exact replica of the Baltimore and Ohio National Limited crack train. Since the East 50 is located in the bailiwick of the B&O yards, Harry Switow, owner of the theatre, received splendid cooperation from the railroad officials.”
George Bennett must have had some great contacts at Boxoffice. The April 6, 1957 Modern Theatre section included yet another two pages about the Lakeside, this time about its “highly successful (ice skating) rink which was opened in November 1955”. The article included several photos, all of the ice rink.
Boxoffice, April 6, 1957: “The Beach Drive-In has been leased from E. V. Landiache by Soloman Theatres of McComb, Miss., which also operates … theatres in several other cities. Teddy Solomon has transferred Charles Levy, who has been manager of the Beach, to manager of the Wren Drive-In in McComb … John Kenlo of Alexandria, La., will manage the Beach. Berlo Vending Co. of Philadelphia will operate the concession stand at the Beach, as it does at all Solomon theatres.”
Snipes, I’d love to know where you got that superb color photo of the El Rancho marquee.
And to be finicky, the drive-in wasn’t on US 87. It was a block east on 16th Street, where a mobile home park sits today. The entrance was about at present-day 2005 1 E 16th St, and the screen was just a bit farther north, maybe about 2005 5 E 16th St.
Biddeford Journal Tribune, Dec. 21, 2002: (reviewing Will Anderson’s Maine history book “Those Were the Days!”) “Other notable York County drive-ins included in the book are … the Cornish Drive-In on Route 25, which opened in 1953, nearly went under, switched to X-rated movies in 1970 and flourished, then closed in 1983.”
Biddeford Journal Tribune, Dec. 21, 2002: (reviewing Will Anderson’s Maine history book “Those Were the Days!”) “Other notable York County drive-ins included in the book are … the Kennebunk Drive-In on Route 1, which operated from 1950 to 1980 and is now the site of an office condominium complex”
Biddeford Journal Tribune, Dec. 21, 2002: (reviewing Will Anderson’s Maine history book “Those Were the Days!”) “Other notable York County drive-ins included in the book are the Acton Drive-In, run by Sanford natives Ralph Ross and Leonard Bucklin at the site of the Acton Fairgrounds for all of 13 weeks in 1949”
A few quick clips:
The Exhibitor, June 28, 1950: “According to Samuel Horenstein, New England franchise holder, Manley’s Inc., Manley’s popcorn machines are fast taking hold in drive-ins throughout New England. Installations recently completed for the E. M. Loew Circuit include: … Sanford Drive-In, Sanford, Me.”
The Independent Film Journal, Nov. 1, 1952: “E. M. Loew has taken over lease on the Sanford Drive-In, Sanford, Me from Russell Martin.”
Boxoffice, July 15, 1968: “SANFORD, ME. - Police in this southern Maine town ordered the closing of the Sanford Drive-In because a motion picture, "Mondo Freudo,” could be seen from the highway. Police Chief John C. Pride said the showing was ordered removed because it could be seen from the highway and was considered adult entertainment only."
Biddeford Journal Tribune, Dec. 21, 2002: (reviewing Will Anderson’s Maine history book “Those Were the Days!”) “Other notable York County drive-ins included in the book are … the Sanford Drive-In on Route 109, begun by Russell Martin in 1950 and run by the E.M. Loew’s Theaters chain until 1971, when it gave way to the Breary Farms apartment complex”
Looks like the Starlite opened in the late summer of 1949.
Boxoffice, Aug. 6, 1949: “Another drive-in is scheduled to open soon in Rock Springs, Wyo.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 13, 1949: (Construction:) “Rock Springs, Wyo. - $50,000 drive-in to be built for Star Lite Theatre Co.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 10, 1949: (Openings:) “Rock Springs, Wyo. - Starlite Drive-In opened.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 22, 1969: “George Brehm, general manager of Edmondson and Elkridge drive-ins, has discontinued running dusk-to-dawn shows at both drive-ins.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 22, 1969: “George Brehm, general manager of Edmondson and Elkridge drive-ins, has discontinued running dusk-to-dawn shows at both drive-ins.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 22, 1969: “Herbert Goldstein, younger brother of Howard, reported the General Warren Drive-In, Castleton, Vt., enjoyed a pretty good summer despite rain and product shortage. "The Love Bug” proved among the top grossers, Herb added. A fourth grade teacher in the Troy public school system, the articulate, quiet-spoken partner in the Vermont ozoner now lives in Niskayuna with his wife (ex-instructor at Shaker Ridge School, Colonie) and their two children"
Boxoffice, Sept. 22, 1969: “ALBANY - The postponement of the opening of Fabian’s new Latham Drive-In on Route 9, Albany-Saratoga Road was apparently caused by a shortage of labor and building materials. The contractor has encountered difficulty in finding a sufficient number of carpenters and electricians, lumber for the projection booth did not arrive as scheduled and a shortage of electrical power is alleged to have hampered progress. Construction engineer for the 850-car Fabian ozoner is Fred Haas. Industry men express differing opinions about the situation. Some feel the drive-in can premiere this fall but others indicate the debut will have to be deferred until spring. Bill With, former Palace manager, supervises area Fabian drive-ins from an office at the Mohawk, Albany-Schenectady Road.”
Same theater, with a delayed/renamed opening?
Boxoffice, Sept. 22, 1969: “HUDSON, N. Y. - A fall opening is planned for the new 360-seat Brandt Theatre now under construction on Fairview Avenue Extension next to the Jamesway Shopping Center.”
I doubt that this was unique, but it’s the first story I’ve read of an ozoner garden.
Boxoffice, Aug. 26, 1968: “Bill Meyers, owner of the Pocomoke Drive-In sent George Brehm, general manager of the Westview Cinema, some tomatoes he raised in his garden at the airer.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 26, 1968: “Starlite Drive-In, Fairmount, W. Va., sustained the loss of its concession building via fire some weeks ago, and has since been rebuilt and reopened.”
Part of the Adler Silhouette Letter Co. ad in that issue.
This appeared in the Wagner Sign Service ad in the Oct. 16, 1967 issue of Boxoffice (and possibly elsewhere). I can’t find a copyright notice in that issue; if true, that would put its contents in the public domain.
One more note. Boxoffice, Nov. 13, 1961: “A. L. Royal Theatres acquired the operations of the East Forest Drive-In, Petal, Miss., and renamed it the Royal”
Boxoffice, Nov. 13, 1961: “Leroy LeBlanc has taken over the management-operations of the Bayouland Drive-In, Barton (Donaldsville) La.”
Boxoffice ran an article on Oct. 18, 1976 about officer elections for the Southern Independent Theatre Exhibitors. One of the vice presidents was Larry Daniels, Nancy Cinema, Forsyth, Ga.
The Nancy was included in Boxoffice’s “For Sale or Lease” classified ads for several weeks in January 1977. “Central Georgia - 296 seats, two years old, 5,000 city population, 20,000 drawing area. Only theatre in town. Owner retiring, terms to suit. 100% first class. Nancy Cinema, P.O. Box 846, Forsyth, Ga. 31029. (912) 994-9467.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1977: “Southern Independent Theatres reported that they will begin doing the booking and buying for the Nancy Cinema, Forsyth”
The Independent Film Journal, July 24, 1954: “D. A. Olson has opened his new 400-car Green Lake Drive-In at Spicer, Minn.”
Boxoffice, June 26, 1961: “SPICER, MINN. — Richard R. Henderson has purchased the Green Lake Drive-In from D. A. Olson. To assist him in efficient operation of his new property, Henderson has entered a long term subscription to Boxoffice.”