WOW! I never thought I would ever see these again! Eventually, somebody out there has a photo of their southern neighbor, the Echo Drive-In. TWO THUMBS-UP-SKIS to the owner of these photos for keeping these drive-ins alive in spirit.
Right with you, Rick! Being a proud Pittsburgher myself, although I didn’t have the pleasure of visiting most of them, Monroeville has had a colorful history of classic theaters: Cinema 22, Monroe, Cinemette East, Monroeville 4, Showcase East, Pittsburgh Drive-In (the second drive-in in the Pittsburgh area), Monroeville Drive-In and Miracle Mile Drive-In.
I know there are plenty of places to build at least one new theater in Monroeville. Perhaps even a new drive-in theater could come into play out there. After all, only one thing is impossible, and that’s nothing.
Not quite, DeCoteau, but you’re close. The Star was situated near the corner of Miller’s Run Road (PA 50) and Hickory Grade Road. From that point, go about ¾ mile up Hickory Grade Rd. and you’ll find the remains of the El Rancho.
Again, the ugly face of politics has dominated over classic Americana and nostalgia. This is why I am as anti-political as they come. Despite being born in 1969, I live for the past as opposed to today’s ever-so-screwed up society, especially in terms of television, music, and of course, drive-in theaters.
I’ll be hoping and praying that the relocation to Brant goes through.
I agree, Mike. “Drive-In Blues” was an excellent documentary with great film coverage of many outdoor theaters. One thing I’ve always liked about drive-ins are the certain concepts that many of them incorporate. In the case of the Gemini, they had the NORTH screen and SOUTH screen as opposed to the usual SCREEN 1 and SCREEN 2. Don’t know if they designated the third screen, though.
I was fortunate to have gotten photos of the field, screen, and snack bar before it was all torn down. You can find these on www.drive-ins.com Unfortunately, the marquee was already removed from Route 51. I also missed getting the marquees for the neighboring Colonial and South Hills Drive-Ins too. Eventually somebody out there has photos of these marquees and can post them on the Internet. Anyone?
That’s right, Ria44. Bowser Pontiac now occupies the South Hills Drive-In site. Unfortunately, like many of the 40+ drive-ins Pittsburgh had at one time or another, I never had the pleasure of visiting this one. I would do anything to go back in time (ala Marty McFly) to visit all those great outdoor theaters.
That wouldn’t surprise me; those damned “killer clauses”!
I’m making plans on coming up to visit the U.S. 23 Twin Drive-In for its last season; I’ll have to stop by the Miracle Twin to take pictures for my scrapbooks (with written e-mail permission from National Amusements, of course). At least I can get photos of the marquee if NA won’t allow me onto the lots.
It’s so unfortunate that I never had the pleasure of visiting the Miracle Twin when it was open. As I said in one of my previous posts above, it’s one of the more artistic drive-ins I’ve even seen in photos. Great marquee, and I really like the RED SCREEN / BLUE SCREEN concept.
Right with you, movie534. I’ve never, EVER set foot in any of those multiplexes that have popped up around my area and don’t ever intend to (the exception, of course, being three older ones that I’ve been going to since the 70’s).
If only we could go back in time like that McFly kid…
Regardless of all the problems brought on by today’s society, the Miracle Twin is too beautiful and artistic to fall victim to the wrecking ball. It’s got to be saved for the sake of nostalgia of more innocent times, which is needed more than ever.
I can imagine the all-too-typical lame political reasons N.A. has for closing. Hopefully there is somebody out there who will save the Miracle Twin from becoming another “vanished casualty”.
I’ve already started making plans to come up to this one. Looks like a great place from the photos I saw. Hopefully somebody will buy the drive-in and keep it open in memory of Mr. Warrington.
Great photo, LM! Never saw that version of the marquee before. If I recall correctly, their last marquee was a big red curved arrow that read ROUTE 19 DRIVE-IN with the movies playing under it.
Anybody got any color photos of this magnificent building? I was totally ticked when they tore it down. Great art-deco building and I really liked the red font lettering they used in NORTH HILLS THEATRE for the marquee.
Scratch the location I mentioned above! I got my corners completely mixed up. The Rainbow Gardens triplex was actually in the NORTHEAST corner of 48 and Lincoln Way, not northwest. The amusement park and pool were on the corner with the drive-in at the eastern end alongside Lincoln Way. The site is now occupied by Oak Park Mall.
I misinterpreted the aerial shots I have of the park/pool/drive-in. My apologies for this rather big goof, but I guess that happens sometimes when such drive-ins are strategically placed.
Despite recent construction of a connector for the PA 43 Turnpike route as well as a new stretch of U.S. 40, this thankfully has not affected the drive-in as far as location, although said bowling alley (Gudac Lanes) and other buildings across the way were razed.
The new U.S. 40 connector runs east of the drive-in to the intersection (where an overpass once stood) near JCT PA 166. The Brownsville can be clearly seen from this new road. The old U.S. 40 segment of National Rd. where the drive-in stands has been renamed Business U.S. 40.
This was the theater where KTRM Radio DJ Jape “The Big Bopper” Richardson set the record for on-air DJing: 122 hours and 8 minutes, playing a total of 1,821 records! That was in May 1957; the following year, he struck gold with a little ditty he wrote and recorded called “Chantilly Lace”.
I just drove past the Twin Hi-Way this morning. The 2008 season has just ended, but a SECOND screen is being added and should be up by next season, thus giving the name of the drive-in a double meaning (# of screens and the original dual U.S. Route designation of the legendary Lincoln Highway it proudly stands on)
You are right, Rick. The Belle Aire was owned by the Warren family who also ran the Blue Dell, Greater Pittsburgh, Rose, Super 30 and South Hills Drive-Ins.
I think the Belle Aire was placed behind the Blue Dell Pool, which was right next to the Blue Dell Drive-In. Joe Warren, who now runs the Evergreen Drive-In in nearby Mount Pleasant, shows us where it was in the WQED documentary “Stuff That’s Gone”
Just obtained some information from a community library near the area where this drive-in was. Opening date of the Family D-I was May 20, 1948. Located four miles east of New Kensington on Leechburg Rd./former PA 56. I believe the Family closed in the early 70’s (will try to confirm the actual date soon). Today, the drive-in (½ mile off the current PA 56 route) is occupied by abandoned buildings that housed Montgomery Ward and J.C. Penney.
There are two excellent photos of the Ardmore Drive-In marquee in the local book about Forest Hills as part of the “Images Of America” series. The marquee stood at the corner of Ardmore (U.S. 30) and Yost Boulevards. One photo is a closeup, the other shows the marquee in front of the town’s original roller skating rink (which is also gone). Unfortunately, there are no photos of the drive-in itself.
When I found out that this drive-in was closing, I immediately made plans to make the 150+ mile trip to visit. And I’m sure glad I did! Great 3-screener with one of the most excellent snack bars I have ever seen! So hard to accept that another fine outdoor theater now belongs to the ages. Hopefully, the screens will not be sold for scrap (since they are in excellent shape) and go to other drive-in owners who are looking to expand or maybe even open new drive-ins.
If I recall correctly, the marquee, adjacent to the Elliot Rd. turnoff on PA 51, was a reddish color with COLONIAL in vertical letters and a white curved arrow.
Does anybody know if there is a marker or a sign on the site where Mr. Hollingstead’s creation once stood? If not, it would definitely make an excellent 75th anniversary gift next June 6.
Want to see the marquees from the Colonial Drive-In as well as its northern neighbor South Hills Drive-In?
View link
WOW! I never thought I would ever see these again! Eventually, somebody out there has a photo of their southern neighbor, the Echo Drive-In. TWO THUMBS-UP-SKIS to the owner of these photos for keeping these drive-ins alive in spirit.
Right with you, Rick! Being a proud Pittsburgher myself, although I didn’t have the pleasure of visiting most of them, Monroeville has had a colorful history of classic theaters: Cinema 22, Monroe, Cinemette East, Monroeville 4, Showcase East, Pittsburgh Drive-In (the second drive-in in the Pittsburgh area), Monroeville Drive-In and Miracle Mile Drive-In.
I know there are plenty of places to build at least one new theater in Monroeville. Perhaps even a new drive-in theater could come into play out there. After all, only one thing is impossible, and that’s nothing.
Not quite, DeCoteau, but you’re close. The Star was situated near the corner of Miller’s Run Road (PA 50) and Hickory Grade Road. From that point, go about ¾ mile up Hickory Grade Rd. and you’ll find the remains of the El Rancho.
Again, the ugly face of politics has dominated over classic Americana and nostalgia. This is why I am as anti-political as they come. Despite being born in 1969, I live for the past as opposed to today’s ever-so-screwed up society, especially in terms of television, music, and of course, drive-in theaters.
I’ll be hoping and praying that the relocation to Brant goes through.
I agree, Mike. “Drive-In Blues” was an excellent documentary with great film coverage of many outdoor theaters. One thing I’ve always liked about drive-ins are the certain concepts that many of them incorporate. In the case of the Gemini, they had the NORTH screen and SOUTH screen as opposed to the usual SCREEN 1 and SCREEN 2. Don’t know if they designated the third screen, though.
I was fortunate to have gotten photos of the field, screen, and snack bar before it was all torn down. You can find these on www.drive-ins.com Unfortunately, the marquee was already removed from Route 51. I also missed getting the marquees for the neighboring Colonial and South Hills Drive-Ins too. Eventually somebody out there has photos of these marquees and can post them on the Internet. Anyone?
That’s right, Ria44. Bowser Pontiac now occupies the South Hills Drive-In site. Unfortunately, like many of the 40+ drive-ins Pittsburgh had at one time or another, I never had the pleasure of visiting this one. I would do anything to go back in time (ala Marty McFly) to visit all those great outdoor theaters.
That wouldn’t surprise me; those damned “killer clauses”!
I’m making plans on coming up to visit the U.S. 23 Twin Drive-In for its last season; I’ll have to stop by the Miracle Twin to take pictures for my scrapbooks (with written e-mail permission from National Amusements, of course). At least I can get photos of the marquee if NA won’t allow me onto the lots.
It’s so unfortunate that I never had the pleasure of visiting the Miracle Twin when it was open. As I said in one of my previous posts above, it’s one of the more artistic drive-ins I’ve even seen in photos. Great marquee, and I really like the RED SCREEN / BLUE SCREEN concept.
Right with you, movie534. I’ve never, EVER set foot in any of those multiplexes that have popped up around my area and don’t ever intend to (the exception, of course, being three older ones that I’ve been going to since the 70’s).
If only we could go back in time like that McFly kid…
Regardless of all the problems brought on by today’s society, the Miracle Twin is too beautiful and artistic to fall victim to the wrecking ball. It’s got to be saved for the sake of nostalgia of more innocent times, which is needed more than ever.
I can imagine the all-too-typical lame political reasons N.A. has for closing. Hopefully there is somebody out there who will save the Miracle Twin from becoming another “vanished casualty”.
I’ve already started making plans to come up to this one. Looks like a great place from the photos I saw. Hopefully somebody will buy the drive-in and keep it open in memory of Mr. Warrington.
Great photo, LM! Never saw that version of the marquee before. If I recall correctly, their last marquee was a big red curved arrow that read ROUTE 19 DRIVE-IN with the movies playing under it.
Anybody got any color photos of this magnificent building? I was totally ticked when they tore it down. Great art-deco building and I really liked the red font lettering they used in NORTH HILLS THEATRE for the marquee.
Scratch the location I mentioned above! I got my corners completely mixed up. The Rainbow Gardens triplex was actually in the NORTHEAST corner of 48 and Lincoln Way, not northwest. The amusement park and pool were on the corner with the drive-in at the eastern end alongside Lincoln Way. The site is now occupied by Oak Park Mall.
I misinterpreted the aerial shots I have of the park/pool/drive-in. My apologies for this rather big goof, but I guess that happens sometimes when such drive-ins are strategically placed.
Despite recent construction of a connector for the PA 43 Turnpike route as well as a new stretch of U.S. 40, this thankfully has not affected the drive-in as far as location, although said bowling alley (Gudac Lanes) and other buildings across the way were razed.
The new U.S. 40 connector runs east of the drive-in to the intersection (where an overpass once stood) near JCT PA 166. The Brownsville can be clearly seen from this new road. The old U.S. 40 segment of National Rd. where the drive-in stands has been renamed Business U.S. 40.
I drove past the Twin-Hi Way this morning and saw that the second screen is now in place.
This was the theater where KTRM Radio DJ Jape “The Big Bopper” Richardson set the record for on-air DJing: 122 hours and 8 minutes, playing a total of 1,821 records! That was in May 1957; the following year, he struck gold with a little ditty he wrote and recorded called “Chantilly Lace”.
I just drove past the Twin Hi-Way this morning. The 2008 season has just ended, but a SECOND screen is being added and should be up by next season, thus giving the name of the drive-in a double meaning (# of screens and the original dual U.S. Route designation of the legendary Lincoln Highway it proudly stands on)
You are right, Rick. The Belle Aire was owned by the Warren family who also ran the Blue Dell, Greater Pittsburgh, Rose, Super 30 and South Hills Drive-Ins.
I think the Belle Aire was placed behind the Blue Dell Pool, which was right next to the Blue Dell Drive-In. Joe Warren, who now runs the Evergreen Drive-In in nearby Mount Pleasant, shows us where it was in the WQED documentary “Stuff That’s Gone”
Just obtained some information from a community library near the area where this drive-in was. Opening date of the Family D-I was May 20, 1948. Located four miles east of New Kensington on Leechburg Rd./former PA 56. I believe the Family closed in the early 70’s (will try to confirm the actual date soon). Today, the drive-in (½ mile off the current PA 56 route) is occupied by abandoned buildings that housed Montgomery Ward and J.C. Penney.
There are two excellent photos of the Ardmore Drive-In marquee in the local book about Forest Hills as part of the “Images Of America” series. The marquee stood at the corner of Ardmore (U.S. 30) and Yost Boulevards. One photo is a closeup, the other shows the marquee in front of the town’s original roller skating rink (which is also gone). Unfortunately, there are no photos of the drive-in itself.
When I found out that this drive-in was closing, I immediately made plans to make the 150+ mile trip to visit. And I’m sure glad I did! Great 3-screener with one of the most excellent snack bars I have ever seen! So hard to accept that another fine outdoor theater now belongs to the ages. Hopefully, the screens will not be sold for scrap (since they are in excellent shape) and go to other drive-in owners who are looking to expand or maybe even open new drive-ins.
If I recall correctly, the marquee, adjacent to the Elliot Rd. turnoff on PA 51, was a reddish color with COLONIAL in vertical letters and a white curved arrow.
Does anybody know if there is a marker or a sign on the site where Mr. Hollingstead’s creation once stood? If not, it would definitely make an excellent 75th anniversary gift next June 6.