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Home » Theater Guide » Location » United States » California » San Jose » San Jose Auto Movie
Also known as Drive-In Theater

San Jose Auto Movie

San Jose, CA
750 E. Gish Road
, San Jose, CA 95112 United States
(map)
Status: Closed/Demolished
Screens: Single Screen
Style: Unknown
Function: Unknown
Seats: Unknown
Chain: Unknown
Architect: Unknown
Firm: Unknown
San Jose Auto Movie
Circa-1946 exterior view of the San Jose Auto Movie
Photo courtesy of Tom Rose
This was the first drive-in theater built in San Jose and opened in 1946.

The San Jose Auto Movie switched to triple features in the mid 1960's and started showing adult (non-porn) films on a frequent basis in 1967. It showed adult films only on triple bills in 1969 until closure.

Hard-core porn was shown only in the last two years of its existence beginning in 1977.

The drive-in closed in 1979 and an office complex was built on its site.
Contributed by scottfavareille

YOUR COMMENTS

 
This drive-in was truly the last DISCOUNT TRIPLE BILLER around.
The City of San Jose forced the owners hand and stopped the
Triple X Films and it switched to Triple Features Action/Comedy
shows at Family Carload Prices. The owner eventually sold the
land and yes - its offices now. The old owners family are very
wealthy and wise ... first from the porno and then from the land
sale!
posted by HowieT on Dec 10, 2003 at 10:42am
I did some research today. The drive-in quit showing triple billed hard porn on June 20, 1978. On June 21, 1978, under the new policy, their first show was: "Great Smokey Roadblock" "Death Sport" & "End of the World". Sometimes a 4th feature was added for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. However, the new policy was a failure and by the time October 1978 rolled around, the drive-in was closed for good.
posted by scottfavareille on Jan 14, 2004 at 2:31pm
This drive in was a lot of fun. They used to show the old black and white 50's cutie nudie flicks there. One of movies I didn't forget was "The Diary of Knockers McCalla". The Snack Bar had great pizza they made it from scratch. Place was always packed. It showed hardcore pornography during it's last years, and people would park off of Gish Road, at a field a few blocks away, to see the screen. The San Jose Sheriffs Department was busy arresting the prostitution that lingered there. Finally from pressure from the locals, and from the police, the drive in went legit before closing.
posted by robertgippy on Jun 1, 2007 at 12:07pm
Drive-Ins.com gives the following address:

750 E Gish Rd
San Jose, CA 95112

posted by Lost Memory on Jun 1, 2007 at 1:45pm
I also remember the black & white nudie movies they showed in the late 60's and early 70's. They were so corny it was laughable!
posted by Steve in NY on Apr 2, 2009 at 9:17am
Entering the address on this site produces aerial views of the drive-in from 1948, 1956 and 1968. By 1980 you can see that the theater has been paved over.
http://www.historicaerials.com/Default.aspx?poi=3183
posted by ken mc on Apr 2, 2009 at 10:52am
Big Brother watching you,Just a joke!
posted by tlsloews on Apr 26, 2010 at 4:35pm
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