61st Street Drive-In
3201 S. 61st Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19153
3201 S. 61st Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19153
4 people
favorited this theater
The 61st Street Drive-In opened July 3, 1963. At that time it was operated by Budco. This drive-in closed in October 1983.
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Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 22 comments)
Saw the biggest movies of the the 70’s there. Willard, Dr. Phibes, Shaft, Dirty Harry, The Godfather. Next to the funky river and refineries.
Narrowed it down today. Looks like the last or one of the last movies shown here was Strange Invaders with nancy allen and paul le mat. Last listing was Thursday October 20th 1983..
The theatre was built to handle the over flow of its sister theatre the Flag ship “AIRPORT D-I” another Budco D-I. On one night during the opening week we had trouble keeping the picture in focus on the right side of the screen. Turned out the steel support on the right side was pulling out of the ground. We had to bring in a krane to support the tower until it could be secured. I think it held around 500 cars.
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Although decrepit, the 61ST STREET DRIVE-IN THEATRE sign, with its red arrow, still welcomes moviegoers to a drive-in that went dark over 30-years ago. It’s as if Rod Serling (1924-1975) is ready to step from behind that red/yellow, black/white marquee sign to say — Welcome to The Twilight Zone! “Strange Invaders” (1983 – Orion) starring Paul Le Mat (b. 1945) and Nancy Allen (b. 1950), the last picture to play here, may still be playing. Eerie!
I’ve had countless adventures at the 61st St. D.I. – from the late ‘60’s thru 1981 as a customer, hard partier and verocious devourer of HORROR and exploitation treats. The location of this wonderful shrine to sleaze was, and still is, about 12 blocks from my own lair . I, (Very Unfortunately), closed A LOT of awesome Philly theatres – both as projectionist and unwilling manager, but the 61st St. makes me extra wistful. I was Very lucky to be the Weekend projectionist for the last two spring/summer seasons in this – my Second favorite D.I. in my neighborhood! (My escapades at the Family Drive In, about ten minutes away from the 'ol 61st, are semi-legendary —— to a few, at least.) Wow, memories!
July 3rd, 1963 grand opening ad in photo section.
can anyone tell me if the 61st street ever have live doo wop shows or was it the Airport Drive-in i’m thinking it was the Airport please let me know
The last time I went there was 40 years ago, I saw Richard Pryor in Greased Lightin and Freebie and the Bean.
It wasn’t this drive in doowopcharlie. Must have been the Airport drive in
Thank You Mike 99% sure it was the airport drive-in I was 18 yrs old they had a great doo wop show there my friends an I,going on 76yrs old steve wonder was there along with some great groups it don’t pay to listin to people that put they’re girls in the trunk of there car again thank you