Moto Vu Drive-In
503 Old U.S. 40,
Warrenton,
MO
63383
503 Old U.S. 40,
Warrenton,
MO
63383
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Motion Picture Exhibitor, March 29, 1961: “Marvin L. Williams and Mrs. Dorothy L. Williams have taken over as operators of the MotoVue Drive-In, Warrenton.”
Based on the stories and ads in the weekly Warrenton Banner, the Moto-Vu (hyphenated) opened Tuesday, Aug. 8, 1950. Its first movie was “Duchess of Idaho” starring Esther Williams.
In October 1958, Mr. & Mrs. Zimmerman leased the Moto-Vu to David Meyer of Salem MO. The lease was to be for five years. (Meyer had been running the West Quincy Drive-In.)
In March 1962, Eugene Tacke bought the indoor Vita and the Moto-Vu equipment from the Zimmermans and signed “a very long term lease on the land now occupied by the Moto-Vu Drive-In”. (Sounds like it hadn’t been completely dismantled.) Tacke reopened on May 10. “One major improvement was to widen the screen, now making the face 32' by 60' which now ranks third largest in the state.”
The Moto-Vu lasted until at least 1966, finishing its season on Oct 23 that year.
Actually appears to have closed after the 1965 season.
I’ve literally driven past this spot hundreds of times and never realized there was once a drive-in there.
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Jan. 10, 1962: “The Moto-Vu Drive-In, Warrenton, Mo., is being dismantled, and reports are the property will be used as a trailer court."
Motion Picture Exhibitor, April 18, 1962: “Eugene Tacke will build a new drive-in at Warrenton, Mo., on the site of the old Moto-Vu, which was razed last year.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Aug. 1, 1962: “Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Tacke who operate the Vita and the Moto-Vue Drive-In, Warrenton, Mo., have written to friends here saying they are vacationing in Minnesota and will not return until October when they will reopen the Vita.”
“The Motovu Drive-In at Warrenton has been leased by its owner, State Representative William T. Zimmerman to Mr. and Mrs. Lowell G. Sprick, who plan to reopen it for the season April 1.” — BoxOffice, March 7, 1960
The address listed is incorrect.
The address for this Drive-in is now 503 Old U.S. 40, Warrenton, MO 63383.
Entrance is now Auto Zone at this address.
Please update.
The address for the drive-in is 101 E Veterans Memorial Pkwy, Warrenton, MO.
Today, the property is empty and there is virtually no trace that a drive-in ever existed in that location. http://tinyurl.com/qzbmtrc
Veteran Warrenton, Missouri movie-man William Zimmerman launched the Moto-Vu Drive-In Theatre on August 17, 1950. “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” opened the drive-in.