Boxoffice, Sept. 23, 1950: “TUCUMCARI, N. M. – This city’s second drive-in will be completed in time for an early spring opening, according to Milas Hurley, owner oft he Princess and Odeon theatres here. The outdoor house, to be named the Canal, will cost more than $100,000 and will accommodate 500 cars. A combination indoor-outdoor theatre will be built at the drive-in with the addition of an auditorium seating 200 persons and constructed to provide filmgoers with comfort in case of stormy or cold weather. Ground for the theatre has been broken. The project is located on Highway 66.”
Boxoffice, March 10, 1951: “Milas Hurley, owner of theatres in Tucumcari, N. M., is putting the finishing touches on his Canal Drive-In there. It will open with an Easter sunrise service. The drive-in is a de luxe 550-car situation and cost about $125,000. A feature is the new five-room bungalow built in the back of the drive-in for the manager. A stone wall surrounds the area.”
Boxoffice followed up on May 5, 1951 to say that Hurley had unveiled the Canal “under construction since last October.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 15, 1949: “Milas Hurley … recently improved his Princess Theatre with the installation of 600 spring-back American Seating Bodiform chairs.”
Boxoffice, April 9, 1949: “TUCUMCARI, N. M. – New plush and leatherette seats are being installed in the 750-sear Princess Theatre here, according to Manager Milas Hurley.”
Also, an entry in a construction roundup in the March 18, 1950 Boxoffice said, “Pontiac, Mich. – Construction of 750-car drive-in on Dixie highway begun by Elton L. and Marjorie Samuels. To open in May.”
The 1949 Film Daily Year Book was the first edition to include a Pontiac MI drive-in, and it had two – the Blue Sky and the Starlite. Both remained through at least 1951. We know the Blue Sky was really in Auburn Hills.
The Starlite, capacity 300, was also included in the first Theatre Catalog drive-in list in the 1948-49 edition. Its address was Williams Lake and Airport Rds, and sure enough, a 1951 aerial photo shows a drive-in at that intersection. Aerials through 1973 showed that location intact, and the 1999 aerial still showed the ramps. Topo maps for 1971-84 also showed that drive-in.
As I type, Bryan Krefft’s description of the Blue Sky, which was actually in Auburn Hills, says, “The Blue Sky Drive-In opened in 1948, around the same time as two other drive-ins, the Walled Lake … and the Pontiac Drive-In.”
From its location, the Starlite, actually in Waterford Township, must have become the Waterford Drive-In. Were folks also calling it the Pontiac? And if not…
I just uploaded a photo from the June 19, 1948 issue of Boxoffice, which published a note about the “new changeable program sign recently installed in the Pontiac, Mich., drive-in.” Which drive-in was that?
Billboard, June 21, 1952: “Bill Rushing has reopened the Pioneer Drive-In at Shamrock, Tex.”
Boxoffice, Feb, 28, 1966: “The Texas Theatre and the Pioneer Drive-In, both units of Friendl Theatres, will be remodeled this year, it was announced by Jack Worley, wo took over management of the circuit and of the Shamrock Community TV System early this year. The properties are owned by Jack’s father, Mayor Seibert Worley, and his uncle, Judge Eugene Worley.”
Boxoffice, June 30, 1969: “Seibert Worley, owner of the Pioneer Drive-In on East Highway 66, completely refurbished the airer prior to opening it early this month for summer operation. New speakers were installed, a new white plexiglass attraction board with black letters was erected, playground improvements made and the entire area painted in a green and white color scheme.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 14, 1974: “Athel Boyter and Dan Wolfenbarger made a business trip to Shamrock, Tex., to become acquainted with their theatre employees in that town. Boyter and Wolfermbarger took over operation of the Shamrock Texas Theatre Tuesday (1) and will remodel the town’s Pioneer Drive-In and reopen it in the spring.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1974: “Seibert Worley … will lease the Pioneer Drive-In to (Boyter and Wolfenbarger) with an option to purchase within two years.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 11, 1963: “Wade Berryman and wife Nan have a one-story indoor theatre at their Matador (Tex.) Drive-In. It seats 104 and has been in use since last spring, when it was formally opened with valuable prizes, free coffee and candy.”
Then again, maybe it would have been difficult to get tornado insurance in Hale Center. The June 14, 1965 issue of Boxoffice told of a visit from R. A. “Skeet” Noret, who told of a twister that hit the town on June 2 and did “slight damage” to the screen. “Tommie Leathers, manager of the Bozo, took his wife and new baby (born May 22) into a cellar for the night … (The tornado) leveled 66 homes, the post office, bank, drug store, city hall, Ford Motor Co. and other businesses. Three were killed and more than 100 injured in Hale Center.”
The Bel-Air’s owner ran a classified ad in Boxoffice in 1981 trying to sell it. “Absentee owner retired after twenty seasons. Fully equipped but screen needs rebuilding. $10,000 down with good terms.”
As of April 1964, the Bel-Air was owned by Raymond J. Marks and Martin G. Rosenfeld, operating as M & R Amusement Companies, per a Boxoffice story about their acquisition of the Skyhi and Dundale drive-ins. A July 1966 note about plans for the Wheeling Twin added Richard Rosenfield to the previous two names. By June 1978, the company spokesman was Louis Marks.
Boxoffice, April 30, 1979: “In announcing that a third screen will add to the Bel-Air activity June 8, Louis Marks of M & R Amusement Co. said, “With the good product coming along for the summer, there should be enough to support three screens in each of our properties.” M & R had some months ago had third screens added to the Twin and Double outdoor theatres.”
Boxoffice, June 9, 1980: “Owners of Chicago’s main-line hardtop theaters "were not enthusiastic about having live pigs in their theaters,” so Avco Embassy pictures staged what is believed to be the first major world premiere in a drive-in May 30, taking over the Bel-Air Drive-In to launch its release of ‘Hog Wild.’"
Boxoffice, Nov. 24, 1969: “L&M president Mrs. D. R. Berman announced that electric heaters have been installed in the company’s Bel-Air Drive-In, Joliet. She said also that the concession building and ladies' room are being enlarged.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 20, 1972: “In Oklahoma City to book product through Theatre Booking Service was Ron Turner of the Sunset Drive-In, Muskogee, and the Woodstock Drive-In, Edmond”
Boxoffice, June 14, 1976: “Edward Roupe is the new owner of the Woodstock Drive-In, Edmond. He purchased the ozoner from Jim O'Donnell and Ron Turner.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 2, 1976: “Ed Roupe, Woodstock Drive-In, Edmond, was in town (Oklahoma City) to consult with his booker, Jim O'Donnell, TBS, and visit UA’s exchange.”
Boxoffice, May 9, 1977: “James Barnet has leased the Woodstock Drive-In, Edmond, and is in the process of leasing the Hollis Drive-In in Hollis.”
Same drive-in? Billboard, Nov. 22, 1952: “The Red River Drive-In has been opened by Engelbrecht & Wolfe and Theater Enterprises at Clarksville, Tex. The drive-in has a 300-car capacity.”
Billboard, Nov. 22, 1952: “O. O. Cummings has sold the 500-car-capacity Don Drive-In Theater at Port Arthur, Tex., to Jefferson Amusement Company, with headquarters at Beaumont, Tex.”
Odd phrasing in Billboard, Nov. 22, 1952: “The Garden Drive-In at Hunlock Creek, Pa., has been completed by N. Cragle. Altho the owner opened the new open-airer for business, regular operations will be started with the new season next spring.”
Billboard, Nov. 1, 1952: “Kenneth McFarland Jr. and A. M. Riley are new owners-operators of Pines Drive-In, Nacogdoches, Tex. They plan a renovating program, which includes a new glass block ticket office, changable letter sign, a patio which will seat about 50 persons, new all-metal fence and resurfacing of the parking area.”
On maybe the Rietta was a second drive-in at a different location? Billboard, Oct. 25, 1952: “Claude Thorpe is schedule to open a new drive-in at Henrietta, Tex. He is conducting a contest to name the drive-in.”
Billboard, Oct. 25, 1962: “G. A. Lockwood has purchased the Riverside Drive-In at Smithville, Tex., from Joe D. Blinka. He also operates the Texas Theater there.”
Billboard, Oct. 25, 1952: “S. H. Easling has been named manager of Seymour Drive-In Theater, Wichita Falls, Tex. … A new, hard-surfaced balcony has been added and the spot’s capacity has been increased to 800 cars.”
Billboard, Sept. 27, 1952: “L. Lipscomb, manager of Jacksboro Drive-In, Fort Worth, estimated damage to the theater at between $35,000 and $50,000 as the result of a freak windstorm. The top of the screen, made of concrete blocks, was whisked away like straw. The corrugated iron fence surrounding the drive-in was found scattered over about a three-square-mile area. Some parts of the fence were found wrapped around the loud-speaker posts on the ramps. Lipscomb also reported that the walls and roof of the concession stand also were demolished.”
Billboard, Sept. 20, 1952: “Norman T. Hodge has added several improvements to his Pioneer Drive-In at Merkle, Tex.” (But the note didn’t mention what they were.)
Billboard, Sept. 13, 1952: “Bill Chester has announced the opening of the XIT Drive-In at Littlefield, Tex. The theater bears the name of a well-known cattle brand in that area.”
Billboard, Sept. 13, 1952: “L. W. Ellis, of Summerside, P. E. I., is owner-manager of the Starlite Drive-In near Summerside. Spot was started by R. Pope and Ellis.”
Adding some names, Billboard, Feb. 16, 1952: “Sun Drive-In has been opened at Comanche, Tex., by Sherman L. and Charles L. Root, James F. Kelley and George Witten.”
Billboard, Sept. 6, 1952: “Harold Flemins and Jack Arthur have purchased the 250-car capacity Sun Drive-In at Comanche, Tex.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 23, 1950: “TUCUMCARI, N. M. – This city’s second drive-in will be completed in time for an early spring opening, according to Milas Hurley, owner oft he Princess and Odeon theatres here. The outdoor house, to be named the Canal, will cost more than $100,000 and will accommodate 500 cars. A combination indoor-outdoor theatre will be built at the drive-in with the addition of an auditorium seating 200 persons and constructed to provide filmgoers with comfort in case of stormy or cold weather. Ground for the theatre has been broken. The project is located on Highway 66.”
Boxoffice, March 10, 1951: “Milas Hurley, owner of theatres in Tucumcari, N. M., is putting the finishing touches on his Canal Drive-In there. It will open with an Easter sunrise service. The drive-in is a de luxe 550-car situation and cost about $125,000. A feature is the new five-room bungalow built in the back of the drive-in for the manager. A stone wall surrounds the area.”
Boxoffice followed up on May 5, 1951 to say that Hurley had unveiled the Canal “under construction since last October.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 15, 1949: “Milas Hurley … recently improved his Princess Theatre with the installation of 600 spring-back American Seating Bodiform chairs.”
Boxoffice, April 9, 1949: “TUCUMCARI, N. M. – New plush and leatherette seats are being installed in the 750-sear Princess Theatre here, according to Manager Milas Hurley.”
Also, an entry in a construction roundup in the March 18, 1950 Boxoffice said, “Pontiac, Mich. – Construction of 750-car drive-in on Dixie highway begun by Elton L. and Marjorie Samuels. To open in May.”
The 1949 Film Daily Year Book was the first edition to include a Pontiac MI drive-in, and it had two – the Blue Sky and the Starlite. Both remained through at least 1951. We know the Blue Sky was really in Auburn Hills.
The Starlite, capacity 300, was also included in the first Theatre Catalog drive-in list in the 1948-49 edition. Its address was Williams Lake and Airport Rds, and sure enough, a 1951 aerial photo shows a drive-in at that intersection. Aerials through 1973 showed that location intact, and the 1999 aerial still showed the ramps. Topo maps for 1971-84 also showed that drive-in.
As I type, Bryan Krefft’s description of the Blue Sky, which was actually in Auburn Hills, says, “The Blue Sky Drive-In opened in 1948, around the same time as two other drive-ins, the Walled Lake … and the Pontiac Drive-In.”
From its location, the Starlite, actually in Waterford Township, must have become the Waterford Drive-In. Were folks also calling it the Pontiac? And if not…
I just uploaded a photo from the June 19, 1948 issue of Boxoffice, which published a note about the “new changeable program sign recently installed in the Pontiac, Mich., drive-in.” Which drive-in was that?
Billboard, June 21, 1952: “Bill Rushing has reopened the Pioneer Drive-In at Shamrock, Tex.”
Boxoffice, Feb, 28, 1966: “The Texas Theatre and the Pioneer Drive-In, both units of Friendl Theatres, will be remodeled this year, it was announced by Jack Worley, wo took over management of the circuit and of the Shamrock Community TV System early this year. The properties are owned by Jack’s father, Mayor Seibert Worley, and his uncle, Judge Eugene Worley.”
Boxoffice, June 30, 1969: “Seibert Worley, owner of the Pioneer Drive-In on East Highway 66, completely refurbished the airer prior to opening it early this month for summer operation. New speakers were installed, a new white plexiglass attraction board with black letters was erected, playground improvements made and the entire area painted in a green and white color scheme.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 14, 1974: “Athel Boyter and Dan Wolfenbarger made a business trip to Shamrock, Tex., to become acquainted with their theatre employees in that town. Boyter and Wolfermbarger took over operation of the Shamrock Texas Theatre Tuesday (1) and will remodel the town’s Pioneer Drive-In and reopen it in the spring.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1974: “Seibert Worley … will lease the Pioneer Drive-In to (Boyter and Wolfenbarger) with an option to purchase within two years.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 11, 1963: “Wade Berryman and wife Nan have a one-story indoor theatre at their Matador (Tex.) Drive-In. It seats 104 and has been in use since last spring, when it was formally opened with valuable prizes, free coffee and candy.”
On May 10, 1965, Billboard wrote that General Cinema Corp. operated the 66 “at LaGrange.”
Billboard, Oct. 25, 1976: “The 66 Drive-In, which was owned by Western Outdoor Management, is being torn down to make way for a new shopping center.”
Then again, maybe it would have been difficult to get tornado insurance in Hale Center. The June 14, 1965 issue of Boxoffice told of a visit from R. A. “Skeet” Noret, who told of a twister that hit the town on June 2 and did “slight damage” to the screen. “Tommie Leathers, manager of the Bozo, took his wife and new baby (born May 22) into a cellar for the night … (The tornado) leveled 66 homes, the post office, bank, drug store, city hall, Ford Motor Co. and other businesses. Three were killed and more than 100 injured in Hale Center.”
The Bel-Air’s owner ran a classified ad in Boxoffice in 1981 trying to sell it. “Absentee owner retired after twenty seasons. Fully equipped but screen needs rebuilding. $10,000 down with good terms.”
As of April 1964, the Bel-Air was owned by Raymond J. Marks and Martin G. Rosenfeld, operating as M & R Amusement Companies, per a Boxoffice story about their acquisition of the Skyhi and Dundale drive-ins. A July 1966 note about plans for the Wheeling Twin added Richard Rosenfield to the previous two names. By June 1978, the company spokesman was Louis Marks.
Boxoffice, April 30, 1979: “In announcing that a third screen will add to the Bel-Air activity June 8, Louis Marks of M & R Amusement Co. said, “With the good product coming along for the summer, there should be enough to support three screens in each of our properties.” M & R had some months ago had third screens added to the Twin and Double outdoor theatres.”
Boxoffice, June 9, 1980: “Owners of Chicago’s main-line hardtop theaters "were not enthusiastic about having live pigs in their theaters,” so Avco Embassy pictures staged what is believed to be the first major world premiere in a drive-in May 30, taking over the Bel-Air Drive-In to launch its release of ‘Hog Wild.’"
Boxoffice, Nov. 24, 1969: “L&M president Mrs. D. R. Berman announced that electric heaters have been installed in the company’s Bel-Air Drive-In, Joliet. She said also that the concession building and ladies' room are being enlarged.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 20, 1972: “In Oklahoma City to book product through Theatre Booking Service was Ron Turner of the Sunset Drive-In, Muskogee, and the Woodstock Drive-In, Edmond”
Boxoffice, June 14, 1976: “Edward Roupe is the new owner of the Woodstock Drive-In, Edmond. He purchased the ozoner from Jim O'Donnell and Ron Turner.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 2, 1976: “Ed Roupe, Woodstock Drive-In, Edmond, was in town (Oklahoma City) to consult with his booker, Jim O'Donnell, TBS, and visit UA’s exchange.”
Boxoffice, May 9, 1977: “James Barnet has leased the Woodstock Drive-In, Edmond, and is in the process of leasing the Hollis Drive-In in Hollis.”
Same drive-in? Billboard, Nov. 22, 1952: “The Red River Drive-In has been opened by Engelbrecht & Wolfe and Theater Enterprises at Clarksville, Tex. The drive-in has a 300-car capacity.”
Billboard, Nov. 22, 1952: “C. C. Hamm, owner, announces that a second screen has been added to the Cactus Drive-In at Vernon, Tex.”
Billboard, Nov. 22, 1952: “O. O. Cummings has sold the 500-car-capacity Don Drive-In Theater at Port Arthur, Tex., to Jefferson Amusement Company, with headquarters at Beaumont, Tex.”
Odd phrasing in Billboard, Nov. 22, 1952: “The Garden Drive-In at Hunlock Creek, Pa., has been completed by N. Cragle. Altho the owner opened the new open-airer for business, regular operations will be started with the new season next spring.”
Billboard, Nov. 1, 1952: “Kenneth McFarland Jr. and A. M. Riley are new owners-operators of Pines Drive-In, Nacogdoches, Tex. They plan a renovating program, which includes a new glass block ticket office, changable letter sign, a patio which will seat about 50 persons, new all-metal fence and resurfacing of the parking area.”
On maybe the Rietta was a second drive-in at a different location? Billboard, Oct. 25, 1952: “Claude Thorpe is schedule to open a new drive-in at Henrietta, Tex. He is conducting a contest to name the drive-in.”
Billboard, Oct. 25, 1962: “G. A. Lockwood has purchased the Riverside Drive-In at Smithville, Tex., from Joe D. Blinka. He also operates the Texas Theater there.”
Billboard, Oct. 25, 1952: “S. H. Easling has been named manager of Seymour Drive-In Theater, Wichita Falls, Tex. … A new, hard-surfaced balcony has been added and the spot’s capacity has been increased to 800 cars.”
Billboard, Sept. 27, 1952: “L. Lipscomb, manager of Jacksboro Drive-In, Fort Worth, estimated damage to the theater at between $35,000 and $50,000 as the result of a freak windstorm. The top of the screen, made of concrete blocks, was whisked away like straw. The corrugated iron fence surrounding the drive-in was found scattered over about a three-square-mile area. Some parts of the fence were found wrapped around the loud-speaker posts on the ramps. Lipscomb also reported that the walls and roof of the concession stand also were demolished.”
Billboard, Sept. 20, 1952: “Norman T. Hodge has added several improvements to his Pioneer Drive-In at Merkle, Tex.” (But the note didn’t mention what they were.)
Billboard, Sept. 13, 1952: “Bill Chester has announced the opening of the XIT Drive-In at Littlefield, Tex. The theater bears the name of a well-known cattle brand in that area.”
Billboard, Sept. 13, 1952: “L. W. Ellis, of Summerside, P. E. I., is owner-manager of the Starlite Drive-In near Summerside. Spot was started by R. Pope and Ellis.”
Adding some names, Billboard, Feb. 16, 1952: “Sun Drive-In has been opened at Comanche, Tex., by Sherman L. and Charles L. Root, James F. Kelley and George Witten.”
Billboard, Sept. 6, 1952: “Harold Flemins and Jack Arthur have purchased the 250-car capacity Sun Drive-In at Comanche, Tex.”