Billboard, March 28, 1953: “Alton Parker last week announced the opening of the new Texas Drive-In Theater at Fairfield, Tex. Construction, started last November, has just been completed.”
Billboard, March 7, 1953: “Sale of the East Sprague Drive-In Theater to Favorite Theaters Co., Inc., Salt Lake City, for $87,219 was announced last week by Joseph Rosenfield, owner. Rosenfield is president of Favorite Theaters, which owns the Post, Granada and Liberty theaters in Spokane. The outdoor theater opens its third (sic?) season March 4.”
Billboard, Feb. 28, 1953: “Simons Amusement Company plans extensive improvements to the Silver Star Drive-In at Polaris, Idaho, which it purchased recently from George Kelton, S. K. Garrett and B. J. Dickinson. The company, which operates theaters in Northern Idaho and Western Montana, has named Conrad Shelhamer general supervisor of its interests.”
Adding a name, Billboard, Jan. 24, 1953: “Bernie Swiney is building a new drive-in theater in El Paso, Tex., which will be named the Cactus Drive-In. It is expected to be opened soon.”
At the other end of the Cactus' life, the El Paso Times wrote on Jan. 25, 1966 that Commissioners Court had authorized buying the Cactus for $130,374 so the land could be used for the trans-mountain road. Some of that went to the landowners, “the Goodman Estate and others,” and some to El Paso Cactus Drive-In Theater, Inc.
Obviously, the Cactus filled a need, and that’s why the Rocket soon opened just a few blocks up Dyer Street.
The Nov. 7, 1953 Billboard wrote that the $25,000 Horn, the first drive-in in Waller County, was being built by Nelson F. Horner, “former Kerrville, Tex., theater operator.”
Billboard, Oct. 24, 1953: “The new Tex Drive-In with capacity of 500 cars has been opened at Port Arthur, Tex. It was built by Howard L. Arthur, Robert M. Rogers and Jack W. Wooldert Jr. Arthur will be manager.”
The Kilgore held its grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 12, 1950, based on extensive coverage in the Kilgore News Herald. The opening program was “It’s a Great Feeling” with Doris Day, plus a color cartoon and a fireworks display between showings. “After the fireworks show, (owner) Liggett was host to a number of press, radio and theater folks at a chicken barbecue at the Crim residence.”
Billboard, Sept. 15, 1951: “Wayne Horton, manager at San Saba, Tex., for Theater Enterprises, Inc., last week announced that construction had begun there on a 300 car-capacity open-airer for the circuit.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 4, 1951: “EDMOND, OKLA. – Grand opening of the Sundown Drive-In was held in July on Highways 66 and 77 just south of Edmond. Jack and Jimmie Hull are the owner-managers. "Lorna Doone” was the opener at the Sundown ozoner. Family programs will be stressed, the Hulls announced. In-car speakers are used and parking us easily accessible from the highways. Restrooms have germicidal lamps and the usual is available at the concession stand. A marquee board and playground will be completed later."
Same drive-in? Billboard, Sept. 26, 1953: “East Texas Theaters, Inc., has purchased a 13-acre site at Nacogdoches, Tex., where it plans to construct a new drive-in theater. The circuit owns the Main and Stone Fort theaters there.”
Same drive-in? Billboard, Sept. 26, 1953: “The Westerner Drive-In, Colorado City, Tex., has been sold to West Texas Drive-In, Inc., by Mac Carnohan and H. R. Barker.”
Amplifying another part of dallasmovietheatres' note above. Billboard, Sept. 5, 1953: “Maurice S. Cole has sold his Key City Drive-In, Abilene, Tex., to All State Theaters. This is part of a $1,600,000 expansion program for the circuit which has moved into new headquarters at Abilene. Tom Griffing is president.”
The Aug. 29, 1953 Billboard added a few details: “New drive-in at Calgary, Atla., is the Cinema Park, which can accommodate 1,100 cars. Site covers 45 acres and the screen is 65 feet by 48 feet.”
Billboard, Aug. 22, 1953: “A new drive-in theater, the Lake View (sic), opened in Kansas City Kan., August 7. It is owned by Lake View (sic?) Drive-In Theater Corporation, headed by George E. Bennett. Frank Westbrook is vice-president and general manager. The theater boasts what it calls the "largest screen in the world,” measuring 108 by 68 feet."
Maybe it always held 500 cars? Billboard, Aug. 8, 1953: “Panther Drive-In is nearing completion and was slated to open August 1. The drive-in is at Lufkin, Tex., and is owned and operated by Phil Isley. It has 500-car capacity.”
Billboard, July 18, 1953: “Albert Knopp, city manager of the Long Theater Circuit, Hebronville (sic), Tex., has announced opening of the Pioneer Drive-In on a four-day policy. The drive-in will also feature Spanish-language films.”
Billboard, March 28, 1953: “Alton Parker last week announced the opening of the new Texas Drive-In Theater at Fairfield, Tex. Construction, started last November, has just been completed.”
Billboard, March 14, 1953: “The Surf Drive-In Theater has been opened at Corpus Christi, Tex.”
Billboard, March 7, 1953: “R. C. Sweeny, Fort Worth, has sold his Pelican Drive-In Theater at Jennings, La., to Joseph Marcantel.”
Billboard, March 7, 1953: “Sale of the East Sprague Drive-In Theater to Favorite Theaters Co., Inc., Salt Lake City, for $87,219 was announced last week by Joseph Rosenfield, owner. Rosenfield is president of Favorite Theaters, which owns the Post, Granada and Liberty theaters in Spokane. The outdoor theater opens its third (sic?) season March 4.”
Billboard, Feb. 28, 1953: “Simons Amusement Company plans extensive improvements to the Silver Star Drive-In at Polaris, Idaho, which it purchased recently from George Kelton, S. K. Garrett and B. J. Dickinson. The company, which operates theaters in Northern Idaho and Western Montana, has named Conrad Shelhamer general supervisor of its interests.”
Adding a name, Billboard, Jan. 24, 1953: “Bernie Swiney is building a new drive-in theater in El Paso, Tex., which will be named the Cactus Drive-In. It is expected to be opened soon.”
At the other end of the Cactus' life, the El Paso Times wrote on Jan. 25, 1966 that Commissioners Court had authorized buying the Cactus for $130,374 so the land could be used for the trans-mountain road. Some of that went to the landowners, “the Goodman Estate and others,” and some to El Paso Cactus Drive-In Theater, Inc.
Obviously, the Cactus filled a need, and that’s why the Rocket soon opened just a few blocks up Dyer Street.
The Nov. 7, 1953 Billboard wrote that the $25,000 Horn, the first drive-in in Waller County, was being built by Nelson F. Horner, “former Kerrville, Tex., theater operator.”
Billboard, Oct. 24, 1953: “The new Tex Drive-In with capacity of 500 cars has been opened at Port Arthur, Tex. It was built by Howard L. Arthur, Robert M. Rogers and Jack W. Wooldert Jr. Arthur will be manager.”
The Kilgore held its grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 12, 1950, based on extensive coverage in the Kilgore News Herald. The opening program was “It’s a Great Feeling” with Doris Day, plus a color cartoon and a fireworks display between showings. “After the fireworks show, (owner) Liggett was host to a number of press, radio and theater folks at a chicken barbecue at the Crim residence.”
Billboard, Oct. 10, 1953: “Mrs. C. W. Matson has opened the new Belle Drive-In, Caldwell, Tex.”
Billboard, Sept. 15, 1951: “Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Cox Jr. have completed a $5,000 renovation project on their Chief Drive-In at Seminole, Tex.”
The 1952 Theatre Catalog listed the Chief with a capacity of 300 cars, owner Audry Cox.
Billboard, Sept. 15, 1951: “Wayne Horton, manager at San Saba, Tex., for Theater Enterprises, Inc., last week announced that construction had begun there on a 300 car-capacity open-airer for the circuit.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 4, 1951: “EDMOND, OKLA. – Grand opening of the Sundown Drive-In was held in July on Highways 66 and 77 just south of Edmond. Jack and Jimmie Hull are the owner-managers. "Lorna Doone” was the opener at the Sundown ozoner. Family programs will be stressed, the Hulls announced. In-car speakers are used and parking us easily accessible from the highways. Restrooms have germicidal lamps and the usual is available at the concession stand. A marquee board and playground will be completed later."
Same drive-in? Billboard, Sept. 26, 1953: “East Texas Theaters, Inc., has purchased a 13-acre site at Nacogdoches, Tex., where it plans to construct a new drive-in theater. The circuit owns the Main and Stone Fort theaters there.”
Same drive-in? Billboard, Sept. 26, 1953: “The Westerner Drive-In, Colorado City, Tex., has been sold to West Texas Drive-In, Inc., by Mac Carnohan and H. R. Barker.”
Billboard, Sept. 5, 1953: “William Clark, Detroit, has taken over buying and booking of film for the new Night Sky Drive-In at Beulah, Mich.”
Amplifying another part of dallasmovietheatres' note above. Billboard, Sept. 5, 1953: “Maurice S. Cole has sold his Key City Drive-In, Abilene, Tex., to All State Theaters. This is part of a $1,600,000 expansion program for the circuit which has moved into new headquarters at Abilene. Tom Griffing is president.”
The Aug. 29, 1953 Billboard added a few details: “New drive-in at Calgary, Atla., is the Cinema Park, which can accommodate 1,100 cars. Site covers 45 acres and the screen is 65 feet by 48 feet.”
Billboard, Aug. 22, 1953: “A new drive-in theater, the Lake View (sic), opened in Kansas City Kan., August 7. It is owned by Lake View (sic?) Drive-In Theater Corporation, headed by George E. Bennett. Frank Westbrook is vice-president and general manager. The theater boasts what it calls the "largest screen in the world,” measuring 108 by 68 feet."
Billboard, Aug. 15, 1953: “Don Bryson and Mrs. Earleen Weathers have opened the 208-car capacity Don Juan Drive-In at Barksdale, Tex.”
Maybe it always held 500 cars? Billboard, Aug. 8, 1953: “Panther Drive-In is nearing completion and was slated to open August 1. The drive-in is at Lufkin, Tex., and is owned and operated by Phil Isley. It has 500-car capacity.”
Billboard, Aug. 8, 1953: “El Charro Drive-In has been opened in San Antonio by John H. Flache, Lamesa, Tex. Delmo Pierce has been named manager.”
Billboard, July 18, 1953: “Albert Knopp, city manager of the Long Theater Circuit, Hebronville (sic), Tex., has announced opening of the Pioneer Drive-In on a four-day policy. The drive-in will also feature Spanish-language films.”
Billboard, July 18, 1953: “High winds recently caused about $200 damage to Derrick Drive-In, Crane, Tex., according to James Winter, manager.”
Billboard, July 18, 1953: “New Skyvue Drive-In Theater has been opened by Lynn Smith and L. J. Piwetz at Lockport (sic), Tex.”