Boxoffice, Jan. 19, 1952: “Change in ownership and management of the Cambria Theatre became effective January 1. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Lang purchased the house from Mr. and Mrs. Lester Balog.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 19, 1952: “Barney Gurnette, owner of the Clovis in Clovis, has purchased the Exeter at Exeter from the Exeter Amusement Corp. J. D. Arakelian, San Francisco theatre broker, handled the transaction”
From the current Smiths Ranch web site (https://www.drivein29.com/): “In 1956, Art Clemons, inspired by a drive-in theater he visited in Bakersfield, envisioned bringing this novel form of entertainment to the high desert town of Twenty Nine Palms. With his wife, DelDee, he embarked on a mission to create a local drive-in theater. After hiring an architect, the couple meticulously planned and constructed the Smith’s Ranch Drive-In. Their hard work culminated in a grand opening, where they proudly showcased their first film, “Man with the Golden Arm,” starring Frank Sinatra. Initially, the drive-in operated with three shows a week, becoming a beloved community fixture before the widespread rise of television.”
The Smith’s Ranch Drive-In erected a new metal tower in April 1992, based on a note in the Desert Trail. “The old screen, made from wood, served the theatre since 1954 (sic).”
Four days earlier, the Twentynine Palms newspaper, the Desert Trail, wrote that Don Dunham would take over the Starlite Twin “on long term lease” from the retiring owners Prudie and Bill Underhill on Jan. 1, 1973.
The Desert Trail, Sept. 28, 1978: “Bill and Prudie Underhill sold their Starlite Twin Drive-In Theatre and roller rink … to Major and Mrs. John Shay … Don Dunham(’s) lease has been cancelled to effect the transaction.”
I don’t know what was going on in 1972, but the 299 came back later in the decade. In the Eureka Times-Standard on June 22, 1976, a movie ad mentioned that it was available “Also 299 Drive In - Willow Creek”. And the 1977 Motion Picture Almanac, which had the best accuracy of any of their drive-in lists, still included the 299, owned by R. Rickard.
In the March 9, 1977 Times-Standard, a public notice said that James L. Rickard, executor of Helen Rickard’s estate, would sell 30% interest in “Buzzy’s 299 Drive-In, Willow Creek”. On May 11, 1977, a notice from Robert Rickard said he was abandoning the business name of Buzzy’s 299 Drive-In.
It’s possible that Rickard revived “Buzzy’s 299” for just one year, 1976, and those notices sure make it sound like the drive-in closed for good by 1977.
John Patrick Sheehy wrote a length article about his city’s theaters at PetalumaHistorian.com. Here are some Parkway notes:
“I was nine years old when Petaluma’s first drive-in, the Parkway Auto Movies, opened in the summer of 1964 … Built in the lowlands of Denman Flats north of town, the drive-in was plagued in summer with creeping ground fog and flooded in winter during heavy rainstorms … The Parkway’s screen had its back to the freeway, but looked out upon Stony Point Road, a rural lane that was often lined with parked cars during X-rated showings … Rising land prices and the continued transition to home video brought an end to the Parkway in 1986, taking with it what had once been a way of life for families and teenagers in Petaluma. The site was eventually converted into a golf driving range."
The Midway / Sonomarin Drive-In was different than the Parkway Auto Movie. The 1977 Motion Picture Almanac gave the Midway’s address as 5393 Redwood Hghwy; the Parkway’s address was 5155 Petaluma Blvd. N.
For more details, see John Patrick Sheehy’s lengthy article at PetalumaHistorian.com. The highlights:
“I was nine years old when Petaluma’s first drive-in, the Parkway Auto Movies, opened in the summer of 1964 … Built in the lowlands of Denman Flats north of town, the drive-in was plagued in summer with creeping ground fog and flooded in winter during heavy rainstorms … A second drive-in, the Midway, also opened alongside the freeway south of town in 1967, offering wired speakers that sat on the car roof instead of hooking onto the driver’s window. That not only saved speakers from being ripped off their poles by customers absent-mindedly driving away, it also provided stereo sound … The Midway’s screen faced the freeway, which meant drivers got a full view of the movies as they passed by. The Parkway’s screen had its back to the freeway, but looked out upon Stony Point Road, a rural lane that was often lined with parked cars during X-rated showings … Rising land prices and the continued transition to home video brought an end to the Parkway in 1986, taking with it what had once been a way of life for families and teenagers in Petaluma. The site was eventually converted into a golf driving range. The Sonomarin (Midway) followed in 1988, the property later purchased by the state of California for use as a flood control reservoir."
Modesto Bee, April 30, 1956: “The Lucky Drive in Theatre on Fulkerth Road near Highway 99 north of Turlock has been purchased by chain theater owners Lippert & Mann and is undergoing a remodeling program. Former owner was Bud Klint of Hilmar, who operated the theater the past four years.”
Maybe I was wrong. (It happens!) Double-checking Google Maps, I now see that this peninsula of Los Angeles county is known as West Rancho Dominguez. As Wikipedia puts it: West Rancho Dominguez, formerly known as West Compton and also known as East Gardena, is an unincorporated census-designated place located in southern Los Angeles County, California.
Aerial photos show the Glasgow intact in 1967-1975 but replaced by other buildings by 1985.
The Glasgow Courier reported on Thursday, Aug. 13, 1959, that the Glasgow Drive-In was “scheduled to open this week end.” The drive-in’s ad in that issue didn’t mention a grand opening, but the program for Aug. 14-15 as “No Down Payment” and “Beneath the 12-Mile Reef.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 15, 1951: “The Rocket Theatre at 615 Locust St. has been purchased by S. A. Vogl from the Tri-States Theatre Corp. It was called the Garden until it was remodeled in 1949. The theatre was built in 1913 by A. H. Blank, president of Tri-States, and was one of the first theatres in Iowa built expressly for motion pictures. The house was operated by the Publix Theatre Corp. from 1927 to 1932 and then returned to Blank’s management under the then-new firm, Tri-States Theatre Corp. Vogl has been associated with Blank since 1933, except for three years service with the army in the South Pacific. He had been in the Tri-States auditing and booking office.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 8, 1951: “GLASGOW, MONT. - The Roxy Theatre here burned in a fire, which did an estimated $500,000 damage when it destroyed three downtown buildings housing six business establishments. The Roxy Theatre was housed in a two-story, stucco building.”
A 2016 article posted to Only In Nebraska included several photos of the abandoned Pineview. Those photos were watermarked with GhostsofNorthAmerica.com, a domain which is itself abandoned.
Sometime as it was being built, this drive-in’s name changed.
Boxoffice, Nov. 24, 1951: “CHANDLER, ARIZ. - Construction has been started on a drive-in here by the Woods Theatres of Chandler. Scheduled to be completed and opened the early part of 1952, the ozoner has been in the planning stages for some time. The property on which the airer is being constructed was purchased by Woods Theatres more than a year ago. The theatre will be called the Desert Drive-In.”
April 26, 1952 Boxoffice: “CHANDLER, ARIZ. – Mr. and Mrs. Joe H. Woods have opened a new drive-in here, the Mustang, with accommodations for 400 cars. It includes a children’s playground. The Woods are celebrating their twentieth year as theatre operators in Chandler. They opened the Rowena Theatre in February 1932, and the Parkway in May 1945. Both are downtown houses.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 24, 1951: “Long Enterprises has started construction work on three other Arizona drive-ins and also anticipates a December opening for this trio of outdoorers. The theatres are being built on the outskirts of Casa Grande, Coolidge and Eloy.”
Boxoffice, March 29, 1952: “COOLIDGE, ARIZ. – Roy Tharrington has been appointed manager of the new 440-car Prince Drive-In, just opened here by the Louis Long circuit. Constructed at the cost of $65,000, the ozoner is equipped with Altec sound and Century projection equipment.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 24, 1951: “Long Enterprises has started construction work on three other Arizona drive-ins and also anticipates a December opening for this trio of outdoorers. The theatres are being built on the outskirts of Casa Grande, Coolidge and Eloy.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 24, 1951: “Long Enterprises has started construction work on three other Arizona drive-ins and also anticipates a December opening for this trio of outdoorers. The theatres are being built on the outskirts of Casa Grande, Coolidge and Eloy.”
The Y Drive-In in Eloy was included in the 1952 Theatre Catalog.
The 1952-53 Motion Picture Almanac included, under Elroy (sic) Arizona, the Elroy Drive-In. It was gone in the next edition, then the Y was included in the 1955 MPA, again under the misspelled “Elroy”.
The MPA kept the Y listed through at least the 1967 edition, eventually fixing the town’s spelling. For 1969, the Eloy drive-in’s name changed to “Dust Bowle”, with the added E, and it stayed that way through 1976. For the 1977 edition, when the MPA re-researched its list, Eloy showed no active drive-in.
The Dust Bowl was the name of Eloy’s indoor theater. Maybe the MPA got confused?
Boxoffice, Nov. 17, 1951: “Bud Lovell and Bob Conners are building a 300-car drive-in at Spearfish, S. D., and getting it ready for a spring opening. They are equipping it with Motiograph booth equipment and Service Theatre Supply speakers, bought from Ted Knox”
Contemporary reports say that Slinger’s drive-in opened on July 2, 1952. The feature was to be a surprise, along with two color cartoons.
Exhibitor, July 2, 1952: “The Unity Drive-In just outside of Slinger, Wis., will open soon.” (I can’t find any other mentions of the “Unity” name.)
West Bend News, July 10, 1952: “The outdoor theatre at Slinger on Wednesday evening of last week (July 2) held its formal opening. Although a thunder storm kept the attendance down for that evening, attendance since that time has been very good. There is space for 500 cars, and rest rooms and a refreshment stand are on the grounds. Shows will be put on rain or shine, as water does not affect the screen.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, July 6, 1955: “Charles Thoma, owner, Hartford, Hartford, Wis., and Tom Burg have taken over the Slinger Drive-In, Slinger, Wis.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, July 11, 1956: “Charles Braun, Hartford, Wis., has been named new manager, Slinger outdoor theatre, Hartford.”
As I suspected in an earlier comment, the Lobo opened in 1953, making 1986 a celebration of its 34th year not its 34th anniversary.
Exhibitor, Aug. 26, 1953: “Name of the new drive-in now under construction at Monahans, Tex., will be the Lobo Drive-In. Owners include Paul Klatt, K. L. Turner, and L. W. Taylor.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 3, 1951: “In Haxtun, Colo., the Rialto Theatre booked special programs during the annual corn show and festival. Free admissions prevailed for three hours on a Friday afternoon.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 27, 1951: “The Newington Outdoor Theatre, a 500-car drive-in on the Portsmouth, N. H., border, opened its gates October 14. James Nadeau is the owner.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 19, 1952: “Change in ownership and management of the Cambria Theatre became effective January 1. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Lang purchased the house from Mr. and Mrs. Lester Balog.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 19, 1952: “Barney Gurnette, owner of the Clovis in Clovis, has purchased the Exeter at Exeter from the Exeter Amusement Corp. J. D. Arakelian, San Francisco theatre broker, handled the transaction”
From the current Smiths Ranch web site (https://www.drivein29.com/): “In 1956, Art Clemons, inspired by a drive-in theater he visited in Bakersfield, envisioned bringing this novel form of entertainment to the high desert town of Twenty Nine Palms. With his wife, DelDee, he embarked on a mission to create a local drive-in theater. After hiring an architect, the couple meticulously planned and constructed the Smith’s Ranch Drive-In. Their hard work culminated in a grand opening, where they proudly showcased their first film, “Man with the Golden Arm,” starring Frank Sinatra. Initially, the drive-in operated with three shows a week, becoming a beloved community fixture before the widespread rise of television.”
The Smith’s Ranch Drive-In erected a new metal tower in April 1992, based on a note in the Desert Trail. “The old screen, made from wood, served the theatre since 1954 (sic).”
Four days earlier, the Twentynine Palms newspaper, the Desert Trail, wrote that Don Dunham would take over the Starlite Twin “on long term lease” from the retiring owners Prudie and Bill Underhill on Jan. 1, 1973.
The Desert Trail, Sept. 28, 1978: “Bill and Prudie Underhill sold their Starlite Twin Drive-In Theatre and roller rink … to Major and Mrs. John Shay … Don Dunham(’s) lease has been cancelled to effect the transaction.”
I don’t know what was going on in 1972, but the 299 came back later in the decade. In the Eureka Times-Standard on June 22, 1976, a movie ad mentioned that it was available “Also 299 Drive In - Willow Creek”. And the 1977 Motion Picture Almanac, which had the best accuracy of any of their drive-in lists, still included the 299, owned by R. Rickard.
In the March 9, 1977 Times-Standard, a public notice said that James L. Rickard, executor of Helen Rickard’s estate, would sell 30% interest in “Buzzy’s 299 Drive-In, Willow Creek”. On May 11, 1977, a notice from Robert Rickard said he was abandoning the business name of Buzzy’s 299 Drive-In.
It’s possible that Rickard revived “Buzzy’s 299” for just one year, 1976, and those notices sure make it sound like the drive-in closed for good by 1977.
John Patrick Sheehy wrote a length article about his city’s theaters at PetalumaHistorian.com. Here are some Parkway notes:
“I was nine years old when Petaluma’s first drive-in, the Parkway Auto Movies, opened in the summer of 1964 … Built in the lowlands of Denman Flats north of town, the drive-in was plagued in summer with creeping ground fog and flooded in winter during heavy rainstorms … The Parkway’s screen had its back to the freeway, but looked out upon Stony Point Road, a rural lane that was often lined with parked cars during X-rated showings … Rising land prices and the continued transition to home video brought an end to the Parkway in 1986, taking with it what had once been a way of life for families and teenagers in Petaluma. The site was eventually converted into a golf driving range."
The Midway / Sonomarin Drive-In was different than the Parkway Auto Movie. The 1977 Motion Picture Almanac gave the Midway’s address as 5393 Redwood Hghwy; the Parkway’s address was 5155 Petaluma Blvd. N.
For more details, see John Patrick Sheehy’s lengthy article at PetalumaHistorian.com. The highlights:
“I was nine years old when Petaluma’s first drive-in, the Parkway Auto Movies, opened in the summer of 1964 … Built in the lowlands of Denman Flats north of town, the drive-in was plagued in summer with creeping ground fog and flooded in winter during heavy rainstorms … A second drive-in, the Midway, also opened alongside the freeway south of town in 1967, offering wired speakers that sat on the car roof instead of hooking onto the driver’s window. That not only saved speakers from being ripped off their poles by customers absent-mindedly driving away, it also provided stereo sound … The Midway’s screen faced the freeway, which meant drivers got a full view of the movies as they passed by. The Parkway’s screen had its back to the freeway, but looked out upon Stony Point Road, a rural lane that was often lined with parked cars during X-rated showings … Rising land prices and the continued transition to home video brought an end to the Parkway in 1986, taking with it what had once been a way of life for families and teenagers in Petaluma. The site was eventually converted into a golf driving range. The Sonomarin (Midway) followed in 1988, the property later purchased by the state of California for use as a flood control reservoir."
Modesto Bee, April 30, 1956: “The Lucky Drive in Theatre on Fulkerth Road near Highway 99 north of Turlock has been purchased by chain theater owners Lippert & Mann and is undergoing a remodeling program. Former owner was Bud Klint of Hilmar, who operated the theater the past four years.”
Maybe I was wrong. (It happens!) Double-checking Google Maps, I now see that this peninsula of Los Angeles county is known as West Rancho Dominguez. As Wikipedia puts it: West Rancho Dominguez, formerly known as West Compton and also known as East Gardena, is an unincorporated census-designated place located in southern Los Angeles County, California.
Aerial photos show the Glasgow intact in 1967-1975 but replaced by other buildings by 1985.
The Glasgow Courier reported on Thursday, Aug. 13, 1959, that the Glasgow Drive-In was “scheduled to open this week end.” The drive-in’s ad in that issue didn’t mention a grand opening, but the program for Aug. 14-15 as “No Down Payment” and “Beneath the 12-Mile Reef.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 15, 1951: “The Rocket Theatre at 615 Locust St. has been purchased by S. A. Vogl from the Tri-States Theatre Corp. It was called the Garden until it was remodeled in 1949. The theatre was built in 1913 by A. H. Blank, president of Tri-States, and was one of the first theatres in Iowa built expressly for motion pictures. The house was operated by the Publix Theatre Corp. from 1927 to 1932 and then returned to Blank’s management under the then-new firm, Tri-States Theatre Corp. Vogl has been associated with Blank since 1933, except for three years service with the army in the South Pacific. He had been in the Tri-States auditing and booking office.”
Please add Sunair Drive-In as an alternate name, since that was its spelling when it opened.
Boxoffice, Dec. 8, 1951: “GLASGOW, MONT. - The Roxy Theatre here burned in a fire, which did an estimated $500,000 damage when it destroyed three downtown buildings housing six business establishments. The Roxy Theatre was housed in a two-story, stucco building.”
A 2016 article posted to Only In Nebraska included several photos of the abandoned Pineview. Those photos were watermarked with GhostsofNorthAmerica.com, a domain which is itself abandoned.
Sometime as it was being built, this drive-in’s name changed.
Boxoffice, Nov. 24, 1951: “CHANDLER, ARIZ. - Construction has been started on a drive-in here by the Woods Theatres of Chandler. Scheduled to be completed and opened the early part of 1952, the ozoner has been in the planning stages for some time. The property on which the airer is being constructed was purchased by Woods Theatres more than a year ago. The theatre will be called the Desert Drive-In.”
April 26, 1952 Boxoffice: “CHANDLER, ARIZ. – Mr. and Mrs. Joe H. Woods have opened a new drive-in here, the Mustang, with accommodations for 400 cars. It includes a children’s playground. The Woods are celebrating their twentieth year as theatre operators in Chandler. They opened the Rowena Theatre in February 1932, and the Parkway in May 1945. Both are downtown houses.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 24, 1951: “Long Enterprises has started construction work on three other Arizona drive-ins and also anticipates a December opening for this trio of outdoorers. The theatres are being built on the outskirts of Casa Grande, Coolidge and Eloy.”
Boxoffice, March 29, 1952: “COOLIDGE, ARIZ. – Roy Tharrington has been appointed manager of the new 440-car Prince Drive-In, just opened here by the Louis Long circuit. Constructed at the cost of $65,000, the ozoner is equipped with Altec sound and Century projection equipment.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 24, 1951: “Long Enterprises has started construction work on three other Arizona drive-ins and also anticipates a December opening for this trio of outdoorers. The theatres are being built on the outskirts of Casa Grande, Coolidge and Eloy.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 24, 1951: “Long Enterprises has started construction work on three other Arizona drive-ins and also anticipates a December opening for this trio of outdoorers. The theatres are being built on the outskirts of Casa Grande, Coolidge and Eloy.”
The Y Drive-In in Eloy was included in the 1952 Theatre Catalog.
The 1952-53 Motion Picture Almanac included, under Elroy (sic) Arizona, the Elroy Drive-In. It was gone in the next edition, then the Y was included in the 1955 MPA, again under the misspelled “Elroy”.
The MPA kept the Y listed through at least the 1967 edition, eventually fixing the town’s spelling. For 1969, the Eloy drive-in’s name changed to “Dust Bowle”, with the added E, and it stayed that way through 1976. For the 1977 edition, when the MPA re-researched its list, Eloy showed no active drive-in.
The Dust Bowl was the name of Eloy’s indoor theater. Maybe the MPA got confused?
Boxoffice, Nov. 17, 1951: “The William Foreman Theatres have taken over the management and operation of the Auto View Drive-In, Spokane.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 17, 1951: “Bud Lovell and Bob Conners are building a 300-car drive-in at Spearfish, S. D., and getting it ready for a spring opening. They are equipping it with Motiograph booth equipment and Service Theatre Supply speakers, bought from Ted Knox”
Contemporary reports say that Slinger’s drive-in opened on July 2, 1952. The feature was to be a surprise, along with two color cartoons.
Exhibitor, July 2, 1952: “The Unity Drive-In just outside of Slinger, Wis., will open soon.” (I can’t find any other mentions of the “Unity” name.)
West Bend News, July 10, 1952: “The outdoor theatre at Slinger on Wednesday evening of last week (July 2) held its formal opening. Although a thunder storm kept the attendance down for that evening, attendance since that time has been very good. There is space for 500 cars, and rest rooms and a refreshment stand are on the grounds. Shows will be put on rain or shine, as water does not affect the screen.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, July 6, 1955: “Charles Thoma, owner, Hartford, Hartford, Wis., and Tom Burg have taken over the Slinger Drive-In, Slinger, Wis.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, July 11, 1956: “Charles Braun, Hartford, Wis., has been named new manager, Slinger outdoor theatre, Hartford.”
As I suspected in an earlier comment, the Lobo opened in 1953, making 1986 a celebration of its 34th year not its 34th anniversary.
Exhibitor, Aug. 26, 1953: “Name of the new drive-in now under construction at Monahans, Tex., will be the Lobo Drive-In. Owners include Paul Klatt, K. L. Turner, and L. W. Taylor.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 3, 1951: “In Haxtun, Colo., the Rialto Theatre booked special programs during the annual corn show and festival. Free admissions prevailed for three hours on a Friday afternoon.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 27, 1951: “The Newington Outdoor Theatre, a 500-car drive-in on the Portsmouth, N. H., border, opened its gates October 14. James Nadeau is the owner.”