In the absence of stronger evidence, my guess was that the Hamlin’s March 1953 opener was just a season opener.
Boxoffice, Aug. 4, 1951: “Simplicity and economy keyed the construction of the new Hamlin Drive-In Theatre, Hamlin, Tex. Owned by Mrs. B. S. Ferguson, the 350-car Hamlin incorporates many comfort features and a few plus values for patrons. The all-steel screen tower is 56 feet high and 60 feet wide, and is covered with corrugated aluminum. The 25x30-foot concession building contains stainless steel equipment. Century projection machines were installed.”
Boxoffice, July 21, 1951: “In a further breakup of the Huish Theatre circuit, Vincent A. Gilhool, manager and operator, has announced sale of two more showhouses. Latest theatres to be disposed of are the Huish and Lyric at Richfield, Utah, to Vern Anderson, operator at Salina. The former, built in memory of the late C. A. Huish, was opened only a couple of years ago. An 800-seat house, it was one of the most elaborate, small-town houses in the west. The latter is a 650-seat theatre. Anderson announced that the houses, particularly the Lyric, would be remodeled.”
Boxoffice, July 21, 1951: “In a further breakup of the Huish Theatre circuit, Vincent A. Gilhool, manager and operator, has announced sale of two more showhouses. Latest theatres to be disposed of are the Huish and Lyric at Richfield, Utah, to Vern Anderson, operator at Salina. The former, built in memory of the late C. A. Huish, was opened only a couple of years ago. An 800-seat house, it was one of the most elaborate, small-town houses in the west. The latter is a 650-seat theatre. Anderson announced that the houses, particularly the Lyric, would be remodeled.”
Boxoffice, July 21, 1951: “Joe Wolcott … the new (boxing) champion, trained for the fight in a drive-in theatre. Using an outdoor theatre as a training site was something new, but it worked profitably at the Rainbow Gardens Drive-In Theatre here. The training ring was set up in front of the screen tower, high enough so spectators could see the workouts from their cars. Special bleachers also were put up closer to the ring for the more avid fans.”
A July 1951 flood put the Riverside under 15 feet of water, according to the July 21, 1951 issue of Boxoffice. About half of the projection equipment was saved, but the loss was estimated at over $50,000.
The July 1951 flood did heavy damage to the Trails End, “owned by Homer Strowig, former president of the Kansas-Missouri Theatre Ass'n,” according to the July 21, 1951 issue of Boxoffice.
We know better now. Boxoffice, July 14, 1951: “Lester Park’s Studio Village Drive-In, 520 cars, which is now under construction in San Mateo, is expected to open shortly”
Sounds like this drive-in opened in June 1951, although the note doesn’t name it.
Boxoffice, July 14, 1951: “Owner Lloyd T. Dressly rushed the new drive-in at Lemmon to completion for a June opening. All underground wiring was laid, ramps completed and projection booth ready at the junction of Highways 73 and 12, a mile west of Lemmon, for the opening and other construction was finished the week after the premiere.”
An article in the July 14, 1951 issue of Boxoffice featured the Hyart, “easily Wyoming’s most magnificent motion picture palace.” It opened in mid-June 1951, held 1001 seats, and cost nearly $250,000 to build. Its first feature was “Royal Wedding.”
The July 14, 1951 issue of Boxoffice ran a story in its West news section about the opening of the Skagit. My favorite quote was that it had “a hot air heating system which will also be used as a fog dispersal agent. Fog, traditional enemy of the drive-in in this area, will be driven from the drive-in in much the same manner that is used in landing fields in this area”.
Boxoffice ran an article about E. A. “Pa” Brown, the operator of the Benson Theatre, in its July 7, 1951 issue. It included a photo of Brown, then 82 years old. He began managing the Beacon Theatre and Dance Hall in 1930, but “(t)he theatre originally managed by Brown has long given way to a new house, the only theatre in town. The seating capacity is 418”.
Boxoffice, June 30, 1951: “ABC Theatres has reopened the Hitching Post in Santa Monica, with James Nicholson, operator of the Marcal in Hollywood, handling the booking chores. ABC also operates the Beverly Canon in Beverly Hills and the Paris (formerly the Hollywood Hitching Post) in Hollywood.”
Boxoffice, June 30, 1951: “The Tahoe Drive-In Theatre at Stateline on the California-Nevada border has reopened for the season with the melting of the last snow from roads and resorts. New policy will be to play concurrently with downtown San Francisco runs. Several acres of pine forest have been added to the theatre grounds and new entertainment features this year will include horseback rides before the show, starting from Jack’s Ranch stables. There are also picnic grounds on the theatre property. Theatre was readied for the season with new paint at the entrance and snack bar. New intermission patio was constructed with an open fireplace where hot dogs and toasted marshmallows can be enjoyed.”
Boxoffice, June 30, 1951: “Verne Hanson and Joseph Finell have concluded a deal to purchase the Finley Theatre from Lyle Bryngelson. Finell will take charge of the floor management while Hanson will be concerned with the projection equipment. For the immediate present, however, Bryngelson is continuing to operate the projection machines in his former theatre with Thomas Simonson.”
Boxoffice, June 30, 1951: “Mr. and Mrs. Leon Coulter have sold the Loveland Theatre and leased the building to Gibralter Enterprises, Inc., effective in June. The Coulters have operated the Loveland continuously since November 1933. Their immediate plans included a short vacation and continued residence in Loveland.”
There was a lengthy article in the June 30, 1951 issue of Boxoffice about the grass-roots effort to build what would become the Garwood. “By selling shares last September in a cooperative venture, nearly 150 Garnavillo residents and nearby farmers now own a piece of a theatre that will eventually cost an estimated $20,000 to $25,000.” The town hoped to open the theater by late summer 1951.
Boxoffice, May 12, 1951: “Buena Vista, with a 1940 census of 779, is on its way to having two theatres. Unable to renew the lease on the Pine, John Groy is remodeling another building to house the Pearl, while Joe Delongchamp, owner of the Pine building, will operate that theatre”
Boxoffice, June 16, 1951: “John Groy, owner and manager, has opened the new Pearl Theatre after a delay caused by tardy arrival of the seats for the new project from Temple, Tex. Once word was received that the seats were on the way by van, Groy announced his opening date and installed the seats in two days' time.”
Boxoffice, June 16, 1951: “Philip and Mildred Kassin have taken over the Valley Theatre in Camarillo, near Santa Barbara, from Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tisdale. Tisdale is recovering from a lengthy illness and will announce his future plans later.”
Boxoffice, June 16, 1951: “Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Shelton have sold the Monarch Theatre at Pritchett to Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Bonewell of Kim, Colo. The Sheltons are understood to be going into the ranching business.”
The Robesonian of Lumberton published an ad that said that “Lumberton’s Only Drive-In Theatre” would open on March 22, 1948. Subsequent ads that year mentioned “Lumberton’s Drive-In” until July 9, when it changed to Lumberton Drive-In. (Keeping “Drive-In” as a previous name is a good idea.)
The Lumberton advertised in the Robesonian through August 1949. In early September, its ads changed to the “Star Light”, followed a couple of weeks later by “Starlite”.
The possible answer as to why the Starlite continued advertising until at least August 1963 despite the appearance of its original site is that at some point, it moved. (A separate, later note said it was on West 5th Street.)
Robesonian, Aug. 8, 1971: “Jerry H. Mundy (then managing) the 211 Drive-In … His father bought the old Starlite drive-in around 1950 and moved it to its present location. (This was to accommodate construction of the interstate. It was originally across the street.) Television killed the Starlite. In the 1950’s, his father owned not only the Starlite but also the Model Drive-In on 211 and, in 1954, he bought the 211 Drive-In. After the latter purchase, he closed down the Model because Lumberton had no use for three drive-in theatres. Then the Starlite was closed when television became popular.”
Hmm. On one hand, Warren’s Super 45 was already listed (next to the Skyway) in the 1950 Film Daily Year Book, which implies that it might have operated in 1949. But these notes paint a different picture:
Exhibitor, July 11, 1951: “The Super 45 Drive-In, started three years ago and never finished, has been purchased by J. Franke. It is located on route 45 near Warren, 0. The new owner closed a contract with Frank Masek, National Theatre Supply, to install Simplex projectors. Simplex sound, Hertner generators, and Peerless Magnarc lamps.”
Exhibitor, July 16, 1952: “The Super 45 Drive-In located on Route 45 near Warren, 0., started two years ago and never finished was completed by Joseph L. Frankie.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 11, 1951: “Messrs. Harris and Cuthbert reported a 135-degree temperature at their Coalinga Drive-In”
In the absence of stronger evidence, my guess was that the Hamlin’s March 1953 opener was just a season opener.
Boxoffice, Aug. 4, 1951: “Simplicity and economy keyed the construction of the new Hamlin Drive-In Theatre, Hamlin, Tex. Owned by Mrs. B. S. Ferguson, the 350-car Hamlin incorporates many comfort features and a few plus values for patrons. The all-steel screen tower is 56 feet high and 60 feet wide, and is covered with corrugated aluminum. The 25x30-foot concession building contains stainless steel equipment. Century projection machines were installed.”
Boxoffice, July 21, 1951: “In a further breakup of the Huish Theatre circuit, Vincent A. Gilhool, manager and operator, has announced sale of two more showhouses. Latest theatres to be disposed of are the Huish and Lyric at Richfield, Utah, to Vern Anderson, operator at Salina. The former, built in memory of the late C. A. Huish, was opened only a couple of years ago. An 800-seat house, it was one of the most elaborate, small-town houses in the west. The latter is a 650-seat theatre. Anderson announced that the houses, particularly the Lyric, would be remodeled.”
Boxoffice, July 21, 1951: “In a further breakup of the Huish Theatre circuit, Vincent A. Gilhool, manager and operator, has announced sale of two more showhouses. Latest theatres to be disposed of are the Huish and Lyric at Richfield, Utah, to Vern Anderson, operator at Salina. The former, built in memory of the late C. A. Huish, was opened only a couple of years ago. An 800-seat house, it was one of the most elaborate, small-town houses in the west. The latter is a 650-seat theatre. Anderson announced that the houses, particularly the Lyric, would be remodeled.”
Boxoffice, July 21, 1951: “Joe Wolcott … the new (boxing) champion, trained for the fight in a drive-in theatre. Using an outdoor theatre as a training site was something new, but it worked profitably at the Rainbow Gardens Drive-In Theatre here. The training ring was set up in front of the screen tower, high enough so spectators could see the workouts from their cars. Special bleachers also were put up closer to the ring for the more avid fans.”
A July 1951 flood put the Riverside under 15 feet of water, according to the July 21, 1951 issue of Boxoffice. About half of the projection equipment was saved, but the loss was estimated at over $50,000.
A July 1951 flood temporarily closed the “under water” Midway, according to the July 21, 1951 issue of Boxoffice.
The July 1951 flood did heavy damage to the Trails End, “owned by Homer Strowig, former president of the Kansas-Missouri Theatre Ass'n,” according to the July 21, 1951 issue of Boxoffice.
We know better now. Boxoffice, July 14, 1951: “Lester Park’s Studio Village Drive-In, 520 cars, which is now under construction in San Mateo, is expected to open shortly”
Sounds like this drive-in opened in June 1951, although the note doesn’t name it.
Boxoffice, July 14, 1951: “Owner Lloyd T. Dressly rushed the new drive-in at Lemmon to completion for a June opening. All underground wiring was laid, ramps completed and projection booth ready at the junction of Highways 73 and 12, a mile west of Lemmon, for the opening and other construction was finished the week after the premiere.”
An article in the July 14, 1951 issue of Boxoffice featured the Hyart, “easily Wyoming’s most magnificent motion picture palace.” It opened in mid-June 1951, held 1001 seats, and cost nearly $250,000 to build. Its first feature was “Royal Wedding.”
The July 14, 1951 issue of Boxoffice ran a story in its West news section about the opening of the Skagit. My favorite quote was that it had “a hot air heating system which will also be used as a fog dispersal agent. Fog, traditional enemy of the drive-in in this area, will be driven from the drive-in in much the same manner that is used in landing fields in this area”.
Boxoffice ran an article about E. A. “Pa” Brown, the operator of the Benson Theatre, in its July 7, 1951 issue. It included a photo of Brown, then 82 years old. He began managing the Beacon Theatre and Dance Hall in 1930, but “(t)he theatre originally managed by Brown has long given way to a new house, the only theatre in town. The seating capacity is 418”.
Boxoffice, June 30, 1951: “ABC Theatres has reopened the Hitching Post in Santa Monica, with James Nicholson, operator of the Marcal in Hollywood, handling the booking chores. ABC also operates the Beverly Canon in Beverly Hills and the Paris (formerly the Hollywood Hitching Post) in Hollywood.”
Boxoffice, June 30, 1951: “The Tahoe Drive-In Theatre at Stateline on the California-Nevada border has reopened for the season with the melting of the last snow from roads and resorts. New policy will be to play concurrently with downtown San Francisco runs. Several acres of pine forest have been added to the theatre grounds and new entertainment features this year will include horseback rides before the show, starting from Jack’s Ranch stables. There are also picnic grounds on the theatre property. Theatre was readied for the season with new paint at the entrance and snack bar. New intermission patio was constructed with an open fireplace where hot dogs and toasted marshmallows can be enjoyed.”
Not sure where this fits in.
Boxoffice, June 30, 1951: (In San Francisco territory notes) “The New Boulder Creek Drive-In is being reopened by Ed Rowden Theatres July 1”
I found this at Santa Cruz Blogazine, which listed the credit as “Starview Drive-in Theater Boulder Creek, Calif. 1953. KenStonePhotos”
Boxoffice, June 30, 1951: “Verne Hanson and Joseph Finell have concluded a deal to purchase the Finley Theatre from Lyle Bryngelson. Finell will take charge of the floor management while Hanson will be concerned with the projection equipment. For the immediate present, however, Bryngelson is continuing to operate the projection machines in his former theatre with Thomas Simonson.”
Boxoffice, June 30, 1951: “Mr. and Mrs. Leon Coulter have sold the Loveland Theatre and leased the building to Gibralter Enterprises, Inc., effective in June. The Coulters have operated the Loveland continuously since November 1933. Their immediate plans included a short vacation and continued residence in Loveland.”
There was a lengthy article in the June 30, 1951 issue of Boxoffice about the grass-roots effort to build what would become the Garwood. “By selling shares last September in a cooperative venture, nearly 150 Garnavillo residents and nearby farmers now own a piece of a theatre that will eventually cost an estimated $20,000 to $25,000.” The town hoped to open the theater by late summer 1951.
Boxoffice, May 12, 1951: “Buena Vista, with a 1940 census of 779, is on its way to having two theatres. Unable to renew the lease on the Pine, John Groy is remodeling another building to house the Pearl, while Joe Delongchamp, owner of the Pine building, will operate that theatre”
Boxoffice, June 16, 1951: “John Groy, owner and manager, has opened the new Pearl Theatre after a delay caused by tardy arrival of the seats for the new project from Temple, Tex. Once word was received that the seats were on the way by van, Groy announced his opening date and installed the seats in two days' time.”
Boxoffice, June 16, 1951: “Philip and Mildred Kassin have taken over the Valley Theatre in Camarillo, near Santa Barbara, from Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tisdale. Tisdale is recovering from a lengthy illness and will announce his future plans later.”
Boxoffice, June 16, 1951: “Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Shelton have sold the Monarch Theatre at Pritchett to Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Bonewell of Kim, Colo. The Sheltons are understood to be going into the ranching business.”
The Robesonian of Lumberton published an ad that said that “Lumberton’s Only Drive-In Theatre” would open on March 22, 1948. Subsequent ads that year mentioned “Lumberton’s Drive-In” until July 9, when it changed to Lumberton Drive-In. (Keeping “Drive-In” as a previous name is a good idea.)
The Lumberton advertised in the Robesonian through August 1949. In early September, its ads changed to the “Star Light”, followed a couple of weeks later by “Starlite”.
The possible answer as to why the Starlite continued advertising until at least August 1963 despite the appearance of its original site is that at some point, it moved. (A separate, later note said it was on West 5th Street.)
Robesonian, Aug. 8, 1971: “Jerry H. Mundy (then managing) the 211 Drive-In … His father bought the old Starlite drive-in around 1950 and moved it to its present location. (This was to accommodate construction of the interstate. It was originally across the street.) Television killed the Starlite. In the 1950’s, his father owned not only the Starlite but also the Model Drive-In on 211 and, in 1954, he bought the 211 Drive-In. After the latter purchase, he closed down the Model because Lumberton had no use for three drive-in theatres. Then the Starlite was closed when television became popular.”
Hmm. On one hand, Warren’s Super 45 was already listed (next to the Skyway) in the 1950 Film Daily Year Book, which implies that it might have operated in 1949. But these notes paint a different picture:
Exhibitor, July 11, 1951: “The Super 45 Drive-In, started three years ago and never finished, has been purchased by J. Franke. It is located on route 45 near Warren, 0. The new owner closed a contract with Frank Masek, National Theatre Supply, to install Simplex projectors. Simplex sound, Hertner generators, and Peerless Magnarc lamps.”
Exhibitor, July 16, 1952: “The Super 45 Drive-In located on Route 45 near Warren, 0., started two years ago and never finished was completed by Joseph L. Frankie.”