If this note is accurate, the North Star was built by HMK Corp. in 1954. Boxoffice, July 15, 1974: “Interstate Amusement, based in Twin Falls, Ida., and owned by Roy Roper, has leased the Roxy Theater and North Star Drive-In here (in Shelby MT), along with the State Theatre and Derrick Drive-In at Cut Bank, Mont., and the Orpheum Theatre and Star Drive-In at Conrad, Mont. … HMK Corp. constructed the area’s first drive-in about 1950 between Cut Bank and Shelby. It was closed in 1954, when the corporation built drive-ins in Shelby and Cut Bank. The ozoner at Conrad was purchased in 1956.”
Boxoffice, July 15, 1974: “Interstate Amusement, based in Twin Falls, Ida., and owned by Roy Roper, has leased the Roxy Theater and North Star Drive-In here (in Shelby MT), along with the State Theatre and Derrick Drive-In at Cut Bank, Mont., and the Orpheum Theatre and Star Drive-In at Conrad, Mont. … HMK Corp. constructed the area’s first drive-in about 1950 between Cut Bank and Shelby. It was closed in 1954, when the corporation built drive-ins in Shelby and Cut Bank. The ozoner at Conrad was purchased in 1956.”
So there were two Derrick Drive-Ins? Boxoffice, July 15, 1974: “Interstate Amusement, based in Twin Falls, Ida., and owned by Roy Roper, has leased the Roxy Theater and North Star Drive-In here (in Shelby MT), along with the State Theatre and Derrick Drive-In at Cut Bank, Mont., and the Orpheum Theatre and Star Drive-In at Conrad, Mont. … HMK Corp. constructed the area’s first drive-in about 1950 between Cut Bank and Shelby. It was closed in 1954, when the corporation built drive-ins in Shelby and Cut Bank. The ozoner at Conrad was purchased in 1956.”
Boxoffice, March 11, 1974: “The LaRoy Theatre recently was demolished to make way for the widening of Gay Street. Through the efforts of the Portsmouth Arts Council, some irreplaceable ornamental sections of the vintage building were salvaged.”
Another hint that the Sunset wasn’t considered closed before the 1974 season comes from a note in the March 4, 1974 Boxoffice about movies at a local church. “Movies are offered Carthage area residents during the summer months by the 66 and Sunset drive-ins.”
Boxoffice, March 4, 1974: “Mr. and Mrs. Ken Moyer have taken over the operation of the Sunset Drive-In, Bridgeport, Neb., from Mr. and Mrs. George Vassos.”
The West was still alive on Feb. 18, 1974, when Boxoffice reported that “Steve Hepson of the West Drive-In, Riverton” had visited Denver to talk with his booking agent.
Boxoffice, Feb. 18, 1974: “The old West Theatre in Gunnison reopened early this year, following extensive remodeling, as the Mountaineer Theatre. The cinema is being operated by Frank Poye, former Houston contractor, and his wife Carol, assisted by their five youngsters.”
The Feb. 11, 1974 issue of Boxoffice had an extensive article with photos about the extreme concession stand remodeling that Chakeres Theatres has performed on the Holiday beginning in late 1970.
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1974: “Paul Cory has taken over the operation of the Fox Theatre, Sidney, Neb. … (he) also operates the Fox, Center and Starlite Drive-In in Sterling.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1974: “Paul Cory has taken over the operation of the Fox Theatre, Sidney, Neb. … (he) also operates the Fox, Center and Starlite Drive-In in Sterling.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 28, 1974: “Don Monson, who has operated the Ute Theatre in Rifle for approximately 25 years, has sold out to the First Colorado Corp.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 27, 1979: “Stanley Pratt has taken over the Ute Theatre in Rifle, Colo. Pratt will close the theatre for a brief period to remodel and redecorate his new acquisition. Pratt also operates the Village Theatre in Estes Park, Colo.”
Same theater? Boxoffice, Jan. 21, 1974: Lloyd Greve has completed construction on the twinning of his Cine Moly Theatre, Leadville. The older auditorium continues with a seating capacity of 499, while the new adjoining facility adds an additional 300 seats."
Boxoffice, Jan. 21, 1974: Tom Moyer “announced that plans are under way to build a four-screen drive-in at Beaverton, Ore. Opening is scheduled tentatively for midsummer 1974.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 7, 1974: “The renovated and remodeled Princess Theatre opened in late November 1973 … The 192-seat Princess attracted an SRO crowd for its debut, according to owner Steve Glazer, who has begun a partnership with Denver theatreman Bill Pence.”
The Dec. 12, 1977 Boxoffice ran an obituary of Herbert Bonifas, who “built the Blaine Theatre, a 450-seat house, in 1948. This replaced the Orpheum and Gem Theatres opened in 1911 by his father-in-law, Johnnie Griffin. The Red Rock Drive-In was opened in 1957. When land was needed for a rest home in the community, he gave part of the Drive-In acreage for it, and when it was built, he wired in sound for the benefit of the guests who had a clear view of the screen. In 1973 he sold the theatres to Leon Eliason and retired”.
Billboard, Dec. 12, 1977: “John Chasel, who operates the Roosevelt and Echo drive-ins in Roosevelt, Utah, has added a third screen in the town with the opening of his new Uinta theatres. The theatre has 272 seats and will be booked with first run product.”
The Nov. 14, 1977 Boxoffice provided another owner name. “Ralph Prestwhich, owner and operator of the Teton Drive-In, Rexburg, Ida., was here (in Salt Lake City) on business.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 31, 1977: “The State Theatre, Rapid City, and the Gem Theatre, Riverton, Wyo., have been reopened by Commonwealth and both theatres will be operating on a first-run basis.”
A lengthy article from the Rocky Mountain Journal about Denver’s downtown theaters was reprinted in the Oct. 24, 1977 issue of Boxoffice. It began, “On Nov. 19, 1927, the cream of Denver society paid their 60 cents to see Bebe Daniel’s latest movie "She’s a Sheik” at the Denver Theatre. The patrons were awed by the new two million dollar structure built in French renaissance style and illuminated by more than 5,000 lightbulbs."
Boxoffice, Oct. 3, 1977: “Russell and Roger Hilton have reopened the Dakota Theatre, Sturgis, S.D. The theatre previously had been operated by Chugach Amusement Co. before it went out of business several months ago.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 26, 1977: “Quent and Geri Evans have sold the El Grande Theatre, Granby, to Andy and Grace Webdell who are newcomers to the business. Quent and Geri will be moving to California.”
Same theater? Boxoffice, July 29, 1974: “Peter H. May has closed the Cinema Laurel Theatre in Laurel, Mont.”
If this note is accurate, the North Star was built by HMK Corp. in 1954. Boxoffice, July 15, 1974: “Interstate Amusement, based in Twin Falls, Ida., and owned by Roy Roper, has leased the Roxy Theater and North Star Drive-In here (in Shelby MT), along with the State Theatre and Derrick Drive-In at Cut Bank, Mont., and the Orpheum Theatre and Star Drive-In at Conrad, Mont. … HMK Corp. constructed the area’s first drive-in about 1950 between Cut Bank and Shelby. It was closed in 1954, when the corporation built drive-ins in Shelby and Cut Bank. The ozoner at Conrad was purchased in 1956.”
Boxoffice, July 15, 1974: “Interstate Amusement, based in Twin Falls, Ida., and owned by Roy Roper, has leased the Roxy Theater and North Star Drive-In here (in Shelby MT), along with the State Theatre and Derrick Drive-In at Cut Bank, Mont., and the Orpheum Theatre and Star Drive-In at Conrad, Mont. … HMK Corp. constructed the area’s first drive-in about 1950 between Cut Bank and Shelby. It was closed in 1954, when the corporation built drive-ins in Shelby and Cut Bank. The ozoner at Conrad was purchased in 1956.”
So there were two Derrick Drive-Ins? Boxoffice, July 15, 1974: “Interstate Amusement, based in Twin Falls, Ida., and owned by Roy Roper, has leased the Roxy Theater and North Star Drive-In here (in Shelby MT), along with the State Theatre and Derrick Drive-In at Cut Bank, Mont., and the Orpheum Theatre and Star Drive-In at Conrad, Mont. … HMK Corp. constructed the area’s first drive-in about 1950 between Cut Bank and Shelby. It was closed in 1954, when the corporation built drive-ins in Shelby and Cut Bank. The ozoner at Conrad was purchased in 1956.”
Boxoffice, March 11, 1974: “The LaRoy Theatre recently was demolished to make way for the widening of Gay Street. Through the efforts of the Portsmouth Arts Council, some irreplaceable ornamental sections of the vintage building were salvaged.”
Another hint that the Sunset wasn’t considered closed before the 1974 season comes from a note in the March 4, 1974 Boxoffice about movies at a local church. “Movies are offered Carthage area residents during the summer months by the 66 and Sunset drive-ins.”
Boxoffice, March 4, 1974: “Mr. and Mrs. Ken Moyer have taken over the operation of the Sunset Drive-In, Bridgeport, Neb., from Mr. and Mrs. George Vassos.”
The Tucson 4 opened on Feb. 11, 1974, according to a long article about the drive-in in the Feb. 25 issue of Boxoffice.
The West was still alive on Feb. 18, 1974, when Boxoffice reported that “Steve Hepson of the West Drive-In, Riverton” had visited Denver to talk with his booking agent.
Boxoffice, Feb. 18, 1974: “The old West Theatre in Gunnison reopened early this year, following extensive remodeling, as the Mountaineer Theatre. The cinema is being operated by Frank Poye, former Houston contractor, and his wife Carol, assisted by their five youngsters.”
The Feb. 11, 1974 issue of Boxoffice had an extensive article with photos about the extreme concession stand remodeling that Chakeres Theatres has performed on the Holiday beginning in late 1970.
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1974: “Paul Cory has taken over the operation of the Fox Theatre, Sidney, Neb. … (he) also operates the Fox, Center and Starlite Drive-In in Sterling.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1974: “Paul Cory has taken over the operation of the Fox Theatre, Sidney, Neb. … (he) also operates the Fox, Center and Starlite Drive-In in Sterling.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 28, 1974: “Don Monson, who has operated the Ute Theatre in Rifle for approximately 25 years, has sold out to the First Colorado Corp.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 27, 1979: “Stanley Pratt has taken over the Ute Theatre in Rifle, Colo. Pratt will close the theatre for a brief period to remodel and redecorate his new acquisition. Pratt also operates the Village Theatre in Estes Park, Colo.”
Same theater? Boxoffice, Jan. 21, 1974: Lloyd Greve has completed construction on the twinning of his Cine Moly Theatre, Leadville. The older auditorium continues with a seating capacity of 499, while the new adjoining facility adds an additional 300 seats."
Same theater? Boxoffice, Jan. 21, 1974: “Max Fort has sold his Chief Theatre, Mora, N.M., to Michael Montoya, who is a newcomer to the business.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 21, 1974: Tom Moyer “announced that plans are under way to build a four-screen drive-in at Beaverton, Ore. Opening is scheduled tentatively for midsummer 1974.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 7, 1974: “The renovated and remodeled Princess Theatre opened in late November 1973 … The 192-seat Princess attracted an SRO crowd for its debut, according to owner Steve Glazer, who has begun a partnership with Denver theatreman Bill Pence.”
The Dec. 12, 1977 Boxoffice ran an obituary of Herbert Bonifas, who “built the Blaine Theatre, a 450-seat house, in 1948. This replaced the Orpheum and Gem Theatres opened in 1911 by his father-in-law, Johnnie Griffin. The Red Rock Drive-In was opened in 1957. When land was needed for a rest home in the community, he gave part of the Drive-In acreage for it, and when it was built, he wired in sound for the benefit of the guests who had a clear view of the screen. In 1973 he sold the theatres to Leon Eliason and retired”.
Billboard, Dec. 12, 1977: “John Chasel, who operates the Roosevelt and Echo drive-ins in Roosevelt, Utah, has added a third screen in the town with the opening of his new Uinta theatres. The theatre has 272 seats and will be booked with first run product.”
The Nov. 14, 1977 Boxoffice provided another owner name. “Ralph Prestwhich, owner and operator of the Teton Drive-In, Rexburg, Ida., was here (in Salt Lake City) on business.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 31, 1977: “The State Theatre, Rapid City, and the Gem Theatre, Riverton, Wyo., have been reopened by Commonwealth and both theatres will be operating on a first-run basis.”
A lengthy article from the Rocky Mountain Journal about Denver’s downtown theaters was reprinted in the Oct. 24, 1977 issue of Boxoffice. It began, “On Nov. 19, 1927, the cream of Denver society paid their 60 cents to see Bebe Daniel’s latest movie "She’s a Sheik” at the Denver Theatre. The patrons were awed by the new two million dollar structure built in French renaissance style and illuminated by more than 5,000 lightbulbs."
Boxoffice, Oct. 3, 1977: “Russell and Roger Hilton have reopened the Dakota Theatre, Sturgis, S.D. The theatre previously had been operated by Chugach Amusement Co. before it went out of business several months ago.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 26, 1977: “Quent and Geri Evans have sold the El Grande Theatre, Granby, to Andy and Grace Webdell who are newcomers to the business. Quent and Geri will be moving to California.”