An obituary for James K. “Kenny” Powell ran in the March 3, 1975. He got his start as a school boy operating a movie house in Palisade, Neb. until 1933 when he opened the Wray Theatre with partner Jim Hughes. They opened the Cliff in 1950 and sold it to Sam Amandola in 1969.
An obituary for James K. “Kenny” Powell ran in the March 3, 1975. He got his start as a school boy operating a movie house in Palisade, Neb. until 1933 when he opened the Wray Theatre with partner Jim Hughes. They opened the Cliff in 1950 and sold it to Sam Amandola in 1969.
Boxoffice, Feb. 21, 1975: “Theatre Operators, Inc., which is headquartered in Bozeman, Mont., has taken over the operation of the Sky Hi Drive-In and the Sunset Drive-In located in Helena, Mont.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 21, 1975: “Theatre Operators, Inc., which is headquartered in Bozeman, Mont., has taken over the operation of the Sky Hi Drive-In and the Sunset Drive-In located in Helena, Mont.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 3, 1975: “RIO RANCHO, N.M. – The New Holiday Cinema, a 350-seat theatre, is the first movie house to be built in this booming town of 10,000 persons located about 20 miles northwest of Albuquerque. Built by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kuhne, it is managed by their son Kevin.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 20, 1976: “DENVER – The Valley Triplex, a contemporary-styled Wolfberg Theatre will be open Christmas Day (25) with "King Kong” showing on two of the screens. The trip, built on grounds adjacent to the circuit’s Valley Drive-In, will have plenty of parking space."
Boxoffice, Dec. 20, 1976: “SALT LAKE CITY – A ten-acre, $6,000,000 office and medical complex will be built next year on the site of the Park-Vu Drive-In, 1145 East 39th South by Price Rentals … Razing of the drive-in and construction of the complex, to be known as Millcreek Professional Park, will begin in the spring.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 20, 1976: “CHEYENNE, WYO. – Jim Rowles, manager of the Motor-Vu, and the Starlite’s Wayne Gow this fall kept patrons happy and boosted profits with a continuous barrage of promotions and tie-ins. Frequently used was "Lucky Tag Night,” which offered patrons a pass if the license number posted at the refreshment center matched their car tag. Another popular feature at the Motor-Vu was “Car Cram Night,” when all moviegoers in each vehicle were admitted for a flat price of $4."
Boxoffice, Dec. 13, 1976: “HOBBS, N.M. – Did you ever run a race with the devil? Stout-hearted patrons at the Flamingo Twin Drive-in here had the chance recently and those who won received two tickets to see "Race With the Devil.” Ricky Littlejohn, well-known for the many promotions and campaigns he has produced in Hobbs, had a bright-red flannel “devil’s suit” made, complete with hood and a long tail. A pitchfork made the outfit complete. As it turned out, there weren’t many winners. It seems Commonwealth Theatres' Littlejohn was a track star at Lovington High School and still keeps in shape via many sports activities."
Here’s when the Sky Hi got its second screen, also capacity 275?
Boxoffice, Dec. 13, 1976: “William Semple and Leonard Steele have started construction on a twin addition to the Sky Hi Drive-In, Gillette, Wyo. The new ozoner will have a 275-car capacity. The twin drive-in brings the total number of screens in Gillette to five.”
This note says the Tamarac 6 was scheduled to open on Dec. 17, 1976.
Boxoffice, Dec. 13, 1976: “DENVER – Mann Theatres is adding nine screens in Denver and Fort Collins … The Denver addition, with six screens, will be named the Mann’s Tamarac 6. Seating capacity will be 400 in two sides, 450 in one and 250 in each of the other three. … The theatre, which will open Friday (17) will be managed by Dick Roselein”
Boxoffice, Dec. 6, 1976: “Tim Warner has taken over the buying and booking chores for Spence Ryder in Kalispell, Mont. Warner will be setting dates for the Strand and Liberty theatres, the Midway and Sundown drive-ins and the newly erected Gateway Theatre.”
Same theater? Boxoffice, Sept. 20, 1976: “Larry Eggebroten has taken over the Lusk Theatre in Lusk, Wyo., and will rename the house the Spare-Time. This appellation is most appropriate, since the theatre is operated in conjunction with the Lusk Bowling Lanes.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 9, 1976: “Fred Kaysbier has opened his new Star Drive-In, Douglas, Wyo. The facility is built on the site of an older, abandoned drive-in and has a 212-car capacity. Kaysbier also operates the Mesa Theatre in Douglas.”
Boxoffice, July 19, 1976: “CASPER, WYO. – Collapse of part of the Rialto Theatre ceiling June 21 slightly injured four persons here, hospitalizing one with minor injuries. The others were treated and released. An estimated ton of plaster and steel mesh dropped into the balcony area, officials said, but missed most of the 20 persons seated in the balcony. Cause of the collapse was identified as a water leak in the roof which softened the plaster.”
Boxoffice, May 31, 1976: “Ownership of the Price and Crown theatres and the Motor Vue Drive-In, located in Price, Utah, has been transferred by Wesley Webb of Cinema Arts Corp. to Stanley Dewsnup of Modern Cinema Corp.”
Boxoffice, April 5, 1976: “Wolfberg Theatres has one less drive-in this year. The lease expired and was not renewed on the 700-car Monaco, Denver. Paul Rothman, the owner, is operating the theatre, with Robert Jones as manager.”
Boxoffice, March 8, 1976: “Mr. and Mrs. Ross Campbell hosted a champagne opening of their new Centennial Twin Theatre in Sheridan, Wyo. The facility is located at 36 East Alger Ave. and the Campbells will continue to operate the downtown Wyo Theatre as well as the drive-in.”
Boxoffice, March 8, 1976: “Wes Webb of Salt Lake City announced that his Navigare, Inc., has purchased the 700-car North Star Twin Drive-In in Ogden, Utah, from the Orpheum Theatre Corp. Extensive remodeling and improvements are slated for the newly acquired facility.”
Perhaps its name changed? Boxoffice, March 8, 1976: “Randall Thornsley of Chugatch Entertainment Co., headquartered in Sturgis, S.D., has taken over operation of the Sundowner Drive-In, Bowman, N.D.; the Wagon Wheel Drive-In, Hettinger, N.D., and the Whitetail Drive-In, Lemmon, S.D.”
In case you need a reminder of the fallibility of reports in Boxoffice magazine, not only did the writer of this Feb. 16, 1976 note misspell the drive-in’s name, he appears to have mistaken a twin indoor theater for a drive-in: “BRIGHTON, COLO. – Aldage R. Prevost, who bought the nearby Cinema Twin a year ago, has taken over the Kar-Vue, both drive-ins from Robert Miracle. The Cinema Twin has spaces for 260 cars on each side, while the Kar-Vue has room for 300 cars.”
Boxoffice, May 1981: “One of the oldest drive in theatres in the Denver metropolitan area, the Kar-Vu Drive In located in Brighton, Colorado, has ceased operation and is being dismantled.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 2, 1976: “BTL Theatre Service has taken over the buying and booking for the Rose Theatre and the Skylark Drive-In, Glendive, Mont. The theatres are owned by Lewis Moore.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 2, 1976, under Salt Lake City: “The Motor Vu Drive-In here, which was operated 15 years by ABC Intermountain Theatres and the last year by Plitt Theatres, has been closed permanently and is in the process of being demolished to make way for a new shopping center.”
An obituary for James K. “Kenny” Powell ran in the March 3, 1975. He got his start as a school boy operating a movie house in Palisade, Neb. until 1933 when he opened the Wray Theatre with partner Jim Hughes. They opened the Cliff in 1950 and sold it to Sam Amandola in 1969.
An obituary for James K. “Kenny” Powell ran in the March 3, 1975. He got his start as a school boy operating a movie house in Palisade, Neb. until 1933 when he opened the Wray Theatre with partner Jim Hughes. They opened the Cliff in 1950 and sold it to Sam Amandola in 1969.
Boxoffice, Feb. 21, 1975: “Theatre Operators, Inc., which is headquartered in Bozeman, Mont., has taken over the operation of the Sky Hi Drive-In and the Sunset Drive-In located in Helena, Mont.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 21, 1975: “Theatre Operators, Inc., which is headquartered in Bozeman, Mont., has taken over the operation of the Sky Hi Drive-In and the Sunset Drive-In located in Helena, Mont.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 3, 1975: “RIO RANCHO, N.M. – The New Holiday Cinema, a 350-seat theatre, is the first movie house to be built in this booming town of 10,000 persons located about 20 miles northwest of Albuquerque. Built by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kuhne, it is managed by their son Kevin.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 20, 1976: “DENVER – The Valley Triplex, a contemporary-styled Wolfberg Theatre will be open Christmas Day (25) with "King Kong” showing on two of the screens. The trip, built on grounds adjacent to the circuit’s Valley Drive-In, will have plenty of parking space."
Boxoffice, Dec. 20, 1976: “SALT LAKE CITY – A ten-acre, $6,000,000 office and medical complex will be built next year on the site of the Park-Vu Drive-In, 1145 East 39th South by Price Rentals … Razing of the drive-in and construction of the complex, to be known as Millcreek Professional Park, will begin in the spring.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 20, 1976: “CHEYENNE, WYO. – Jim Rowles, manager of the Motor-Vu, and the Starlite’s Wayne Gow this fall kept patrons happy and boosted profits with a continuous barrage of promotions and tie-ins. Frequently used was "Lucky Tag Night,” which offered patrons a pass if the license number posted at the refreshment center matched their car tag. Another popular feature at the Motor-Vu was “Car Cram Night,” when all moviegoers in each vehicle were admitted for a flat price of $4."
Boxoffice, Dec. 13, 1976: “HOBBS, N.M. – Did you ever run a race with the devil? Stout-hearted patrons at the Flamingo Twin Drive-in here had the chance recently and those who won received two tickets to see "Race With the Devil.” Ricky Littlejohn, well-known for the many promotions and campaigns he has produced in Hobbs, had a bright-red flannel “devil’s suit” made, complete with hood and a long tail. A pitchfork made the outfit complete. As it turned out, there weren’t many winners. It seems Commonwealth Theatres' Littlejohn was a track star at Lovington High School and still keeps in shape via many sports activities."
Here’s when the Sky Hi got its second screen, also capacity 275?
Boxoffice, Dec. 13, 1976: “William Semple and Leonard Steele have started construction on a twin addition to the Sky Hi Drive-In, Gillette, Wyo. The new ozoner will have a 275-car capacity. The twin drive-in brings the total number of screens in Gillette to five.”
This note says the Tamarac 6 was scheduled to open on Dec. 17, 1976.
Boxoffice, Dec. 13, 1976: “DENVER – Mann Theatres is adding nine screens in Denver and Fort Collins … The Denver addition, with six screens, will be named the Mann’s Tamarac 6. Seating capacity will be 400 in two sides, 450 in one and 250 in each of the other three. … The theatre, which will open Friday (17) will be managed by Dick Roselein”
Boxoffice, Dec. 6, 1976: “Tim Warner has taken over the buying and booking chores for Spence Ryder in Kalispell, Mont. Warner will be setting dates for the Strand and Liberty theatres, the Midway and Sundown drive-ins and the newly erected Gateway Theatre.”
Boxoffice, May 10, 1976: “Karen Cory has taken over the operation of the Orpheum Theatre and the Rio Drive-In, Thermopolis, Wyo.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 20, 1976: “Jeremy Hayek has taken over the operation of the Orpheum and Rio Drive-In, Thermopolis, Wyo.”
Same theater? Boxoffice, Sept. 20, 1976: “Larry Eggebroten has taken over the Lusk Theatre in Lusk, Wyo., and will rename the house the Spare-Time. This appellation is most appropriate, since the theatre is operated in conjunction with the Lusk Bowling Lanes.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 9, 1976: “Fred Kaysbier has opened his new Star Drive-In, Douglas, Wyo. The facility is built on the site of an older, abandoned drive-in and has a 212-car capacity. Kaysbier also operates the Mesa Theatre in Douglas.”
Boxoffice, July 19, 1976: “CASPER, WYO. – Collapse of part of the Rialto Theatre ceiling June 21 slightly injured four persons here, hospitalizing one with minor injuries. The others were treated and released. An estimated ton of plaster and steel mesh dropped into the balcony area, officials said, but missed most of the 20 persons seated in the balcony. Cause of the collapse was identified as a water leak in the roof which softened the plaster.”
Boxoffice, May 31, 1976: “Ownership of the Price and Crown theatres and the Motor Vue Drive-In, located in Price, Utah, has been transferred by Wesley Webb of Cinema Arts Corp. to Stanley Dewsnup of Modern Cinema Corp.”
Boxoffice, April 5, 1976: “Wolfberg Theatres has one less drive-in this year. The lease expired and was not renewed on the 700-car Monaco, Denver. Paul Rothman, the owner, is operating the theatre, with Robert Jones as manager.”
Boxoffice, March 8, 1976: “Mr. and Mrs. Ross Campbell hosted a champagne opening of their new Centennial Twin Theatre in Sheridan, Wyo. The facility is located at 36 East Alger Ave. and the Campbells will continue to operate the downtown Wyo Theatre as well as the drive-in.”
Boxoffice, March 8, 1976: “Wes Webb of Salt Lake City announced that his Navigare, Inc., has purchased the 700-car North Star Twin Drive-In in Ogden, Utah, from the Orpheum Theatre Corp. Extensive remodeling and improvements are slated for the newly acquired facility.”
Perhaps its name changed? Boxoffice, March 8, 1976: “Randall Thornsley of Chugatch Entertainment Co., headquartered in Sturgis, S.D., has taken over operation of the Sundowner Drive-In, Bowman, N.D.; the Wagon Wheel Drive-In, Hettinger, N.D., and the Whitetail Drive-In, Lemmon, S.D.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 16, 1976: “Leland Stevenson has sold the Roosevelt Theatre and the Echo Drive-In, Roosevelt, Utah, to Mr. and Mrs. John Chasel.”
In case you need a reminder of the fallibility of reports in Boxoffice magazine, not only did the writer of this Feb. 16, 1976 note misspell the drive-in’s name, he appears to have mistaken a twin indoor theater for a drive-in: “BRIGHTON, COLO. – Aldage R. Prevost, who bought the nearby Cinema Twin a year ago, has taken over the Kar-Vue, both drive-ins from Robert Miracle. The Cinema Twin has spaces for 260 cars on each side, while the Kar-Vue has room for 300 cars.”
Boxoffice, May 1981: “One of the oldest drive in theatres in the Denver metropolitan area, the Kar-Vu Drive In located in Brighton, Colorado, has ceased operation and is being dismantled.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 2, 1976: “BTL Theatre Service has taken over the buying and booking for the Rose Theatre and the Skylark Drive-In, Glendive, Mont. The theatres are owned by Lewis Moore.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 2, 1976, under Salt Lake City: “The Motor Vu Drive-In here, which was operated 15 years by ABC Intermountain Theatres and the last year by Plitt Theatres, has been closed permanently and is in the process of being demolished to make way for a new shopping center.”