Boxoffice, July 4, 1977: “Skyvue Drive-In, Savannah, has reopened and the Savannah Theatre has closed, it was announced by Charles Arendall of Arendall Enterprises"
Boxoffice, June 18, 1955: “Gordon Hutchins, who formerly operated the State at Corning, has purchased the 64 Drive-In, Russelville, Ark., from Mrs. Henley Smith and has moved to Russelville”
Boxoffice, July 4, 1977: “Gordon Hutchins sold the 64 Drive-In, Russellville, Ark., to Victor Webber of Kensett, Ark., owner of a circuit of theatres located throughout Arkansas.”
The Hickory’s ad in the 1952 Sharon High School yearbook boasted that the drive-in had “the Country’s Largest Screen” and accommodation for 1000 cars. Chris Lampros was manager.
Boxoffice, Sept. 7, 1970: “NASH, TEX. - Area theatregoers joined owners Joy and Clyde Houck in grand opening events Friday, August 21, at the Joy Twin Drive-In, which was constructed on a design that will permit the addition of two more outdoor screens and a walk-in theatre later. The entertainment complex, just off I-30 and Kings Highway, represents an investment of around $250,000”
The year is fuzzy and probably inaccurate, but the owner details are interesting.
Boxoffice, Sept. 7, 1970: “Sarto Smalldone and his wife, approaching the 25th year of operation of the Malta Drive-In south of Saratoga Springs, have been aiming at family patronage … Smalldone doubles as mayor of Saratoga Springs”
Just sayin', this looks like a third-generation cropped copy of the photo that “railroad” uploaded here in 2012: https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/23775/photos/54453
Sorry for any misunderstanding, everybody. When I post a quote, it’s just a quote. In this case, the main reason was to show the change of ownership.
When there’s no primary evidence of an opening date, a later quote can provide some indication. But when the opening date has already been nailed down pretty well (such as with the Florence), I sometimes leave it in to show the fallibility of memory, and why we should treat such decades-later statements with a grain of salt.
Number One Drive-In Theatre, Inc., was the name of the corporation that was approved by the National Production Authority to build a drive-in at Daytona Beach in March 1951. The Coles City Directory may have used that for its listing.
The Feb. 17, 1951 issue of Boxoffice included Walter Brown’s 250-car drive-in in Winnsboro as one of the drive-ins recently put into operation.
The obituary for Mary Elizabeth Tidwell Brown, published in the State newspaper of Columbia SC, said she was the former owner of the Winn-Ridge along with the Carolina, Boyd, and Fairfield theaters. Wife of Boyd Brown, she once received a Woman of the Year award from the Winnsboro Business and Professional Women.
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “Richard P. Ernst Realty Co., owner of the Dixie Drive-In and the Florence Drive-In, has announced that it will sell the two ozoners to Redstone Theatres of Boston. Both drive-ins were opened in 1946.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “Richard P. Ernst Realty Co., owner of the Dixie Drive-In and the Florence Drive-In, has announced that it will sell the two ozoners to Redstone Theatres of Boston. Both drive-ins were opened in 1946.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “W. T. Ash was on the (Dallas Film) Row and reported total loss of his Mathis Drive-In due to hurricane Celia. He said it’s not likely he will rebuild.”
One more note. Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “A partnership composed of Owen E. Barnett and Billy Wallace has assumed operation of Scenic Drive-In at Booneville.”
As is often the case when an indoor movie house occupies a drive-in site - they had the same owners.
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “The Stateline Cinema, this area’s newest theatre, has been opened in the Crescent Valley Shopping Center Annex by Robert Retzer and William Tomlinson, who jointly own the Tahoe Drive-In.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “Richard Smith, who has the Fourth Street Theatre at David City, has purchased the Isis Theatre and drive-in at Marysville, Kas., and plans remodeling before reopening. The Isis has been closed for some time"
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “Richard Smith, who has the Fourth Street Theatre at David City, has purchased the Isis Theatre and drive-in at Marysville, Kas."
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “F.W. Pavick has acquired the Cole-Anna Theatre and Oak Drive-In, Coleman, from Carleton H. Mann. The change of ownership became effective July 29”
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “F.W. Pavick has acquired the Cole-Anna Theatre and Oak Drive-In, Coleman, from Carleton H. Mann. The change of ownership became effective July 29”
I wonder what the story was on this temporary shutdown.
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “Gulf States Theatres announced the closing for an indefinite period of the Skyvue Drive-In at El Dorado, Ark. The Skyvue was closed July 27 and the circuit’s 7 Drive-In at El Dorado went to a full-time schedule July 30.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “The Meadow Bridge Drive-In, built years ago and with a reported record of unsuccessful operation, was reopened recently by Benny Hartley of Crab Orchard. Following extensive advertising and promotion by Hartley, the airer is now attracting large patronage from throughout the area. The drive-in is located on Route 20 south of Meadow Bridge.”
Boxoffice, July 4, 1977: “Skyvue Drive-In, Savannah, has reopened and the Savannah Theatre has closed, it was announced by Charles Arendall of Arendall Enterprises"
Boxoffice, July 4, 1977: “Paul and Pearl Womble are the new owners of the Carousel Drive-In in Fordyce, Ark."
Boxoffice, June 18, 1955: “Gordon Hutchins, who formerly operated the State at Corning, has purchased the 64 Drive-In, Russelville, Ark., from Mrs. Henley Smith and has moved to Russelville”
Boxoffice, July 4, 1977: “Gordon Hutchins sold the 64 Drive-In, Russellville, Ark., to Victor Webber of Kensett, Ark., owner of a circuit of theatres located throughout Arkansas.”
The Hickory’s ad in the 1952 Sharon High School yearbook boasted that the drive-in had “the Country’s Largest Screen” and accommodation for 1000 cars. Chris Lampros was manager.
The second Joy opened Aug. 21, 1970.
Boxoffice, Sept. 7, 1970: “NASH, TEX. - Area theatregoers joined owners Joy and Clyde Houck in grand opening events Friday, August 21, at the Joy Twin Drive-In, which was constructed on a design that will permit the addition of two more outdoor screens and a walk-in theatre later. The entertainment complex, just off I-30 and Kings Highway, represents an investment of around $250,000”
The year is fuzzy and probably inaccurate, but the owner details are interesting.
Boxoffice, Sept. 7, 1970: “Sarto Smalldone and his wife, approaching the 25th year of operation of the Malta Drive-In south of Saratoga Springs, have been aiming at family patronage … Smalldone doubles as mayor of Saratoga Springs”
Just sayin', this looks like a third-generation cropped copy of the photo that “railroad” uploaded here in 2012: https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/23775/photos/54453
Sorry for any misunderstanding, everybody. When I post a quote, it’s just a quote. In this case, the main reason was to show the change of ownership.
When there’s no primary evidence of an opening date, a later quote can provide some indication. But when the opening date has already been nailed down pretty well (such as with the Florence), I sometimes leave it in to show the fallibility of memory, and why we should treat such decades-later statements with a grain of salt.
Number One Drive-In Theatre, Inc., was the name of the corporation that was approved by the National Production Authority to build a drive-in at Daytona Beach in March 1951. The Coles City Directory may have used that for its listing.
The Feb. 17, 1951 issue of Boxoffice included Walter Brown’s 250-car drive-in in Winnsboro as one of the drive-ins recently put into operation.
The obituary for Mary Elizabeth Tidwell Brown, published in the State newspaper of Columbia SC, said she was the former owner of the Winn-Ridge along with the Carolina, Boyd, and Fairfield theaters. Wife of Boyd Brown, she once received a Woman of the Year award from the Winnsboro Business and Professional Women.
Posted on Flickr in September 2009, with an “All rights reserved” non-license, by Ethan.
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “Richard P. Ernst Realty Co., owner of the Dixie Drive-In and the Florence Drive-In, has announced that it will sell the two ozoners to Redstone Theatres of Boston. Both drive-ins were opened in 1946.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “Richard P. Ernst Realty Co., owner of the Dixie Drive-In and the Florence Drive-In, has announced that it will sell the two ozoners to Redstone Theatres of Boston. Both drive-ins were opened in 1946.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “W. T. Ash was on the (Dallas Film) Row and reported total loss of his Mathis Drive-In due to hurricane Celia. He said it’s not likely he will rebuild.”
One more note. Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “A partnership composed of Owen E. Barnett and Billy Wallace has assumed operation of Scenic Drive-In at Booneville.”
As is often the case when an indoor movie house occupies a drive-in site - they had the same owners.
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “The Stateline Cinema, this area’s newest theatre, has been opened in the Crescent Valley Shopping Center Annex by Robert Retzer and William Tomlinson, who jointly own the Tahoe Drive-In.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “Walt Allen sold the Corral Drive-In, Moline, Ill., to Redstone Management of Boston."
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “Richard Smith, who has the Fourth Street Theatre at David City, has purchased the Isis Theatre and drive-in at Marysville, Kas., and plans remodeling before reopening. The Isis has been closed for some time"
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “Richard Smith, who has the Fourth Street Theatre at David City, has purchased the Isis Theatre and drive-in at Marysville, Kas."
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “Carl J. Murphy bought the Hi Ho Drive-In at Spur, taking over control of the airer as of July 6."
Mann didn’t own those drive-ins for very long.
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “F.W. Pavick has acquired the Cole-Anna Theatre and Oak Drive-In, Coleman, from Carleton H. Mann. The change of ownership became effective July 29”
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “F.W. Pavick has acquired the Cole-Anna Theatre and Oak Drive-In, Coleman, from Carleton H. Mann. The change of ownership became effective July 29”
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “The Metro Drive-In has been closed temporarily for construction of a new screen tower.”
I wonder what the story was on this temporary shutdown.
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “Gulf States Theatres announced the closing for an indefinite period of the Skyvue Drive-In at El Dorado, Ark. The Skyvue was closed July 27 and the circuit’s 7 Drive-In at El Dorado went to a full-time schedule July 30.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “The Meadow Bridge Drive-In, built years ago and with a reported record of unsuccessful operation, was reopened recently by Benny Hartley of Crab Orchard. Following extensive advertising and promotion by Hartley, the airer is now attracting large patronage from throughout the area. The drive-in is located on Route 20 south of Meadow Bridge.”