“W.T. Kerr and wife Janice are operating the Arbuckle Drive-In, Davis, with one girl at the concessions stand. Kerr runs the machines; Mrs. Kerr sells tickets. Sunday-Tuesday they show the biggest and best picture they can buy from Warner and Fox. Thursday-Saturday they show a double feature, one picture of which much be western. They have tried to run without a western on this change but when they do, business drops off 50 per cent. The Kerrs close on Wednesdays and Waite takes off early in the morning for one of the numerous nearby lakes and usually comes back with a fine string of fish.” — Boxoffice, June 27, 1960
“Don and Pat Monson, Chief Drive-In, Rifle, set bookings around (Denver’s Film) Row and then motored on to Mexico on a vacation trip.” — Boxoffice, June 27, 1960
“Ross Campbell was taken over the operation of the Wyo Theatre, Sheridan, Wyo., from Fox Intermountain Theatres. Campbell has been operating the Orpheum Theatre in Sheridan” — Boxoffice, June 27, 1960
“MANKATO, KAS. – When this town was faced with the closing of its one theatre, the Ute, businessmen formed a local corporation and bought it from Mrs. J. D. DeLong, whose husband died in 1938. Then the corporation leased it as of May 29 to Bruce Waugh and his wife. The Waughs, who had previously operated the house, will continue to operate it under the new ownership.” — Boxoffice, June 20, 1960
“CARTHAGE, MO. – The Fox Midwest Theatre Building at 219-221 East Third St. has been purchased by three Springfield business men who said they have no plans to operate the building as a theatre. The Fox was remodeled a few years ago but has been closed several months.” — Boxoffice, June 20, 1960
“Herschel Wheeler has taken over the operation of the Chief Drive-In and Pace Theatre at Gordon, Neb., from the Black Hills Amusement Co.” — Boxoffice, June 20, 1960
BORON, CALIF. – The new 400-car Desert Lake Drive-In has been opened here by Neil Holloway, manager, and his partner, Keith McDowell. The new drive-in features a 34x80-foot screen, the largest outdoor screen in the desert area outside of Lancaster, and is held in place by 50-foot poles. William Deck of Mojave is the projectionist.
The snack bar features chicken and shrimp dinners, pizzas, hot dogs and a full menu of supporting concessions items. Mrs. Saylor is in charge of the kitchen.
Admission is 90 cents for adults and 75 cents for children 12 years old and up. Children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by their parents. Mrs. Wilma Cummins is in charge of the boxoffice.
Here’s a note to add to the confusion. The June 20, 1960 issue of Boxoffice wrote: “LAS VEGAS, NEV. – The new 700-car Fort Union Drive-In was opened here recently by John Wolfe. A Spanish-language picture is included on each Tuesday night bill.” (That note was also summarized in a retrospective list the following January in Boxoffice.)
Spanish-language films tend to play better in New Mexico than Nevada. And of course, there was never a Fort Union drive-in in Nevada. Which is understandable because the old Fort Union, commemorated in the Fort Union National Monument, was less than 30 miles away from what is now New Mexico’s last active drive-in.
“Charles C. Wolfe was in (Dallas) working with Hardin Theatre Supply Co., the firm installing the equipment for his new Big Sky Drive-In, Carlsbad, N. M.” — Boxoffice, June 13, 1960
“At Harper, Carl Botkin has taken out the first four rows of seats in front of the screen, plays records in the booth, and couples dance before and after the show.” — Boxoffice, June 13, 1960
“The Ritz Theatre, owned by Otto Ingwersen, ceased operations after its show the night of May 28. It is unknown when the theatre will resume.” — Boxoffice, June 13, 1960
Yet another name, from the April 11, 1960 issue of Boxoffice: “Seen along Filmrow … Tommy Shaeffer, Grandee Drive-In, Sullivan, Mo.” The June 13, 1960 issue spelled the name “Tom Shaffer” but still called the drive-in the Grandee.
“The Starlite (sic) at Beardstown, Ill., was closed while repairs were made to the screen tower, following damage by a high wind. The Starlite is owned by the Pirtle company.” — Boxoffice, June 13, 1960
“Fred Stein, Fred Stein Enterprises, acquired the Studio Theatre in San Bernardino, formerly operated by Pacific Drive-In Theatres, effective June 15” — Boxoffice, June 13, 1960
Corral owner Tom Edwards had a side hustle, as noted in this June 6, 1960 note in Boxoffice: “Larry Bichele of American International Pictures called on Tom Edwards at Eldon, Mo., and found Tom getting his Monkey Jungle, which he operates in connection with his drive-in theatre and gift shop, ready for the tourist season.”
The VA, owned and operated by Jack and Jimmie Hull, was mentioned in the May 16, 1960 issue of Boxoffice as one of three Oklahoma drive-ins whose screen towers “were destroyed and other damage sustained” by storms on May 4 & 5 that year.
The Cherokee, operated by Charles Ralls, was mentioned in the May 16, 1960 issue of Boxoffice as one of three Oklahoma drive-ins whose screen towers “were destroyed and other damage sustained” by storms on May 4 & 5 that year.
The Tee Pee was mentioned in the May 16, 1960 issue of Boxoffice as one of three Oklahoma drive-ins whose screen towers “were destroyed and other damage sustained” by storms on May 4 & 5 that year.
Sounds like the King was long gone by this note in the May 9, 1960 issue of Boxoffice: “Dan McCarthy gave a glowing account to B&H Mfrs. Associates on the trampoline and Go-Kary center he has opened on the former King Drive-In Theatre site at San Marcos. He has called the center Bounceville.”
KAUKAUNA, WIS. – The 23-year-old Rialto and the Tower Outdoor theatres have been purchased from Harry Melcher of United Theatres, Milwaukee, by Marcus Theatres Management Co., for an undisclosed amount. The Tower Outdoor, north of Highway 41 between Kaukauna and Little Chute, has been a Marcus theatre on an operating rental basis for the last five years.
“BROOKVILLE, PA. – The Moonlite Drive-In near here has been sold by Orville Hollobaugh to Richard Neff. Neff operates the Super 220 Drive-In near Altoona and he is widely known in the trade as manager of the Wilson Theatres of Tyrone, Pa.” — Boxoffice, May 2, 1960
“CORPUS CHRISTI – The Boulevard Drive-In screen is now within ten feet of the highway, which passes the front of theatre, as a result of a highway widening project.” — Boxoffice, April 11, 1960
The May 2, 1960 Boxoffice elaborated on that news. “The Boulevard Drive-In at Corpus Christi will be closed as a result of widening the highway between Chapman Ranch road and the Charide Drive-In in Flour Bluff. Don Skewis of the state highway department said the project will be completed in August.”
“Four theatres (owned by Claude Ezell & Associates) will get complete resurfacing this year, including the Buckner Drive-In here. The Buckner also is to have a complete decoration job on its screen building, concession stand, fences and playground equipment as well as a new clown mural for the face of the building. Work has been completed on two new ramps at the Buckner, adding more than 200 cars to its present capacity and making this theatre one of the largest airers in this city.” — Boxoffice, May 2, 1960
A new owner by the start of the 1960 season, per Boxoffice, May 2 that year: “Ed Harris opened the Edgewood Drive-In at Neosho April 14 and closed the Orpheum downtown house.”
“W.T. Kerr and wife Janice are operating the Arbuckle Drive-In, Davis, with one girl at the concessions stand. Kerr runs the machines; Mrs. Kerr sells tickets. Sunday-Tuesday they show the biggest and best picture they can buy from Warner and Fox. Thursday-Saturday they show a double feature, one picture of which much be western. They have tried to run without a western on this change but when they do, business drops off 50 per cent. The Kerrs close on Wednesdays and Waite takes off early in the morning for one of the numerous nearby lakes and usually comes back with a fine string of fish.” — Boxoffice, June 27, 1960
“Don and Pat Monson, Chief Drive-In, Rifle, set bookings around (Denver’s Film) Row and then motored on to Mexico on a vacation trip.” — Boxoffice, June 27, 1960
“Ross Campbell was taken over the operation of the Wyo Theatre, Sheridan, Wyo., from Fox Intermountain Theatres. Campbell has been operating the Orpheum Theatre in Sheridan” — Boxoffice, June 27, 1960
“MANKATO, KAS. – When this town was faced with the closing of its one theatre, the Ute, businessmen formed a local corporation and bought it from Mrs. J. D. DeLong, whose husband died in 1938. Then the corporation leased it as of May 29 to Bruce Waugh and his wife. The Waughs, who had previously operated the house, will continue to operate it under the new ownership.” — Boxoffice, June 20, 1960
“CARTHAGE, MO. – The Fox Midwest Theatre Building at 219-221 East Third St. has been purchased by three Springfield business men who said they have no plans to operate the building as a theatre. The Fox was remodeled a few years ago but has been closed several months.” — Boxoffice, June 20, 1960
“Herschel Wheeler has taken over the operation of the Chief Drive-In and Pace Theatre at Gordon, Neb., from the Black Hills Amusement Co.” — Boxoffice, June 20, 1960
From the June 20, 1960 issue of Boxoffice:
BORON, CALIF. – The new 400-car Desert Lake Drive-In has been opened here by Neil Holloway, manager, and his partner, Keith McDowell. The new drive-in features a 34x80-foot screen, the largest outdoor screen in the desert area outside of Lancaster, and is held in place by 50-foot poles. William Deck of Mojave is the projectionist.
The snack bar features chicken and shrimp dinners, pizzas, hot dogs and a full menu of supporting concessions items. Mrs. Saylor is in charge of the kitchen.
Admission is 90 cents for adults and 75 cents for children 12 years old and up. Children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by their parents. Mrs. Wilma Cummins is in charge of the boxoffice.
Here’s a note to add to the confusion. The June 20, 1960 issue of Boxoffice wrote: “LAS VEGAS, NEV. – The new 700-car Fort Union Drive-In was opened here recently by John Wolfe. A Spanish-language picture is included on each Tuesday night bill.” (That note was also summarized in a retrospective list the following January in Boxoffice.)
Spanish-language films tend to play better in New Mexico than Nevada. And of course, there was never a Fort Union drive-in in Nevada. Which is understandable because the old Fort Union, commemorated in the Fort Union National Monument, was less than 30 miles away from what is now New Mexico’s last active drive-in.
“Charles C. Wolfe was in (Dallas) working with Hardin Theatre Supply Co., the firm installing the equipment for his new Big Sky Drive-In, Carlsbad, N. M.” — Boxoffice, June 13, 1960
“Eugene Moos of Ellinwood … is assuming operation of the drive-in there in addition to the indoor theatre.” — Boxoffice, June 13, 1960
“At Harper, Carl Botkin has taken out the first four rows of seats in front of the screen, plays records in the booth, and couples dance before and after the show.” — Boxoffice, June 13, 1960
“The Ritz Theatre, owned by Otto Ingwersen, ceased operations after its show the night of May 28. It is unknown when the theatre will resume.” — Boxoffice, June 13, 1960
Yet another name, from the April 11, 1960 issue of Boxoffice: “Seen along Filmrow … Tommy Shaeffer, Grandee Drive-In, Sullivan, Mo.” The June 13, 1960 issue spelled the name “Tom Shaffer” but still called the drive-in the Grandee.
“The Starlite (sic) at Beardstown, Ill., was closed while repairs were made to the screen tower, following damage by a high wind. The Starlite is owned by the Pirtle company.” — Boxoffice, June 13, 1960
“Fred Stein, Fred Stein Enterprises, acquired the Studio Theatre in San Bernardino, formerly operated by Pacific Drive-In Theatres, effective June 15” — Boxoffice, June 13, 1960
Corral owner Tom Edwards had a side hustle, as noted in this June 6, 1960 note in Boxoffice: “Larry Bichele of American International Pictures called on Tom Edwards at Eldon, Mo., and found Tom getting his Monkey Jungle, which he operates in connection with his drive-in theatre and gift shop, ready for the tourist season.”
The VA, owned and operated by Jack and Jimmie Hull, was mentioned in the May 16, 1960 issue of Boxoffice as one of three Oklahoma drive-ins whose screen towers “were destroyed and other damage sustained” by storms on May 4 & 5 that year.
The Cherokee, operated by Charles Ralls, was mentioned in the May 16, 1960 issue of Boxoffice as one of three Oklahoma drive-ins whose screen towers “were destroyed and other damage sustained” by storms on May 4 & 5 that year.
The Tee Pee was mentioned in the May 16, 1960 issue of Boxoffice as one of three Oklahoma drive-ins whose screen towers “were destroyed and other damage sustained” by storms on May 4 & 5 that year.
Sounds like the King was long gone by this note in the May 9, 1960 issue of Boxoffice: “Dan McCarthy gave a glowing account to B&H Mfrs. Associates on the trampoline and Go-Kary center he has opened on the former King Drive-In Theatre site at San Marcos. He has called the center Bounceville.”
From the May 9, 1960 issue of Boxoffice:
KAUKAUNA, WIS. – The 23-year-old Rialto and the Tower Outdoor theatres have been purchased from Harry Melcher of United Theatres, Milwaukee, by Marcus Theatres Management Co., for an undisclosed amount. The Tower Outdoor, north of Highway 41 between Kaukauna and Little Chute, has been a Marcus theatre on an operating rental basis for the last five years.
“BROOKVILLE, PA. – The Moonlite Drive-In near here has been sold by Orville Hollobaugh to Richard Neff. Neff operates the Super 220 Drive-In near Altoona and he is widely known in the trade as manager of the Wilson Theatres of Tyrone, Pa.” — Boxoffice, May 2, 1960
“CORPUS CHRISTI – The Boulevard Drive-In screen is now within ten feet of the highway, which passes the front of theatre, as a result of a highway widening project.” — Boxoffice, April 11, 1960
The May 2, 1960 Boxoffice elaborated on that news. “The Boulevard Drive-In at Corpus Christi will be closed as a result of widening the highway between Chapman Ranch road and the Charide Drive-In in Flour Bluff. Don Skewis of the state highway department said the project will be completed in August.”
“Four theatres (owned by Claude Ezell & Associates) will get complete resurfacing this year, including the Buckner Drive-In here. The Buckner also is to have a complete decoration job on its screen building, concession stand, fences and playground equipment as well as a new clown mural for the face of the building. Work has been completed on two new ramps at the Buckner, adding more than 200 cars to its present capacity and making this theatre one of the largest airers in this city.” — Boxoffice, May 2, 1960
A new owner by the start of the 1960 season, per Boxoffice, May 2 that year: “Ed Harris opened the Edgewood Drive-In at Neosho April 14 and closed the Orpheum downtown house.”