MIDLAND, TEX. — Ground-breaking ceremonies were held Monday morning
(14) for the Howard Hodge Theatre, Midland’s first new first-run motion picture house in more than 30 years. J. Howard Hodge, Midland theatre operator, turned the first spade of earth on the project
at 200 Plaza St., directly west of the Village Shopping center. Guests included Mayor Prank Thompson, President Stanley Moore of the Chamber of Commerce and Joe Wright, general contractor on the project.
Completion of the 1,100-seat theatre is to be within 240 days of the start. Precast terrazzo will be used on the front exterior trim of the de luxe theatre, which will have a steel superstructure and masonry
construction.
The theatre will be owned by J. Howard Hodge and Video Independent Theatres. The firm of Pierce, Norris, Pace & Associates has the architectural contract. The contract for construction was awarded
the Midwest Lumber Co. of Midland.
Same street, same drive-in? From the March 28, 1960 issue of Boxoffice:
TEXARKANA — Purchase of the Red River Drive-In on West Seventh by Houck
& Powers Theatres has been announced by L. D. Powers. The new owners have closed the drive-in for remodeling and redecoration and will reopen around April 1.
Movies booked will be the “latest and the best,” according to Powers, who has been in theatre business 21 years. His partner, Joy Houck, has been in exhibition 30 years and also produces pictures.
They plan to redesign the concessions stand, repair speakers, repaint the building and improve the ramp area. The drive-in was built eight years ago, formerly owned by Eldon Peek of Oklahoma City.
“We have faith in Texarkana and its future and in show business,” Powers said. He and Houck also own the Leo, the Joy Drive-In and a theatre in Prescott, Ark.
MARSHALL. TEX. — The Capri Drive-In on U. S. 80 East is ready for a new season following remodeling necessitated by damage to screen and boxoffice in a November tornado. The theatre formerly was known
as the Fox, and is owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lucht.
The new screen, for which a new concrete foundation had to be laid, is the third of its kind in the southwest, Mrs. Lucht said, being a new type Glatex screen produced by U. S. Gypsum Co. The other two such screens are said to be at Lubbock and at Nashville, Ark. Features
include elimination of the possibility of rust stains forming to spoil the screen picture.
Attractive shades of green and yellow have been used in remodeling the boxoffice, as well as in painting the screen frame, signs and concessions building. New playground equipment has been
added. Entrances and boxoffice are now behind and not under the screen, as they were prior to the storm. Entrances have been improved with new surfacing.
“M. Phillipsen will attempt to operate the Coral (sic) Drive-In at Hudson, Colo., for one more season. Construction of a new highway will cut off access to the drive-in area.” — Boxoffice, March 28, 1960
So far, the only place I’ve seen the Mt. spelled out is this note in the March 28, 1960 issue of Boxoffice: “The Mount Baldy Drive-In, to be located at 3515 North Lincoln Ave., will be built this spring by Walter G. Long & Associates. The drive-in will be designed for 1,200 cars and will require an investment of around $200,000.”
“Chapman Amusement Co., headed by George Chapman, will open the new Pheasant at Mobridge, S. D. in June. The theatre accommodates 400 cars and is located at the west end of town on Highway 12. … Another drive-in at Mobridge, the Lakevu, is operated by Ernie Borud.” — Boxoffice, March 21, 1960
As part of a story on the drive-ins owned by Lloyd Franklin and W. O. Bearden, the March 21, 1960 issue of Boxoffice wrote, “The Comet, erected in 1958, has approximately a 550-car capacity”.
In a discussion of the drive-ins owned by Lloyd Franklin and W. O. Bearden, the March 21, 1960 issue of BoxOffice wrote, “They bought the Four Lane Drive-In east of town in the fall of 1955 but never did open it.”
“Lloyd Franklin of Clovis, N. M., is dickering with his partner W. O. Bearden of Lubbock, Tex., and with contractors, on rebuilding the screen tower at the LaFonda Drive-In, which burned to the ground last August during a thunderstorm and Franklin was not sure whether or not lightning or faulty wiring caused the fire.” — BoxOffice, March 21, 1960
From the March 21, 1960 issue of Boxoffice: “COLUMBUS, KAS. – Donald Bowin of Parsons purchased the Liberty Theatre and the Cherokee Drive-In from John B. Huston and his sister, Mrs. Dorothy Madson of Burson, Calif., effective March 15. The sale also included the Liberty Building, which was built by the late N. W. Huston and the theatre operated by him for many years. He acquired the Cherokee Drive-In from Louis Stein of Parsons, who constructed it. At the time of its construction, Bowin was associated with Stein.”
“Booking and buying along (Los Angeles) Filmrow were Gladys Underhill, Twentynine Palms and Starlight Drive-In in Twentynine Palms, who reported she has closed her Plaza Theatre.” — Boxoffice, March 21, 1960
“The closing of the Chateau at Wauneta, Neb., operated by Dr. F. E. Rider, leaves Dr. W. E. Scott, owner of the Rio at Meeker, Colo., as the only dentist in the Rocky mountain area operating a theatre”. — BoxOffice, March 21, 1960
Fun little note from the March 21, 1960 issue of BoxOffice: “George DeVries of Montrose has postponed the opening of his Star Drive-In — snow is so deep that four-wheel drive vehicles are unable to enter the airer.”
The March 21, 1960 issue of BoxOffice reported the theater’s (temporary) closure as the Star: “The Star at Imperial, Neb., managed by W. H. ‘Rusty’ Kinder, has been forced to close due to poor business.”
BoxOffice used to get chatty, and this note from the March 7, 1960 issue told me more about John Sanders than I might have asked for:
John Sanders plans to reopen his Cleveland Drive-In about May 1. At present he is playing one picture a week in his Melba Theatre, on Friday-Saturday. When he reopens the drive-in, he will close the Melba to a Saturday only, using a film from the airer. He also has a cattle ranch. With all this snow, his feed bill is running into many dollars. His daughter is in high school in Cleveland and his son-in-law is finishing up his course at Oklahoma State University at Stillwater. During school hours, grandpa and grandma Sanders baby-sit with the daughter’s 10-month-old son. They think the grandson is about the finest thing that ever happened to them.
A rare glimpse into the life of the Striblings appeared in the March 7, 1960 issue of BoxOffice:
Joe Stribling, Gem and Rig drive-in theatres, Davenport, who also works for the local telephone company, reports the company plans an expansion program which will keep him busier than ever. He plans to reopen the drive-in full time around the middle of April, and to run a Gem late show Saturday nights, using the same picture in the drive-in on the two following days. He has practically turned over the buying and booking to his wife.
“The Motovu Drive-In at Warrenton has been leased by its owner, State Representative William T. Zimmerman to Mr. and Mrs. Lowell G. Sprick, who plan to reopen it for the season April 1.” — BoxOffice, March 7, 1960
Probably just a season-opener after the sale. “Stanford Kohlberg opened the Dunes Drive-In at East Gary immediately following purchase of the property.” — BoxOffice, Feb. 29, 1960
On Feb. 19, 1960, BoxOffice ran what was effectively an obituary for the Grand:
MOBEKLY, MO.—The Grand Theatre, constructed nearly 60 years ago, soon will enter a new phase of its existence. Fox Midwest of Kansas City closed the theatre this month and the structure will be remodeled, starting March 1, for use by J. C. Penney Co. as a department store.
The passing of the Grand leaves this town with only one theatre, plus a drive-in. At one time, Moberly had four theatres, two playing first-run film.
Penney plans to spend $100,000 on the conversion. The history of the Grand dates back to Dec. 14, 1903, when it was opened as the Halloran Theatre by Patrick Halloran with the stage show “Peggy From Paris” as the attraction. It ran for two nights. Seats on the opening night sold at $5 to $10 and reservations were by drawing.
In 1906 Halloran took in two partners, J. B. Price and Charles E. Breeding of Hannibal, Mo. They incorporated as the Halloran Theatre Company. In 1913 the theatre was sold to George W. Sparks, whose son owns the present building.
Sparks in 1913 leased the building to Fred Corbett and Jack Truitt and they changed the name to the Grand Theatre. They operated originally as a vaudeville house but later changed to silent motion pictures. The building was swept by fire in 1914 but was rebuilt by Sparks, again being leased to Corbett and Truitt.
A second fire in 1925 destroyed the building. It was reconstructed and this time was leased to the Sears Amusement Co., a subsidiary of Universal Pictures Co. This lease subsequently was assigned to various other interests and finally to the Fox Midwest, which has had it about 30 years.
A. H. Pekarek, manager of the Grand since May 1927, was transferred to the Jayhawk in Topeka, effective February 12, and Gene Kincaid, manager of the Kennedy in Kirksville, was moved in to supervise removal of equipment and other final details. Pekarek, who has been with the circuit 25 years, returned to the same theatre where he started as a doorman. Mrs. Pekarek’s parents live in Topeka.
“EAST ST. LOUIS – The Mounds Drive-In between here and Collinsville has been taken over by Mid-American Theatres of St. Louis renamed the Falcon and will be reopened in March with R. L. Wesseman as manager. The concession stand is being enlarged and other improvements being made. Wesseman said no sex-type pictures will be shown, and the policy will be strictly family type.” — BoxOffice, Feb. 29, 1960
From the Feb. 29, 1960 issue of BoxOffice: “Homer Tegtmeier, who acquired the Dos Palos Drive-In from Julian Hales, refurbished it and reopened Wednesday (24)”.
From Boxoffice, March 28, 1960:
MIDLAND, TEX. — Ground-breaking ceremonies were held Monday morning (14) for the Howard Hodge Theatre, Midland’s first new first-run motion picture house in more than 30 years. J. Howard Hodge, Midland theatre operator, turned the first spade of earth on the project at 200 Plaza St., directly west of the Village Shopping center. Guests included Mayor Prank Thompson, President Stanley Moore of the Chamber of Commerce and Joe Wright, general contractor on the project.
Completion of the 1,100-seat theatre is to be within 240 days of the start. Precast terrazzo will be used on the front exterior trim of the de luxe theatre, which will have a steel superstructure and masonry construction.
The theatre will be owned by J. Howard Hodge and Video Independent Theatres. The firm of Pierce, Norris, Pace & Associates has the architectural contract. The contract for construction was awarded the Midwest Lumber Co. of Midland.
Same street, same drive-in? From the March 28, 1960 issue of Boxoffice:
TEXARKANA — Purchase of the Red River Drive-In on West Seventh by Houck & Powers Theatres has been announced by L. D. Powers. The new owners have closed the drive-in for remodeling and redecoration and will reopen around April 1.
Movies booked will be the “latest and the best,” according to Powers, who has been in theatre business 21 years. His partner, Joy Houck, has been in exhibition 30 years and also produces pictures.
They plan to redesign the concessions stand, repair speakers, repaint the building and improve the ramp area. The drive-in was built eight years ago, formerly owned by Eldon Peek of Oklahoma City.
“We have faith in Texarkana and its future and in show business,” Powers said. He and Houck also own the Leo, the Joy Drive-In and a theatre in Prescott, Ark.
From the March 28, 1960 issue of Boxoffice:
MARSHALL. TEX. — The Capri Drive-In on U. S. 80 East is ready for a new season following remodeling necessitated by damage to screen and boxoffice in a November tornado. The theatre formerly was known as the Fox, and is owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lucht.
The new screen, for which a new concrete foundation had to be laid, is the third of its kind in the southwest, Mrs. Lucht said, being a new type Glatex screen produced by U. S. Gypsum Co. The other two such screens are said to be at Lubbock and at Nashville, Ark. Features include elimination of the possibility of rust stains forming to spoil the screen picture.
Attractive shades of green and yellow have been used in remodeling the boxoffice, as well as in painting the screen frame, signs and concessions building. New playground equipment has been added. Entrances and boxoffice are now behind and not under the screen, as they were prior to the storm. Entrances have been improved with new surfacing.
“M. Phillipsen will attempt to operate the Coral (sic) Drive-In at Hudson, Colo., for one more season. Construction of a new highway will cut off access to the drive-in area.” — Boxoffice, March 28, 1960
“Carmen Romano, L&L Drive-In at Louisville, plans a series of eye treatments”. — Boxoffice, March 28, 1960
So far, the only place I’ve seen the Mt. spelled out is this note in the March 28, 1960 issue of Boxoffice: “The Mount Baldy Drive-In, to be located at 3515 North Lincoln Ave., will be built this spring by Walter G. Long & Associates. The drive-in will be designed for 1,200 cars and will require an investment of around $200,000.”
“Chapman Amusement Co., headed by George Chapman, will open the new Pheasant at Mobridge, S. D. in June. The theatre accommodates 400 cars and is located at the west end of town on Highway 12. … Another drive-in at Mobridge, the Lakevu, is operated by Ernie Borud.” — Boxoffice, March 21, 1960
As part of a story on the drive-ins owned by Lloyd Franklin and W. O. Bearden, the March 21, 1960 issue of Boxoffice wrote, “The Comet, erected in 1958, has approximately a 550-car capacity”.
In a discussion of the drive-ins owned by Lloyd Franklin and W. O. Bearden, the March 21, 1960 issue of BoxOffice wrote, “They bought the Four Lane Drive-In east of town in the fall of 1955 but never did open it.”
“Lloyd Franklin of Clovis, N. M., is dickering with his partner W. O. Bearden of Lubbock, Tex., and with contractors, on rebuilding the screen tower at the LaFonda Drive-In, which burned to the ground last August during a thunderstorm and Franklin was not sure whether or not lightning or faulty wiring caused the fire.” — BoxOffice, March 21, 1960
From the March 21, 1960 issue of Boxoffice: “COLUMBUS, KAS. – Donald Bowin of Parsons purchased the Liberty Theatre and the Cherokee Drive-In from John B. Huston and his sister, Mrs. Dorothy Madson of Burson, Calif., effective March 15. The sale also included the Liberty Building, which was built by the late N. W. Huston and the theatre operated by him for many years. He acquired the Cherokee Drive-In from Louis Stein of Parsons, who constructed it. At the time of its construction, Bowin was associated with Stein.”
“Booking and buying along (Los Angeles) Filmrow were Gladys Underhill, Twentynine Palms and Starlight Drive-In in Twentynine Palms, who reported she has closed her Plaza Theatre.” — Boxoffice, March 21, 1960
“Fred Stein sold his Bishop Theatre and Bishop Drive-In to Harry E. Ulsh, who operates the Fillmore in Fillmore.” — Boxoffice, March 21, 1960
“The closing of the Chateau at Wauneta, Neb., operated by Dr. F. E. Rider, leaves Dr. W. E. Scott, owner of the Rio at Meeker, Colo., as the only dentist in the Rocky mountain area operating a theatre”. — BoxOffice, March 21, 1960
In its March 21, 1960 issue, BoxOffice thought the Chateau, operated by Dr. F. E. Rider, a dentist, was closed permanently.
Fun little note from the March 21, 1960 issue of BoxOffice: “George DeVries of Montrose has postponed the opening of his Star Drive-In — snow is so deep that four-wheel drive vehicles are unable to enter the airer.”
The March 21, 1960 issue of BoxOffice reported the theater’s (temporary) closure as the Star: “The Star at Imperial, Neb., managed by W. H. ‘Rusty’ Kinder, has been forced to close due to poor business.”
BoxOffice used to get chatty, and this note from the March 7, 1960 issue told me more about John Sanders than I might have asked for:
John Sanders plans to reopen his Cleveland Drive-In about May 1. At present he is playing one picture a week in his Melba Theatre, on Friday-Saturday. When he reopens the drive-in, he will close the Melba to a Saturday only, using a film from the airer. He also has a cattle ranch. With all this snow, his feed bill is running into many dollars. His daughter is in high school in Cleveland and his son-in-law is finishing up his course at Oklahoma State University at Stillwater. During school hours, grandpa and grandma Sanders baby-sit with the daughter’s 10-month-old son. They think the grandson is about the finest thing that ever happened to them.
A rare glimpse into the life of the Striblings appeared in the March 7, 1960 issue of BoxOffice:
Joe Stribling, Gem and Rig drive-in theatres, Davenport, who also works for the local telephone company, reports the company plans an expansion program which will keep him busier than ever. He plans to reopen the drive-in full time around the middle of April, and to run a Gem late show Saturday nights, using the same picture in the drive-in on the two following days. He has practically turned over the buying and booking to his wife.
“The Motovu Drive-In at Warrenton has been leased by its owner, State Representative William T. Zimmerman to Mr. and Mrs. Lowell G. Sprick, who plan to reopen it for the season April 1.” — BoxOffice, March 7, 1960
Probably just a season-opener after the sale. “Stanford Kohlberg opened the Dunes Drive-In at East Gary immediately following purchase of the property.” — BoxOffice, Feb. 29, 1960
On Feb. 19, 1960, BoxOffice ran what was effectively an obituary for the Grand:
MOBEKLY, MO.—The Grand Theatre, constructed nearly 60 years ago, soon will enter a new phase of its existence. Fox Midwest of Kansas City closed the theatre this month and the structure will be remodeled, starting March 1, for use by J. C. Penney Co. as a department store.
The passing of the Grand leaves this town with only one theatre, plus a drive-in. At one time, Moberly had four theatres, two playing first-run film.
Penney plans to spend $100,000 on the conversion. The history of the Grand dates back to Dec. 14, 1903, when it was opened as the Halloran Theatre by Patrick Halloran with the stage show “Peggy From Paris” as the attraction. It ran for two nights. Seats on the opening night sold at $5 to $10 and reservations were by drawing.
In 1906 Halloran took in two partners, J. B. Price and Charles E. Breeding of Hannibal, Mo. They incorporated as the Halloran Theatre Company. In 1913 the theatre was sold to George W. Sparks, whose son owns the present building.
Sparks in 1913 leased the building to Fred Corbett and Jack Truitt and they changed the name to the Grand Theatre. They operated originally as a vaudeville house but later changed to silent motion pictures. The building was swept by fire in 1914 but was rebuilt by Sparks, again being leased to Corbett and Truitt.
A second fire in 1925 destroyed the building. It was reconstructed and this time was leased to the Sears Amusement Co., a subsidiary of Universal Pictures Co. This lease subsequently was assigned to various other interests and finally to the Fox Midwest, which has had it about 30 years.
A. H. Pekarek, manager of the Grand since May 1927, was transferred to the Jayhawk in Topeka, effective February 12, and Gene Kincaid, manager of the Kennedy in Kirksville, was moved in to supervise removal of equipment and other final details. Pekarek, who has been with the circuit 25 years, returned to the same theatre where he started as a doorman. Mrs. Pekarek’s parents live in Topeka.
“EAST ST. LOUIS – The Mounds Drive-In between here and Collinsville has been taken over by Mid-American Theatres of St. Louis renamed the Falcon and will be reopened in March with R. L. Wesseman as manager. The concession stand is being enlarged and other improvements being made. Wesseman said no sex-type pictures will be shown, and the policy will be strictly family type.” — BoxOffice, Feb. 29, 1960
“Frank Childs is erecting a new, very colorful boxoffice at the Starlight Drive-In Theatre, Sterling.” — BoxOffice, Feb. 29, 1960
From the Feb. 29, 1960 issue of BoxOffice: “Homer Tegtmeier, who acquired the Dos Palos Drive-In from Julian Hales, refurbished it and reopened Wednesday (24)”.