The June 5, 1955 St. Louis Globe-Democrat wrote that the 648-car Shop City was being developed by St. Louis investors and would be managed by Jablonow-Komm Theaters.
The Mound was built in 1954, based on a May 13, 1955 article in The Press-Gazette of Hillsboro OH. It discussed a possible new drive-in operated by a subsidiary of Associated Theatres, which operated the Mound. The chain was widening other drive-in screens, but the screen at the Mound “which was completed only last year, was already a wide screen”.
Associated Press weird news note that got picked up by several newspapers: On Sunday, Sept. 7, 1952, thieves cracked the safe “of the Bluemound Drive-In Theater in Elm Grove” and stole 8650 pennies. Manager Roberg Gross said the pennies were around to make change but the weekend’s proceeds were already deposited.
More notes. Motion Picture Herald, May 10, 1947: “Ray Toepfer and Lida Cummins, operating the Blue Grass drive-in, have secured a site south of Lexington where they will build another drive-in.”
Motion Picture Herald, Oct. 4, 1952: “The Blue Grass Drive-In theatre, which has been in operation outside of Georgetown, Kentucky, since 1941, was denied a permit Sept. 22 by Judge G. G. Barkley of Scott County. Although in operation 11 years, the theatre had never been granted a permit. Judge Barkley, after hearing testimony said, ‘… to gain a permit a person must abide by the laws. It has been brought out that the theatre has remained open several times until after midnight, implying that the law would not be carried out if a permit is granted. Therefore, I am denying a permit.’ ”
It must have worked out. The Exhibitor, December 23, 1953: “Mark Cummins, exhibitor, is in St. Petersburg, Fla., for several weeks. Midwest Theatre Supply furnished RCA projection equipment for his Blue Grass Drive-In, Georgetown, Ky.”
“The Fort Wood theatre, Waynesville, Mo., which is largely patronized by service men from Fort Leonard Wood, has just installed a wide screen, the first in the area, for the showing of CinemaScope.”
— Motion Picture Herald, Sept. 4, 1954
I believe this drive-in opened in July 1955. From the July 23, 1955 Motion Picture Herald: “The Woodlane drive-in theater, Waynesville, Mo., had its gala opening recently and the merchants of the city got together and ran a full-page advertisement in the Waynesville newspaper congratulating the management.”
The 1955-56 Theatre Catalog listed the Woodlane with a capacity of 280 cars, owned by Commonwealth Amuse. Co.
A “Drive-In” with no other information debuted under Waynesville in the 1955 Motion Picture Almanac. The next year, it was the Wood Lane, capacity 380, owner Commonwealth Amuse. Co. That’s how it stayed through 1976; the 1977 edition dropped the capacity of the “Woodlane” to 200 through to the final MPA drive-in list in 1988.
Did the Woodlane have a soft opening in 1954? Because of that 1955 MPA listing, it probably existed before February that year. And then there’s this cryptic one-sentence note, providing more questions than answers, in the Dec. 25, 1954 issue of Motion Picture Herald:
“The recently constructed Woodlane drive-in theatre at Waynesville, Mo., and all sound and concession projection equipment was destroyed recently.”
“A large neon sign with 16-foot lettering, was installed at the 66 Drive-In on U. S. 66 south of Springfield, Ilk, owned and operated by Kerasotes and managed by Bill Ford.” — The Independent Film Journal, May 2, 1953
Those letters must have been on the back of the screen tower. The 66’s marquee was magnificent, but its letters don’t look anywhere near that tall.
Same theater? The Independent Film Journal reported on March 7, 1953 that “Bill Ford, owner-mgr. of the Bland Theatre, Blandinsville, Ill.,
has been made mgr. of Kerasotes’ 66 Drive-In Theatre at Springfield, Ill.”
I would pay $5 for a framed picture of the Bland marquee. ;)
Small update to the Motion Picture Almanac notes above: “Drive-In” switched to “Mustang” in the 1970 edition, so the name change was probably a year or two earlier.
“The property was in bad shape and the theatre had a reputation as a place for young people to get drunk and, he learned later, there had been a small riot on the last night of the 1987 season. Worse, the Petersons knew nothing about running a drive-in.” The couple cleaned up the place and most importantly, created and enforced a no-alcohol policy. That hurt first year attendance, Paul Peterson said, “but it worked because word got out: it’s not a dump anymore.”
The Petersons added a second screen in 2002, and as of 2008, their adult children were helping to run the Mustang.
From the Jan. 5, 1955 Motion Picture Exhibitor: “In Granite City, Ill., the Bel-Air Drive-In, owned and operated by Komm Circuit, has recently put into service 200 new Radiant type in-a-car heaters purchased through the St. Louis branch of National Theatre Supply.”
From the Nov. 27, 1957 Motion Picture Exhibitor: “EAST ST. LOUIS, ILL.—Members of the Knights of Columbus Council, Number 592. recently adopted a resolution condemning three of the drive-in theatres of this vicinity on the grounds that they had been showing ‘immoral and obscene’ motion pictures. The resolution also urged members of the Council not to patronize the drive-ins so long as the management continues ‘to show such pictures.’ The theatres involved are Shop City Drive-In, Mounds Drive-In, and the Bel-Air Drive-In. All are operated by the Jablonow-Komm theatre interests.”
From the Aug. 26, 1964 Motion Picture Exhibitor: “Reinhardt Weseman has been appointed supervisor for the five drive-ins operated in southern Illinois by Mid America Theatres. Weseman will retain his position as manager, Bel Air Drive-In, Mitchell, Ill.”
On March 14, 1956, Motion Picture Exhibitor reported, “An unfortunate situation occurred at the opening night of the new million-dollar Bel-Air Drive-In in suburban Cicero. Temperatures in the high 50’s had melted the snow and softened the ground in the huge parking area to such an extent that many of the cars sank to their hubs. Tractors were used to pull them out. Further showings at the theatre were postponed until the ground hardens. Bel-Air was built and is operated by Jerome and Raymond Marks, Martin Rosenfield,” (and the rest, if any, was cut off)
From the April 4, 1953 Motion Picture Herald: “Nashville will have a new drive-in theatre soon, to cost $120,000, and to be run by the new Bel-Air Drive-In Theatres Company, of which the president will be Charles Henritz, who also will manage the house. The 700-car unit is expected to start operation June 1. Associated with Mr. Henritz arc Charles Kuertz and James Ferguson.”
From Motion Picture Exhibitor, Nov. 13, 1957: “Mark Cummins, Cincinnati, is the new owner, Bel-Air, Colonial, and Warner Park Drive-Ins from the Condra Amusement Company, Nashville, Tenn.”
From the Feb. 12, 1964 Motion Picture Exhibitor: “In Jackson, Mich., Jack and Jay Phillips, who have operated the Bel-Air Drive-In for the past decade, have sold it to veteran exhibitor Elton L. Samuels. Presently closed, it will reopen March 27. Samuels, who also owns the Jackson Drive-In, will reopen it March 13. About a year ago, Samuels disposed of the Miracle Mile outdoorer in Pontiac, and the Waterford fresh airer in Waterford to Redstone of Boston. Through Clark Theatre Service of Detroit, which handles Samuels’ buying and booking, notice has been served on distributors that the Bel-Air is in contention for first-run product.”
From Motion Picture Exhibitor, Aug. 26, 1964: “Mid America Theatres has
purchased Marlow’s Drive-In, Herrin, Ill. The drive-in was renamed the Riviera. Earl Ritchey, Herrin, has been named manager. A new concessions building, electric in-car heaters, and other improvements have been announced.”
The June 25, 1944 Chicago Sun carried a short story that the “Drive-In Theater” would have a fireworks show on July 4 as part of a War Bond drive.
From the Sept. 9, 1945 Chicago Sun:
“With the removal of gasoline restrictions, the Drive In Theater has enjoyed such an upsurge of business that architects have been called in to reconstruct the entire left wing of the screen area to provide another ‘hold-out’ lot for 250 cars.
“Two weeks ago, a similar lot was opened on the right side of the theater to expedite entrance into the landscaped auditorium.”
More personal details than normal from the June 21, 1947 BoxOffice:
Robert L. Barton, son of the R. Lewis Bartons, and Betty Lou Humphrey were married recently. Both the bride and bridegroom
were Oklahoma City university students. The
bride was president of her senior class. The
couple is on a one-month wedding trip to
Canada and Niagara Falls. Young Barton is
associated with his dad in the theatre business but plans to continue his college education in the autumn. His father owns a chain
of houses in Oklahoma, including the Home,
Knob Hill and Redskin here. He also is
building a new drive-in near the city which
will have a 1,000-car capacity. It is three
miles south of the city on Norman Highway
77, and will be known as the Odom.
“Ed Johnson and Dwight
Spracher have changed the name of their
drive-in on the Seattle-Tacoma highway
from the Northwest Motor-In to the Midway.” — BoxOffice, June 21, 1947
Gordon Allen’s new Motor Movies Drive-In
at Hayward will open June 27. A CPA permit
has been received. No one was more surprised than Gordon when he realized that
ground was broken for the drive-in only two
weeks ago. Allen recently was married to
Helen McCoy of the Robert L. Lippert circuit.
HOUSTON — The Shepherd, Houston’s newest drive-in, located on North Shepherd
drive just beyond the city limits, was opened
Friday, May 23.
It is the second de luxe drive-in to be
opened in Houston by Underwood & Ezell
this year and the third operated in Houston
by this company. They also operate drive-in
theatres in Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio,
Waco and Pharr.
The modern design of the Shepherd combines both beauty and operating efficiency.
Designed by Jack Corgan of Dallas, it offers
the newest developments in drive-in theatre
engineering. The arena is paved throughout
and each ramp has been engineered to a
fraction of an inch to insure perfect vision
for each patron. Special lighting makes it
possible for cars to move in and out of the
theatre with safety. Each car is provided
with an individual speaker with a sound-volume-control button to adjust the sound
to the exact volume desired.
A snack bar is located in the center of the
park where cold drinks, popcorn and candy
may be sold.
The Shepherd will change programs four
times each week.
A few more details in the April 19, 1947 issue of BoxOffice:
Winkler Drive-In: Opened March 21 and
has a capacity for 600 cars. It is the family
type theatre and shows two shows nightly
with a Saturday midnighter. W. C. Underwood and C. C. Ezell owners of the South
Main Drive-In and also of a string in Texas,
built the Winkler. Maurice Rogillio is operator and Bill Sargent its manager. The opening picture was “Three Little Girls in Blue.” Each car has its own speaker. A nursery is in operation and there is a playground for the children. There are also concessions.
AGAWAM, MASS. — With a record crowd
in attendance, Riverside Park-In Theatre,
owned and operated by Edward J. Carroll,
opened here over the Easter weekend. The
open-air theatre is part of Carroll’s extensive
Riverside amusement park.
On Oct. 14, 1960, The Maryville (MO) Daily Forum mentioned a field trip that included a visit to the “Mound City drive-in theater.”
The June 5, 1955 St. Louis Globe-Democrat wrote that the 648-car Shop City was being developed by St. Louis investors and would be managed by Jablonow-Komm Theaters.
The Mound was built in 1954, based on a May 13, 1955 article in The Press-Gazette of Hillsboro OH. It discussed a possible new drive-in operated by a subsidiary of Associated Theatres, which operated the Mound. The chain was widening other drive-in screens, but the screen at the Mound “which was completed only last year, was already a wide screen”.
Associated Press weird news note that got picked up by several newspapers: On Sunday, Sept. 7, 1952, thieves cracked the safe “of the Bluemound Drive-In Theater in Elm Grove” and stole 8650 pennies. Manager Roberg Gross said the pennies were around to make change but the weekend’s proceeds were already deposited.
More notes. Motion Picture Herald, May 10, 1947: “Ray Toepfer and Lida Cummins, operating the Blue Grass drive-in, have secured a site south of Lexington where they will build another drive-in.”
Motion Picture Herald, Oct. 4, 1952: “The Blue Grass Drive-In theatre, which has been in operation outside of Georgetown, Kentucky, since 1941, was denied a permit Sept. 22 by Judge G. G. Barkley of Scott County. Although in operation 11 years, the theatre had never been granted a permit. Judge Barkley, after hearing testimony said, ‘… to gain a permit a person must abide by the laws. It has been brought out that the theatre has remained open several times until after midnight, implying that the law would not be carried out if a permit is granted. Therefore, I am denying a permit.’ ”
It must have worked out. The Exhibitor, December 23, 1953: “Mark Cummins, exhibitor, is in St. Petersburg, Fla., for several weeks. Midwest Theatre Supply furnished RCA projection equipment for his Blue Grass Drive-In, Georgetown, Ky.”
“The Fort Wood theatre, Waynesville, Mo., which is largely patronized by service men from Fort Leonard Wood, has just installed a wide screen, the first in the area, for the showing of CinemaScope.” — Motion Picture Herald, Sept. 4, 1954
I believe this drive-in opened in July 1955. From the July 23, 1955 Motion Picture Herald: “The Woodlane drive-in theater, Waynesville, Mo., had its gala opening recently and the merchants of the city got together and ran a full-page advertisement in the Waynesville newspaper congratulating the management.”
The 1955-56 Theatre Catalog listed the Woodlane with a capacity of 280 cars, owned by Commonwealth Amuse. Co.
A “Drive-In” with no other information debuted under Waynesville in the 1955 Motion Picture Almanac. The next year, it was the Wood Lane, capacity 380, owner Commonwealth Amuse. Co. That’s how it stayed through 1976; the 1977 edition dropped the capacity of the “Woodlane” to 200 through to the final MPA drive-in list in 1988.
Did the Woodlane have a soft opening in 1954? Because of that 1955 MPA listing, it probably existed before February that year. And then there’s this cryptic one-sentence note, providing more questions than answers, in the Dec. 25, 1954 issue of Motion Picture Herald:
“The recently constructed Woodlane drive-in theatre at Waynesville, Mo., and all sound and concession projection equipment was destroyed recently.”
The drive-in was “abandoned” but not yet gone when mentioned in the 1996 book Road Trip USA.
“A large neon sign with 16-foot lettering, was installed at the 66 Drive-In on U. S. 66 south of Springfield, Ilk, owned and operated by Kerasotes and managed by Bill Ford.” — The Independent Film Journal, May 2, 1953
Those letters must have been on the back of the screen tower. The 66’s marquee was magnificent, but its letters don’t look anywhere near that tall.
Same theater? The Independent Film Journal reported on March 7, 1953 that “Bill Ford, owner-mgr. of the Bland Theatre, Blandinsville, Ill., has been made mgr. of Kerasotes’ 66 Drive-In Theatre at Springfield, Ill.”
I would pay $5 for a framed picture of the Bland marquee. ;)
Small update to the Motion Picture Almanac notes above: “Drive-In” switched to “Mustang” in the 1970 edition, so the name change was probably a year or two earlier.
Online at the Internet Archive, I picked up Tim Falconer’s 2008 book Drive: a road trip through our complicated affair with the automobile. His description of Paul and Nancy Peterson’s 1988 purchase matches Demont’s, but he adds more details.
“The property was in bad shape and the theatre had a reputation as a place for young people to get drunk and, he learned later, there had been a small riot on the last night of the 1987 season. Worse, the Petersons knew nothing about running a drive-in.” The couple cleaned up the place and most importantly, created and enforced a no-alcohol policy. That hurt first year attendance, Paul Peterson said, “but it worked because word got out: it’s not a dump anymore.”
The Petersons added a second screen in 2002, and as of 2008, their adult children were helping to run the Mustang.
Its first movie was Canyon Passage, starring Dana Andrews. It was kind of old (1946) at the time, but it was in Technicolor.
From the Jan. 5, 1955 Motion Picture Exhibitor: “In Granite City, Ill., the Bel-Air Drive-In, owned and operated by Komm Circuit, has recently put into service 200 new Radiant type in-a-car heaters purchased through the St. Louis branch of National Theatre Supply.”
From the Nov. 27, 1957 Motion Picture Exhibitor: “EAST ST. LOUIS, ILL.—Members of the Knights of Columbus Council, Number 592. recently adopted a resolution condemning three of the drive-in theatres of this vicinity on the grounds that they had been showing ‘immoral and obscene’ motion pictures. The resolution also urged members of the Council not to patronize the drive-ins so long as the management continues ‘to show such pictures.’ The theatres involved are Shop City Drive-In, Mounds Drive-In, and the Bel-Air Drive-In. All are operated by the Jablonow-Komm theatre interests.”
From the Aug. 26, 1964 Motion Picture Exhibitor: “Reinhardt Weseman has been appointed supervisor for the five drive-ins operated in southern Illinois by Mid America Theatres. Weseman will retain his position as manager, Bel Air Drive-In, Mitchell, Ill.”
On March 14, 1956, Motion Picture Exhibitor reported, “An unfortunate situation occurred at the opening night of the new million-dollar Bel-Air Drive-In in suburban Cicero. Temperatures in the high 50’s had melted the snow and softened the ground in the huge parking area to such an extent that many of the cars sank to their hubs. Tractors were used to pull them out. Further showings at the theatre were postponed until the ground hardens. Bel-Air was built and is operated by Jerome and Raymond Marks, Martin Rosenfield,” (and the rest, if any, was cut off)
From the April 4, 1953 Motion Picture Herald: “Nashville will have a new drive-in theatre soon, to cost $120,000, and to be run by the new Bel-Air Drive-In Theatres Company, of which the president will be Charles Henritz, who also will manage the house. The 700-car unit is expected to start operation June 1. Associated with Mr. Henritz arc Charles Kuertz and James Ferguson.”
From Motion Picture Exhibitor, Nov. 13, 1957: “Mark Cummins, Cincinnati, is the new owner, Bel-Air, Colonial, and Warner Park Drive-Ins from the Condra Amusement Company, Nashville, Tenn.”
From the Feb. 12, 1964 Motion Picture Exhibitor: “In Jackson, Mich., Jack and Jay Phillips, who have operated the Bel-Air Drive-In for the past decade, have sold it to veteran exhibitor Elton L. Samuels. Presently closed, it will reopen March 27. Samuels, who also owns the Jackson Drive-In, will reopen it March 13. About a year ago, Samuels disposed of the Miracle Mile outdoorer in Pontiac, and the Waterford fresh airer in Waterford to Redstone of Boston. Through Clark Theatre Service of Detroit, which handles Samuels’ buying and booking, notice has been served on distributors that the Bel-Air is in contention for first-run product.”
From Motion Picture Exhibitor, Aug. 26, 1964: “Mid America Theatres has purchased Marlow’s Drive-In, Herrin, Ill. The drive-in was renamed the Riviera. Earl Ritchey, Herrin, has been named manager. A new concessions building, electric in-car heaters, and other improvements have been announced.”
The June 25, 1944 Chicago Sun carried a short story that the “Drive-In Theater” would have a fireworks show on July 4 as part of a War Bond drive.
From the Sept. 9, 1945 Chicago Sun:
“With the removal of gasoline restrictions, the Drive In Theater has enjoyed such an upsurge of business that architects have been called in to reconstruct the entire left wing of the screen area to provide another ‘hold-out’ lot for 250 cars.
“Two weeks ago, a similar lot was opened on the right side of the theater to expedite entrance into the landscaped auditorium.”
More personal details than normal from the June 21, 1947 BoxOffice:
Robert L. Barton, son of the R. Lewis Bartons, and Betty Lou Humphrey were married recently. Both the bride and bridegroom were Oklahoma City university students. The bride was president of her senior class. The couple is on a one-month wedding trip to Canada and Niagara Falls. Young Barton is associated with his dad in the theatre business but plans to continue his college education in the autumn. His father owns a chain of houses in Oklahoma, including the Home, Knob Hill and Redskin here. He also is building a new drive-in near the city which will have a 1,000-car capacity. It is three miles south of the city on Norman Highway 77, and will be known as the Odom.
“Ed Johnson and Dwight Spracher have changed the name of their drive-in on the Seattle-Tacoma highway from the Northwest Motor-In to the Midway.” — BoxOffice, June 21, 1947
From the June 7, 1947 BoxOffice:
Gordon Allen’s new Motor Movies Drive-In at Hayward will open June 27. A CPA permit has been received. No one was more surprised than Gordon when he realized that ground was broken for the drive-in only two weeks ago. Allen recently was married to Helen McCoy of the Robert L. Lippert circuit.
From BoxOffice, May 24, 1947:
HOUSTON — The Shepherd, Houston’s newest drive-in, located on North Shepherd drive just beyond the city limits, was opened Friday, May 23.
It is the second de luxe drive-in to be opened in Houston by Underwood & Ezell this year and the third operated in Houston by this company. They also operate drive-in theatres in Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Waco and Pharr.
The modern design of the Shepherd combines both beauty and operating efficiency. Designed by Jack Corgan of Dallas, it offers the newest developments in drive-in theatre engineering. The arena is paved throughout and each ramp has been engineered to a fraction of an inch to insure perfect vision for each patron. Special lighting makes it possible for cars to move in and out of the theatre with safety. Each car is provided with an individual speaker with a sound-volume-control button to adjust the sound to the exact volume desired.
A snack bar is located in the center of the park where cold drinks, popcorn and candy may be sold.
The Shepherd will change programs four times each week.
A few more details in the April 19, 1947 issue of BoxOffice:
Winkler Drive-In: Opened March 21 and has a capacity for 600 cars. It is the family type theatre and shows two shows nightly with a Saturday midnighter. W. C. Underwood and C. C. Ezell owners of the South Main Drive-In and also of a string in Texas, built the Winkler. Maurice Rogillio is operator and Bill Sargent its manager. The opening picture was “Three Little Girls in Blue.” Each car has its own speaker. A nursery is in operation and there is a playground for the children. There are also concessions.
From the April 19, 1947 issue of BoxOffice:
AGAWAM, MASS. — With a record crowd in attendance, Riverside Park-In Theatre, owned and operated by Edward J. Carroll, opened here over the Easter weekend. The open-air theatre is part of Carroll’s extensive Riverside amusement park.