“The El Capitan Drive-In at Metropolis re-opened July 11. Its screen tower was wrecked in a tornado on June 13. The new screen tower is of concrete block construction and designed to withstand a wind of 120 miles an hour.” —BoxOffice, Aug. 8, 1953
“RANTOUL, ILL. – Harry Fryer is manager of the new Rantoul Drive-In, 485-car situation opened last month by Kerasotes Theatres of Springfield.” —BoxOffice, Aug. 1, 1953
The Oct. 15, 1977 issue of the Chanute Tribune reported that the Neosho County Attorney’s Office had issued a warning to the owners of the Neocha against any further obscene material. It quoted Bob Buscher, one of the owners of B&B Booking and Buying Company of Iola, as saying he couldn’t determine what is or isn’t obscene.
Betty Croley, who managed the Neocha, said part of the problem was people parked along the highway to watch. She called the highway patrol but was told it couldn’t do anything unless the landowner across the highway filed a complaint.
The movies in question were reportedly Panorama Blue and All the Loving Couples, which Buscher said were rated R. IMDb shows Panorama Blue (1974) and All the Loving Couples (1969) with X ratings, though it’s possible that these were edited versions.
“Mr. and Mrs. John Vestal, formerly of Paris, Ill., have taken over management of the Skyway Drive-In at Hoopeston, purchasing it from Jack Butler of Danville, who opened the drive-in three years ago. Vestal formerly owned Twin Lakes Drive-In near Paris, but sold out to E. L. Staup of Delphos, Ohio, early in May.” — BoxOffice, July 11, 1953
“Mr. and Mrs. John Vestal, formerly of Paris, Ill., … formerly owned Twin Lakes Drive-In near Paris, but sold out to E. L. Staup of Delphos, Ohio, early in May.” — BoxOffice, July 11, 1953
On March 28, 1953, BoxOffice reported that Lloyd Spurgeon had purchased the Centralia Drive-In “for more than $100,000”. Spurgeon was vice-president of the Centralia Mutual Benefit Association. The sellers were “Elbert W. Butler of Hillsboro and Homer Butler of Centralia, who built the drive-in, which has a capacity of 540 cars and seats for 200 walk-ins.”
By the time of a 1962 aerial and a 1965 topo map, Spearman’s landing strip was immediately north of town. That same 1962 aerial places the drive-in past the southwest corner of Spearman, about a mile away and across the railroad tracks from that strip.
The only explanation that fits is that the Wagon Wheel used to provide its own shorter runways on land immediately north of the drive-in, and that they were gone by the 1962 photo.
The Dubuque IA Telegraph Herald published an article on June 21, 2019 that quoted Dennis Voy, owner of the nearby 61 Drive-In in Maquoketa IA since 1972. Voy said that what became the Super 20 “used to reside near the intersection of U.S. 20 and John F. Kennedy Road before later moving to a spot near U.S. 20 and North Cascade Road.”
A June 21, 2019 article in the Dubuque IA Telegraph Herald, reprinted in the San Francisco Chronicle, focused on the 61 and owner Dennis Voy, who bought the place in 1972.
“MOUNT VERNON, MO. – Ralph Roller has sold his interest in Roller’s Airway Drive-In here to his partner Elson Roller. The drive-in will be operated this summer by Elson and his wife.” — BoxOffice, Jan. 31, 1953
“JEFFERSON CITY – Articles of Incorporation have been granted by the (Missouri) secretary of state’s office to the Springfield Drive-In Corp., authorizing it to own, operate, manage and carry on a general theatre business and to issue up to 100 shares of $100 par value stock. Incorporators were listed as R. M. Shelton, F. L. Moore and R. P. Lyon. Shelton is vice-president and general manager of Commonwealth Theatres, and Moore is listed as secretary-treasurer of the circuit.” —BoxOffice, Jan. 10, 1953
“Kathryn DeLee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis C. Odorizzi of Staunton, Ill., and Robert John McEnery were married December 27 (1952). Her father owns the Mount Olive Drive-In on Route No. 66.” —BoxOffice, Jan. 10, 1953
We now know that the Sunset definitely opened in 1951, thanks to the Internet Archive. In the May 30, 1951 issue of The Exhibitor, there’s this note: “The 400-car Mount Olive Drive-In, Mount Olive, Ill., will be opened by Louis Odorozzi, Staunton, Ill., will be handled by Co-operative Theatres of St. Louis.”
The June 5 issue tried to narrow that date. “In Mount Olive, Ill., the Mount Olive Drive-In will be opened about June 15 by its owner Louis Odorozzi, Staunton, Ill. The booking and buying for the drive-in will be handled by Co-operative Theatres.”
And in the July 11 issue, The Exhibitor said it finally happened, even though it got the name wrong. “In Mount Olive, Ill., after several postponements, the Starlite Drive-In finally opened. The drive-in, owned by Louis Odorizzi, Staunton, Ill., is under the management of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Fischer. Booking and buying is being handled by Co-operative Theatres, headed by Andy Dietz.”
One odd note shows this had been at least planned for years. The July 2, 1949 issue of Showmen’s Trade Review had a heading of New Theatres lumping together planned, under construction, and newly opened theaters. At the bottom, it included “Louis Odorizzi, hotel owner, a 400-car ozoner, a mile west of the city limits of Mount Olive, Ill.”
The Aug. 13, 1955 issue of Motion Picture Herald reported, “The Sunset drive-in, Mount Olive, Ill., located at the junction of Highways 66 and 138, has installed a new screen for the showing of CinemaScope, VistaVision and other wide screen pictures.”
Not sure where this May 16, 1956 note from Motion Picture Exhibitor fits. “The Frisina Amusement Company was reported to be preparing to build a drive-in near Hillsboro, Ill., on land it is said to have purchased from Louis Odorizzi, owner, Sunset Drive-In, Mount Olive, Ill.”
In 1951, it was owned by Joe Katz. The May 30, 1951 issue of The Exhibitor reported, “In Mount Olive, Ill., Mrs. Josie Lawson, 500-seat New Grand, sold the house to Joe Katz, Benld, Ill., who also operates the 450-seat Grand, Benld. Katz plans to operate the theatre during the summer months with shows on Sundays, Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays in the evening.”
The Alton (IL) Telegraph wrote on Aug. 23, 1990 that one of many events to celebrate the Mount Olive quasquicentennial would be a horse pull at the “old Sunset Drive-In property”. So at least we know it was closed by then.
In Memorial Park Cemetery in nearby Staunton, one Louis Odorizzi has a headstone, born 1908, died 1976. That might match the drive-in’s closure date.
According to the book Historic Movie Theatres in Illinois, 1883-1960
by Konrad Schiecke, the Arthur was at 200 South Main St. The book said it opened before 1920 as the Ideal Theatre, showing silent movies. It was renamed the Lemont in 1932. After Arthur Lindanao acquired the place in 1943, he changed the name to Arthur. It was demolished in the early 1980s.
LEMONT, ILL. – Installation of a new marquee and neon sign has completed major improvements at the Arthur Theatre operated by William Lindenau here. During the last 18 months the theatre has been redecorated, and a new air conditioning system has been installed. In addition to new seating, other improvements include new projection and sound equipment.
The AutoVue was open by 1949, based on this note in the Nov. 12, 1949 issue of BoxOffice: “SPOKANE – The AutoVue Drive-In north of the city limits closed its 1949 season recently. Cyrus W. Young of the company said the ozoner would reopen next spring as soon as weather permits.”
From the Nov. 12, 1949 issue of BoxOffice: “BRECKENRIDGE, COLO. – Ervin Theatres has closed the Dillon Theatre here due to colder weather and the lack of help.” Possibly just closed for the season.
It probably opened in 1950. The Nov. 12, 1949 issue of BoxOffice reported: “BOZEMAN, MONT. – Construction of the drive-in theatre being erected on Route 10 west of here has been stopped for the winter. A building to house the projection booth, the screen tower and a fence are finished.”
OROVILLE, CALIF. – The Mesa Drive-In was opened here recently by George Hickox and Newell C. Post. The theatre was built at a cost of $130,000 and will accommodate 570 cars.
Hickox plans to inaugurate a plan whereby suggestion slips will be available to patrons so they may list their choice for advance bookings.
The Nov. 12, 1949 issue of BoxOffice had a few more details and a different unused name.
POCATELLO – A new ozoner, the Auto Vu Drive-In, has been completed at Pole Line and Quinn road at a cost of $100,000. It is expected to open next April. The new drive-in, which has a capacity of 650 cars, has a screen tower measuring 70x70 feet. Construction was under the direction of Cartwright and Wilson of Salt Lake City, with equipment to come from the Service Theatre Supply Co., which has equipped more than 50 theatres between Denver and Los Angeles in recent months.
Mel Morris of American Falls, Ida., is the principal stockholder of the new venture, which will be managed by Richard M. Morris, now a senior at Idaho State college. The project also will include a playground.
“The El Capitan Drive-In at Metropolis re-opened July 11. Its screen tower was wrecked in a tornado on June 13. The new screen tower is of concrete block construction and designed to withstand a wind of 120 miles an hour.” —BoxOffice, Aug. 8, 1953
“RANTOUL, ILL. – Harry Fryer is manager of the new Rantoul Drive-In, 485-car situation opened last month by Kerasotes Theatres of Springfield.” —BoxOffice, Aug. 1, 1953
The August 1, 1953 issue of BoxOffice reported that the Lake Estes, capacity 302 cars, had opened.
The Oct. 15, 1977 issue of the Chanute Tribune reported that the Neosho County Attorney’s Office had issued a warning to the owners of the Neocha against any further obscene material. It quoted Bob Buscher, one of the owners of B&B Booking and Buying Company of Iola, as saying he couldn’t determine what is or isn’t obscene.
Betty Croley, who managed the Neocha, said part of the problem was people parked along the highway to watch. She called the highway patrol but was told it couldn’t do anything unless the landowner across the highway filed a complaint.
The movies in question were reportedly Panorama Blue and All the Loving Couples, which Buscher said were rated R. IMDb shows Panorama Blue (1974) and All the Loving Couples (1969) with X ratings, though it’s possible that these were edited versions.
“Mr. and Mrs. John Vestal, formerly of Paris, Ill., have taken over management of the Skyway Drive-In at Hoopeston, purchasing it from Jack Butler of Danville, who opened the drive-in three years ago. Vestal formerly owned Twin Lakes Drive-In near Paris, but sold out to E. L. Staup of Delphos, Ohio, early in May.” — BoxOffice, July 11, 1953
“Mr. and Mrs. John Vestal, formerly of Paris, Ill., … formerly owned Twin Lakes Drive-In near Paris, but sold out to E. L. Staup of Delphos, Ohio, early in May.” — BoxOffice, July 11, 1953
On March 28, 1953, BoxOffice reported that Lloyd Spurgeon had purchased the Centralia Drive-In “for more than $100,000”. Spurgeon was vice-president of the Centralia Mutual Benefit Association. The sellers were “Elbert W. Butler of Hillsboro and Homer Butler of Centralia, who built the drive-in, which has a capacity of 540 cars and seats for 200 walk-ins.”
By the time of a 1962 aerial and a 1965 topo map, Spearman’s landing strip was immediately north of town. That same 1962 aerial places the drive-in past the southwest corner of Spearman, about a mile away and across the railroad tracks from that strip.
The only explanation that fits is that the Wagon Wheel used to provide its own shorter runways on land immediately north of the drive-in, and that they were gone by the 1962 photo.
The Dubuque IA Telegraph Herald published an article on June 21, 2019 that quoted Dennis Voy, owner of the nearby 61 Drive-In in Maquoketa IA since 1972. Voy said that what became the Super 20 “used to reside near the intersection of U.S. 20 and John F. Kennedy Road before later moving to a spot near U.S. 20 and North Cascade Road.”
A June 21, 2019 article in the Dubuque IA Telegraph Herald, reprinted in the San Francisco Chronicle, focused on the 61 and owner Dennis Voy, who bought the place in 1972.
“MOUNT VERNON, MO. – Ralph Roller has sold his interest in Roller’s Airway Drive-In here to his partner Elson Roller. The drive-in will be operated this summer by Elson and his wife.” — BoxOffice, Jan. 31, 1953
“JEFFERSON CITY – Articles of Incorporation have been granted by the (Missouri) secretary of state’s office to the Springfield Drive-In Corp., authorizing it to own, operate, manage and carry on a general theatre business and to issue up to 100 shares of $100 par value stock. Incorporators were listed as R. M. Shelton, F. L. Moore and R. P. Lyon. Shelton is vice-president and general manager of Commonwealth Theatres, and Moore is listed as secretary-treasurer of the circuit.” —BoxOffice, Jan. 10, 1953
“Kathryn DeLee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis C. Odorizzi of Staunton, Ill., and Robert John McEnery were married December 27 (1952). Her father owns the Mount Olive Drive-In on Route No. 66.” —BoxOffice, Jan. 10, 1953
We now know that the Sunset definitely opened in 1951, thanks to the Internet Archive. In the May 30, 1951 issue of The Exhibitor, there’s this note: “The 400-car Mount Olive Drive-In, Mount Olive, Ill., will be opened by Louis Odorozzi, Staunton, Ill., will be handled by Co-operative Theatres of St. Louis.”
The June 5 issue tried to narrow that date. “In Mount Olive, Ill., the Mount Olive Drive-In will be opened about June 15 by its owner Louis Odorozzi, Staunton, Ill. The booking and buying for the drive-in will be handled by Co-operative Theatres.”
And in the July 11 issue, The Exhibitor said it finally happened, even though it got the name wrong. “In Mount Olive, Ill., after several postponements, the Starlite Drive-In finally opened. The drive-in, owned by Louis Odorizzi, Staunton, Ill., is under the management of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Fischer. Booking and buying is being handled by Co-operative Theatres, headed by Andy Dietz.”
One odd note shows this had been at least planned for years. The July 2, 1949 issue of Showmen’s Trade Review had a heading of New Theatres lumping together planned, under construction, and newly opened theaters. At the bottom, it included “Louis Odorizzi, hotel owner, a 400-car ozoner, a mile west of the city limits of Mount Olive, Ill.”
The Aug. 13, 1955 issue of Motion Picture Herald reported, “The Sunset drive-in, Mount Olive, Ill., located at the junction of Highways 66 and 138, has installed a new screen for the showing of CinemaScope, VistaVision and other wide screen pictures.”
Not sure where this May 16, 1956 note from Motion Picture Exhibitor fits. “The Frisina Amusement Company was reported to be preparing to build a drive-in near Hillsboro, Ill., on land it is said to have purchased from Louis Odorizzi, owner, Sunset Drive-In, Mount Olive, Ill.”
In 1951, it was owned by Joe Katz. The May 30, 1951 issue of The Exhibitor reported, “In Mount Olive, Ill., Mrs. Josie Lawson, 500-seat New Grand, sold the house to Joe Katz, Benld, Ill., who also operates the 450-seat Grand, Benld. Katz plans to operate the theatre during the summer months with shows on Sundays, Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays in the evening.”
The Alton (IL) Telegraph wrote on Aug. 23, 1990 that one of many events to celebrate the Mount Olive quasquicentennial would be a horse pull at the “old Sunset Drive-In property”. So at least we know it was closed by then.
In Memorial Park Cemetery in nearby Staunton, one Louis Odorizzi has a headstone, born 1908, died 1976. That might match the drive-in’s closure date.
Correction, the Boot Hill apparently opened in 1950.
According to the book Historic Movie Theatres in Illinois, 1883-1960 by Konrad Schiecke, the Arthur was at 200 South Main St. The book said it opened before 1920 as the Ideal Theatre, showing silent movies. It was renamed the Lemont in 1932. After Arthur Lindanao acquired the place in 1943, he changed the name to Arthur. It was demolished in the early 1980s.
From the Nov. 12, 1949 issue of BoxOffice:
LEMONT, ILL. – Installation of a new marquee and neon sign has completed major improvements at the Arthur Theatre operated by William Lindenau here. During the last 18 months the theatre has been redecorated, and a new air conditioning system has been installed. In addition to new seating, other improvements include new projection and sound equipment.
The AutoVue was open by 1949, based on this note in the Nov. 12, 1949 issue of BoxOffice: “SPOKANE – The AutoVue Drive-In north of the city limits closed its 1949 season recently. Cyrus W. Young of the company said the ozoner would reopen next spring as soon as weather permits.”
From the Nov. 12, 1949 issue of BoxOffice: “BRECKENRIDGE, COLO. – Ervin Theatres has closed the Dillon Theatre here due to colder weather and the lack of help.” Possibly just closed for the season.
It probably opened in 1950. The Nov. 12, 1949 issue of BoxOffice reported: “BOZEMAN, MONT. – Construction of the drive-in theatre being erected on Route 10 west of here has been stopped for the winter. A building to house the projection booth, the screen tower and a fence are finished.”
From the Nov. 12, 1949 issue of BoxOffice:
OROVILLE, CALIF. – The Mesa Drive-In was opened here recently by George Hickox and Newell C. Post. The theatre was built at a cost of $130,000 and will accommodate 570 cars.
Hickox plans to inaugurate a plan whereby suggestion slips will be available to patrons so they may list their choice for advance bookings.
A Nov. 12, 1949 note in BoxOffice mentioned Max Storey as “owner of a drive-in in Delta, Colo.” Must have been the Skylite.
The Nov. 12, 1949 issue of BoxOffice had a few more details and a different unused name.
POCATELLO – A new ozoner, the Auto Vu Drive-In, has been completed at Pole Line and Quinn road at a cost of $100,000. It is expected to open next April. The new drive-in, which has a capacity of 650 cars, has a screen tower measuring 70x70 feet. Construction was under the direction of Cartwright and Wilson of Salt Lake City, with equipment to come from the Service Theatre Supply Co., which has equipped more than 50 theatres between Denver and Los Angeles in recent months.
Mel Morris of American Falls, Ida., is the principal stockholder of the new venture, which will be managed by Richard M. Morris, now a senior at Idaho State college. The project also will include a playground.