The July 22, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “Wade Loudermilk has opened the new Stanfield Theatre, a 300-seater, (in Stanfield). Loudermilk also operates the Buckeye in Buckeye.”
More details from the July 22, 1950 issue of BoxOffice: “The new Starlite Drive-In, erected on an eight-acre tract one mile north of (Hamilton) on Route 93 recently was opened by Dave B. Simon. The open-air theatre was designed by Simon, and constructed under his supervision. It accommodates 300 cars, and its conveniences include a snack bar. Simon served in the U.S. air corps during World War II.”
The July 22, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “Grand opening of the Sunset Drive-In was held (in Havre) recently. Owned by Emil Don Tigny and Clarence Golder, the airer is located on Highway 2 and has a capacity of 300 cars. The screen is 50 by 37½ feet and is strong enough to resist winds over 100 miles per hours. Motiograph microphonic sound equipment has been installed at the airer.”
The July 22, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lind have opened their new Chief Drive-In at Rifle, Colo. It accommodates about 300 cars and cost around $40,000.”
Unless there was another tiny Branson drive-in that we haven’t discovered, the Shepherd of the Hills opened in the summer of 1950.
In its list of theater openings, the July 22, 1950 issue of BoxOffice included “Branson, Mo. – 150-car drive-in opened by Kenneth Tippet and J. W. Shinn.”
THAYER, ILL. – While the spring rains have delayed construction of the 300-car drive-in that W. E. Swift, owner of the Gaiety Theatre, Virden, Ill., is building on Route 4 north of here, Swift hopes to have the project ready for opening in the next week or so.
The July 15, 1950 issue had more of the same. “Opening of W. F. Smith’s (sic) new drive-in on Route 4 … has been delayed by frequent rains… The airer, to be known as the Route 4 Drive-In, will accommodate 300 cars.”
Looks like the renaming occurred in summer 1950. From the July 15, 1950 issue of BoxOffice: “Better films and improved theatre facilities are planned by the new operators of the Tokay Drive-In, formerly the Midway. Charlie Holtz and Ed Rowden have taken over the drive-in, which is now under the operation of the Sacramento Amusement & Development Co.”
Google Maps likes the address of 3118 MO-19, Salem MO.
From the July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
SALEM, MO. – Construction of a 300-car drive-in has been started at a site on Route 19 about two miles north of here by L. L. Pruitt and Paul Hamaker. Pruitt now operates the Legion Theatre in Steelville, Mo., and Hamaker is a retired farmer living near the tract on which the new open-air theater is being erected. The new drive-in is expected to be ready for opening about August 15.
Looks like the drive-in opened as the Pioneer. The July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “MERKEL, TEX. – N. T. Hodge has opened the Pioneer Drive-In a mile west of town. It has a prefabricated swing-up tower, the first of its kind in the state. It is a 300-car project, with individual car speakers. Hodge operates the Queen and Texas theatres here.”
The July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice noted that “Paul E. Anderson, 52, operator of the Beaver”, died after an eight-month illness. “Anderson had operated the Beaver for the last 15 years.”
Based on a front-page article in the following day’s Argus-Leader of Sioux Falls SD, the fire that destroyed the Roxy occurred on the morning of Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001.
It started in the concession area. “Most damage was contained to the oldest portion of the theater. A 1989 addition that includes three more movie screens was protected by fire doors”.
According to the article, Nelson Logan moved from Los Angeles to Mitchell and converted a garage to a theater in 1933. His son, Jeff Logan, owned the Roxy at the time of the fire. No one was hurt, but his extensive memorabilia collection was lost.
Plans were announced in the July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice: “The new 350-car drive-in the be constructed between Hemet and San Jacinto will be called the Hemacinto, according to J. W. Davis, who is constructing and will operate the ozoner. His booking and buying chores will be handled by Ish White.”
Grand opening note from the July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice: “The new West Drive-In erected near (Torrington) by Harry McDonald recently was opened. With a capacity of 300 cars, it has a new type of curved screen. Archie Speak is manager of the theatre.”
Grand opening note from the July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice: “The new 350-car Star-Vu Drive-In on the Estes road northwest of (Longmont) recently was opened. With a capacity of 350 cars, the new open air theatre is equipped with RCA projection and sound. Bob Jones is manager of the drive-in.”
I’m guessing that this grand opening note from the July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice is about the same drive-in.
CUT BANK, MONT. – The Ranch Auto Theatre on Route 2 between Cut Bank and Shelby recently was opened. Partners in the project are J. E. Kelly, W. G. Harkins and Jim Schollard.
Better opening date info from the July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
REXBURG, IDA. – The new Teton Vu Drive-In on Route 191 one mile north of here was opened by Leslie Walker. With accommodations for 450 cars, the new theatre has a 40x51-foot screen. Motiograph projectors and other booth equipment was installed by the Service Theatre Supply Co. of Salt Lake City. Among conveniences for patrons is a concession stand."
The Sioux Falls SD Argus-Leader reported on April 15, 1948: “Arden G. Davidson, Sioux Falls, former movie projectionist at Marion and Hartford, has announced that he has purchased the Nancy theatre at Bridgewater. He will take possession on May 1.”
Davidson had advertised in March 1948 for a theater to purchase. He would build the Twilite Drive-In in Lennox SD in 1949.
The Thursday, March 9, 1950 edition of the Sioux Falls SD Argus-Leader tells us a little. “Lennox, S. D., Mar. 9 – Strong winds Tuesday tore down and damaged the screen of the Twi-Light Drive-In theatre here. This is the second time the screen has been blown down since it was constructed early in 1949. Damage was greater this time than it was last year when it was blown down.”
The follow-up came on Friday, April 28, 1950. “Lennox, S. D. – The Twi-lite Drive-in theatre will be open for business Saturday. The screen has been reconstructed, after being completely demolished during the severe wind storm several weeks ago. It was the second time in a year that the screen has been demolished.”
The drive-in’s spelling was inconsistent even in its own for-sale ads in the Argus-Leader.
March 29 & 31, 1952: “SMALL Drive In Theatre. I am alone here and the reason for selling, can’t get good help. Theatre doing good, a very good buy for family. Write Twi-Lite Drive In Theatre, Lennox, South Dakota.”
May 26, 1952: “SMALL drive in theatre. In operation. Doing good. Reason for sale, can’t get help. Write Twilite Drive-in, Lennox.”
Great catch, Drive-In 54! So you can scratch my speculation that it was near the airport. It shows I should apply my rule of shopping: If you can’t find what you want where you’re looking, go look somewhere else!
I can’t find any evidence that this drive-in was ever called the Lawrence. Its name in its grand opening ad is simply Drive-In, and on the first drive-in list in the 1942 Film Daily Year Book as “Drive-In Theater, Pendleton Pike, Indianapolis”.
Spot-checking the Indianapolis Star, in a 1945 ad it’s “Drive-In Theatre, Pendleton Pike”. In a 1948 ad, “Drive-In, Pendleton Pike”. In a 1950 story, “The Pendleton Pike Drive-In Theater”.
The 54 Drive-In was first listed in the 1950 edition of the Film Daily Year Book, implying that it was open in 1949. A note from the July 1, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
KANKAKEE, ILL. – The capacity of the 54 Drive-In near here is being increased from 625 to 900 cars, and other improvements are to include a new fence around the parking area, and additional equipment for the playground.
Many more details, including yet another opening date and the nigh-immediate renaming, in the July 1, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
LITCHFIELD, ILL. – Russell Hogue, who came to Litchfield from St. Charles, Mo., to manage the Frisina Amusement Co. properties here, will manage the new Sky-View Drive-In, which is scheduled to open this week, as well as the Ritz and Capitol theatres. The big drive-in accommodates 507 cars, compared with 535 cars at Taylorville, 410 at Effingham and 400 at Robinson, Ill. The other drive-ins are operated by the Frisina company, which headquarters in Springfield, Ill.
…The Sky-View covers 16 acres and fronts on old Route 66 just north of the Ferndon street road. Simplex projectors were installed by the St. Louis branch of National Theatre Supply. The screen tower measures 55x65 feet, while the screen itself is 42x52 feet. Films will be projected from a building 265 feet from the screen. Two lighted pylons extending to the top of the screen tower carry the Sky-View in neon lights over large block cutout letters.
The snack bar is located in the same building as the projection booth but a four-foot breezeway separates the two rooms. The entire building is of concrete blocks faced in white cement. Interior color scheme is white, trimmed with green and yellow. All types of food and soft drinks will be sold.
The opening of the Sky-View has been delayed form week to week by inclement weather.
When the Seven Drive-In celebrated its second anniversary, manager “Tom Burton announced that two additional ramps, accommodating approximately 100 cars, have been added.” Per a report in the July 1, 1950 issue of BoxOffice.
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO. – The 350-car Spa Motor Movie erected at a site on Route 69 one mile west of here recently was opened by the Winoko Corp. Owners of the new open-air theatre are Carl Koch, B. C. Noah and Richard E. Wiles jr. Equipment furnished by National Theatre Supply, Kansas City, included Simplex X-L projectors, Simplex sound, Magnarc lamps and Strong rectifiers.
The July 22, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “Wade Loudermilk has opened the new Stanfield Theatre, a 300-seater, (in Stanfield). Loudermilk also operates the Buckeye in Buckeye.”
More details from the July 22, 1950 issue of BoxOffice: “The new Starlite Drive-In, erected on an eight-acre tract one mile north of (Hamilton) on Route 93 recently was opened by Dave B. Simon. The open-air theatre was designed by Simon, and constructed under his supervision. It accommodates 300 cars, and its conveniences include a snack bar. Simon served in the U.S. air corps during World War II.”
The July 22, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “Grand opening of the Sunset Drive-In was held (in Havre) recently. Owned by Emil Don Tigny and Clarence Golder, the airer is located on Highway 2 and has a capacity of 300 cars. The screen is 50 by 37½ feet and is strong enough to resist winds over 100 miles per hours. Motiograph microphonic sound equipment has been installed at the airer.”
The July 22, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lind have opened their new Chief Drive-In at Rifle, Colo. It accommodates about 300 cars and cost around $40,000.”
Unless there was another tiny Branson drive-in that we haven’t discovered, the Shepherd of the Hills opened in the summer of 1950. In its list of theater openings, the July 22, 1950 issue of BoxOffice included “Branson, Mo. – 150-car drive-in opened by Kenneth Tippet and J. W. Shinn.”
From the June 10, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
THAYER, ILL. – While the spring rains have delayed construction of the 300-car drive-in that W. E. Swift, owner of the Gaiety Theatre, Virden, Ill., is building on Route 4 north of here, Swift hopes to have the project ready for opening in the next week or so.
The July 15, 1950 issue had more of the same. “Opening of W. F. Smith’s (sic) new drive-in on Route 4 … has been delayed by frequent rains… The airer, to be known as the Route 4 Drive-In, will accommodate 300 cars.”
Looks like the renaming occurred in summer 1950. From the July 15, 1950 issue of BoxOffice: “Better films and improved theatre facilities are planned by the new operators of the Tokay Drive-In, formerly the Midway. Charlie Holtz and Ed Rowden have taken over the drive-in, which is now under the operation of the Sacramento Amusement & Development Co.”
Google Maps likes the address of 3118 MO-19, Salem MO.
From the July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
SALEM, MO. – Construction of a 300-car drive-in has been started at a site on Route 19 about two miles north of here by L. L. Pruitt and Paul Hamaker. Pruitt now operates the Legion Theatre in Steelville, Mo., and Hamaker is a retired farmer living near the tract on which the new open-air theater is being erected. The new drive-in is expected to be ready for opening about August 15.
Looks like the drive-in opened as the Pioneer. The July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “MERKEL, TEX. – N. T. Hodge has opened the Pioneer Drive-In a mile west of town. It has a prefabricated swing-up tower, the first of its kind in the state. It is a 300-car project, with individual car speakers. Hodge operates the Queen and Texas theatres here.”
The July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice noted that “Paul E. Anderson, 52, operator of the Beaver”, died after an eight-month illness. “Anderson had operated the Beaver for the last 15 years.”
Based on a front-page article in the following day’s Argus-Leader of Sioux Falls SD, the fire that destroyed the Roxy occurred on the morning of Sunday, Jan. 7, 2001.
It started in the concession area. “Most damage was contained to the oldest portion of the theater. A 1989 addition that includes three more movie screens was protected by fire doors”.
According to the article, Nelson Logan moved from Los Angeles to Mitchell and converted a garage to a theater in 1933. His son, Jeff Logan, owned the Roxy at the time of the fire. No one was hurt, but his extensive memorabilia collection was lost.
Plans were announced in the July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice: “The new 350-car drive-in the be constructed between Hemet and San Jacinto will be called the Hemacinto, according to J. W. Davis, who is constructing and will operate the ozoner. His booking and buying chores will be handled by Ish White.”
Grand opening note from the July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice: “The new West Drive-In erected near (Torrington) by Harry McDonald recently was opened. With a capacity of 300 cars, it has a new type of curved screen. Archie Speak is manager of the theatre.”
Grand opening note from the July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice: “The new 350-car Star-Vu Drive-In on the Estes road northwest of (Longmont) recently was opened. With a capacity of 350 cars, the new open air theatre is equipped with RCA projection and sound. Bob Jones is manager of the drive-in.”
I’m guessing that this grand opening note from the July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice is about the same drive-in.
CUT BANK, MONT. – The Ranch Auto Theatre on Route 2 between Cut Bank and Shelby recently was opened. Partners in the project are J. E. Kelly, W. G. Harkins and Jim Schollard.
Better opening date info from the July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
REXBURG, IDA. – The new Teton Vu Drive-In on Route 191 one mile north of here was opened by Leslie Walker. With accommodations for 450 cars, the new theatre has a 40x51-foot screen. Motiograph projectors and other booth equipment was installed by the Service Theatre Supply Co. of Salt Lake City. Among conveniences for patrons is a concession stand."
The July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “The Moon-Glo Drive-In near (Buhl) recently was opened. Leonard Probasco is manager of the project.”
The Sioux Falls SD Argus-Leader reported on April 15, 1948: “Arden G. Davidson, Sioux Falls, former movie projectionist at Marion and Hartford, has announced that he has purchased the Nancy theatre at Bridgewater. He will take possession on May 1.”
Davidson had advertised in March 1948 for a theater to purchase. He would build the Twilite Drive-In in Lennox SD in 1949.
The Thursday, March 9, 1950 edition of the Sioux Falls SD Argus-Leader tells us a little. “Lennox, S. D., Mar. 9 – Strong winds Tuesday tore down and damaged the screen of the Twi-Light Drive-In theatre here. This is the second time the screen has been blown down since it was constructed early in 1949. Damage was greater this time than it was last year when it was blown down.”
The follow-up came on Friday, April 28, 1950. “Lennox, S. D. – The Twi-lite Drive-in theatre will be open for business Saturday. The screen has been reconstructed, after being completely demolished during the severe wind storm several weeks ago. It was the second time in a year that the screen has been demolished.”
The drive-in’s spelling was inconsistent even in its own for-sale ads in the Argus-Leader.
March 29 & 31, 1952: “SMALL Drive In Theatre. I am alone here and the reason for selling, can’t get good help. Theatre doing good, a very good buy for family. Write Twi-Lite Drive In Theatre, Lennox, South Dakota.”
May 26, 1952: “SMALL drive in theatre. In operation. Doing good. Reason for sale, can’t get help. Write Twilite Drive-in, Lennox.”
Great catch, Drive-In 54! So you can scratch my speculation that it was near the airport. It shows I should apply my rule of shopping: If you can’t find what you want where you’re looking, go look somewhere else!
I can’t find any evidence that this drive-in was ever called the Lawrence. Its name in its grand opening ad is simply Drive-In, and on the first drive-in list in the 1942 Film Daily Year Book as “Drive-In Theater, Pendleton Pike, Indianapolis”.
Spot-checking the Indianapolis Star, in a 1945 ad it’s “Drive-In Theatre, Pendleton Pike”. In a 1948 ad, “Drive-In, Pendleton Pike”. In a 1950 story, “The Pendleton Pike Drive-In Theater”.
The 54 Drive-In was first listed in the 1950 edition of the Film Daily Year Book, implying that it was open in 1949. A note from the July 1, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
KANKAKEE, ILL. – The capacity of the 54 Drive-In near here is being increased from 625 to 900 cars, and other improvements are to include a new fence around the parking area, and additional equipment for the playground.
Many more details, including yet another opening date and the nigh-immediate renaming, in the July 1, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
LITCHFIELD, ILL. – Russell Hogue, who came to Litchfield from St. Charles, Mo., to manage the Frisina Amusement Co. properties here, will manage the new Sky-View Drive-In, which is scheduled to open this week, as well as the Ritz and Capitol theatres. The big drive-in accommodates 507 cars, compared with 535 cars at Taylorville, 410 at Effingham and 400 at Robinson, Ill. The other drive-ins are operated by the Frisina company, which headquarters in Springfield, Ill.
…The Sky-View covers 16 acres and fronts on old Route 66 just north of the Ferndon street road. Simplex projectors were installed by the St. Louis branch of National Theatre Supply. The screen tower measures 55x65 feet, while the screen itself is 42x52 feet. Films will be projected from a building 265 feet from the screen. Two lighted pylons extending to the top of the screen tower carry the Sky-View in neon lights over large block cutout letters.
The snack bar is located in the same building as the projection booth but a four-foot breezeway separates the two rooms. The entire building is of concrete blocks faced in white cement. Interior color scheme is white, trimmed with green and yellow. All types of food and soft drinks will be sold.
The opening of the Sky-View has been delayed form week to week by inclement weather.
When the Seven Drive-In celebrated its second anniversary, manager “Tom Burton announced that two additional ramps, accommodating approximately 100 cars, have been added.” Per a report in the July 1, 1950 issue of BoxOffice.
From the July 1, 1950 issue of Box Office:
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, MO. – The 350-car Spa Motor Movie erected at a site on Route 69 one mile west of here recently was opened by the Winoko Corp. Owners of the new open-air theatre are Carl Koch, B. C. Noah and Richard E. Wiles jr. Equipment furnished by National Theatre Supply, Kansas City, included Simplex X-L projectors, Simplex sound, Magnarc lamps and Strong rectifiers.