“The Dexter Drive-In on Highway 60 about a mile and one-half west of Dexter will open about June 1. This 400-car project is owned by State Senator Newell (sic) Lawrence of Bloomfield and associates. Norwin Garner will be the manager.”
A later issue reported that the Dexter opened June 23. Yewell Lawrence died in a car accident the following January.
From the April 21, 1956 Motion Picture Herald:
“The Family drive-in theatre, Dester (sic), Mo., has been sold to Winifred Garner, Dr. E. G. Bailey, Sr. and Dr. E. G. Bailey, Jr., by the Lawrence family. The theatre was built in 1950 by the late Yewell Lawrence and had been owned and operated by the Lawrence family ever since.”
Weird note from the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
An usher at the 400 Theatre was checking the seats one night when he suddenly yelped to Manager Les Stepner, “Hey boss, somebody smuggled a box of popcorn in here tonight.” Popcorn is verboten at the 400.
The May 6, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “FULTON, MO. – The 400-car drive-in being constructed by Don Fikes and his nephew Kenny Fikes on Route 54 near here will open early in June, unless weather interferes.” And the June 24 issue confirmed that the Fulton “was opened recently.”
The May 20, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported that the 750-car, $100,000 Litchfield Drive-In had been opened by Frisina Amusement Co. But the June 24, 1950 issue nailed down a date of June 22, matching Walter “Chick” Bishop’s story.
LITCHFIELD, ILL. – The 750-car Litchfield Drive-In of the Frisina Amusement Co. on Route 66 opened Thursday (22). Equipment for the drive-in was furnished by National Theatre Supply.
The May 6, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “POPLAR BLUFF, MO. – The 500-car Poplar Bluff Drive-In on Route 67 near here will be opened early in June by Clyde Hogg and Clyde Richardson.”
Followed by an aside on June 24, 1950, “Andy Dietz of Cooperative Theatres … will book and buy for the Poplar Bluff Drive-In, which opened June 23 near Poplar Bluff, Mo.”
AL.com reported yesterday, “Leeds’ Grand River Drive-In is planning a day of events to re-open the entertainment venue July 3. Formerly known as the Coyote, the Grand River Drive-In is just one facet of The Backyard at Grand River, a project of Hunter Lake, the developer behind the Avondale Brewing Co. and Saw’s.”
This note from the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice makes me wonder whether the Trail first opened in the summer of 1950 as the Nevada. Same owners, same location.
“NEVADA, MO. – The new 350-car Nevada Drive-In being erected at a site on Route 54 about two miles east of here by Osborne & Ziegler is expected to be completed and ready for opening about July 15. RCA projection and sound equipment is being installed in the new open-air theatre.”
Based on the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice, the Waycross was a competitor to Georgia Theatre Company’s U.S. 1, and both were new that spring. I’m very curious about the Skyline that Mike Rogers and NYozoner found.
Anyway, here’s that BoxOffice note: “WAYCROSS, GA. – The new Waycross Drive-In erected by L. H. Holloway on the Brunswick highway near here recently was opened. Equipment includes in-car speakers. The open air theatre is being managed by Holloway.”
More details in the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
WAYCROSS, GA. – The new 500-car U. S. 1 Drive-In erected by the Georgia Theatre Co. at a site on Route 1 was opened near here recently. With its entrance on the Alma highway, the new open-air theatre is surrounded by tall pine trees. Offices and living quarters for the manager are located in the base of the 60x61-foot screen tower building. Space between the tower and the first parking ramp will be used later for a playground for children.
A 40x43-foot concession building in the center of the parking area includes the projection booth and storage rooms. Motiograph projection and sound equipment was furnished by the Wil-Kin Theatre Supply Co., Atlanta. Bottle warming service is among conveniences available for patrons.
William K. Jenkins is president of the George Theatre Co., which also operates the Lyric, Ritz and Carver theatre here. John Harrison, city manager for the company here, will supervise operation of the new drive-in, with Charlie Williams as manager. Williams M. Capps is in charge of concessions, and Edward Hunter is projectionist. Mrs. Wanda Huckaby is cashier.
To answer Marklar’s question, yes. Also addressing Jemimah63’s question, the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “The new Geneva Drive-In, located on the site of the old Baden dog track, is utilizing the old grandstand as seating space for walk-in patrons.”
LOS ANGELES – Because flood lights used to illuminate a playing field in the municipally owned Griffith park are blinding patrons of the nearby Los Feliz Drive-In, the city’s park and recreation commission has been given a “reasonable time” to erect an adequate shielding device.
That order was contained in a ruling handed down in superior couts as part of a preliminary injunction granted in an action filed against the city by Marvin M. Chesebro and Frank and Ernest Sbicca, owners of the drive-in, which opened March 15.
Chesebro, an attorney, held that the city should either stop using the flood lights or construct a baffle, which he estimates would cost approximately $3,500. The city’s plea that the cost would be closer to $7,500 and that the theatre should build the shield was denied in the court’s ruling. Chesebro charged that the drive-in is losing $300 worth of business every Friday night, when the Griffith park baseball field is open.
Chesebro is the son of Ray L. Chesebro, city attorney, who disqualified himself from representing the municipality because his son is a stockholder in the drive-in enterprise.
The June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice wrote that the Templeton Wheel-In was the second of three drive-ins that all opened in the Martinsville IN area during May 1950.
The June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice wrote that the Martinsville was the last of three local drive-ins that all opened during May 1950, after the “Center Brook” and the Templeton Wheel-In, 10 miles north.
“Costing approximately $60,000, (the Martinsville) provided not only 300 car speakers but also benches for 200 non-car owners. The Martinsville Drive-In charges 40 cents for patrons in cars and 25 cents for walk-in customers.”
KIRKSVILLE, MO. – The Silver Star Drive-In on Route 63 about one mile north of here was opened recently by Day Mangus. Accommodating 500 cars, the open air theatre is equipped with Century projection and sound, Strong lamps, Kollmorgen lenses and other items furnished by the Shreve Theatre Supply Co., Kansas City.
YUMA, ARIZ. – Bill Wickersham has disposed of his 700-car Mesa Drive-In here to Bernie Leavitt, California exhibitor who operates conventional indoor theatres in Santa Monica and La Jolla.
The June 17, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “The Four Lane Drive-In, a 444-car situation, built by John Whipple of Muleshoe, Tex., and Myron Finkelstein of Kansas City, Mo.,” had opened during “the May-June period”.
The June 10, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “The Bloomer Amusement Co. has installed an elaborate illuminated sign at the Skyview Drive-In. The sign features a fire-spitting neon rocketship roaring into space. The ship measures 35 feet high and 34 feet wide.” I think they meant that the sign, not the rocket ship, was that big.
The June 10, 1950 issue of BoxOffice included the “Brewer, Paul’s Valley, 450 cars, owned by L. D. Brewer” in a list of drive-ins scheduled to open later that month.
The June 10, 1950 issue of BoxOffice included the Tower “250 cars, owned by Ray Hughes, O. K. and W. O. Kemp” in a list of drive-ins scheduled to open later that month.
The June 10, 1950 issue of BoxOffice included the “Fifth Street Moviette, Duncan, 250 cars, owned by Jack Guest”, in its list of drive-ins scheduled to open later that month.
The June 10, 1950 issue of BoxOffice included the Terrytime, “owned by D. V. and Ben Terry”, in its list of newly built drive-ins that opened in May 1950.
The June 10, 1950 issue of BoxOffice included the Comet, “300 cars, owned by John Blakeman and Jim Rochelle”, in its list of newly built drive-ins that opened in May 1950. It also included Sulphur’s Starlite in that list.
The June 10, 1950 issue of BoxOffice included the Starlite, “owned by Waite Kerr and Mrs. Izaah Adams”, in its list of newly built drive-ins that opened in May 1950. It also included the Comet in that list.
From the May 6, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
“The Dexter Drive-In on Highway 60 about a mile and one-half west of Dexter will open about June 1. This 400-car project is owned by State Senator Newell (sic) Lawrence of Bloomfield and associates. Norwin Garner will be the manager.”
A later issue reported that the Dexter opened June 23. Yewell Lawrence died in a car accident the following January.
From the April 21, 1956 Motion Picture Herald:
“The Family drive-in theatre, Dester (sic), Mo., has been sold to Winifred Garner, Dr. E. G. Bailey, Sr. and Dr. E. G. Bailey, Jr., by the Lawrence family. The theatre was built in 1950 by the late Yewell Lawrence and had been owned and operated by the Lawrence family ever since.”
Weird note from the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
An usher at the 400 Theatre was checking the seats one night when he suddenly yelped to Manager Les Stepner, “Hey boss, somebody smuggled a box of popcorn in here tonight.” Popcorn is verboten at the 400.
The May 6, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “FULTON, MO. – The 400-car drive-in being constructed by Don Fikes and his nephew Kenny Fikes on Route 54 near here will open early in June, unless weather interferes.” And the June 24 issue confirmed that the Fulton “was opened recently.”
The May 20, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported that the 750-car, $100,000 Litchfield Drive-In had been opened by Frisina Amusement Co. But the June 24, 1950 issue nailed down a date of June 22, matching Walter “Chick” Bishop’s story.
LITCHFIELD, ILL. – The 750-car Litchfield Drive-In of the Frisina Amusement Co. on Route 66 opened Thursday (22). Equipment for the drive-in was furnished by National Theatre Supply.
The May 6, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “POPLAR BLUFF, MO. – The 500-car Poplar Bluff Drive-In on Route 67 near here will be opened early in June by Clyde Hogg and Clyde Richardson.”
Followed by an aside on June 24, 1950, “Andy Dietz of Cooperative Theatres … will book and buy for the Poplar Bluff Drive-In, which opened June 23 near Poplar Bluff, Mo.”
AL.com reported yesterday, “Leeds’ Grand River Drive-In is planning a day of events to re-open the entertainment venue July 3. Formerly known as the Coyote, the Grand River Drive-In is just one facet of The Backyard at Grand River, a project of Hunter Lake, the developer behind the Avondale Brewing Co. and Saw’s.”
Yesterday’s Provo Daily Herald wrote that the Timp was demolished in June 1993.
This note from the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice makes me wonder whether the Trail first opened in the summer of 1950 as the Nevada. Same owners, same location.
“NEVADA, MO. – The new 350-car Nevada Drive-In being erected at a site on Route 54 about two miles east of here by Osborne & Ziegler is expected to be completed and ready for opening about July 15. RCA projection and sound equipment is being installed in the new open-air theatre.”
Based on the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice, the Waycross was a competitor to Georgia Theatre Company’s U.S. 1, and both were new that spring. I’m very curious about the Skyline that Mike Rogers and NYozoner found.
Anyway, here’s that BoxOffice note: “WAYCROSS, GA. – The new Waycross Drive-In erected by L. H. Holloway on the Brunswick highway near here recently was opened. Equipment includes in-car speakers. The open air theatre is being managed by Holloway.”
More details in the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
WAYCROSS, GA. – The new 500-car U. S. 1 Drive-In erected by the Georgia Theatre Co. at a site on Route 1 was opened near here recently. With its entrance on the Alma highway, the new open-air theatre is surrounded by tall pine trees. Offices and living quarters for the manager are located in the base of the 60x61-foot screen tower building. Space between the tower and the first parking ramp will be used later for a playground for children.
A 40x43-foot concession building in the center of the parking area includes the projection booth and storage rooms. Motiograph projection and sound equipment was furnished by the Wil-Kin Theatre Supply Co., Atlanta. Bottle warming service is among conveniences available for patrons.
William K. Jenkins is president of the George Theatre Co., which also operates the Lyric, Ritz and Carver theatre here. John Harrison, city manager for the company here, will supervise operation of the new drive-in, with Charlie Williams as manager. Williams M. Capps is in charge of concessions, and Edward Hunter is projectionist. Mrs. Wanda Huckaby is cashier.
To answer Marklar’s question, yes. Also addressing Jemimah63’s question, the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “The new Geneva Drive-In, located on the site of the old Baden dog track, is utilizing the old grandstand as seating space for walk-in patrons.”
From the June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
LOS ANGELES – Because flood lights used to illuminate a playing field in the municipally owned Griffith park are blinding patrons of the nearby Los Feliz Drive-In, the city’s park and recreation commission has been given a “reasonable time” to erect an adequate shielding device.
That order was contained in a ruling handed down in superior couts as part of a preliminary injunction granted in an action filed against the city by Marvin M. Chesebro and Frank and Ernest Sbicca, owners of the drive-in, which opened March 15.
Chesebro, an attorney, held that the city should either stop using the flood lights or construct a baffle, which he estimates would cost approximately $3,500. The city’s plea that the cost would be closer to $7,500 and that the theatre should build the shield was denied in the court’s ruling. Chesebro charged that the drive-in is losing $300 worth of business every Friday night, when the Griffith park baseball field is open.
Chesebro is the son of Ray L. Chesebro, city attorney, who disqualified himself from representing the municipality because his son is a stockholder in the drive-in enterprise.
The June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice wrote that the Templeton Wheel-In was the second of three drive-ins that all opened in the Martinsville IN area during May 1950.
The June 24, 1950 issue of BoxOffice wrote that the Martinsville was the last of three local drive-ins that all opened during May 1950, after the “Center Brook” and the Templeton Wheel-In, 10 miles north.
“Costing approximately $60,000, (the Martinsville) provided not only 300 car speakers but also benches for 200 non-car owners. The Martinsville Drive-In charges 40 cents for patrons in cars and 25 cents for walk-in customers.”
From the June 17, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
KIRKSVILLE, MO. – The Silver Star Drive-In on Route 63 about one mile north of here was opened recently by Day Mangus. Accommodating 500 cars, the open air theatre is equipped with Century projection and sound, Strong lamps, Kollmorgen lenses and other items furnished by the Shreve Theatre Supply Co., Kansas City.
The June 17, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported:
YUMA, ARIZ. – Bill Wickersham has disposed of his 700-car Mesa Drive-In here to Bernie Leavitt, California exhibitor who operates conventional indoor theatres in Santa Monica and La Jolla.
The June 17, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “The Four Lane Drive-In, a 444-car situation, built by John Whipple of Muleshoe, Tex., and Myron Finkelstein of Kansas City, Mo.,” had opened during “the May-June period”.
The June 10, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “The Bloomer Amusement Co. has installed an elaborate illuminated sign at the Skyview Drive-In. The sign features a fire-spitting neon rocketship roaring into space. The ship measures 35 feet high and 34 feet wide.” I think they meant that the sign, not the rocket ship, was that big.
The June 10, 1950 issue of BoxOffice included the “Brewer, Paul’s Valley, 450 cars, owned by L. D. Brewer” in a list of drive-ins scheduled to open later that month.
The June 10, 1950 issue of BoxOffice included the Tower “250 cars, owned by Ray Hughes, O. K. and W. O. Kemp” in a list of drive-ins scheduled to open later that month.
The June 10, 1950 issue of BoxOffice included the “Fifth Street Moviette, Duncan, 250 cars, owned by Jack Guest”, in its list of drive-ins scheduled to open later that month.
The June 10, 1950 issue of BoxOffice included the Terrytime, “owned by D. V. and Ben Terry”, in its list of newly built drive-ins that opened in May 1950.
The June 10, 1950 issue of BoxOffice included the Comet, “300 cars, owned by John Blakeman and Jim Rochelle”, in its list of newly built drive-ins that opened in May 1950. It also included Sulphur’s Starlite in that list.
The June 10, 1950 issue of BoxOffice included the Starlite, “owned by Waite Kerr and Mrs. Izaah Adams”, in its list of newly built drive-ins that opened in May 1950. It also included the Comet in that list.
The June 10, 1950 issue of BoxOffice said that the Sand Springs, owned by Line Amusement Co., had opened in May.