There was a two-page article about the new Sky-Vue in the Aug. 6, 1949 issue of BoxOffice. The drive-in cost $300,000 and had a section of 650 seats for walk-in patrons down near the screen. The Sky-Vue was managed by Bob Kilgore.
Why and about when the New Theatre became Gay were in the July 23, 1949 issue of BoxOffice:
CHARLESTON, MO. – Manager Ed Burns has changed the name of the New Theatre to the Gay to avoid confusion with the McCutchen, newest local theatre which is referred to by townspeople as the “new” theatre.
PONTIAC, ILL. – A drive-in is under construction at the intersection of Route 23 and old Route 66. It is expected to open the last part of this month with Ken and Mart Murray of Bloomington in charge.
SPRINGFIELD, MO. – The local drive-in has sued the nearby Sunshine baseball park for $10,000 damages as the result of the floodlights from the park. The suit forced several changes in the semipro baseball schedules.
The July 23, 1949 issue of BoxOffice verified the opening date and added more details:
SIKESTON, MO. – O. D. Clayton, local automobile dealer, was to open his 400-car drive-in adjacent to Highways 60 and 61 Saturday (23). Associated with Clayton in the Sikeston Drive-In are S. Potashnick and M. Ralph. This is the second drive-in in the Sikeston area to open for the 1949 season. Earl Ferrell of Charleston, Mo., opened his drive-in near here July 1.
PRATT, KAS. – Expected to open the last of this month, the 250-car drive-in on Highway 54 a mile east of town features pink stucco buildings with a paved area for outdoor tables and chairs, a fenced in playground and a special parking ramp for trucks.
This looks like the same place. From the July 23, 1949 issue of BoxOffice: “CAIRO, ILL. – The 500-car Cairo Drive-In on U.S. No. 51 at Patierdale, a mile north of town, which had been operating nightly since June 17, had a formal opening on July 9. Fred Sullivan, owner, reports the cost was approximately $100,000.”
Sullivan also reported plans to build a second screen to serve a segregated section for blacks.
Perhaps someone else built and opened the Starlite? A note in the July 22, 1949 issue of BoxOffice simply reported, “The Black Hills Amusement Co. has bought the drive-in near Rapid City, S. D.”
Curbed Atlanta ran an article today about a free movie event at Center Hill Park in Bankhead that its organizer hopes will lead to bringing back the Bankhead Drive-In Theatre.
The July 23, 1949 issue of BoxOffice provided an approximate opening date:
PUEBLO – An overflow crowd attended the opening of the Lake Drive-In on U.S. 85 south of the city. Manager Donald Mayne reported parking ramps were inadequate to accommodate the motorists who attended and many parked in the area away from car speakers where they could see but not hear.
The July 2, 1949 issue of BoxOffice reported that the Sunset, owned by Johnnie Blocker, opened June 3. But the July 16 issue reported that he’d already disposed of it, “Johnnie Blocker has sold his Sunset Drive-In in Amarillo to W. O. Bearden, who also owns the Train Drive-In there; and the Arcadia and Chief theatres in Lubbock.”
The July 16, 1949 issue of BoxOffice reported, “The Skylark Drive-In being erected by the Durwood circuit on Shrine Park road south of Leavenworth, Kas., was expected to be ready for opening by August 1.”
An article in the July 16, 1949 issue of BoxOffice places the Corral’s opening date as probably Saturday July 2 that year:
CHEROKEE, IOWA – The opening of the Corral Drive-In theatre here was a Fourth of July weekend attraction. The theatre was packed on all three nights – Saturday, Sunday and Monday – according to Art Downard manager.
An article in the July 16, 1949 issue of BoxOffice places the opening of the drive-in in that year.
GRAND ISLAND, NEB. – Tri-States Theatre Corp., operators of the Grand and Capitol here, have opened the 650-car Drive-In one-half mile west of the viaduct on the west edge of town. The theatre is owned by a corporation including A. H. Blank head of Tri-States, William Youngclaus and Madeline Schiller Kaufmann. …
The new theatre is located on a nine-acre tract and is equipped with RCA sound, a 35x35-foot screen and a concession stand. The manager’s office, yardman’s workroom and employes' dressing rooms are in the base of the screen tower.
Wally Kemp, Tri-States city manager, manages the drive-in. Floyd Kerwood is the projectionist and Arlyn Masten is the head cashier. Traffic is being managed by Arthur Rosenkotter and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Burtle are in charge of the concession stand.
At last, a location hint, from the July 16, 1949 BoxOffice:
LENNOX, S. D. – Arden Davidson, former operator of a theatre in Bridgewater, has purchased two and one-half acres of land at the northeast edge of town for construction of a 175-car drive-in. He plans a 20x30-foot screen and four large amplifiers. Two concession stands will also be erected.
And now that you know where to look, check out the entrance and exit driveways on the sharper 1958 aerial at about 27780 SD-17.
CRAWFORDSVILLE, ILL. (sic) – The 600-car C-Ville Drive-In has been opened east of town on the Lebanon road. RCA equipment is in use. An aluminum fence encloses the area and an aluminum sign marks the entrance. The theatre is managed by Jack Cook. Associates with Cook are Joe Million of Veedersburg and Peter J. Fortune and Otto Elbert of Indianapolis.
The July 16, 1949 issue of BoxOffice provided a projected opening date and the real reason for the Tesuque’s name.
“Clifford Butler’s new drive-in at Albuquerque is scheduled to open July 22. The 312-car theatre is located on the corner of Tesque (sic) street and Pennsylvania avenue on the east side of town. It will be known as the Tesque Drive-In, the second outdoor theatre in the vicinity.”
MILES CITY, MONT. – “Homestretch” was the opening feature at the Sunset Drive-In. The 400-car theater has RCA in-car speakers installed by S. R. Egan of San Francisco. A concession stand was erected at the rear of the area. The Sunset is managed by Jack Holmes.
The June 18, 1949 issue of BoxOffice reported, “Robert Otwell and W. F. Chopping are building a 300-car, $75,000 drive-in near Riverton, Wyo., equipping it with Motiograph booth equipment and sound and Service Theatre Supply speakers, bought from Ted Knox.”
And a month later, it had opened. The July 16, 1949 BoxOffice noted that, “Bob Otwell and Bill Chopping, owners of the West Drive-In west of town, have begun work on a new theatre to be ready the latter part of September.” That indoor theater was probably the Gem.
Based on the timing, I’d say the Gem was built on the success of the West Drive-In. From the July 16, 1949 issue of BoxOffice:
RIVERTON, WYO. – Bob Otwell and Bill Chopping, owners of the West Drive-In west of town, have begun work on a new theatre to be ready the latter part of September. The building will be 50x140 feet with the second floor front being used as business offices for the two theatres. The new theater will be of masonry construction with a numalite tile front.
The reports of this drive-in’s demise were premature. It has been open for the 2019 summer season since Memorial Day weekend. Check out the Midway’s Facebook page for current movies.
A note in the July 9, 1949 issue of BoxOffice narrows the opening date, “The 1,000-car Mounds Drive-In on the Collinsville road near Monks mound has been opened by the owners, the Pimes (sic) Company, controlled by East St. Louis interests.”
BAKERSFIELD, CALIF. – Bakersfield’s first drive-in theatre, bought several months ago by Lloyd Miller and his associates William and Joe Gannon and Owen Clark, was reopened recently with new projection equipment, restrooms and an enormous snack bar.
The drive-in, located on South Chester avenue at the junction of Highway 99, popularly called “the busiest highway in the world,” was renamed the South Chester Drive-In, and is a companion theatre to the recently opened 99 Drive-In, located on the opposite side of town and also owned by Miller and his associates.
The South Chester has a 60-foot screen tower which dominates the lower end of the San Joaquin Valley, and is the first thing that can be seen by the thousands of cars that dip down from Fresno into the cotton and oil bowl.
The huge snack bar can serve 1,000 persons in 15 minutes with its rapid-service soft drink equipment and huge commercial popcorn poppers. RCA sound and projection equipment also was installed.
The July 9, 1949 issue of BoxOffice places the opening date that year.
MONROVIA, CALIF. – The $350,000 Edwards Drive-In has opened on a 16-acre plot at Live Oak and Peck road. The drive-in, which has accommodations for over 400 cars, is managed by G. G. Henderson, former manager of the Temple in Temple City. Architect for the new Edwards circuit theatre was Charles Lee. Simplex sound and projection equipment is in use.
There was a two-page article about the new Sky-Vue in the Aug. 6, 1949 issue of BoxOffice. The drive-in cost $300,000 and had a section of 650 seats for walk-in patrons down near the screen. The Sky-Vue was managed by Bob Kilgore.
Why and about when the New Theatre became Gay were in the July 23, 1949 issue of BoxOffice:
CHARLESTON, MO. – Manager Ed Burns has changed the name of the New Theatre to the Gay to avoid confusion with the McCutchen, newest local theatre which is referred to by townspeople as the “new” theatre.
From the July 23, 1949 issue of BoxOffice:
PONTIAC, ILL. – A drive-in is under construction at the intersection of Route 23 and old Route 66. It is expected to open the last part of this month with Ken and Mart Murray of Bloomington in charge.
From the July 23, 1949 issue of BoxOffice:
SPRINGFIELD, MO. – The local drive-in has sued the nearby Sunshine baseball park for $10,000 damages as the result of the floodlights from the park. The suit forced several changes in the semipro baseball schedules.
The July 23, 1949 issue of BoxOffice verified the opening date and added more details:
SIKESTON, MO. – O. D. Clayton, local automobile dealer, was to open his 400-car drive-in adjacent to Highways 60 and 61 Saturday (23). Associated with Clayton in the Sikeston Drive-In are S. Potashnick and M. Ralph. This is the second drive-in in the Sikeston area to open for the 1949 season. Earl Ferrell of Charleston, Mo., opened his drive-in near here July 1.
From the July 23, 1949 issue of BoxOffice:
PRATT, KAS. – Expected to open the last of this month, the 250-car drive-in on Highway 54 a mile east of town features pink stucco buildings with a paved area for outdoor tables and chairs, a fenced in playground and a special parking ramp for trucks.
This looks like the same place. From the July 23, 1949 issue of BoxOffice: “CAIRO, ILL. – The 500-car Cairo Drive-In on U.S. No. 51 at Patierdale, a mile north of town, which had been operating nightly since June 17, had a formal opening on July 9. Fred Sullivan, owner, reports the cost was approximately $100,000.”
Sullivan also reported plans to build a second screen to serve a segregated section for blacks.
Perhaps someone else built and opened the Starlite? A note in the July 22, 1949 issue of BoxOffice simply reported, “The Black Hills Amusement Co. has bought the drive-in near Rapid City, S. D.”
Curbed Atlanta ran an article today about a free movie event at Center Hill Park in Bankhead that its organizer hopes will lead to bringing back the Bankhead Drive-In Theatre.
The July 23, 1949 issue of BoxOffice provided an approximate opening date:
PUEBLO – An overflow crowd attended the opening of the Lake Drive-In on U.S. 85 south of the city. Manager Donald Mayne reported parking ramps were inadequate to accommodate the motorists who attended and many parked in the area away from car speakers where they could see but not hear.
The July 2, 1949 issue of BoxOffice reported that the Sunset, owned by Johnnie Blocker, opened June 3. But the July 16 issue reported that he’d already disposed of it, “Johnnie Blocker has sold his Sunset Drive-In in Amarillo to W. O. Bearden, who also owns the Train Drive-In there; and the Arcadia and Chief theatres in Lubbock.”
The July 16, 1949 issue of BoxOffice reported, “The Skylark Drive-In being erected by the Durwood circuit on Shrine Park road south of Leavenworth, Kas., was expected to be ready for opening by August 1.”
An article in the July 16, 1949 issue of BoxOffice places the Corral’s opening date as probably Saturday July 2 that year:
CHEROKEE, IOWA – The opening of the Corral Drive-In theatre here was a Fourth of July weekend attraction. The theatre was packed on all three nights – Saturday, Sunday and Monday – according to Art Downard manager.
An article in the July 16, 1949 issue of BoxOffice places the opening of the drive-in in that year.
GRAND ISLAND, NEB. – Tri-States Theatre Corp., operators of the Grand and Capitol here, have opened the 650-car Drive-In one-half mile west of the viaduct on the west edge of town. The theatre is owned by a corporation including A. H. Blank head of Tri-States, William Youngclaus and Madeline Schiller Kaufmann. …
The new theatre is located on a nine-acre tract and is equipped with RCA sound, a 35x35-foot screen and a concession stand. The manager’s office, yardman’s workroom and employes' dressing rooms are in the base of the screen tower.
Wally Kemp, Tri-States city manager, manages the drive-in. Floyd Kerwood is the projectionist and Arlyn Masten is the head cashier. Traffic is being managed by Arthur Rosenkotter and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Burtle are in charge of the concession stand.
At last, a location hint, from the July 16, 1949 BoxOffice:
LENNOX, S. D. – Arden Davidson, former operator of a theatre in Bridgewater, has purchased two and one-half acres of land at the northeast edge of town for construction of a 175-car drive-in. He plans a 20x30-foot screen and four large amplifiers. Two concession stands will also be erected.
And now that you know where to look, check out the entrance and exit driveways on the sharper 1958 aerial at about 27780 SD-17.
From the July 16, 1949 issue of BoxOffice:
CRAWFORDSVILLE, ILL. (sic) – The 600-car C-Ville Drive-In has been opened east of town on the Lebanon road. RCA equipment is in use. An aluminum fence encloses the area and an aluminum sign marks the entrance. The theatre is managed by Jack Cook. Associates with Cook are Joe Million of Veedersburg and Peter J. Fortune and Otto Elbert of Indianapolis.
The July 16, 1949 issue of BoxOffice provided a projected opening date and the real reason for the Tesuque’s name.
“Clifford Butler’s new drive-in at Albuquerque is scheduled to open July 22. The 312-car theatre is located on the corner of Tesque (sic) street and Pennsylvania avenue on the east side of town. It will be known as the Tesque Drive-In, the second outdoor theatre in the vicinity.”
From the July 16, 1949 issue of BoxOffice:
MILES CITY, MONT. – “Homestretch” was the opening feature at the Sunset Drive-In. The 400-car theater has RCA in-car speakers installed by S. R. Egan of San Francisco. A concession stand was erected at the rear of the area. The Sunset is managed by Jack Holmes.
The June 18, 1949 issue of BoxOffice reported, “Robert Otwell and W. F. Chopping are building a 300-car, $75,000 drive-in near Riverton, Wyo., equipping it with Motiograph booth equipment and sound and Service Theatre Supply speakers, bought from Ted Knox.”
And a month later, it had opened. The July 16, 1949 BoxOffice noted that, “Bob Otwell and Bill Chopping, owners of the West Drive-In west of town, have begun work on a new theatre to be ready the latter part of September.” That indoor theater was probably the Gem.
Based on the timing, I’d say the Gem was built on the success of the West Drive-In. From the July 16, 1949 issue of BoxOffice:
RIVERTON, WYO. – Bob Otwell and Bill Chopping, owners of the West Drive-In west of town, have begun work on a new theatre to be ready the latter part of September. The building will be 50x140 feet with the second floor front being used as business offices for the two theatres. The new theater will be of masonry construction with a numalite tile front.
The reports of this drive-in’s demise were premature. It has been open for the 2019 summer season since Memorial Day weekend. Check out the Midway’s Facebook page for current movies.
The Hillcrest was scheduled to open July 15, 1949, according to a note in the July 9, 1949 issue of BoxOffice.
A note in the July 9, 1949 issue of BoxOffice narrows the opening date, “The 1,000-car Mounds Drive-In on the Collinsville road near Monks mound has been opened by the owners, the Pimes (sic) Company, controlled by East St. Louis interests.”
From the July 9, 1949 issue of BoxOffice:
BAKERSFIELD, CALIF. – Bakersfield’s first drive-in theatre, bought several months ago by Lloyd Miller and his associates William and Joe Gannon and Owen Clark, was reopened recently with new projection equipment, restrooms and an enormous snack bar.
The drive-in, located on South Chester avenue at the junction of Highway 99, popularly called “the busiest highway in the world,” was renamed the South Chester Drive-In, and is a companion theatre to the recently opened 99 Drive-In, located on the opposite side of town and also owned by Miller and his associates.
The South Chester has a 60-foot screen tower which dominates the lower end of the San Joaquin Valley, and is the first thing that can be seen by the thousands of cars that dip down from Fresno into the cotton and oil bowl.
The huge snack bar can serve 1,000 persons in 15 minutes with its rapid-service soft drink equipment and huge commercial popcorn poppers. RCA sound and projection equipment also was installed.
The July 9, 1949 issue of BoxOffice places the opening date that year.
MONROVIA, CALIF. – The $350,000 Edwards Drive-In has opened on a 16-acre plot at Live Oak and Peck road. The drive-in, which has accommodations for over 400 cars, is managed by G. G. Henderson, former manager of the Temple in Temple City. Architect for the new Edwards circuit theatre was Charles Lee. Simplex sound and projection equipment is in use.