The “Grand Opening” ad from May 6, 1955 is misleading; it should say “Grand Re-opening”. I have found the actual grand opening ad from the June 24, 1954 issue of the Portland Press Herald and uploaded it in the Photos section. I’ve come across this occurrence a few times in doing drive-in research.
The last known ad I came across for the Midway in Boise’s “Idaho Statesman” was from October 3, 1985. The features were “Invasion U.S.A.” and “Missing In Action”.
Great news! It has been recently announced that the Calvert Drive-In has been bought by Seth and Tabitha Manea. They are planning to reopen it in June with as few changes as possible.
I have not yet had the pleasure of visiting the Calvert; hopefully I can get down there either this summer or the next.
Opened November 15, 1963 (exactly one week before President Kennedy was assassinated). Final night of operation, according to newspaper ads, was July 12, 1981 with two adult films. There is nothing left of the North Side except an empty field as it became vandalized in its waning years.
I had to repost this because I made a geographical mistake. I had though that the North Side was the second of only two drive-ins to be built within the Pittsburgh city limits (the other being Silver Lake in East Liberty). However, I recently verified that most of the drive-in land was situated in Reserve Township with the screen and part of the land to the left of the screen (as you are facing it) going over the line and into Pittsburgh’s Spring Garden neighborhood.
July 23 to August 13 was apparently a “trial run period” for the Angelo as the week of August 14 was designated as “Formal Grand Opening Week”. The August 14 ad has been posted
Final night of operation was on September 4, 1978 with “Secrets” and “That Tender Touch”. I just uploaded the last ad and the notification of closure from the next day’s paper.
The Tri-State Drive-In opened on July 2, 1955 with “Hit The Deck”. Final night of operation was on September 6, 1987 with “The Untouchables” and “Sweet Revenge”
The Hilltop’s final night of operation was on September 26, 1982 with the original “Star Wars” and “On The Right Track”. A front page article from the May 14, 1983 issue of the Monessen Valley Independent indicated that the drive-in would not reopen. The site remained dormant until 1997 when the Residence At Hilltop assisted living facility was built there.
Additional information finally obtained earlier today:
The feature on the grand opening night was “Do You Love Me”, starring Dick Haymes, Maureen O'Hara and Harry James.
The final night of operation was November 15, 1970 with the films “The People Next Door” and “A Nice Girl Like Me”. The following year, the drive-in was replaced by Burrell Plaza which is partially dormant.
I was fortunate to have visited the 112 in 2018 on a cross-country road trip. So sad to see another drive-in go fall victim to so-called “progress”, but it was great how it went out with a big bang as they had a sellout crowd for its farewell performance last night. Of course, I wish I could have been there.
Screen 2 (the smaller lot shown in the satellite photo above), opened on June 23, 1955 and closed after the night of August 15, 1977 (the day before Elvis Presley’s death)
Thank goodness, I found my photo of the marquee I took when it still indicated “Bellevue Cinemas” after its closing. It’s been added to the Photos
The Milo Drive-In opened on June 10, 1950 with the films “Albuquerque” and “Adventure Island”. I just added the grand opening ad
The “Grand Opening” ad from May 6, 1955 is misleading; it should say “Grand Re-opening”. I have found the actual grand opening ad from the June 24, 1954 issue of the Portland Press Herald and uploaded it in the Photos section. I’ve come across this occurrence a few times in doing drive-in research.
Anybody got the final night of operation in 2012?
The last known ad I came across for the Midway in Boise’s “Idaho Statesman” was from October 3, 1985. The features were “Invasion U.S.A.” and “Missing In Action”.
In the satellite photo, the Midway Drive-In is on the right and I believe the one on the left is the Fair Vu Drive-In
Hoping and praying that some dedicated drive-in theater enthusiast buys the Sunset and reopens it in the near future
Great news! It has been recently announced that the Calvert Drive-In has been bought by Seth and Tabitha Manea. They are planning to reopen it in June with as few changes as possible.
I have not yet had the pleasure of visiting the Calvert; hopefully I can get down there either this summer or the next.
Opened November 15, 1963 (exactly one week before President Kennedy was assassinated). Final night of operation, according to newspaper ads, was July 12, 1981 with two adult films. There is nothing left of the North Side except an empty field as it became vandalized in its waning years.
I had to repost this because I made a geographical mistake. I had though that the North Side was the second of only two drive-ins to be built within the Pittsburgh city limits (the other being Silver Lake in East Liberty). However, I recently verified that most of the drive-in land was situated in Reserve Township with the screen and part of the land to the left of the screen (as you are facing it) going over the line and into Pittsburgh’s Spring Garden neighborhood.
July 23 to August 13 was apparently a “trial run period” for the Angelo as the week of August 14 was designated as “Formal Grand Opening Week”. The August 14 ad has been posted
The movies shown on the final night of operation…September 3, 1990…were “Shrimp On The Barbie” and “Arachnophobia”
Additional screen openings: Screen 2: July 30, 1969 – Screen 3: August 15, 1973 – Screen 4: June 23, 1978 – Screen 5: December 20, 1978 – Screen 6: June 13, 1979
Can anybody confirm the films shown on the Fun Lan’s final night of operation?
Final night of operation was on September 4, 1978 with “Secrets” and “That Tender Touch”. I just uploaded the last ad and the notification of closure from the next day’s paper.
Updates for the overview:
The Tri-State Drive-In opened on July 2, 1955 with “Hit The Deck”. Final night of operation was on September 6, 1987 with “The Untouchables” and “Sweet Revenge”
Here’s an update for the overview:
The ABC’s final night of operation was on September 25, 1983 with “Cujo” and “Nightmare” on Screen 1 and “Staying Alive” and “Grease” on Screen 2
The Greentree Drive-In’s final night of operation was on October 2, 1983 with “Easy Money” and “Blue Thunder”
The Harmar’s final night of operation was on November 4, 1968 with “The Odd Couple” and “5 Card Stud”
Final night of operation was on October 1, 1967 with the films “Matchless” and “The Hills Run Red”.
The Hilltop’s final night of operation was on September 26, 1982 with the original “Star Wars” and “On The Right Track”. A front page article from the May 14, 1983 issue of the Monessen Valley Independent indicated that the drive-in would not reopen. The site remained dormant until 1997 when the Residence At Hilltop assisted living facility was built there.
Additional information finally obtained earlier today:
The feature on the grand opening night was “Do You Love Me”, starring Dick Haymes, Maureen O'Hara and Harry James.
The final night of operation was November 15, 1970 with the films “The People Next Door” and “A Nice Girl Like Me”. The following year, the drive-in was replaced by Burrell Plaza which is partially dormant.
The miniature golf course mentioned in the overview was called Movieland Miniature Golf and opened on May 20, 1989
I was fortunate to have visited the 112 in 2018 on a cross-country road trip. So sad to see another drive-in go fall victim to so-called “progress”, but it was great how it went out with a big bang as they had a sellout crowd for its farewell performance last night. Of course, I wish I could have been there.
The Saco Drive-In is in the process of moving across the street next to Aquaboggin Water Park
Screen 2 (the smaller lot shown in the satellite photo above), opened on June 23, 1955 and closed after the night of August 15, 1977 (the day before Elvis Presley’s death)