Boxoffice, Sept. 7, 1970: “NASH, TEX. - Area theatregoers joined owners Joy and Clyde Houck in grand opening events Friday, August 21, at the Joy Twin Drive-In, which was constructed on a design that will permit the addition of two more outdoor screens and a walk-in theatre later. The entertainment complex, just off I-30 and Kings Highway, represents an investment of around $250,000”
The year is fuzzy and probably inaccurate, but the owner details are interesting.
Boxoffice, Sept. 7, 1970: “Sarto Smalldone and his wife, approaching the 25th year of operation of the Malta Drive-In south of Saratoga Springs, have been aiming at family patronage … Smalldone doubles as mayor of Saratoga Springs”
Just sayin', this looks like a third-generation cropped copy of the photo that “railroad” uploaded here in 2012: https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/23775/photos/54453
Sorry for any misunderstanding, everybody. When I post a quote, it’s just a quote. In this case, the main reason was to show the change of ownership.
When there’s no primary evidence of an opening date, a later quote can provide some indication. But when the opening date has already been nailed down pretty well (such as with the Florence), I sometimes leave it in to show the fallibility of memory, and why we should treat such decades-later statements with a grain of salt.
Number One Drive-In Theatre, Inc., was the name of the corporation that was approved by the National Production Authority to build a drive-in at Daytona Beach in March 1951. The Coles City Directory may have used that for its listing.
The Feb. 17, 1951 issue of Boxoffice included Walter Brown’s 250-car drive-in in Winnsboro as one of the drive-ins recently put into operation.
The obituary for Mary Elizabeth Tidwell Brown, published in the State newspaper of Columbia SC, said she was the former owner of the Winn-Ridge along with the Carolina, Boyd, and Fairfield theaters. Wife of Boyd Brown, she once received a Woman of the Year award from the Winnsboro Business and Professional Women.
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “Richard P. Ernst Realty Co., owner of the Dixie Drive-In and the Florence Drive-In, has announced that it will sell the two ozoners to Redstone Theatres of Boston. Both drive-ins were opened in 1946.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “Richard P. Ernst Realty Co., owner of the Dixie Drive-In and the Florence Drive-In, has announced that it will sell the two ozoners to Redstone Theatres of Boston. Both drive-ins were opened in 1946.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “W. T. Ash was on the (Dallas Film) Row and reported total loss of his Mathis Drive-In due to hurricane Celia. He said it’s not likely he will rebuild.”
One more note. Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “A partnership composed of Owen E. Barnett and Billy Wallace has assumed operation of Scenic Drive-In at Booneville.”
As is often the case when an indoor movie house occupies a drive-in site - they had the same owners.
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “The Stateline Cinema, this area’s newest theatre, has been opened in the Crescent Valley Shopping Center Annex by Robert Retzer and William Tomlinson, who jointly own the Tahoe Drive-In.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “Richard Smith, who has the Fourth Street Theatre at David City, has purchased the Isis Theatre and drive-in at Marysville, Kas., and plans remodeling before reopening. The Isis has been closed for some time"
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “Richard Smith, who has the Fourth Street Theatre at David City, has purchased the Isis Theatre and drive-in at Marysville, Kas."
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “F.W. Pavick has acquired the Cole-Anna Theatre and Oak Drive-In, Coleman, from Carleton H. Mann. The change of ownership became effective July 29”
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “F.W. Pavick has acquired the Cole-Anna Theatre and Oak Drive-In, Coleman, from Carleton H. Mann. The change of ownership became effective July 29”
I wonder what the story was on this temporary shutdown.
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “Gulf States Theatres announced the closing for an indefinite period of the Skyvue Drive-In at El Dorado, Ark. The Skyvue was closed July 27 and the circuit’s 7 Drive-In at El Dorado went to a full-time schedule July 30.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “The Meadow Bridge Drive-In, built years ago and with a reported record of unsuccessful operation, was reopened recently by Benny Hartley of Crab Orchard. Following extensive advertising and promotion by Hartley, the airer is now attracting large patronage from throughout the area. The drive-in is located on Route 20 south of Meadow Bridge.”
Boxoffice, March 23, 1970: “Drive-Ins which have been transferred include: … Hi-Way, Carrolltown, from John Ridilla to Richard Lash”
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “ST. BENEDICT, PA. - The owner and manager of the Hi-Way Drive-In here were arrested recently as the result of showing X-rated movies. Charged … with "corrupting morals of minors” were Richard J. Losh, owner of the Hi-Way Drive-In, and Patrick M. Marshall, manager … a number of high school youngsters began complaining that they were being exposed to previews of X-rated films when they had purchased tickets to see movies which are considered acceptable by today’s standards."
Same drive-in? Location and name match, but not the opening date nor capacity.
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “The 720-car Owens Walnut Grove Drive-In, located off Route 35 about ten miles from St. Albans was scheduled to open in mid-July. Owner of the new airer is Mrs. Matalie Gunter and the manager is Jack Cadle … Future plans, according to Cadle, include the building of a picnic area and a playground for children.”
When the Motion Picture Almanac refreshed its drive-in theater list for the 1977 edition, Hatton’s Starnite was still there. It showed a capacity of 200 cars, owner Brandhagen.
Boxoffice, March 8, 1976: “Randall Thornsley of Chugatch Entertainment Co., headquartered in Sturgis, S.D., has taken over operation of the Sundowner Drive-In, Bowman, N.D.; the Wagon Wheel Drive-In, Hettinger, N.D., and the Whitetail Drive-In, Lemmon, S.D.”
Boxoffice, July 18, 1977: “The White Tail Drive-In, Lennon, S.D., and the Sundowner Drive-In, Bowman, N.D., have been transferred to the Minneapolis Paramount territory from Denver. They were originally in the Minneapolis branch territory but were switched to Denver a couple of years ago. Both screens are owned by J. M. Svihovec.”
The second Joy opened Aug. 21, 1970.
Boxoffice, Sept. 7, 1970: “NASH, TEX. - Area theatregoers joined owners Joy and Clyde Houck in grand opening events Friday, August 21, at the Joy Twin Drive-In, which was constructed on a design that will permit the addition of two more outdoor screens and a walk-in theatre later. The entertainment complex, just off I-30 and Kings Highway, represents an investment of around $250,000”
The year is fuzzy and probably inaccurate, but the owner details are interesting.
Boxoffice, Sept. 7, 1970: “Sarto Smalldone and his wife, approaching the 25th year of operation of the Malta Drive-In south of Saratoga Springs, have been aiming at family patronage … Smalldone doubles as mayor of Saratoga Springs”
Just sayin', this looks like a third-generation cropped copy of the photo that “railroad” uploaded here in 2012: https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/23775/photos/54453
Sorry for any misunderstanding, everybody. When I post a quote, it’s just a quote. In this case, the main reason was to show the change of ownership.
When there’s no primary evidence of an opening date, a later quote can provide some indication. But when the opening date has already been nailed down pretty well (such as with the Florence), I sometimes leave it in to show the fallibility of memory, and why we should treat such decades-later statements with a grain of salt.
Number One Drive-In Theatre, Inc., was the name of the corporation that was approved by the National Production Authority to build a drive-in at Daytona Beach in March 1951. The Coles City Directory may have used that for its listing.
The Feb. 17, 1951 issue of Boxoffice included Walter Brown’s 250-car drive-in in Winnsboro as one of the drive-ins recently put into operation.
The obituary for Mary Elizabeth Tidwell Brown, published in the State newspaper of Columbia SC, said she was the former owner of the Winn-Ridge along with the Carolina, Boyd, and Fairfield theaters. Wife of Boyd Brown, she once received a Woman of the Year award from the Winnsboro Business and Professional Women.
Posted on Flickr in September 2009, with an “All rights reserved” non-license, by Ethan.
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “Richard P. Ernst Realty Co., owner of the Dixie Drive-In and the Florence Drive-In, has announced that it will sell the two ozoners to Redstone Theatres of Boston. Both drive-ins were opened in 1946.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “Richard P. Ernst Realty Co., owner of the Dixie Drive-In and the Florence Drive-In, has announced that it will sell the two ozoners to Redstone Theatres of Boston. Both drive-ins were opened in 1946.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “W. T. Ash was on the (Dallas Film) Row and reported total loss of his Mathis Drive-In due to hurricane Celia. He said it’s not likely he will rebuild.”
One more note. Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “A partnership composed of Owen E. Barnett and Billy Wallace has assumed operation of Scenic Drive-In at Booneville.”
As is often the case when an indoor movie house occupies a drive-in site - they had the same owners.
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “The Stateline Cinema, this area’s newest theatre, has been opened in the Crescent Valley Shopping Center Annex by Robert Retzer and William Tomlinson, who jointly own the Tahoe Drive-In.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “Walt Allen sold the Corral Drive-In, Moline, Ill., to Redstone Management of Boston."
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “Richard Smith, who has the Fourth Street Theatre at David City, has purchased the Isis Theatre and drive-in at Marysville, Kas., and plans remodeling before reopening. The Isis has been closed for some time"
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “Richard Smith, who has the Fourth Street Theatre at David City, has purchased the Isis Theatre and drive-in at Marysville, Kas."
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “Carl J. Murphy bought the Hi Ho Drive-In at Spur, taking over control of the airer as of July 6."
Mann didn’t own those drive-ins for very long.
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “F.W. Pavick has acquired the Cole-Anna Theatre and Oak Drive-In, Coleman, from Carleton H. Mann. The change of ownership became effective July 29”
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “F.W. Pavick has acquired the Cole-Anna Theatre and Oak Drive-In, Coleman, from Carleton H. Mann. The change of ownership became effective July 29”
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “The Metro Drive-In has been closed temporarily for construction of a new screen tower.”
I wonder what the story was on this temporary shutdown.
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “Gulf States Theatres announced the closing for an indefinite period of the Skyvue Drive-In at El Dorado, Ark. The Skyvue was closed July 27 and the circuit’s 7 Drive-In at El Dorado went to a full-time schedule July 30.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “The Meadow Bridge Drive-In, built years ago and with a reported record of unsuccessful operation, was reopened recently by Benny Hartley of Crab Orchard. Following extensive advertising and promotion by Hartley, the airer is now attracting large patronage from throughout the area. The drive-in is located on Route 20 south of Meadow Bridge.”
Boxoffice, March 23, 1970: “Drive-Ins which have been transferred include: … Hi-Way, Carrolltown, from John Ridilla to Richard Lash”
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “ST. BENEDICT, PA. - The owner and manager of the Hi-Way Drive-In here were arrested recently as the result of showing X-rated movies. Charged … with "corrupting morals of minors” were Richard J. Losh, owner of the Hi-Way Drive-In, and Patrick M. Marshall, manager … a number of high school youngsters began complaining that they were being exposed to previews of X-rated films when they had purchased tickets to see movies which are considered acceptable by today’s standards."
Same drive-in? Location and name match, but not the opening date nor capacity.
Boxoffice, Aug. 10, 1970: “The 720-car Owens Walnut Grove Drive-In, located off Route 35 about ten miles from St. Albans was scheduled to open in mid-July. Owner of the new airer is Mrs. Matalie Gunter and the manager is Jack Cadle … Future plans, according to Cadle, include the building of a picnic area and a playground for children.”
When the Motion Picture Almanac refreshed its drive-in theater list for the 1977 edition, Hatton’s Starnite was still there. It showed a capacity of 200 cars, owner Brandhagen.
Boxoffice, March 8, 1976: “Randall Thornsley of Chugatch Entertainment Co., headquartered in Sturgis, S.D., has taken over operation of the Sundowner Drive-In, Bowman, N.D.; the Wagon Wheel Drive-In, Hettinger, N.D., and the Whitetail Drive-In, Lemmon, S.D.”
Boxoffice, July 18, 1977: “The White Tail Drive-In, Lennon, S.D., and the Sundowner Drive-In, Bowman, N.D., have been transferred to the Minneapolis Paramount territory from Denver. They were originally in the Minneapolis branch territory but were switched to Denver a couple of years ago. Both screens are owned by J. M. Svihovec.”