Boxoffice, June 17, 1939: “PHOENIX, ARIZ. - A drive-in theatre with a capacity of 600 cars will go into construction here immediately, the first such theatre in the state. K. C. Hooker is president of the new company, with Seth Perkins, who is president of the California Drive-In Theatre Corp., functioning as general manager and director of operations.”
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Phoenix - Seth Perkins has opened his Drive-In theatre. It has a 300-car capacity and is the first theatre of its kind in this state.”
Soon after Park-In sued Rogers and Burgess, but before being renamed, the drive-in reopened on May 1, 1940 under new management. My guess is that the new owner, R. N. Elder, had a Park-In license.
A short article in the San Bernardino County Sun noted, “Improvements have been made at the outdoor theater and the entire parking area has been enclosed by fence.”
Boxoffice, April 6, 1940: “W. H. Hibbert’s new 300-seat Gay-Way is operating five nights weekly since its recent opening. The house is of tile construction.”
On review, it’s apparent Louisville renumbered Main Street between 1932 and 1959, when the Times referred to the old Rialto location as in the 800 block. (Directories from the 1920s showed both theaters in the 300 block.) That would put the Rialto across the street from the Rex, with an approximate modern-day address of 826 Main Street.
According to a retrospective in the Louisville Times, the Rialto was built around 1906 by H. H. Fischer for Tom Metz. In 1922, Metz sold the Rialto to S. G. Biella, who would later buy the Rex a couple doors down. The Louisville directory showed the Rialto’s address at 326 Main Street.
Apparently, the Rialto was a silent-only theater. Biella installed sound equipment in the Rex in 1929 and closed the Rialto in late 1931 or early 1932. The building became a grocery, then a woodshop before being town down in 1959.
Thanks to the fine folks at the Louisville Historial Museum, who helped find these details about the Rialto.
Specifically, part of a three-page spread about the little “auditorium” that ran in the Jan. 7, 1956 issue of Motion Picture Herald, which is apparently in the public domain.
Based on some of the newspaper ads posted here, plus the following magazine clip, it appears that the drive-in dropped the hyphen by the 1960s, becoming the Rimar. I would rename the listing according to that final version of the name, leaving Ri-Mar as an alternate.
Also, Google Maps shows the old Rimar site outside the Orlando city limits. That would explain why it was described as being in Lockhart, a nearby census-designated place.
Boxoffice, Aug. 17, 1964: “Dixie Drive-In Theatres has taken over booking duties for the Rimar Drive-In at Lockhart, formerly booked by C. H. Deaver.”
I believe that vfilippone’s clipping is pretty close to the end. A story, about Pasadena’s challenges, in the Oct. 29, 1989 Houston Chronicle mentioned, “The Red Bluff Drive-In is out of business and up for sale.”
And if you had any doubt, it was the VCR that killed the Red Bluff and other adult movie businesses, per a Jan. 19, 1987 article in the Chronicle. For privacy, there’s no place like home. “It’s not the price… Admission charges for the movies range from $2 on Monday and Tuesday at the Red Bluff Drive-In and $4 on other nights to $6.50 at most of the walk-in theaters.”
This is a crisp, clear photo. Where did it come from, and more importantly, which drive-in is its subject? It’s not Addison’s Sky-Hi. The ramp patterns and mid-field concession building in this picture bear little resemblence to the confirmed photos of a twinned drive-in with a concession stand between the viewing fields.
Addison’s Sky-Hi was advertised as a Twin from the day it opened. Its second screen was under construction even in its first weeks when it only showed movies on the east screen. Perhaps this photo is of a different Sky-Hi?
I’m not sure why you asked, but per the LA Times, the Stadium was the only drive-in in Orange that showed “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” in its opening week. The older Orange Drive-In showed the double feature of “Big” and “Broadcast News” at that time.
The story of John Margolies is just amazing - one guy who drove all over America in the 1970s and 1980s taking photos of interesting roadside features. You really ought to check it out!
My guess is that it’s probable that Margolies took more than one photo at this stop, but this is the only Chief photo in the Library of Congress collection.
I love your research, 50sSnipes, though I have seen so many references to the spelling Leeson, including an interview with his son.
I’m so glad that you found an opening date, which lines up well with the Boxoffice note. Where did you find it? If it’s a grand opening ad, could you post it?
Boxoffice, June 6, 1953: “Grinnell, Iowa - The new drive-in on Highway 146 near here is to open not later than June 1.”
Boxoffice, July 18, 1953: (in a list of drive-ins opened in the first half of 1953) “Grinnell - Grinnell, George Mart, manager”
Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1953: “Grinnell, Iowa - Grinnell Drive-In opened with George Mart as manager.”
Boxoffice, July 8, 1963: “Nature put on quite a performance with an early evening windstorm Friday, June 29 … two Central States airers lost their screen towers - at Grinnell and Ottumwa.”
Boxoffice, July 29, 1968: “A Junior Chamber of Commerce benefit night was held at the Grinnell Drive-In.”
Boxoffice, July 8, 1963: “Nature put on quite a performance with an early evening windstorm Friday, June 29 … two Central States airers lost their screen towers - at Grinnell and Ottumwa. Manager Earl Rolison rigged up a 30x50-foot canvas "screen” between two poles and Ottumwa was in operation despite the downed tower."
Boxoffice, July 8, 1963: “Nature put on quite a performance with an early evening windstorm Friday, June 29 … the Pioneer’s attractions board was a crumpled shambles following the 70-mile-an-hour blow.”
Sounds like the Airway widened its screen a lot later than most drive-ins.
Boxoffice, July 1, 1963: “At (Dick) Davis' other airer, the Airways (sic?) in Memphis, Mo., workmen have been busy widening the screen and generally redecorating.”
Boxoffice, July 1, 1963: “Two area drive-ins are rushing to get open by mid-June. Pounding the nails and sawing the boards at a frantic clip are workmen at Gabe Dilhuery’s skytop at Prior Lake ad Reno Wilk’s second drive-in at Minot, N.D. Both are being equipped by Minneapolis Theatre Supply.”
Boxoffice, July 1, 1963: “Two area drive-ins are rushing to get open by mid-June. Pounding the nails and sawing the boards at a frantic clip are workmen at Gabe Dilhuery’s skytop at Prior Lake ad Reno Wilk’s second drive-in at Minot, N.D. Both are being equipped by Minneapolis Theatre Supply.”
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Ozark - The Ozark was formally opened recently.”
Boxoffice, June 17, 1939: “PHOENIX, ARIZ. - A drive-in theatre with a capacity of 600 cars will go into construction here immediately, the first such theatre in the state. K. C. Hooker is president of the new company, with Seth Perkins, who is president of the California Drive-In Theatre Corp., functioning as general manager and director of operations.”
Boxoffice, May 4, 1940: “Phoenix - Seth Perkins has opened his Drive-In theatre. It has a 300-car capacity and is the first theatre of its kind in this state.”
Soon after Park-In sued Rogers and Burgess, but before being renamed, the drive-in reopened on May 1, 1940 under new management. My guess is that the new owner, R. N. Elder, had a Park-In license.
A short article in the San Bernardino County Sun noted, “Improvements have been made at the outdoor theater and the entire parking area has been enclosed by fence.”
Boxoffice, April 6, 1940: “W. H. Hibbert’s new 300-seat Gay-Way is operating five nights weekly since its recent opening. The house is of tile construction.”
Boxoffice, April 6, 1940: “Ryan Beck has opened a theatre in Creede, Colo., with 110 seats.”
Boxoffice, June 24, 1968: “Mrs. Marvin McCuiston, Princess, Booneville, (was) among visiting Mississippi exhibitors (to Memphis Film Row).”
Looks like the Chief was another drive-in that failed to open on time, but it looks like it happened sometime in 1950.
Boxoffice, April 8, 1950: (Theatre Openings) “Natchitoches, La. - Chief, 600 seats (sic?), opened by W. R. and George Younger.”
The Exhibitor, May 10, 1950: “Billy Fox Johnson opened his Chief Drive-In, Natchitoches, La.”
The Exhibitor, May 31, 1950: “New drive-ins scheduled for openings are the Prentiss Drive-In, Prentiss, Miss., and Chief Drive-In, Natchitoches, La.”
On review, it’s apparent Louisville renumbered Main Street between 1932 and 1959, when the Times referred to the old Rialto location as in the 800 block. (Directories from the 1920s showed both theaters in the 300 block.) That would put the Rialto across the street from the Rex, with an approximate modern-day address of 826 Main Street.
According to a retrospective in the Louisville Times, the Rialto was built around 1906 by H. H. Fischer for Tom Metz. In 1922, Metz sold the Rialto to S. G. Biella, who would later buy the Rex a couple doors down. The Louisville directory showed the Rialto’s address at 326 Main Street.
Apparently, the Rialto was a silent-only theater. Biella installed sound equipment in the Rex in 1929 and closed the Rialto in late 1931 or early 1932. The building became a grocery, then a woodshop before being town down in 1959.
Thanks to the fine folks at the Louisville Historial Museum, who helped find these details about the Rialto.
Specifically, part of a three-page spread about the little “auditorium” that ran in the Jan. 7, 1956 issue of Motion Picture Herald, which is apparently in the public domain.
Motion Picture Herald, Jan. 7, 1956: “Reports of (flooding) damage in other areas include … the KaVon drive-in, Napa”
Based on some of the newspaper ads posted here, plus the following magazine clip, it appears that the drive-in dropped the hyphen by the 1960s, becoming the Rimar. I would rename the listing according to that final version of the name, leaving Ri-Mar as an alternate.
Also, Google Maps shows the old Rimar site outside the Orlando city limits. That would explain why it was described as being in Lockhart, a nearby census-designated place.
Boxoffice, Aug. 17, 1964: “Dixie Drive-In Theatres has taken over booking duties for the Rimar Drive-In at Lockhart, formerly booked by C. H. Deaver.”
Google Maps indicates that the Cherry Lane site is well within the city limits of White Settlement, a suburb of Fort Worth.
Since the first Bayou (1949-1965?) was in Texas City, shouldn’t there also be a listing for it under that city?
I believe that vfilippone’s clipping is pretty close to the end. A story, about Pasadena’s challenges, in the Oct. 29, 1989 Houston Chronicle mentioned, “The Red Bluff Drive-In is out of business and up for sale.”
And if you had any doubt, it was the VCR that killed the Red Bluff and other adult movie businesses, per a Jan. 19, 1987 article in the Chronicle. For privacy, there’s no place like home. “It’s not the price… Admission charges for the movies range from $2 on Monday and Tuesday at the Red Bluff Drive-In and $4 on other nights to $6.50 at most of the walk-in theaters.”
This is a crisp, clear photo. Where did it come from, and more importantly, which drive-in is its subject? It’s not Addison’s Sky-Hi. The ramp patterns and mid-field concession building in this picture bear little resemblence to the confirmed photos of a twinned drive-in with a concession stand between the viewing fields.
Addison’s Sky-Hi was advertised as a Twin from the day it opened. Its second screen was under construction even in its first weeks when it only showed movies on the east screen. Perhaps this photo is of a different Sky-Hi?
I’m not sure why you asked, but per the LA Times, the Stadium was the only drive-in in Orange that showed “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” in its opening week. The older Orange Drive-In showed the double feature of “Big” and “Broadcast News” at that time.
The story of John Margolies is just amazing - one guy who drove all over America in the 1970s and 1980s taking photos of interesting roadside features. You really ought to check it out!
My guess is that it’s probable that Margolies took more than one photo at this stop, but this is the only Chief photo in the Library of Congress collection.
I love your research, 50sSnipes, though I have seen so many references to the spelling Leeson, including an interview with his son.
I’m so glad that you found an opening date, which lines up well with the Boxoffice note. Where did you find it? If it’s a grand opening ad, could you post it?
Boxoffice, June 6, 1953: “Grinnell, Iowa - The new drive-in on Highway 146 near here is to open not later than June 1.”
Boxoffice, July 18, 1953: (in a list of drive-ins opened in the first half of 1953) “Grinnell - Grinnell, George Mart, manager”
Boxoffice, Aug. 1, 1953: “Grinnell, Iowa - Grinnell Drive-In opened with George Mart as manager.”
Boxoffice, July 8, 1963: “Nature put on quite a performance with an early evening windstorm Friday, June 29 … two Central States airers lost their screen towers - at Grinnell and Ottumwa.”
Boxoffice, July 29, 1968: “A Junior Chamber of Commerce benefit night was held at the Grinnell Drive-In.”
Boxoffice, July 8, 1963: “Nature put on quite a performance with an early evening windstorm Friday, June 29 … two Central States airers lost their screen towers - at Grinnell and Ottumwa. Manager Earl Rolison rigged up a 30x50-foot canvas "screen” between two poles and Ottumwa was in operation despite the downed tower."
Boxoffice, July 8, 1963: “Nature put on quite a performance with an early evening windstorm Friday, June 29 … the Pioneer’s attractions board was a crumpled shambles following the 70-mile-an-hour blow.”
Sounds like the Airway widened its screen a lot later than most drive-ins.
Boxoffice, July 1, 1963: “At (Dick) Davis' other airer, the Airways (sic?) in Memphis, Mo., workmen have been busy widening the screen and generally redecorating.”
Boxoffice, July 1, 1963: “Two area drive-ins are rushing to get open by mid-June. Pounding the nails and sawing the boards at a frantic clip are workmen at Gabe Dilhuery’s skytop at Prior Lake ad Reno Wilk’s second drive-in at Minot, N.D. Both are being equipped by Minneapolis Theatre Supply.”
Boxoffice, July 1, 1963: “Two area drive-ins are rushing to get open by mid-June. Pounding the nails and sawing the boards at a frantic clip are workmen at Gabe Dilhuery’s skytop at Prior Lake ad Reno Wilk’s second drive-in at Minot, N.D. Both are being equipped by Minneapolis Theatre Supply.”