Boxoffice, March 17, 1951: “LEBANON, ORE. - Mild Weather brought on an early reopening of the Motor Vu Drive-In. Tadd Nelson is manager.”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “LEBANON, ORE. - During a recent showing at the Lebanon Motor Vue, flames followed two explosions in the projection booth when films caught fire. Projectionist Carrol Courtnier fought the fire while throwing all electrical switches, then crawled from the rear door of the booth. Firemen arrived to control the blaze. New equipment was flown to Salem overnight from Salt Lake City and the following evening the place was again in operation.”
Boxoffice, April 15, 1950: “EMMET (sic), IDA. – Virgil Odell and Preston Capell of Nampa have purchased the Emmet Drive-In on South Johns and will open it after completing extensive improvements. The theatre was purchased from Paul Charters. Improvements at the ozoner will include new restrooms, new projection booth and new equipment.”
Boxoffice, March 17, 1951: “Virgil Odell, operator of the Emmett Drive-In, opened the outdoorer (for the season) March 9. The screen tower has been remodeled and new lens installed.”
You may be right, Kenmore. My evidence is weak - the size is right for 100 cars, it became an auto junkyard at about the right time, and somebody cleared this fenced square for something. For all I know, Cavasos might have been living at that house. The concession stand could have been either corner building, and the screen might have been makeshift and temporary.
You’re better at scanning photos than I am. Maybe you could download the 1950 aerials from EarthExplorer and help me find a more satisfying candidate for this mystery drive-in.
Just asking: Since there were two drive-ins in Vivian at the same time, how do we know which is which? Is there a mention somewhere of the Wakea sitting just south of Chapelwood Cemetery, or of the Gay “just another 2000 feet north” like that?
Found it! It was on the east side of town on US 90, of course, and it looked intact in April 1953. The approximate Google Maps address is 4045 East Main Street, Uvalde, TX. There’s an electrical substation on the site today.
Just before the Korean War indirectly caused a pause in most drive-in construction…
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “Charlott, Mich. - Cash R. Beechler, proprietor of the two theatres here and the New Rapids Theatre in Eaton Rapids, is again expanding his business activities by building a drive-in south of town. Beechler has bought about 16 acres of the former Parm Whitcomb farm on U.S. 27. The surveying work has been done, also the engineering work on the ramps. It is planned to complete the theatre this fall and have it ready for opening in the spring.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “Four months late in opening due to delays and shortage in needed materials, the Tusca-Glen Drive-In on the Tuscarawas road was opened recently. The new ozoner is situated six and one-half miles from Beaver and seven and one-half miles from Midland. Capacity at opening is 450 automobiles, with room for an increase to 650. Owners include local business and professional men, including Joseph Taylor of the Taylor Milk Co., Ambridge; Dr. Lewis Urling jr., Attorney Richard H. West, Raymond M. Lewis and Dr. Lewis Urling. Concession is managed by the Taylor Milk Co.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “Featuring opening night ceremonies at the Suburban Drive-In was the presentation of a $50 prize to J. P. Heineckie who named the theatre in a public contest judged by mayors of three nearby cities. The Suburban is owned and operated by Johnny Mitchell, Blake Lancaster and David R. Brown of the Manatee Amusement Co. The new theatre accommodates 600 cars with space available for about 125 more. An interesting feature of the new theatre is a nursery and a first aid station built below the screen. A doctor will be present at all times. The theatre will maintain a constant drive for charity. Two cents of each admission will be put in a fund for a worthy charity and will be distributed on a rotation basis. Admission is 40 cents, plus 8 cents state and federal tax and the 2 cents for charity. The grounds have been beautifully landscaped.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “Elsinore, Calif. - Beginning operations here was the new 830-seat Lake Theatre, built by Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Scott and Mrs. Nelle Jackson, operated by E. D. Patterson and managed by Mrs. Florence Lynch. Utilizing the latest RCA sound and projection systems, the Lake also features a smoking room, a cry room for children, air conditioning and heating, and paved parked areas adjacent to the theatre.”
This drive-in definitely opened as the Motor-In. The 1950 photo I just uploaded included an ad for it “next to Mooney Park,” which pretty much proves that we’re talking about the same place.
Oh, and the latest Google Maps address for the Tulare County Office of Education, current occupants of the former Motor-In site, is 6200 S Mooney Blvd, Visalia, CA 93277.
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “SALMON, IDA. - The Main Theatre here was gutted by an afternoon fire in which three men lost their lives. The showhouse was operated by Hugh Drennen of Rexburg, Ida., and Paul De Mourdant of Blackfoot, Ida. … Those who suffocated in the fire were investigating equipment in the basement and were not patrons of the theatre. No patrons were in the showhouse at the time of the blaze. Total amount of the damage was $50,000.”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “TAFT, CALIF. - Replacing the old Hippodrome Theatre, destroyed by fire in February 1950, Fox West Coast will open its new $300,000 Fox Theatre here May 1. The showcase has 1,078 seats.”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “LEWISTOWN, MONT. - The Broadway Theatre here, closed for several years, was reopened March 24 with Ward Penland as manager. The house has been redecorated and equipped with the latest in sound equipment.”
Still no reference that I can find to Brawley’s drive-in ever being called the Valley View. Anyone else see anything?
According to the Los Angeles Times, the drive-in in Brawley was being called the Brawley Drive-In by 1966. The last mention I could find in the Times was in 1979, followed in 1982 by a for-sale ad “10-acre site, must sell!” in the classifieds.
Boxoffice, Dec. 9, 1950: “The Paris Theatre, described as a "cinema for patrons tired of ordinary movies,” opened December 1 in San Mateo … The Paris in San Mateo was formerly the Palm."
Boxoffice, Dec. 9, 1950: “Tigard, Ore. - N. W. Bush, a partner in the Joy and Aloha theatres here, has purchased the Beaver Theatre in Beaverton from Harold Fix. The purchase price includes plans for a new theatre to be built on Canyon road as soon as the federal ban is lifted. Bush expects to remodel the Beaver.”
This sounds like the fire that Irene805 mentioned above:
Boxoffice, Dec. 2, 1950: “Port Hueneme, Calif. - Fire caused an estimated $40,000 damage to the Melody Theatre, 392-seat quonset-type showcase here, during a regular evening performance, but an audience of 182 escaped without injury. The interior was completely gutted. Owner Mel C. Kennedy attributed the blaze to a hot light bulb which ignited the curtains … The Melody, only theatre in this community, was opened in May 1947. Kennedy said he and his partners, Percy E. Smith and Floyd H. Eddington, would "probably rebuild.” "
That illustration was part of the Great Lakes Steel Corporation’s ad in the Oct. 23, 1948 issue of Motion Picture Herald (and possibly elsewhere). That magazine is in the public domain.
The Motor Vu opened before 1951.
Boxoffice, March 17, 1951: “LEBANON, ORE. - Mild Weather brought on an early reopening of the Motor Vu Drive-In. Tadd Nelson is manager.”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “LEBANON, ORE. - During a recent showing at the Lebanon Motor Vue, flames followed two explosions in the projection booth when films caught fire. Projectionist Carrol Courtnier fought the fire while throwing all electrical switches, then crawled from the rear door of the booth. Firemen arrived to control the blaze. New equipment was flown to Salem overnight from Salt Lake City and the following evening the place was again in operation.”
Boxoffice, April 15, 1950: “EMMET (sic), IDA. – Virgil Odell and Preston Capell of Nampa have purchased the Emmet Drive-In on South Johns and will open it after completing extensive improvements. The theatre was purchased from Paul Charters. Improvements at the ozoner will include new restrooms, new projection booth and new equipment.”
Boxoffice, March 17, 1951: “Virgil Odell, operator of the Emmett Drive-In, opened the outdoorer (for the season) March 9. The screen tower has been remodeled and new lens installed.”
From its 1966 aerial photo, the Ponce de Leon looks like it added another ramp between the year it opened and then.
You may be right, Kenmore. My evidence is weak - the size is right for 100 cars, it became an auto junkyard at about the right time, and somebody cleared this fenced square for something. For all I know, Cavasos might have been living at that house. The concession stand could have been either corner building, and the screen might have been makeshift and temporary.
You’re better at scanning photos than I am. Maybe you could download the 1950 aerials from EarthExplorer and help me find a more satisfying candidate for this mystery drive-in.
Just asking: Since there were two drive-ins in Vivian at the same time, how do we know which is which? Is there a mention somewhere of the Wakea sitting just south of Chapelwood Cemetery, or of the Gay “just another 2000 feet north” like that?
To narrow down the opening date, the Stardust was in the 1952 Theatre Catalog, owner R. I. Payne with Theater Enterprises, with a capacity of 450.
And it looked ready for a show in the USGS photo from April 1953 that I just uploaded.
Found it! It was on the east side of town on US 90, of course, and it looked intact in April 1953. The approximate Google Maps address is 4045 East Main Street, Uvalde, TX. There’s an electrical substation on the site today.
Just before the Korean War indirectly caused a pause in most drive-in construction…
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “Charlott, Mich. - Cash R. Beechler, proprietor of the two theatres here and the New Rapids Theatre in Eaton Rapids, is again expanding his business activities by building a drive-in south of town. Beechler has bought about 16 acres of the former Parm Whitcomb farm on U.S. 27. The surveying work has been done, also the engineering work on the ramps. It is planned to complete the theatre this fall and have it ready for opening in the spring.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “Four months late in opening due to delays and shortage in needed materials, the Tusca-Glen Drive-In on the Tuscarawas road was opened recently. The new ozoner is situated six and one-half miles from Beaver and seven and one-half miles from Midland. Capacity at opening is 450 automobiles, with room for an increase to 650. Owners include local business and professional men, including Joseph Taylor of the Taylor Milk Co., Ambridge; Dr. Lewis Urling jr., Attorney Richard H. West, Raymond M. Lewis and Dr. Lewis Urling. Concession is managed by the Taylor Milk Co.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “The Midway Drive-In on Route 37, three miles south of Benton, has been opened by Joe Sullivan and Bob Strauss”
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “Featuring opening night ceremonies at the Suburban Drive-In was the presentation of a $50 prize to J. P. Heineckie who named the theatre in a public contest judged by mayors of three nearby cities. The Suburban is owned and operated by Johnny Mitchell, Blake Lancaster and David R. Brown of the Manatee Amusement Co. The new theatre accommodates 600 cars with space available for about 125 more. An interesting feature of the new theatre is a nursery and a first aid station built below the screen. A doctor will be present at all times. The theatre will maintain a constant drive for charity. Two cents of each admission will be put in a fund for a worthy charity and will be distributed on a rotation basis. Admission is 40 cents, plus 8 cents state and federal tax and the 2 cents for charity. The grounds have been beautifully landscaped.”
Here are a few names from the opening.
Boxoffice, Oct. 14, 1950: “Elsinore, Calif. - Beginning operations here was the new 830-seat Lake Theatre, built by Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Scott and Mrs. Nelle Jackson, operated by E. D. Patterson and managed by Mrs. Florence Lynch. Utilizing the latest RCA sound and projection systems, the Lake also features a smoking room, a cry room for children, air conditioning and heating, and paved parked areas adjacent to the theatre.”
This drive-in definitely opened as the Motor-In. The 1950 photo I just uploaded included an ad for it “next to Mooney Park,” which pretty much proves that we’re talking about the same place.
Oh, and the latest Google Maps address for the Tulare County Office of Education, current occupants of the former Motor-In site, is 6200 S Mooney Blvd, Visalia, CA 93277.
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “SALMON, IDA. - The Main Theatre here was gutted by an afternoon fire in which three men lost their lives. The showhouse was operated by Hugh Drennen of Rexburg, Ida., and Paul De Mourdant of Blackfoot, Ida. … Those who suffocated in the fire were investigating equipment in the basement and were not patrons of the theatre. No patrons were in the showhouse at the time of the blaze. Total amount of the damage was $50,000.”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “Floyd Bernard’s Midway Drive-In Theatres organization has taken over operation of the Biltmore Motor-Vue in Tucson”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “R. D. Ervin has again opened the Dillon Theatre in the Dillon Town hall. He is showing two complete shows, 7 and 9 p.m.”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “TAFT, CALIF. - Replacing the old Hippodrome Theatre, destroyed by fire in February 1950, Fox West Coast will open its new $300,000 Fox Theatre here May 1. The showcase has 1,078 seats.”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “LEWISTOWN, MONT. - The Broadway Theatre here, closed for several years, was reopened March 24 with Ward Penland as manager. The house has been redecorated and equipped with the latest in sound equipment.”
Still no reference that I can find to Brawley’s drive-in ever being called the Valley View. Anyone else see anything?
According to the Los Angeles Times, the drive-in in Brawley was being called the Brawley Drive-In by 1966. The last mention I could find in the Times was in 1979, followed in 1982 by a for-sale ad “10-acre site, must sell!” in the classifieds.
For at least a while, the Palm became the Paris.
Boxoffice, Dec. 9, 1950: “The Paris Theatre, described as a "cinema for patrons tired of ordinary movies,” opened December 1 in San Mateo … The Paris in San Mateo was formerly the Palm."
Boxoffice, Dec. 9, 1950: “H. D. McLoughan has bought the Bayard, Bayard, N. M., from O. K. Leonard.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 9, 1950: “Tigard, Ore. - N. W. Bush, a partner in the Joy and Aloha theatres here, has purchased the Beaver Theatre in Beaverton from Harold Fix. The purchase price includes plans for a new theatre to be built on Canyon road as soon as the federal ban is lifted. Bush expects to remodel the Beaver.”
This sounds like the fire that Irene805 mentioned above:
Boxoffice, Dec. 2, 1950: “Port Hueneme, Calif. - Fire caused an estimated $40,000 damage to the Melody Theatre, 392-seat quonset-type showcase here, during a regular evening performance, but an audience of 182 escaped without injury. The interior was completely gutted. Owner Mel C. Kennedy attributed the blaze to a hot light bulb which ignited the curtains … The Melody, only theatre in this community, was opened in May 1947. Kennedy said he and his partners, Percy E. Smith and Floyd H. Eddington, would "probably rebuild.” "
That illustration was part of the Great Lakes Steel Corporation’s ad in the Oct. 23, 1948 issue of Motion Picture Herald (and possibly elsewhere). That magazine is in the public domain.
Boxoffice, Dec. 2, 1950: “Richey, Mont. - The Richet Theatre here has been reopened under the management of Harold Goulding.”