I have discovered that he Sundown was actually in existance for a longer period of time than I thought. It may have been built during or shortly after World War II, as its location is close to Camp Tyson in the small community of Routon, which was a temporary army base during the war. This would mean it was in operation for at least 10 years.
I moved to Knoxville in 1972, and the Horne Drive In was closed by then, though I did hear people talk about it (though at the time, I mistook it for the Sunset Drive In on Clinton Highway). There is a comment under the River Breeze Drive In that describes the Horne Drive In being closed by 1974, though he could see where the drive in had been behind some retail stores, and that a K-Mart (which is now also closed) was eventually built on the location. That must have been after I left Knoxville, so I still don’t know where that would have been.
and at the link below is a photo of the River Breeze from 1965. By the time I first went to the River Breeze in 1972, the marquee in the front had been replaced by a smaller one:
I had a friend who lived in a small trailer located just behind the screen (at the bottom of the photo where the car lot is now) in the early 70’s. This photo brings back a lot of memories.
For a brief history and some other interesting information about the Majestic (and some other early East St Louis theatres), go to the link below, and click “View the Record” at the bottom of the page:
A picture post card image of the French Village Drive-In from the 50’s can be found by going to the following link and then clicking “View the Record” at the bottom of the page:
I have driven by this drive-in, and can confirm that there is really only one drive-in, and it is located on U.S. Highway 54 in the small town of Gas (not Gas City) just outside the much larger town of Iola.
This is the same drive-in as the Summer Hill Drive In, which is listed separately, as being in Pittsfield IL. It is in Summer Hill IL, not Rockport or Pittsfield.
This drive in opened in 1952, and I don’t think it has ever been closed. I think it was renamed the Clark 54 in the late 90’s or early 2000’s, when it came under new ownership. It is actually in Summer Hill, not Pittsfield. I don’t know why the Pike County Chamber of Commerce would imply that it is closed, and show a very old picture of the drive in as it used to look. As you can see from drive in’s website, it looks much better now!
For quite a few years after the Shop City Drive In closed, the screen remained, and if I remember correctly, it was towards the rear of the photo, where the trees are. The shopping center was virtually abandoned by the mid 80’s. The last open business I remember being there was a Red Fox Supermarket, but by the early 90’s, it was also closed and demolished, and at some point the drive in screen was either torn down or fell down. I drove down State Street last month, and the Shop City sign in the photo still remains. Near the site of the Shop City Drive In, but not actually on the drive in property, is the new East St Louis High School football stadium
At the link below is an article from last year about plans to revitalize the Park Theatre, which also includes a photo of the building as it looks now. The new marquee was added in 2001. I believe the pizzeria has opened, but it would really be nice if they are able to begin showing movies again too!
I saw 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY in Cinerama at the Belle Meade in 1968. It was the only movie I ever saw in Cinerama, and was a real experience in a great theater. I’m sorry that it’s gone.
This theater has most recenly been known as Movie Magic Theater, and I believe it is still open. I first went to this theater in the mid 80’s, when it was known as the Demo. At that time, they had DEMO spelled out in different colored lights above the entrance. It was very distinctive looking at night. The Demo throughout the 80’s and 90’s was always open only for part of the year, and only on weekends. They usually showed movies a few weeks after they were in nearby Sikeston. I remember seeing NOMADS, FIREWALKER, THE STUFF, and RETURN TO HORROR HIGH among others here. Sometimes they would surprise you, though! One weekend, they had a free showing of I HATE YOUR GUTS (aka THE INTRUDER), a 1960 black and white Roger Corman movie starring William Shatner that had been filmed in East Prairie and nearby Charleston. Despite the exploitation title on the print they had, this is actually a very good serious drama with one of William Shatner’s best performances early in his career. It was also the only Roger Corman movie to ever lose money, and to this day, remains very rare. I can only assume the owners at the time had kept a copy of the film.
The Demo had changed names to Movies & More and added the video store by 1997, when I moved from the area. The last time I was in East Prairie was I believe 2006, and at that time the theater was open (part time as always), and known as Movie Magic Theater.
I have discovered that he Sundown was actually in existance for a longer period of time than I thought. It may have been built during or shortly after World War II, as its location is close to Camp Tyson in the small community of Routon, which was a temporary army base during the war. This would mean it was in operation for at least 10 years.
At the links below are two newspaper articles about the Skyview celebrating it’s 60th birthday this month:
View link
http://www.bnd.com/homepage/story/827222.html
I moved to Knoxville in 1972, and the Horne Drive In was closed by then, though I did hear people talk about it (though at the time, I mistook it for the Sunset Drive In on Clinton Highway). There is a comment under the River Breeze Drive In that describes the Horne Drive In being closed by 1974, though he could see where the drive in had been behind some retail stores, and that a K-Mart (which is now also closed) was eventually built on the location. That must have been after I left Knoxville, so I still don’t know where that would have been.
At the link below is a small photo of the Broadway Theater from about 1947:
View link
At the link below is a small photo of the Park Theatre from about 1947:
View link
At the link below is the opening night ad for the River Breeze Drive In on July 13, 1950:
View link
and at the link below is a photo of the River Breeze from 1965. By the time I first went to the River Breeze in 1972, the marquee in the front had been replaced by a smaller one:
View link
At the link below is a photo of the Gay Theatre in 1956:
View link
You can see an aerial view of the remains of the Lakemont Drive In at the link below. Apparently, it closed in the late 80’s
http://www.drive-ins.com/pictures/tntlake001.jpg
I had a friend who lived in a small trailer located just behind the screen (at the bottom of the photo where the car lot is now) in the early 70’s. This photo brings back a lot of memories.
You can see a newspaper ad for the Warner Park at the link below:
View link
For a brief history and some other interesting information about the Majestic (and some other early East St Louis theatres), go to the link below, and click “View the Record” at the bottom of the page:
View link
A picture post card image of the French Village Drive-In from the 50’s can be found by going to the following link and then clicking “View the Record” at the bottom of the page:
View link
I have driven by this drive-in, and can confirm that there is really only one drive-in, and it is located on U.S. Highway 54 in the small town of Gas (not Gas City) just outside the much larger town of Iola.
Despite the threat of the Skyview being closed in 2007, it is opening for it’s 60th season tonight.
This is the same drive-in as the Summer Hill Drive In, which is listed separately, as being in Pittsfield IL. It is in Summer Hill IL, not Rockport or Pittsfield.
This drive in is still open, and is now known as the Clark 54 Drive In. The website (with lots of great photos) is at:
http://clark54drivein.com/
This drive in opened in 1952, and I don’t think it has ever been closed. I think it was renamed the Clark 54 in the late 90’s or early 2000’s, when it came under new ownership. It is actually in Summer Hill, not Pittsfield. I don’t know why the Pike County Chamber of Commerce would imply that it is closed, and show a very old picture of the drive in as it used to look. As you can see from drive in’s website, it looks much better now!
At the link below is a recent photo of all that is left of the Shop City shopping center taken from State Street:
View link
For quite a few years after the Shop City Drive In closed, the screen remained, and if I remember correctly, it was towards the rear of the photo, where the trees are. The shopping center was virtually abandoned by the mid 80’s. The last open business I remember being there was a Red Fox Supermarket, but by the early 90’s, it was also closed and demolished, and at some point the drive in screen was either torn down or fell down. I drove down State Street last month, and the Shop City sign in the photo still remains. Near the site of the Shop City Drive In, but not actually on the drive in property, is the new East St Louis High School football stadium
The mattress store has moved out, and the Lake Theater building in nowbeing advertised for lease.
At the link below is a night time photo of the Warner Theater from 1960:
View link
At the link below are some more recent photos of Peabody Theatre/ Memphis Drom Shop:
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At the link below is an article from last year about plans to revitalize the Park Theatre, which also includes a photo of the building as it looks now. The new marquee was added in 2001. I believe the pizzeria has opened, but it would really be nice if they are able to begin showing movies again too!
View link
I saw 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY in Cinerama at the Belle Meade in 1968. It was the only movie I ever saw in Cinerama, and was a real experience in a great theater. I’m sorry that it’s gone.
Here is an article about the 41 Drive In:
View link
You can see a postcard of the Buffalo Autoscope from 1957 below:
http://www.drive-ins.com/pictures/mothigh006.jpg
This theater has most recenly been known as Movie Magic Theater, and I believe it is still open. I first went to this theater in the mid 80’s, when it was known as the Demo. At that time, they had DEMO spelled out in different colored lights above the entrance. It was very distinctive looking at night. The Demo throughout the 80’s and 90’s was always open only for part of the year, and only on weekends. They usually showed movies a few weeks after they were in nearby Sikeston. I remember seeing NOMADS, FIREWALKER, THE STUFF, and RETURN TO HORROR HIGH among others here. Sometimes they would surprise you, though! One weekend, they had a free showing of I HATE YOUR GUTS (aka THE INTRUDER), a 1960 black and white Roger Corman movie starring William Shatner that had been filmed in East Prairie and nearby Charleston. Despite the exploitation title on the print they had, this is actually a very good serious drama with one of William Shatner’s best performances early in his career. It was also the only Roger Corman movie to ever lose money, and to this day, remains very rare. I can only assume the owners at the time had kept a copy of the film.
The Demo had changed names to Movies & More and added the video store by 1997, when I moved from the area. The last time I was in East Prairie was I believe 2006, and at that time the theater was open (part time as always), and known as Movie Magic Theater.
At the link below, you can find an article (with photos) about the Owen Drive In, and its legendary owner, Harold Owen, from RURAL MISSOURI magazine:
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