Boxoffice, Dec. 10, 1955: “Brooksville, Fla. - The 200-car 41 Drive-In Theatre near here will soon have a screen measuring 68' wide by 50' high, believed to be the largest in the state for its capacity. The Ray Hatfield Construction Co., which is in charge of the work, is using the present screen as a bracing agent for the new widescreen.”
A few more details. Boxoffice, Dec. 10, 1955: “Spokane, Wash. - The Granada Theatre, 813 Riverside, which has a history dating back to silent film days, has acquired a new owner and a new name - the Riverside. New owner and operator is Joseph J. Rosenfeld, president and general manager of Favorite Theatres. Announcement of the purchase came jointly from Rosenfeld and Howard D. McBride, owner and once a partner with Rosenfeld in operation of the hose. McBride took over the theatre a year ago after ending a partnership with Rosenfeld … McBride came here in 1931 as Spokane manager for Evergreen Theatres … He resigned in 1935 and purchased the Granada, formerly the Casino … McBride operated the Granada until 1946, when he formed a partnership with Rosenfeld and Favorite Theatres.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 3, 1955: “A blaze which firemen said followed an explosion of a butane stove took the life of John H. Howze, 88, and destroyed the Rustic Drive-In on Highway 287 west of here. The butane stove was in an apartment under the screen of the theatre. Howze, a retired farmer, lived alone in the apartment. Firemen did not know he was inside until they found his body after the fire was out. High winds fanned the blaze and hampered firefighting efforts. Damage to the drive-in was estimated at $20,000.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 26, 1955: “The new Starlite Drive-In on Highway 70, accommodating 360 cars and featuring a 48x100-foot screen, has made its formal debut. Henry Haven is manager of the theatre. One feature of the drive-in, in addition to nightly spraying against insect pests, is the stocking of individual car mosquito bombs for sale at the concession stand.”
A 1957 aerial photo showed a drive-in a little over a mile south of town on US 70. Nothing remains of the drive-in today; a wrecker service occupies the front of the site at 9832 US-70, Brinkley, AR 72021.
According to the April 20, 1956 Shreveport Journal, local theater magnate Tom McElroy bought the dismantled equipment from the “Kings Drive-In” and had stored it at a location “in Agurs” for a future theater in that part of Shreveport if warranted. As far as I can tell, he never rebuilt the drive-in.
Shreveport Journal, April 20, 1956: “Thomas E. (Tom) McElroy assumed operation Thursday of the Sunset Drive-In Theatre here, bringing to 10 the number of theatres in the greater Shreveport area he is operating. G. H. Mercer of Shreveport formerly was owner and operator of the Sunset Theatre.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 12, 1955: “Tonasket, Wash. - The Chief Theatre here, owned and managed by Mr. and Mrs. T. P. Smith since June 1, 1952, has been sold to G. N. Torgerson of Choteau, Mont. … The Chief seats about 400 persons.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 29, 1955: “Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Wilson have leased … the Gay-Way in Willamina from W. H. Hibbert. Ralph Watson has been manager … for the last three years.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 29, 1955: “Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Wilson have leased the Hi-Way Theatre … from W. H. Hibbert. Ralph Watson has been manager … for the last three years.”
Boxoffice jumped the gun again. Boxoffice, July 30, 1955: “Great Falls, Mont. – Clarence Golder, operator of the Civic Center Theatre, has opened this city’s third drive-in in a period of six weeks. The new drive-in is located just south of Tenth avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets and has a capacity of 400 cars … The screen is 90 feet wide.
But two weeks later, Boxoffice, Aug. 13, 1955: “Great Falls, Mont. – Clarence Golder, owner of the Civic Center Theatre, will open his new Tenth Avenue Drive-In here in September. It will be the third drive-in here. The new drive-in will have a capacity of 400 cars, and the parking plan will more closely resemble an indoor theatre than an outdoor one. The screen will be 90 feet wide to accommodate CinemaScope.”
It finally opened, but in September or October? Boxoffice, Oct. 29, 1955: “Great Falls, Mont. - Clarence Golder, owner of the Civic Center Theatre here, has opened this community’s newest drive-in, the 450-car Tenth Avenue.”
This photo was part of the Adler Silhouette Letter ad in the Oct. 22, 1955 issue of Boxoffice and probably elsewhere. As such, it should be in the public domain.
In 1955, the Tulane Advance-Register was advertising the “Motor-In on Mooney Blvd. between Tulare and Visalia,” so I think this is the right drive-in for this note.
Boxoffice, Oct. 8, 1955: “The Harvey Amusement Co., San Francisco, has bought the 576-car Tulare Motor-In from the Robert L. Lippert theatre chain, also of San Francisco.”
One more name in Boxoffice, Oct. 1, 1955: “Early in the summer we reported the opening of the Grove, Okla., drive-in. Recently one of the former partners, Stanley James Sullins, filed a bankruptcy petition”
Boxoffice, Oct. 1, 1955: “The Quincy Drive-In on Route 24 operated under lease by Mayor Ray Parker of Brentwood, Mo., was closed Sunday (18) because highway construction activities in the vicinity made it difficult for patrons to attend the theatre. The early closing was unfortunate because the drive-in had enjoyed nice business, and weather conditions now are ideal for drive-in operations.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 10, 1955: “The Juno Theatre here has been sold by Mrs. Ethel Neitzel to Mr. and Mrs. John Hellstrom of Wittenberg, Wis. The theatre has 365 seats.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 10, 1955: “Port Lavaca, Tex. - The new 850-car drive-in under construction here was expected to be ready for opening early this month. The ozoner will have twin screens and a dual-operation concession building. The screens will be curved and will measure about 50x80 feet. The concession building is 80 feet long and 40 feet wide.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 10, 1955: “One of the Gulf coast’s most modern and de luxe drive-ins, the new Tidwell, had its formal opening at Tidwell and Homestead roads here Thursday (1) under the management of H. D. "Cotton” Griffith. The Tidwell is owned by Griffith with H. N. Mitchamore and Associates. Mitchamore is owner of the Market Street Drive-In of which Griffith has been manager the last six years. The new Tidwell has a 900-car capacity and a 90x20-foot patio with seating capacity for 200 persons. There are 17 ramps, slag-topped with steel waste from the Sheffield Steel Co. The tower is built 20 telephone poles with asbestos siding … The screen measures 110x50 feet and projection throw is 420 feet."
A few more, earlier details. Boxoffice, Sept. 10, 1955: “Mrs. Winona Allen of Springfield, Mo., widow of ? Allen, for many years the Dallas manager of National Screen, is a partner with John Castner of Mountain Grove in the ownership of the 60 Drive-In on Route 60 and the Cameo Theatre, which they purchased recently from William Dean Davis of West Plains. The management and ownership of the drive-in and theatre was formally assumed by Mrs. Allen and Castner on Sunday (4).”
Boxoffice, Sept. 10, 1955: “Fox Wasatch Corp., a subsidiary of National Theatres, Inc., took over operation of Joseph L. Lawrence theatres this week. National purchased the showhouses in Utah from Lawrence after receiving permission from the federal court in New York to do so. Theatres involved are the Uptown, Villa, Rialto, Southeast, Murray and Oak Hills Drive-In in Salt Lake and the Academy in Provo.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 10, 1955: “The Blue Mouse Theatre, a local entertainment center since 1912, is being razed to make way for a ra? garage to serve the adjoining new Medical Center. The three-story theatre was the scene of the showing of Portland’s first talking picture.”
A two-page article, with photos, in the Sept. 3, 1955 issue of Boxoffice marvelled at the speed in which the 84th & O was built. It opened “fifty-three days after the first ground was broken.”
The same picture, except showing a little more ofthe employees' uniforms, appeared in the Modern Theatre section of the Sept. 5, 1955 issue of Boxoffice, which is in the public domain.
Boxoffice, Dec. 17, 1955: “Wesco Theatres (Nervin Reed and Carlin Smith) have sold the Wyoma, Glenrock, Wyo., to E. C. McNamara, who has been manager”
Boxoffice, Dec. 10, 1955: “Brooksville, Fla. - The 200-car 41 Drive-In Theatre near here will soon have a screen measuring 68' wide by 50' high, believed to be the largest in the state for its capacity. The Ray Hatfield Construction Co., which is in charge of the work, is using the present screen as a bracing agent for the new widescreen.”
A few more details. Boxoffice, Dec. 10, 1955: “Spokane, Wash. - The Granada Theatre, 813 Riverside, which has a history dating back to silent film days, has acquired a new owner and a new name - the Riverside. New owner and operator is Joseph J. Rosenfeld, president and general manager of Favorite Theatres. Announcement of the purchase came jointly from Rosenfeld and Howard D. McBride, owner and once a partner with Rosenfeld in operation of the hose. McBride took over the theatre a year ago after ending a partnership with Rosenfeld … McBride came here in 1931 as Spokane manager for Evergreen Theatres … He resigned in 1935 and purchased the Granada, formerly the Casino … McBride operated the Granada until 1946, when he formed a partnership with Rosenfeld and Favorite Theatres.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 3, 1955: “A blaze which firemen said followed an explosion of a butane stove took the life of John H. Howze, 88, and destroyed the Rustic Drive-In on Highway 287 west of here. The butane stove was in an apartment under the screen of the theatre. Howze, a retired farmer, lived alone in the apartment. Firemen did not know he was inside until they found his body after the fire was out. High winds fanned the blaze and hampered firefighting efforts. Damage to the drive-in was estimated at $20,000.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 26, 1955: “The new Starlite Drive-In on Highway 70, accommodating 360 cars and featuring a 48x100-foot screen, has made its formal debut. Henry Haven is manager of the theatre. One feature of the drive-in, in addition to nightly spraying against insect pests, is the stocking of individual car mosquito bombs for sale at the concession stand.”
A 1957 aerial photo showed a drive-in a little over a mile south of town on US 70. Nothing remains of the drive-in today; a wrecker service occupies the front of the site at 9832 US-70, Brinkley, AR 72021.
According to the April 20, 1956 Shreveport Journal, local theater magnate Tom McElroy bought the dismantled equipment from the “Kings Drive-In” and had stored it at a location “in Agurs” for a future theater in that part of Shreveport if warranted. As far as I can tell, he never rebuilt the drive-in.
Shreveport Journal, April 20, 1956: “Thomas E. (Tom) McElroy assumed operation Thursday of the Sunset Drive-In Theatre here, bringing to 10 the number of theatres in the greater Shreveport area he is operating. G. H. Mercer of Shreveport formerly was owner and operator of the Sunset Theatre.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 12, 1955: “Tonasket, Wash. - The Chief Theatre here, owned and managed by Mr. and Mrs. T. P. Smith since June 1, 1952, has been sold to G. N. Torgerson of Choteau, Mont. … The Chief seats about 400 persons.”
Here’s the grand opening ad, clipped by our own rivest. (Thanks!)
Boxoffice, Oct. 29, 1955: “Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Wilson have leased … the Gay-Way in Willamina from W. H. Hibbert. Ralph Watson has been manager … for the last three years.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 29, 1955: “Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Wilson have leased the Hi-Way Theatre … from W. H. Hibbert. Ralph Watson has been manager … for the last three years.”
Boxoffice jumped the gun again. Boxoffice, July 30, 1955: “Great Falls, Mont. – Clarence Golder, operator of the Civic Center Theatre, has opened this city’s third drive-in in a period of six weeks. The new drive-in is located just south of Tenth avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets and has a capacity of 400 cars … The screen is 90 feet wide.
But two weeks later, Boxoffice, Aug. 13, 1955: “Great Falls, Mont. – Clarence Golder, owner of the Civic Center Theatre, will open his new Tenth Avenue Drive-In here in September. It will be the third drive-in here. The new drive-in will have a capacity of 400 cars, and the parking plan will more closely resemble an indoor theatre than an outdoor one. The screen will be 90 feet wide to accommodate CinemaScope.”
It finally opened, but in September or October? Boxoffice, Oct. 29, 1955: “Great Falls, Mont. - Clarence Golder, owner of the Civic Center Theatre here, has opened this community’s newest drive-in, the 450-car Tenth Avenue.”
This photo was part of the Adler Silhouette Letter ad in the Oct. 22, 1955 issue of Boxoffice and probably elsewhere. As such, it should be in the public domain.
In 1955, the Tulane Advance-Register was advertising the “Motor-In on Mooney Blvd. between Tulare and Visalia,” so I think this is the right drive-in for this note.
Boxoffice, Oct. 8, 1955: “The Harvey Amusement Co., San Francisco, has bought the 576-car Tulare Motor-In from the Robert L. Lippert theatre chain, also of San Francisco.”
One more name in Boxoffice, Oct. 1, 1955: “Early in the summer we reported the opening of the Grove, Okla., drive-in. Recently one of the former partners, Stanley James Sullins, filed a bankruptcy petition”
Boxoffice, Oct. 1, 1955: “The Quincy Drive-In on Route 24 operated under lease by Mayor Ray Parker of Brentwood, Mo., was closed Sunday (18) because highway construction activities in the vicinity made it difficult for patrons to attend the theatre. The early closing was unfortunate because the drive-in had enjoyed nice business, and weather conditions now are ideal for drive-in operations.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 10, 1955: “The Juno Theatre here has been sold by Mrs. Ethel Neitzel to Mr. and Mrs. John Hellstrom of Wittenberg, Wis. The theatre has 365 seats.”
Alternate name? Boxoffice, Sept. 10, 1955: “The Chocolate Bayou Drive-In is listed in the telephone book as the Sunnyside Drive-In”
Boxoffice, Sept. 10, 1955: “Port Lavaca, Tex. - The new 850-car drive-in under construction here was expected to be ready for opening early this month. The ozoner will have twin screens and a dual-operation concession building. The screens will be curved and will measure about 50x80 feet. The concession building is 80 feet long and 40 feet wide.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 10, 1955: “One of the Gulf coast’s most modern and de luxe drive-ins, the new Tidwell, had its formal opening at Tidwell and Homestead roads here Thursday (1) under the management of H. D. "Cotton” Griffith. The Tidwell is owned by Griffith with H. N. Mitchamore and Associates. Mitchamore is owner of the Market Street Drive-In of which Griffith has been manager the last six years. The new Tidwell has a 900-car capacity and a 90x20-foot patio with seating capacity for 200 persons. There are 17 ramps, slag-topped with steel waste from the Sheffield Steel Co. The tower is built 20 telephone poles with asbestos siding … The screen measures 110x50 feet and projection throw is 420 feet."
A few more, earlier details. Boxoffice, Sept. 10, 1955: “Mrs. Winona Allen of Springfield, Mo., widow of ? Allen, for many years the Dallas manager of National Screen, is a partner with John Castner of Mountain Grove in the ownership of the 60 Drive-In on Route 60 and the Cameo Theatre, which they purchased recently from William Dean Davis of West Plains. The management and ownership of the drive-in and theatre was formally assumed by Mrs. Allen and Castner on Sunday (4).”
Boxoffice, Sept. 10, 1955: “Fox Wasatch Corp., a subsidiary of National Theatres, Inc., took over operation of Joseph L. Lawrence theatres this week. National purchased the showhouses in Utah from Lawrence after receiving permission from the federal court in New York to do so. Theatres involved are the Uptown, Villa, Rialto, Southeast, Murray and Oak Hills Drive-In in Salt Lake and the Academy in Provo.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 10, 1955: “The Blue Mouse Theatre, a local entertainment center since 1912, is being razed to make way for a ra? garage to serve the adjoining new Medical Center. The three-story theatre was the scene of the showing of Portland’s first talking picture.”
A two-page article, with photos, in the Sept. 3, 1955 issue of Boxoffice marvelled at the speed in which the 84th & O was built. It opened “fifty-three days after the first ground was broken.”
The same picture, except showing a little more ofthe employees' uniforms, appeared in the Modern Theatre section of the Sept. 5, 1955 issue of Boxoffice, which is in the public domain.