Boxoffice, July 30, 1955: “Bishop’s new drive-in held its gala opening recently, according to managers Tim Stephens and Ted Amistoso. The new drive-in covers an area of more than ten acres and has a capacity for 330 cars. It includes a snack bar and a kiddyland for children. The theatre features CinemaScope and VistaVision equipment”
Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “The 51 Drive-In opened here recently with a new screen. The old screen was blown down during a windstorm recently, said Owner H. H. Carlile.”
Same drive-in? Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “The Pinto Drive-In, Mineral Wells, was badly damaged in a recent windstorm. It is owned by T. L. Ritchie of Atlanta, Tex.”
I stumbled on the Skyline’s opening date, mentioned seemingly to fill space in the news of its sale three years later.
Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd B. Schmidt of Niangua, Mo., owners of the Skyline Drive-In, 250-car capacity, have sold the drive-into Dwight Cantrell, also of Niangua. Cantrell took over operation of the drive-in July 1. The Skyline was opened by Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt on Apr. 28, 1952.”
From Yumpu’s online hosting of a bound copy that cut off a few letters at the margin:
Boxoffice, May 21, 1955: “Lewis D. All?? and Leland R. Carroll are opening a new drive-in at Green River, Utah, one of the cities booming because of Utah’s uranium activities. Jack Swonson will book and buy for them.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1955: “The Riverview Drive-In opened at Green River, Utah, booming uranium city.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1955: “Mike Hunter of Los Angeles … says he made enough off uranium in Moab to purchase the Ides Theatre in that southern Utah city from W. T. Wheeler. Mrs. R. C. Clark had it for many years before selling the showhouse to Wheeler.”
Boxoffice, May 21, 1955: “After being closed for several years, the Mitchell Drive-In opened recently. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. Brooks of Mitchell are the new operators.”
A note in the Scottsbluff Daily Herald pinpointed the reopening date as April 9, 1955, though the formal reopening was on April 29, per the Mitchell Index, both confirming dallasmovietheaters' post.
Petry leased the Mitchell from owners “Nigren and Copen,” per a note in the March 22, 1956 Index.
The Mitchell continued advertising through at least May 24, 1956, but a classified ad showed the drive-in up for auction on June 15 that year. “200 car capacity, fully equipped concession stand, R.C.A. sound system, Simplex Projector, over 4 acres of land, now operating and quick possession will be given. Terms: 50% cash, balance will be carried over period of 3 years at 5% interest. Mitchell Drive-In Theatre, Owner”
Perhaps there were no bidders. The Aug. 9, 1956 Index reported a break-in “at the Mitchell Drive-In Theatre which has been closed for several months.” By November, the “old drive-in theater” was being used as a navigation landmark in want ads.
Boxoffice, April 9, 1955: “The Shamrock Drive-In, the third in the northwest section of Oklahoma, staged an open house March 31 and started programs April 1. Ermel Lee O'Hern, longtime resident of Laverne, installed the theatre at a cost of more than $30,000. This is his first venture in show business. The capacity will be 200 cars, with room for an extra 50 if necessary. The all-purpose screen is 70x28 feet. The two-story concession building has a projection booth and living quarters for the manager upstairs; the bottom part houses the cafeteria-style concession stand and restrooms.”
The April 9, 1955 issue of Boxoffice ran a lengthy story about the Sunset, owned by Abbott Widdicombe and managed by Bob Kilgore. The drive-in installed “the first Midsouth CinemaScope screen” with a 70x105-foot tower which was so big that radio station KWEM moved its studio into its base. “An ornamental radio transmission tower extends 20 feet above the 70-foot-high screen tower, and the actual transmitting tower is nearby.”
Echo is about eight miles away, so I’m guessing this is the same theater. From Yumpu’s hosting of a bound edition, which cut off one letter per line.
Boxoffice, April 9, 1955: “Echo, Wash. - Mr. and Mrs. Joe Mathe?on of Eugene, Ore., have purchased the local Alpine Theatre from Mr. and Mrs. Henry ?agman of Cashmere. The playing policy for the theatre will be extended from six to seven days a week. Financial details of the transaction which included the building were not revealed.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 26, 1955: “Malden, Mo. - The All-Star Drive-In, which was opened here February 13, has been under construction since last fall. One and a half miles from Holcomb on Highway 25, it is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Vergil Harris. Accommodations for 390 cars are provided on its parking ramps and it is equipped with wide screen and anamorphic lenses for the showing of CinemaScope pictures. A modern, attractive concession bar is part of its equipment and there is also an indoor auditorium, claiming to be the only open air movie in Missouri which has this. This seats 218 persons and the front of the room is entirely of glass. The room is heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 19, 1955: “MOUND (sic) CITY, ILL. - The Arlee, 400-seater, owned by Arthur G. Struck, was reopened February 4 after being closed for three days for installation of a wide panoramic screen by Arnold & Cufaude.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 12, 1955: “Manager L. R. Hess of the Ritz Theatre which was recently given to the city reports that the 600 seats were distributed to five local churches.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1955: “A spring opening is planned for the new Villa Theatre constructed by Carl Veseth, owner of the local Palace. The new house, which has dimensions of 140x76 feet, will have a 475-seat auditorium and include space for several offices on the ground level and two apartments on the second floor. Constructed of Hadite blocks, the theatre will be completely fireproof and be equipped for the showing of the new wide screen process.”
Is this drive-in active? Darned if I know, but I see that the Chama Valley Chamber of Commerce held a Scare-Fest triple feature there on Oct. 31, 2021.
Also, this is one of several mentions I’ve seen calling this the “Chama Drive-In.” Maybe CT could add that as an alternate name?
Boxoffice, Feb. 18, 1956: “Although flood waters came up in the Bandon Theatre recently, covering the floor up to the 12 front rows for four days, the house was able to resume operation without extensive repairs. Owner Raleigh Greene had the air conditioning motors lifted high so heat could be resumed. Chief damage was to aisle carpeting.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 18, 1956: “Vista, Calif. - Western Amusement Co. will launch construction immediately on a drive-in here adjoining the freeway to Carlsbad and Oceanside, it was disclosed by Clell McElroy, who manages the Avo Theatre for the circuit.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1956: “M. J. "Dutch” Koneman (sic) has leased the closed Victory at Pueblo from the Westland Theatres, and has reopened it"
That was Marion Konemann, former all-star halfback at Georgia Tech, who built the Hicks (later the East) Drive-In in Pueblo in 1953. In the summer of 1957, he would marry a Grand Junction woman and move there while his ex-wife ran the drive-in, so that may have been the end of his involvement with the Victory.
Clarifying a couple of names? Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1956: “Robert Perry, formerly operating at Lyman, Neb., has leased the Mitchell (Neb.) Drive-In from Merle Nygren.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, April 4, 1962: “Charlie and Velva Otts, Texas exhibitors for more than 30 years, have retired, turning over their Majestic and Hi-Vue at Dublin, Tex., to Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Poor, who also own theatres at Lawn, Tex.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, April 20, 1955: “The Sunset Drive-In has been reopened at Munday, Tex., by owners P. V. and Clyde Williams after widening of its screen.”
Boxoffice, July 30, 1955: “Bishop’s new drive-in held its gala opening recently, according to managers Tim Stephens and Ted Amistoso. The new drive-in covers an area of more than ten acres and has a capacity for 330 cars. It includes a snack bar and a kiddyland for children. The theatre features CinemaScope and VistaVision equipment”
Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “The 51 Drive-In opened here recently with a new screen. The old screen was blown down during a windstorm recently, said Owner H. H. Carlile.”
Same drive-in? Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “The Pinto Drive-In, Mineral Wells, was badly damaged in a recent windstorm. It is owned by T. L. Ritchie of Atlanta, Tex.”
Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “The Chief Drive-In, one mile west of town, has been reopened by owner H. B. Leathers after renovation.”
Boxoffice, March 21, 1960: “H. B. ‘Red’ Leathers … is dismantling his drive-in theatre, which he has not operated in several years.”
I stumbled on the Skyline’s opening date, mentioned seemingly to fill space in the news of its sale three years later.
Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd B. Schmidt of Niangua, Mo., owners of the Skyline Drive-In, 250-car capacity, have sold the drive-into Dwight Cantrell, also of Niangua. Cantrell took over operation of the drive-in July 1. The Skyline was opened by Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt on Apr. 28, 1952.”
From Yumpu’s online hosting of a bound copy that cut off a few letters at the margin:
Boxoffice, May 21, 1955: “Lewis D. All?? and Leland R. Carroll are opening a new drive-in at Green River, Utah, one of the cities booming because of Utah’s uranium activities. Jack Swonson will book and buy for them.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1955: “The Riverview Drive-In opened at Green River, Utah, booming uranium city.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1955: “Les Brown and his partner have sold their theatre interests in Preston, Ida., to T. D. and Lawrence Jones, brothers.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1955: “Mike Hunter of Los Angeles … says he made enough off uranium in Moab to purchase the Ides Theatre in that southern Utah city from W. T. Wheeler. Mrs. R. C. Clark had it for many years before selling the showhouse to Wheeler.”
Boxoffice, May 21, 1955: “After being closed for several years, the Mitchell Drive-In opened recently. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. Brooks of Mitchell are the new operators.”
A note in the Scottsbluff Daily Herald pinpointed the reopening date as April 9, 1955, though the formal reopening was on April 29, per the Mitchell Index, both confirming dallasmovietheaters' post.
The Mitchell continued advertising through at least May 24, 1956, but a classified ad showed the drive-in up for auction on June 15 that year. “200 car capacity, fully equipped concession stand, R.C.A. sound system, Simplex Projector, over 4 acres of land, now operating and quick possession will be given. Terms: 50% cash, balance will be carried over period of 3 years at 5% interest. Mitchell Drive-In Theatre, Owner”
Perhaps there were no bidders. The Aug. 9, 1956 Index reported a break-in “at the Mitchell Drive-In Theatre which has been closed for several months.” By November, the “old drive-in theater” was being used as a navigation landmark in want ads.
Boxoffice, April 9, 1955: “The Shamrock Drive-In, the third in the northwest section of Oklahoma, staged an open house March 31 and started programs April 1. Ermel Lee O'Hern, longtime resident of Laverne, installed the theatre at a cost of more than $30,000. This is his first venture in show business. The capacity will be 200 cars, with room for an extra 50 if necessary. The all-purpose screen is 70x28 feet. The two-story concession building has a projection booth and living quarters for the manager upstairs; the bottom part houses the cafeteria-style concession stand and restrooms.”
The April 9, 1955 issue of Boxoffice ran a lengthy story about the Sunset, owned by Abbott Widdicombe and managed by Bob Kilgore. The drive-in installed “the first Midsouth CinemaScope screen” with a 70x105-foot tower which was so big that radio station KWEM moved its studio into its base. “An ornamental radio transmission tower extends 20 feet above the 70-foot-high screen tower, and the actual transmitting tower is nearby.”
Echo is about eight miles away, so I’m guessing this is the same theater. From Yumpu’s hosting of a bound edition, which cut off one letter per line.
Boxoffice, April 9, 1955: “Echo, Wash. - Mr. and Mrs. Joe Mathe?on of Eugene, Ore., have purchased the local Alpine Theatre from Mr. and Mrs. Henry ?agman of Cashmere. The playing policy for the theatre will be extended from six to seven days a week. Financial details of the transaction which included the building were not revealed.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 26, 1955: “Malden, Mo. - The All-Star Drive-In, which was opened here February 13, has been under construction since last fall. One and a half miles from Holcomb on Highway 25, it is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Vergil Harris. Accommodations for 390 cars are provided on its parking ramps and it is equipped with wide screen and anamorphic lenses for the showing of CinemaScope pictures. A modern, attractive concession bar is part of its equipment and there is also an indoor auditorium, claiming to be the only open air movie in Missouri which has this. This seats 218 persons and the front of the room is entirely of glass. The room is heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 26, 1955: “The Skyline Drive-In at Richland, a 750-car installation, has been acquired by Midstate Amusement Co., Walla Walla.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 26, 1955: “The Knoll Theatre, operated for the past several years by the Harold Aaron estate, has been sold to Charles Tobox”
Boxoffice, Feb. 19, 1955: “MOUND (sic) CITY, ILL. - The Arlee, 400-seater, owned by Arthur G. Struck, was reopened February 4 after being closed for three days for installation of a wide panoramic screen by Arnold & Cufaude.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 12, 1955: “Manager L. R. Hess of the Ritz Theatre which was recently given to the city reports that the 600 seats were distributed to five local churches.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1955: “A spring opening is planned for the new Villa Theatre constructed by Carl Veseth, owner of the local Palace. The new house, which has dimensions of 140x76 feet, will have a 475-seat auditorium and include space for several offices on the ground level and two apartments on the second floor. Constructed of Hadite blocks, the theatre will be completely fireproof and be equipped for the showing of the new wide screen process.”
Is this drive-in active? Darned if I know, but I see that the Chama Valley Chamber of Commerce held a Scare-Fest triple feature there on Oct. 31, 2021.
Also, this is one of several mentions I’ve seen calling this the “Chama Drive-In.” Maybe CT could add that as an alternate name?
Boxoffice, Feb. 18, 1956: “Although flood waters came up in the Bandon Theatre recently, covering the floor up to the 12 front rows for four days, the house was able to resume operation without extensive repairs. Owner Raleigh Greene had the air conditioning motors lifted high so heat could be resumed. Chief damage was to aisle carpeting.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 18, 1956: “Vista, Calif. - Western Amusement Co. will launch construction immediately on a drive-in here adjoining the freeway to Carlsbad and Oceanside, it was disclosed by Clell McElroy, who manages the Avo Theatre for the circuit.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1956: “M. J. "Dutch” Koneman (sic) has leased the closed Victory at Pueblo from the Westland Theatres, and has reopened it"
That was Marion Konemann, former all-star halfback at Georgia Tech, who built the Hicks (later the East) Drive-In in Pueblo in 1953. In the summer of 1957, he would marry a Grand Junction woman and move there while his ex-wife ran the drive-in, so that may have been the end of his involvement with the Victory.
Clarifying a couple of names? Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1956: “Robert Perry, formerly operating at Lyman, Neb., has leased the Mitchell (Neb.) Drive-In from Merle Nygren.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, April 4, 1962: “Charlie and Velva Otts, Texas exhibitors for more than 30 years, have retired, turning over their Majestic and Hi-Vue at Dublin, Tex., to Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Poor, who also own theatres at Lawn, Tex.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, April 20, 1955: “The Sunset Drive-In has been reopened at Munday, Tex., by owners P. V. and Clyde Williams after widening of its screen.”