Boxoffice, June 16, 1951: “Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Shelton have sold the Monarch Theatre at Pritchett to Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Bonewell of Kim, Colo. The Sheltons are understood to be going into the ranching business.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 13, 1952: “The Monarch Theatre, closed for three weeks, has reopened under new management. Floyd Kirkendall purchased the theatre from Howard Bonewell. His son, Bob Kirkendall, will assist his dad in the operation of the house.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 23, 1952: “Art Pugh, Columbus, Kas., purchased complete drive-in equipment from Shreve Theatre Supply for his new airer expected to open around September 1”
Boxoffice, Aug. 23, 1952: “The Cherokee Drive-In, Columbus, Kas., owned by Stein Theatres, opened Friday (22). Golden Booking Service is handling the buying and booking.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 23, 1952: “METROPOLIS, ILL. - Construction is proceeding rapidly on the Joppa Auto-Vue Drive-In near here on U.S. 45 adjacent to the Joppa road. The Joppa and El Capitan drive-ins and the Massac and Royal theatres here are owned by the Massac Amusement Co., headed by Ed Clark.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 16, 1952: “The Del City Drive-In, owned by R. Lewis Barton, was the scene of an explosion which is still a mystery to Midwest City police. A homemade booby trap exploded under a young navy veteran’s car at the ozoner. No indications were found that the act of planting the trap was aimed specifically at either Albert Hubbard, the victim, or the management. Hubbard reported that the "thing” exploded when his car hit it as he was driving toward a parking place. Cardboard and string fragments salvaged by the victims were sent to FBI laboratories in Washington for analysis."
Boxoffice, Aug. 9, 1952: “A bird’s nest that caught fire because it was too near a sizzling neon light on the theatre marquee caused firemen to rush to the Tem-Bel Drive-In. A patron had reported the fire.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 9, 1952: “SEYMOUR, MO. - The Owen Drive-In recently was visited by a Californian who has flown to Douglas county for a visit with his parents, and decided to land at the ozoner. Owner George Owen said that several planes had landed there since he opened the theatre a year ago.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 2, 1952: “MARYSVILLE, KAS. - Freak winds recently toppled the screen of the Hilltop Drive-In near here.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 9, 1952: “The Hilltop ozoner recently reopened after completing extensive repair work on damage done by a twister several weeks ago. Owner Eddie Henderson said the storm did $14,000 damage. In addition, Henderson has added a $4,000 snack bar.”
Boxoffice, July 5, 1952: “Missouri Theatre Supply Co. here has sold complete drive-in equipment to … Frank Northrup and his son-in-law Marvin Ellis for the new drive-in they are building at Syracuse, Kas. The Syracuse situation, according to L. J. Kilbriel, will be ready for opening in a few weeks. The drive-in is being built by Tom Griffith, nationally known drive-in contractor”
Boxoffice, Aug. 9, 1952: “The new Rancho 50 Drive-In has been opened by Frank Northrup.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 16, 1952: Arizona’s first 1952 theatre casualty is the Twin Screen Drive-In, which closed recently after a year of operation. The outdoorer, a McCormack-Nace enterprise, was the largest in this area."
Boxoffice, April 26, 1952: “The Twin Screen Drive-In, which closed early last January, has been reopened by Fred Crockett and Harry L. Nace as the Acres of Fun. Only one screen is being utilized, reducing the capacity of the airer, formerly a McCormack-Nace enterprise, to around 625 cars. The dual screen outdoorer was the largest drive-in in the state under its original operation. The current manager is Otto Silvester.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 2, 1952: “Harry Nace has reopened his Twin-Vue Drive-In, which has been shuttered for the last several months, on a new operational policy. The two-screen installation has been split into two separate operations, the north screen being named the Peso, the south screen the Acres. Each has an 800-car capacity.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 2, 1952: “Plans were recently announced by Bill Thrall, owner-operator of the Valley Theatre, to build a 300-car ozoner. It is to be located on the south end of the Bailey property south of here and just west of Highway 99. Thrall indicated that the airer would be in operation this season.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 2, 1952: “Judicious use of passes goes a long way to create goodwill and make new friends for the Wagon Wheel Drive-in and Fly-In Theatre at Speakman, Tex. Owner-manager J. D. Wilbanks distributes courtesy tickets regularly to neighboring doctors, pastors and the sheriff. These people usually show up accompanied by others who pay regular admission. Cafe owners in the area are on the free ticket list for displaying theatre advertising. When a new family moves into the theatre’s drawing radius, Wilbanks send the bread-winner an admission ticket and a circular listing the items available at the theatre concession stand.”
Boxoffice, July 26, 1952: “SANDPOINT, IDA. - The Frank C. Weskil interests, owners of the Panida and Lake theatres here, opened Sandpoint’s first drive-in, three miles north of the city on Highway 95, with formal ceremonies July 11, according to Dale Lee, manager of the Weskil situations here. L. H. Weskil, son of the founder, and his family have been staying in Sandpoint supervising the construction of the theatre. Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Weskil were also here a few days before opening.
“The ozoner is different in that a natural backdrop of mountains and evergreens surrounds the area, making it unnecessary to fence the parking are except between the entrance and exit. The mountains allow the shows to start much earlier than would be possible in Sandpoint because the sun sinks behind them earlier in the evening. There is a present car capacity of 360 which may later be expanded to accommodate 600.”
Boxoffice, July 5, 1952: “fire struck at another Midcentral situation, demolishing the screen tower of the Osawatomie Drive-In. Rebuilding work was started immediately and the Osawatomie airer will open soon.”
Boxoffice, July 26, 1952: “The Midway Drive-In between Paola and Osawatomie has reopened. It was closed for several weeks while the tower and screen were replaced after being destroyed by fire.”
Boxoffice, July 26, 1952: “JUNCTION CITY, ORE. - R. E. Douglas, Harrisburg, plans to open his free film airer soon. The only charge is for parking cars in the area.”
Boxoffice, July 26, 1952: “There will be no more Spanish-speaking films at the Fort Cochise Drive-In. The admission charge at the outdoorer is $1 a car. (Tri-Delta manager Tony) Bustamante said many of the Mexican population were unable to go to the Fort Cochise because they lacked transportation.”
Boxoffice, July 19, 1952: “Phillipsburg’s new drive-in has opened. Bud Brown and Ralph Winship are the operators. The owners have used earthen mounds for fencing.”
Boxoffice, July 19, 1952: “COFFEYVILLE, KAS. - The Skyliner Drive-In has opened, according to Tal Richardson, owner. Richardson also operates another airer.”
Boxoffice, July 19, 1952: “Commonwealth Theatres has begun work on a new drive-in in Monett, Mo. The 300-car airer is expected to be open in about seven weeks.”
Boxoffice, July 19, 1952: “BELOIT, KAS. - Construction of Midcentral’s Beloit Drive-In will be completed soon, according to Manager Chett Posey. The airer is located east of here on Highway 24.”
Boxoffice, July 12, 1952: “ROCKPORT, TEX. - The new Tarpon Drive-In, located on the Aransas Pass-Ingleside highway, opened July 3. It is owned and operated by C. L. Walker and E. F. Falgout, and has capacity for 350 cars.”
Boxoffice, June 16, 1951: “Mr. and Mrs. Doyle Shelton have sold the Monarch Theatre at Pritchett to Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Bonewell of Kim, Colo. The Sheltons are understood to be going into the ranching business.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 13, 1952: “The Monarch Theatre, closed for three weeks, has reopened under new management. Floyd Kirkendall purchased the theatre from Howard Bonewell. His son, Bob Kirkendall, will assist his dad in the operation of the house.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 23, 1952: “Art Pugh, Columbus, Kas., purchased complete drive-in equipment from Shreve Theatre Supply for his new airer expected to open around September 1”
Boxoffice, Aug. 23, 1952: “The Cherokee Drive-In, Columbus, Kas., owned by Stein Theatres, opened Friday (22). Golden Booking Service is handling the buying and booking.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 23, 1952: “METROPOLIS, ILL. - Construction is proceeding rapidly on the Joppa Auto-Vue Drive-In near here on U.S. 45 adjacent to the Joppa road. The Joppa and El Capitan drive-ins and the Massac and Royal theatres here are owned by the Massac Amusement Co., headed by Ed Clark.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 16, 1952: “The Del City Drive-In, owned by R. Lewis Barton, was the scene of an explosion which is still a mystery to Midwest City police. A homemade booby trap exploded under a young navy veteran’s car at the ozoner. No indications were found that the act of planting the trap was aimed specifically at either Albert Hubbard, the victim, or the management. Hubbard reported that the "thing” exploded when his car hit it as he was driving toward a parking place. Cardboard and string fragments salvaged by the victims were sent to FBI laboratories in Washington for analysis."
Boxoffice, Aug. 9, 1952: “A bird’s nest that caught fire because it was too near a sizzling neon light on the theatre marquee caused firemen to rush to the Tem-Bel Drive-In. A patron had reported the fire.”
I guess the Owen opened in 1951?
Boxoffice, Aug. 9, 1952: “SEYMOUR, MO. - The Owen Drive-In recently was visited by a Californian who has flown to Douglas county for a visit with his parents, and decided to land at the ozoner. Owner George Owen said that several planes had landed there since he opened the theatre a year ago.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 2, 1952: “MARYSVILLE, KAS. - Freak winds recently toppled the screen of the Hilltop Drive-In near here.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 9, 1952: “The Hilltop ozoner recently reopened after completing extensive repair work on damage done by a twister several weeks ago. Owner Eddie Henderson said the storm did $14,000 damage. In addition, Henderson has added a $4,000 snack bar.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 9, 1952: “Complete RCA equipment has been installed at the Utterback Drive-In, Wellington, Kas., which will open soon”
Boxoffice, July 5, 1952: “Missouri Theatre Supply Co. here has sold complete drive-in equipment to … Frank Northrup and his son-in-law Marvin Ellis for the new drive-in they are building at Syracuse, Kas. The Syracuse situation, according to L. J. Kilbriel, will be ready for opening in a few weeks. The drive-in is being built by Tom Griffith, nationally known drive-in contractor”
Boxoffice, Aug. 9, 1952: “The new Rancho 50 Drive-In has been opened by Frank Northrup.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 16, 1952: Arizona’s first 1952 theatre casualty is the Twin Screen Drive-In, which closed recently after a year of operation. The outdoorer, a McCormack-Nace enterprise, was the largest in this area."
Boxoffice, April 26, 1952: “The Twin Screen Drive-In, which closed early last January, has been reopened by Fred Crockett and Harry L. Nace as the Acres of Fun. Only one screen is being utilized, reducing the capacity of the airer, formerly a McCormack-Nace enterprise, to around 625 cars. The dual screen outdoorer was the largest drive-in in the state under its original operation. The current manager is Otto Silvester.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 2, 1952: “Harry Nace has reopened his Twin-Vue Drive-In, which has been shuttered for the last several months, on a new operational policy. The two-screen installation has been split into two separate operations, the north screen being named the Peso, the south screen the Acres. Each has an 800-car capacity.”
A few more details about the Vista’s origins.
Boxoffice, Aug. 2, 1952: “Plans were recently announced by Bill Thrall, owner-operator of the Valley Theatre, to build a 300-car ozoner. It is to be located on the south end of the Bailey property south of here and just west of Highway 99. Thrall indicated that the airer would be in operation this season.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 2, 1952: “Judicious use of passes goes a long way to create goodwill and make new friends for the Wagon Wheel Drive-in and Fly-In Theatre at Speakman, Tex. Owner-manager J. D. Wilbanks distributes courtesy tickets regularly to neighboring doctors, pastors and the sheriff. These people usually show up accompanied by others who pay regular admission. Cafe owners in the area are on the free ticket list for displaying theatre advertising. When a new family moves into the theatre’s drawing radius, Wilbanks send the bread-winner an admission ticket and a circular listing the items available at the theatre concession stand.”
Boxoffice, July 26, 1952: “SANDPOINT, IDA. - The Frank C. Weskil interests, owners of the Panida and Lake theatres here, opened Sandpoint’s first drive-in, three miles north of the city on Highway 95, with formal ceremonies July 11, according to Dale Lee, manager of the Weskil situations here. L. H. Weskil, son of the founder, and his family have been staying in Sandpoint supervising the construction of the theatre. Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Weskil were also here a few days before opening.
“The ozoner is different in that a natural backdrop of mountains and evergreens surrounds the area, making it unnecessary to fence the parking are except between the entrance and exit. The mountains allow the shows to start much earlier than would be possible in Sandpoint because the sun sinks behind them earlier in the evening. There is a present car capacity of 360 which may later be expanded to accommodate 600.”
Boxoffice, July 5, 1952: “fire struck at another Midcentral situation, demolishing the screen tower of the Osawatomie Drive-In. Rebuilding work was started immediately and the Osawatomie airer will open soon.”
Boxoffice, July 26, 1952: “The Midway Drive-In between Paola and Osawatomie has reopened. It was closed for several weeks while the tower and screen were replaced after being destroyed by fire.”
Same drive-in?
Boxoffice, July 26, 1952: “JUNCTION CITY, ORE. - R. E. Douglas, Harrisburg, plans to open his free film airer soon. The only charge is for parking cars in the area.”
Boxoffice, July 26, 1952: “There will be no more Spanish-speaking films at the Fort Cochise Drive-In. The admission charge at the outdoorer is $1 a car. (Tri-Delta manager Tony) Bustamante said many of the Mexican population were unable to go to the Fort Cochise because they lacked transportation.”
Boxoffice, July 19, 1952: “Dean Davis has opened his new 280-car drive-in on Highway 63.”
Boxoffice, July 19, 1952: “Phillipsburg’s new drive-in has opened. Bud Brown and Ralph Winship are the operators. The owners have used earthen mounds for fencing.”
Boxoffice, July 19, 1952: “Mrs. Edith Major has opened her Major Drive-In on Route 24 near Paris, Mo.”
Boxoffice, July 19, 1952: “COFFEYVILLE, KAS. - The Skyliner Drive-In has opened, according to Tal Richardson, owner. Richardson also operates another airer.”
Boxoffice, July 19, 1952: “Commonwealth Theatres has begun work on a new drive-in in Monett, Mo. The 300-car airer is expected to be open in about seven weeks.”
Boxoffice, July 19, 1952: “BELOIT, KAS. - Construction of Midcentral’s Beloit Drive-In will be completed soon, according to Manager Chett Posey. The airer is located east of here on Highway 24.”
Boxoffice, July 19, 1952: “Ed Johnson … owns the Garland Theatre in Spokane and also the new drive-in, the West End, which opened Wednesday (16)”
Same drive-in?
Boxoffice, July 12, 1952: “ROCKPORT, TEX. - The new Tarpon Drive-In, located on the Aransas Pass-Ingleside highway, opened July 3. It is owned and operated by C. L. Walker and E. F. Falgout, and has capacity for 350 cars.”