The North Star was “the most elaborate, ultra modern drive-in theatre you have ever laid eyes on” according to the theater’s grand opening ad. Architect Robert Stevens designed the 1,050 car capacity drive-in to offer the very best that was available at the time of its opening on April 18, 1956.
The North Star’s projection room was designed with an all glass front so that patrons of the theater could view the projectors and RCA sound equipment. High powered Dyn Arc Projection lamps enabled the theater to show CinemaScope, Superscope and Vistavision films on its 100 foot wide screen. Fifty foot wide entrance and exit lanes allowed plenty of room between cars, while the four lane, 500 foot long entrance ramp insured that there would be no traffic problems. Each speaker post was lit so that you could easily find a parking space.
The refreshment building included a 70 foot ‘U’ shaped, all stainless steel cafeteria. A separate hot bar served chicken, pizza, hamburgers and other taste thrills. Finding your way back to the car was made easier by the ‘Simulated Moonlite’ lampposts that illuminated the parking lot.
John Parker, one of the owners and manager of the North Star, was famous for his showmanship and imagination when it came to drawing patrons to the drive-in. In 1976 two dozen people lined up at the theater to be ‘buried alive’ and remain in a casket six feet underground, without food or water, over the Halloween weekend.
“I have been utterly amazed how many have applied,” Parker said at the time.
Dayton Daily News columnist Dale Huffman took the opportunity to interview some of the applicants.
April Wyatt, then 18 years old, wrote in big letters on her application ‘Very much interested’.
“It’s just something different,” she explained. “It sounds neat. I can tell everyone that I meet the rest of my life, ‘Hey, back in 1976 I was buried alive’.”
Vondol Moore claimed to have previous experience, having been buried alive once before in Texas in 1965.
“I would hate a life that is ho-hum. A person must do something a little bit exciting, different and dangerous once in awhile. I mean, if you never take any chances you have a dull existence.”
William (The Amazing) Shaner was hired to manage the promotion. Shaner, who, with his wife Sandy, owns the Abracadabra Costumes and Jewelry Boutique on East Fifth Street in Dayton, remembers how important it was to choose the right person for the stunt.
“The person I selected had to be in good health all the way around, both physically and mentally fit. I also had to make sure they weren’t claustrophobic.”
Fifteen year old Dave Schock, from Lewisburg, Ohio was picked for the stunt. Shaner placed the young man in a trance before putting him in the coffin, which was then lowered into a six foot hole.
“The worst part is the sound of hearing the dirt hitting the coffin. That was the main reason for the hypnosis,” says Shaner.
An eight inch tube ran from the coffin to above the ground.
“People coming through the line, they cold look down there and get spooked out. They cold laugh and joke with the person who was buried.”
Two days in the ground was nothing compared to a stunt Shaner pulled at a county fair.
“I once buried my oldest son, Steve, for thirteen days at the Hillsboro County Fair. He had a CB in his coffin and truckers came from all around to see the crazy guy.”
North Star’s final season was in 1985. A shopping center, with a Kroger’s Sav-On as the key store, is now located on the site.
Address is 44 Cottage Street. Peruvian Link clothing store is in the building today, which is still standing. 1929 photo added credit Bar Harbor Historical Society. So it was still open then. It was closed prior to 1958, when the facade was removed (photo added) and building converted into a bowling alley by Ben Cough, who lived above it. It was later converted by Mort Sachsman into the Yankee Peddler clothing store. Pearl Wescott played the piano for silent films at the Star when Joseph Emory ran it. George C. McKay later owned both the Star and Criterion Theatres.
I removed the photo that belonged to the 66 Drive-In in Springfield Illinois. Thanks for pointing it out.
I wish CT had a way of notifying us when comments get added beneath photos. I found on that had been responded to 10 years ago…
Is there a current link for the THSA/Explore Chicago photo?
I posted the Chicago Past photo in case that 2012 link goes dead. Also two photos from Lake View Historical, used on their book “Images of America ” Lake View cover.
My gut tells me the address was 111 West Benton Street, where UMB Bank stands today. I base this on scrolling around the current street view, the smaller building behind where the theatre stood, and the shadows for the side of the street it was on. Plus the age of the other buildings on corners where it could have not been.
Address is 136 N. 2nd Street. Last known tenant was The Homeplace, a home decor store and Sacred Images photography studio. The owners of The Homeplace purchased the building in 2006, and closed February 13, 2020. Sacred Images moved to another location.
Originally opened by Jess LeBrun in 1920, sold 12/19/38 to I.A. Kalver & Roy Kalver, who also owned the Madison and Adams Theatres. Newspaper clipping added.
Adams Theatre was located on Monroe Street, per the Decatur, Indiana – History & Celebrations Facebook page.
Owned by I.A. Kalver in June 1934, per news clipping added.
Photos added too.
I question the Bower Jewelry Store image currently the Overview photo. As it seems unrelated to the Adams Theatre or address.
5 photos added and below description credit Robert James.
“Campus cinemas – located in DeKalb Illinois. The theater was closed due to a portion of the roof collapsing. The owner has had two unsuccessful attempts to re-purpose the movie theater. The second attempt would have had multiple apartments built on top the movie theater. The city declined the proposal however”
Updated history courtesy the Evanston History Center:
“Originally called the Evanston Theater, it opened as a 950-seat vaudeville theater in 1911. Over the years, the theater changed hands, suffered fire damage, and was renamed three times: In 1917, it briefly became the “Evanston Strand Theater,” and then in 1922, it was renamed the “New Evanston Theater.” Finally, in 1932, it became the Valencia Theater, after an extensive remodeling and takeover by the theater chain corporation, Balaban and Katz.”
Facebook post with additional history and 23, photos and newspaper clippings.
The Gerard Theater 1940-1963
West View Historical Society
The Gerard Theater first opened it’s doors on January 19, 1940. Soon after its opening, James H. Nash became the manager/owner, a position he held until his death on May 26, 1963. Previous to owning the Gerard, James was a salesman for United Artists. An innovator, he added a nursery for preschool children and then the “cry room” in 1945. He wanted mothers with young children to be able to attend the movies and not have to worry about a babysitter.
Six months after his death the theater was sold to Robert McConnell and it became a dance hall/roller skating rink for the local teens. This enterprise did not last long as in January, 1965 the building was sold to Flooring Specialists, Inc On September 8, 1960 the West View Borough offices were moved into the building and remained at the location until December 11, 1976. · Updated about 4 years ago
Circa 1915 images added courtesy of Ryerson and Burnham Archive, John Vinci Collection, and Bldg. 51 Archive via Urban Remains Facebook page.
Below description credit Urban Remains.
“the following pieces of ephemera were found by richard nickel while exploring/photographing adler and sullivan’s garrick (schiller) theater a few months before atlas arrived to begin wrecking it – likely in the winter months of 1960. demolition of the theater wrapped up in june of 1961.
the programs mostly date to the early 20th century. the die-cut lithographed cardboard sign dates to the 1890’s, when the building was still known as the schiller.”
Photo as Lyric Theatre added, courtesy Donny Jenkins.
Full history credit Dayton History Books Online.
North Star Drive-In Theatre
The North Star was “the most elaborate, ultra modern drive-in theatre you have ever laid eyes on” according to the theater’s grand opening ad. Architect Robert Stevens designed the 1,050 car capacity drive-in to offer the very best that was available at the time of its opening on April 18, 1956. The North Star’s projection room was designed with an all glass front so that patrons of the theater could view the projectors and RCA sound equipment. High powered Dyn Arc Projection lamps enabled the theater to show CinemaScope, Superscope and Vistavision films on its 100 foot wide screen. Fifty foot wide entrance and exit lanes allowed plenty of room between cars, while the four lane, 500 foot long entrance ramp insured that there would be no traffic problems. Each speaker post was lit so that you could easily find a parking space. The refreshment building included a 70 foot ‘U’ shaped, all stainless steel cafeteria. A separate hot bar served chicken, pizza, hamburgers and other taste thrills. Finding your way back to the car was made easier by the ‘Simulated Moonlite’ lampposts that illuminated the parking lot. John Parker, one of the owners and manager of the North Star, was famous for his showmanship and imagination when it came to drawing patrons to the drive-in. In 1976 two dozen people lined up at the theater to be ‘buried alive’ and remain in a casket six feet underground, without food or water, over the Halloween weekend. “I have been utterly amazed how many have applied,” Parker said at the time. Dayton Daily News columnist Dale Huffman took the opportunity to interview some of the applicants. April Wyatt, then 18 years old, wrote in big letters on her application ‘Very much interested’. “It’s just something different,” she explained. “It sounds neat. I can tell everyone that I meet the rest of my life, ‘Hey, back in 1976 I was buried alive’.” Vondol Moore claimed to have previous experience, having been buried alive once before in Texas in 1965. “I would hate a life that is ho-hum. A person must do something a little bit exciting, different and dangerous once in awhile. I mean, if you never take any chances you have a dull existence.” William (The Amazing) Shaner was hired to manage the promotion. Shaner, who, with his wife Sandy, owns the Abracadabra Costumes and Jewelry Boutique on East Fifth Street in Dayton, remembers how important it was to choose the right person for the stunt. “The person I selected had to be in good health all the way around, both physically and mentally fit. I also had to make sure they weren’t claustrophobic.” Fifteen year old Dave Schock, from Lewisburg, Ohio was picked for the stunt. Shaner placed the young man in a trance before putting him in the coffin, which was then lowered into a six foot hole. “The worst part is the sound of hearing the dirt hitting the coffin. That was the main reason for the hypnosis,” says Shaner. An eight inch tube ran from the coffin to above the ground. “People coming through the line, they cold look down there and get spooked out. They cold laugh and joke with the person who was buried.” Two days in the ground was nothing compared to a stunt Shaner pulled at a county fair. “I once buried my oldest son, Steve, for thirteen days at the Hillsboro County Fair. He had a CB in his coffin and truckers came from all around to see the crazy guy.” North Star’s final season was in 1985. A shopping center, with a Kroger’s Sav-On as the key store, is now located on the site.
Photo of facade and marquee added courtesy Mike Anderson.
Address is 44 Cottage Street. Peruvian Link clothing store is in the building today, which is still standing. 1929 photo added credit Bar Harbor Historical Society. So it was still open then. It was closed prior to 1958, when the facade was removed (photo added) and building converted into a bowling alley by Ben Cough, who lived above it. It was later converted by Mort Sachsman into the Yankee Peddler clothing store. Pearl Wescott played the piano for silent films at the Star when Joseph Emory ran it. George C. McKay later owned both the Star and Criterion Theatres.
Photo added courtesy Robert Davis.
George C. McKay at one time owned both the Criterion & Star Theatres in Bar Harbor. 1934 program added courtesy Ed Dillon.
Update:
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/former-crown-theatre-manager-to-pay-279k-to-investors-judge-rules/article_8fc2325e-62fe-5955-be2f-db07ea23807e.html?utm_source=NWITimes&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Latest+News&fbclid=IwAR0bd8pk4tv8TAAQXq0rrPc3gmTps68-b2FxsCSi-OMzx22lmpG7Ol56F6k
Liberty Theatre and neighboring Columbia Hotel were demolished in 1960.
Brackett’s Market is on this site today, current address is 185 Front Street.
I removed the photo that belonged to the 66 Drive-In in Springfield Illinois. Thanks for pointing it out. I wish CT had a way of notifying us when comments get added beneath photos. I found on that had been responded to 10 years ago…
Is there a current link for the THSA/Explore Chicago photo? I posted the Chicago Past photo in case that 2012 link goes dead. Also two photos from Lake View Historical, used on their book “Images of America ” Lake View cover.
This is December 1983 not `81.
My gut tells me the address was 111 West Benton Street, where UMB Bank stands today.
I base this on scrolling around the current street view, the smaller building behind where the theatre stood, and the shadows for the side of the street it was on.
Plus the age of the other buildings on corners where it could have not been.
Address was on West Benton Street.
Confirmed Demolished and 1940s image added courtesy Stan Woolery.
Photo courtesy Phyllis McFarland Zwick.
1946 photo courtesy Phyllis McFarland Zwick.
Address is 136 N. 2nd Street. Last known tenant was The Homeplace, a home decor store and Sacred Images photography studio. The owners of The Homeplace purchased the building in 2006, and closed February 13, 2020. Sacred Images moved to another location. Originally opened by Jess LeBrun in 1920, sold 12/19/38 to I.A. Kalver & Roy Kalver, who also owned the Madison and Adams Theatres. Newspaper clipping added.
Adams Theatre was located on Monroe Street, per the Decatur, Indiana – History & Celebrations Facebook page. Owned by I.A. Kalver in June 1934, per news clipping added. Photos added too. I question the Bower Jewelry Store image currently the Overview photo. As it seems unrelated to the Adams Theatre or address.
5 photos added and below description credit Robert James.
“Campus cinemas – located in DeKalb Illinois. The theater was closed due to a portion of the roof collapsing. The owner has had two unsuccessful attempts to re-purpose the movie theater. The second attempt would have had multiple apartments built on top the movie theater. The city declined the proposal however”
Wiltern marquee photo on this Rolling Stone piece.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/music-crisis-concerts-tours-980968/?fbclid=IwAR3m1yOJxZ7ucqnrvs21g2MKKFOA-JdmbJ7eBZL2jxTQt5C-Yshe_V6zLes
Circa 1960 photo added credit Susan Fensten Archives.
Updated history courtesy the Evanston History Center: “Originally called the Evanston Theater, it opened as a 950-seat vaudeville theater in 1911. Over the years, the theater changed hands, suffered fire damage, and was renamed three times: In 1917, it briefly became the “Evanston Strand Theater,” and then in 1922, it was renamed the “New Evanston Theater.” Finally, in 1932, it became the Valencia Theater, after an extensive remodeling and takeover by the theater chain corporation, Balaban and Katz.”
Facebook post with additional history and 23, photos and newspaper clippings.
The Gerard Theater 1940-1963 West View Historical Society The Gerard Theater first opened it’s doors on January 19, 1940. Soon after its opening, James H. Nash became the manager/owner, a position he held until his death on May 26, 1963. Previous to owning the Gerard, James was a salesman for United Artists. An innovator, he added a nursery for preschool children and then the “cry room” in 1945. He wanted mothers with young children to be able to attend the movies and not have to worry about a babysitter.
Six months after his death the theater was sold to Robert McConnell and it became a dance hall/roller skating rink for the local teens. This enterprise did not last long as in January, 1965 the building was sold to Flooring Specialists, Inc On September 8, 1960 the West View Borough offices were moved into the building and remained at the location until December 11, 1976. · Updated about 4 years ago
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.919479684822508&type=3
Circa 1915 images added courtesy of Ryerson and Burnham Archive, John Vinci Collection, and Bldg. 51 Archive via Urban Remains Facebook page. Below description credit Urban Remains. “the following pieces of ephemera were found by richard nickel while exploring/photographing adler and sullivan’s garrick (schiller) theater a few months before atlas arrived to begin wrecking it – likely in the winter months of 1960. demolition of the theater wrapped up in june of 1961. the programs mostly date to the early 20th century. the die-cut lithographed cardboard sign dates to the 1890’s, when the building was still known as the schiller.”
1963 “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” trampoline promotion image added courtesy Dave Rogers.