I’ve been there twice, and I plan on getting there this year. Wonderful place! I know Mr. Shankweiler and Mr. Hollingstead are celebrating this incredible landmark in Drive-In Heaven.
Speaking of landmarks, Shankweiler’s should DEFINITELTY be designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Ah, yes! The famous “green box” marquee of the Denis. If you look where the square hole is down from the “S” in “DENIS”, a smaller neon sign reading either “Denis Encore” or “Encore Theater” was monunted there.
I suggested to the organization that is restoring this classic theater that they should try to get a replica of the original marquee from its earlier days. It’s probably a one-in-a-trillion shot, but you may never know.
The beauty and nostalgia of those kind of marquees always knocked me out! Eventually, somebody out there has a 60’s photo of the nearby Cameraphone with similar marquee and will post it on the same website.
I’ve always loved that yellowish marquee from the 1980 photo; so classic and nostalgic! In the 60’s when the Hollywood was owned by Harris-Warner, there was a WB logo (not the famous shield, though) mounted in the center, between the displays. If I can find a copy of that photo, I’ll try to post it.
Eventually, somebody will reopen it (yet again) and KEEP it open.
Great photo! I stumbled upon that website a few days ago and couldn’t believe all the great photos of Pittsburgh theaters and drive-ins I came across. There’s bound to be more added; I certainly hope so.
WOW! I never thought I would ever see these again! Eventually, somebody out there has a photo of their southern neighbor, the Echo Drive-In. TWO THUMBS-UP-SKIS to the owner of these photos for keeping these drive-ins alive in spirit.
Right with you, Rick! Being a proud Pittsburgher myself, although I didn’t have the pleasure of visiting most of them, Monroeville has had a colorful history of classic theaters: Cinema 22, Monroe, Cinemette East, Monroeville 4, Showcase East, Pittsburgh Drive-In (the second drive-in in the Pittsburgh area), Monroeville Drive-In and Miracle Mile Drive-In.
I know there are plenty of places to build at least one new theater in Monroeville. Perhaps even a new drive-in theater could come into play out there. After all, only one thing is impossible, and that’s nothing.
Not quite, DeCoteau, but you’re close. The Star was situated near the corner of Miller’s Run Road (PA 50) and Hickory Grade Road. From that point, go about ¾ mile up Hickory Grade Rd. and you’ll find the remains of the El Rancho.
Again, the ugly face of politics has dominated over classic Americana and nostalgia. This is why I am as anti-political as they come. Despite being born in 1969, I live for the past as opposed to today’s ever-so-screwed up society, especially in terms of television, music, and of course, drive-in theaters.
I’ll be hoping and praying that the relocation to Brant goes through.
I agree, Mike. “Drive-In Blues” was an excellent documentary with great film coverage of many outdoor theaters. One thing I’ve always liked about drive-ins are the certain concepts that many of them incorporate. In the case of the Gemini, they had the NORTH screen and SOUTH screen as opposed to the usual SCREEN 1 and SCREEN 2. Don’t know if they designated the third screen, though.
I was fortunate to have gotten photos of the field, screen, and snack bar before it was all torn down. You can find these on www.drive-ins.com Unfortunately, the marquee was already removed from Route 51. I also missed getting the marquees for the neighboring Colonial and South Hills Drive-Ins too. Eventually somebody out there has photos of these marquees and can post them on the Internet. Anyone?
That’s right, Ria44. Bowser Pontiac now occupies the South Hills Drive-In site. Unfortunately, like many of the 40+ drive-ins Pittsburgh had at one time or another, I never had the pleasure of visiting this one. I would do anything to go back in time (ala Marty McFly) to visit all those great outdoor theaters.
That wouldn’t surprise me; those damned “killer clauses”!
I’m making plans on coming up to visit the U.S. 23 Twin Drive-In for its last season; I’ll have to stop by the Miracle Twin to take pictures for my scrapbooks (with written e-mail permission from National Amusements, of course). At least I can get photos of the marquee if NA won’t allow me onto the lots.
It’s so unfortunate that I never had the pleasure of visiting the Miracle Twin when it was open. As I said in one of my previous posts above, it’s one of the more artistic drive-ins I’ve even seen in photos. Great marquee, and I really like the RED SCREEN / BLUE SCREEN concept.
Right with you, movie534. I’ve never, EVER set foot in any of those multiplexes that have popped up around my area and don’t ever intend to (the exception, of course, being three older ones that I’ve been going to since the 70’s).
If only we could go back in time like that McFly kid…
Regardless of all the problems brought on by today’s society, the Miracle Twin is too beautiful and artistic to fall victim to the wrecking ball. It’s got to be saved for the sake of nostalgia of more innocent times, which is needed more than ever.
I can imagine the all-too-typical lame political reasons N.A. has for closing. Hopefully there is somebody out there who will save the Miracle Twin from becoming another “vanished casualty”.
I’ve already started making plans to come up to this one. Looks like a great place from the photos I saw. Hopefully somebody will buy the drive-in and keep it open in memory of Mr. Warrington.
Great photo, LM! Never saw that version of the marquee before. If I recall correctly, their last marquee was a big red curved arrow that read ROUTE 19 DRIVE-IN with the movies playing under it.
Anybody got any color photos of this magnificent building? I was totally ticked when they tore it down. Great art-deco building and I really liked the red font lettering they used in NORTH HILLS THEATRE for the marquee.
Scratch the location I mentioned above! I got my corners completely mixed up. The Rainbow Gardens triplex was actually in the NORTHEAST corner of 48 and Lincoln Way, not northwest. The amusement park and pool were on the corner with the drive-in at the eastern end alongside Lincoln Way. The site is now occupied by Oak Park Mall.
I misinterpreted the aerial shots I have of the park/pool/drive-in. My apologies for this rather big goof, but I guess that happens sometimes when such drive-ins are strategically placed.
Despite recent construction of a connector for the PA 43 Turnpike route as well as a new stretch of U.S. 40, this thankfully has not affected the drive-in as far as location, although said bowling alley (Gudac Lanes) and other buildings across the way were razed.
The new U.S. 40 connector runs east of the drive-in to the intersection (where an overpass once stood) near JCT PA 166. The Brownsville can be clearly seen from this new road. The old U.S. 40 segment of National Rd. where the drive-in stands has been renamed Business U.S. 40.
HAPPY 75TH ANNIVERSARY (BELATED), SHANKWEILER’S DRIVE-IN!!!
I’ve been there twice, and I plan on getting there this year. Wonderful place! I know Mr. Shankweiler and Mr. Hollingstead are celebrating this incredible landmark in Drive-In Heaven.
Speaking of landmarks, Shankweiler’s should DEFINITELTY be designated as a National Historic Landmark.
I was fortunate to have visited the Starlite in its last season. Nice view behind the screen, and the owner was very conversational.
Expanding on the first comment above, I’m kinda curious to know how many drive-ins have been assassinated by Wal-Mart (sigh of frustration)
I remember the 1985 version of the Parkway, but never saw the 1982 version. Great!!
Ah, yes! The famous “green box” marquee of the Denis. If you look where the square hole is down from the “S” in “DENIS”, a smaller neon sign reading either “Denis Encore” or “Encore Theater” was monunted there.
I suggested to the organization that is restoring this classic theater that they should try to get a replica of the original marquee from its earlier days. It’s probably a one-in-a-trillion shot, but you may never know.
The beauty and nostalgia of those kind of marquees always knocked me out! Eventually, somebody out there has a 60’s photo of the nearby Cameraphone with similar marquee and will post it on the same website.
Here it is, the way that it was, the way that it should still be…
View link
And a great night shot…
View link
I’ve always loved that yellowish marquee from the 1980 photo; so classic and nostalgic! In the 60’s when the Hollywood was owned by Harris-Warner, there was a WB logo (not the famous shield, though) mounted in the center, between the displays. If I can find a copy of that photo, I’ll try to post it.
Eventually, somebody will reopen it (yet again) and KEEP it open.
Great photo! I stumbled upon that website a few days ago and couldn’t believe all the great photos of Pittsburgh theaters and drive-ins I came across. There’s bound to be more added; I certainly hope so.
Thanks for posting this, LM!
Want to see the marquees from the Colonial Drive-In as well as its northern neighbor South Hills Drive-In?
View link
WOW! I never thought I would ever see these again! Eventually, somebody out there has a photo of their southern neighbor, the Echo Drive-In. TWO THUMBS-UP-SKIS to the owner of these photos for keeping these drive-ins alive in spirit.
Right with you, Rick! Being a proud Pittsburgher myself, although I didn’t have the pleasure of visiting most of them, Monroeville has had a colorful history of classic theaters: Cinema 22, Monroe, Cinemette East, Monroeville 4, Showcase East, Pittsburgh Drive-In (the second drive-in in the Pittsburgh area), Monroeville Drive-In and Miracle Mile Drive-In.
I know there are plenty of places to build at least one new theater in Monroeville. Perhaps even a new drive-in theater could come into play out there. After all, only one thing is impossible, and that’s nothing.
Not quite, DeCoteau, but you’re close. The Star was situated near the corner of Miller’s Run Road (PA 50) and Hickory Grade Road. From that point, go about ¾ mile up Hickory Grade Rd. and you’ll find the remains of the El Rancho.
Again, the ugly face of politics has dominated over classic Americana and nostalgia. This is why I am as anti-political as they come. Despite being born in 1969, I live for the past as opposed to today’s ever-so-screwed up society, especially in terms of television, music, and of course, drive-in theaters.
I’ll be hoping and praying that the relocation to Brant goes through.
I agree, Mike. “Drive-In Blues” was an excellent documentary with great film coverage of many outdoor theaters. One thing I’ve always liked about drive-ins are the certain concepts that many of them incorporate. In the case of the Gemini, they had the NORTH screen and SOUTH screen as opposed to the usual SCREEN 1 and SCREEN 2. Don’t know if they designated the third screen, though.
I was fortunate to have gotten photos of the field, screen, and snack bar before it was all torn down. You can find these on www.drive-ins.com Unfortunately, the marquee was already removed from Route 51. I also missed getting the marquees for the neighboring Colonial and South Hills Drive-Ins too. Eventually somebody out there has photos of these marquees and can post them on the Internet. Anyone?
That’s right, Ria44. Bowser Pontiac now occupies the South Hills Drive-In site. Unfortunately, like many of the 40+ drive-ins Pittsburgh had at one time or another, I never had the pleasure of visiting this one. I would do anything to go back in time (ala Marty McFly) to visit all those great outdoor theaters.
That wouldn’t surprise me; those damned “killer clauses”!
I’m making plans on coming up to visit the U.S. 23 Twin Drive-In for its last season; I’ll have to stop by the Miracle Twin to take pictures for my scrapbooks (with written e-mail permission from National Amusements, of course). At least I can get photos of the marquee if NA won’t allow me onto the lots.
It’s so unfortunate that I never had the pleasure of visiting the Miracle Twin when it was open. As I said in one of my previous posts above, it’s one of the more artistic drive-ins I’ve even seen in photos. Great marquee, and I really like the RED SCREEN / BLUE SCREEN concept.
Right with you, movie534. I’ve never, EVER set foot in any of those multiplexes that have popped up around my area and don’t ever intend to (the exception, of course, being three older ones that I’ve been going to since the 70’s).
If only we could go back in time like that McFly kid…
Regardless of all the problems brought on by today’s society, the Miracle Twin is too beautiful and artistic to fall victim to the wrecking ball. It’s got to be saved for the sake of nostalgia of more innocent times, which is needed more than ever.
I can imagine the all-too-typical lame political reasons N.A. has for closing. Hopefully there is somebody out there who will save the Miracle Twin from becoming another “vanished casualty”.
I’ve already started making plans to come up to this one. Looks like a great place from the photos I saw. Hopefully somebody will buy the drive-in and keep it open in memory of Mr. Warrington.
Great photo, LM! Never saw that version of the marquee before. If I recall correctly, their last marquee was a big red curved arrow that read ROUTE 19 DRIVE-IN with the movies playing under it.
Anybody got any color photos of this magnificent building? I was totally ticked when they tore it down. Great art-deco building and I really liked the red font lettering they used in NORTH HILLS THEATRE for the marquee.
Scratch the location I mentioned above! I got my corners completely mixed up. The Rainbow Gardens triplex was actually in the NORTHEAST corner of 48 and Lincoln Way, not northwest. The amusement park and pool were on the corner with the drive-in at the eastern end alongside Lincoln Way. The site is now occupied by Oak Park Mall.
I misinterpreted the aerial shots I have of the park/pool/drive-in. My apologies for this rather big goof, but I guess that happens sometimes when such drive-ins are strategically placed.
Despite recent construction of a connector for the PA 43 Turnpike route as well as a new stretch of U.S. 40, this thankfully has not affected the drive-in as far as location, although said bowling alley (Gudac Lanes) and other buildings across the way were razed.
The new U.S. 40 connector runs east of the drive-in to the intersection (where an overpass once stood) near JCT PA 166. The Brownsville can be clearly seen from this new road. The old U.S. 40 segment of National Rd. where the drive-in stands has been renamed Business U.S. 40.
I drove past the Twin-Hi Way this morning and saw that the second screen is now in place.