Bill Bowman wrote about the Bagdad in the March 8, 1963 issue of the Arizona Republic. He said it was “beginning its seventh year today,” which would make its opening night March 8, 1957. A canyon carved by Bridle Creek separated the ramps from the 250-foot screen.
That’s the quick summary. Here’s the whole article, for as long as the embed lasts:
Boxoffice, Feb. 18, 1963: “Norman Bentz, who recently took over operation of the Cody (Wyo.) Theatre and Cody Drive-In from owner Earl Corder, has negotiated for the Park Drive-In, also in Cody, and will operate it in association with Paul Cory from Thermopolis, Wyo.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1963: “Video Independent Theatres has purchased the Terrace and Duke City drive-ins in Albuquerque. The same organization also has taken over the Wyoming Drive-In, also in Albuquerque”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1963: “Video Independent Theatres has purchased the Terrace and Duke City drive-ins in Albuquerque. The same organization also has taken over the Wyoming Drive-In, also in Albuquerque”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1963: “Video Independent Theatres has purchased the Terrace and Duke City drive-ins in Albuquerque. The same organization also has taken over the Wyoming Drive-In, also in Albuquerque”
The Feb. 4, 1963 issue of Boxoffice ran a two-page article, with photos, of the renovated Paris. “Remodeling a theatre that had been closed for five years, and had thus become completely dirty and filthy, was the job tackled by several employes of the Art Theatre Guild, which operates 30 art theatres, three of which are in Denver.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 4, 1963: “The new Moyer Drive-In Theatre in Eugene, Ore., employs a host of modern drive-in features to offer patrons unexcelled convenience, service and safety.”
That was the start of a two-page story, with photos, of the “Moyer Drive-In,” where the manager used a citizen’s band walkie-talkie to relay directions to ramp workers.
FWIW, the Motion Picture Almanac’s drive-in lists continued to call it the Eugene Drive-In.
Boxoffice, Jan. 21, 1963: “ALBUQUERQUE – The new Autoscope process of motion picture projection will get its first major city test here this spring if the city commission gives approval to the idea. … The proposed Autoscope Drive-In will consist of 259 individual screens, one for each parking place in the theatre. Each screen will measure 2½x4 feet. … The first screen line will be on the same level as the projection booth, about 150 feet apart. The second circle of rear-projection screens will be 74 feet behind the first and on a slight rise.”
The drive-in in Waldorf was listed as the “Waldorf 301” in the Motion Picture Almanac in 1960-76, owner Jack Fruchtman. (While the drive-in list was mostly neglected, the Roth Theatres company entry added the “301” in Waldorf in the MPA circuit list in 1964.) The MPA drive-in list finally switched to just “301” in the 1977 edition, owner Roth Theas.
Considering that we have the rare advantage of seeing photos of the marquee in 1962 (from Boxoffice) and after it closed, and the sign shows “Waldorf 301” in both versions, I would suggest that it would be better to include the Waldorf in this drive-in’s name.
Boxoffice, July 30, 1962: “Albuquerque Theatres … is going back into the drive-in business, with announcement that it plans to remodel two closer outdoor theatres. The local circuit, a part of Frontier Theatres of Dallas, will reopen the Star Drive-In here in late August and the 66 Drive-In early next spring. The circuit has been out of the drive-in business for about four years. The Star Drive-In, which has been closed about a year since a windstorm blew down its screen, will require about $19,000 worth of work, according to the general announcement from Louis C. Gasparini, resident manager of Albuquerque Theatres. The Star will reopen about August 27.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 1, 1962: “Albuquerque Theatres just completed a $30,000 remodeling job on the Star Drive-In and reopened in September 19.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 20, 1962: “After eight months of construction, the 1,000-car 101 Drive-In has been opened by Blumenfeld Theatres. … Cost of construction was placed at $500,000 … A feature of the big screen is that its surface is porcelainized metal rather than the painted plywood often used on drive-ins in this area.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 13, 1962: “Albuquerque Theatres, which recently returned to the drive-in business with reopening of the Star and 66 drive-in theatres, has added a third outdoor house, the 800-car Cactus. Operation of the latter was taken over from All States Theatres, effective August 1.”
Boxoffice, July 30, 1962: “Albuquerque Theatres … is going back into the drive-in business, with announcement that it plans to remodel two closer outdoor theatres. The local circuit, a part of Frontier Theatres of Dallas, will reopen the Star Drive-In here in late August and the 66 Drive-In early next spring. The circuit has been out of the drive-in business for about four years. … The 66 Drive-In, located on the famed highway just west of the city, has been closed about six years. In the intervening years it has been used as airport runway. (Resident manager Louis) Gasparini said a company survey revealed the population increase warranted the reopening. About $35,000 will be spent to rehabilitate the outdoor property. The work is slated to start early next year for an April opening.”
Boxoffice, July 2, 1962: “Sam Teller, T&B Enterprises, will open a new 620-car drive-in theatre in Phoenix July 3 to be called the Nu-View. Joe Bronstein has been named manager”
Boxoffice, June 25, 1962: “The seasonal opening of Herschel Wheeler’s Chief Drive-In, Gordon, Neb., was held up until mid-June by torrential rains which flooded the drive-in area”
Boxoffice, Nov. 3, 1969: “Wedding bells rang in Gordon, Neb., and Mrs. Billie Wheeler is now Mrs. Dr. H. V. Crum. … Billie is leaving the business, having leased the Pace Theatre and the Chief Drive-In to Rosco and Barbara Briscese, newcomers to the area.”
The June 4, 1962 issue of Boxoffice ran a two-page article, with plenty of photos, of the 36-hole movie-themed mini golf offered at the Post Oak. “How to bring the people back to the theatre … That was the question bothering movieman Carroll Lewis jr., Post Oak Drive-In Theatre in Houston in 1961. … He and Charlie Hillis, manager of Post Oak, chose movies to be represented which would give them the best chance for colorful replicas for exhibit.”
More info suggesting the rough condition of the Skyway in its final years, from Boxoffice, June 4, 1962: “There is no report as yet that the Skyway Drive-In will reopen this year. But judging from stories told by previous employes of this out-of-the-way ozoner concerning its nature wildlife, it is their belief it would have been an ideal site for "Cleopatra” to have gone on location. 20th-Fox would have had little difficulty casting the part of the asp"
Boxoffice, June 5, 1961: “Fred Curtis, owner of the Tepee Theatre and the Rio Drive-In at Thermopolis, Wyo., died at the age of 55 after a lengthy illness.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1962: “Paul Cory is taking over operation of the Rio Drive-In and the Tepee Theatre in Thermopolis, Wyo., from the estate of the late Fred Curtis. He will continue to operate the West Drive-In at Riverton”
Bill Bowman wrote about the Bagdad in the March 8, 1963 issue of the Arizona Republic. He said it was “beginning its seventh year today,” which would make its opening night March 8, 1957. A canyon carved by Bridle Creek separated the ramps from the 250-foot screen.
That’s the quick summary. Here’s the whole article, for as long as the embed lasts:
Boxoffice, Feb. 18, 1963: “Norman Bentz, who recently took over operation of the Cody (Wyo.) Theatre and Cody Drive-In from owner Earl Corder, has negotiated for the Park Drive-In, also in Cody, and will operate it in association with Paul Cory from Thermopolis, Wyo.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1963: “Video Independent Theatres has purchased the Terrace and Duke City drive-ins in Albuquerque. The same organization also has taken over the Wyoming Drive-In, also in Albuquerque”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1963: “Video Independent Theatres has purchased the Terrace and Duke City drive-ins in Albuquerque. The same organization also has taken over the Wyoming Drive-In, also in Albuquerque”
Boxoffice, Feb. 11, 1963: “Video Independent Theatres has purchased the Terrace and Duke City drive-ins in Albuquerque. The same organization also has taken over the Wyoming Drive-In, also in Albuquerque”
The Feb. 4, 1963 issue of Boxoffice ran a two-page article, with photos, of the renovated Paris. “Remodeling a theatre that had been closed for five years, and had thus become completely dirty and filthy, was the job tackled by several employes of the Art Theatre Guild, which operates 30 art theatres, three of which are in Denver.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 4, 1963: “The new Moyer Drive-In Theatre in Eugene, Ore., employs a host of modern drive-in features to offer patrons unexcelled convenience, service and safety.”
That was the start of a two-page story, with photos, of the “Moyer Drive-In,” where the manager used a citizen’s band walkie-talkie to relay directions to ramp workers.
FWIW, the Motion Picture Almanac’s drive-in lists continued to call it the Eugene Drive-In.
From the Feb. 4, 1963 issue of Boxoffice
Boxoffice, Jan. 21, 1963: “ALBUQUERQUE – The new Autoscope process of motion picture projection will get its first major city test here this spring if the city commission gives approval to the idea. … The proposed Autoscope Drive-In will consist of 259 individual screens, one for each parking place in the theatre. Each screen will measure 2½x4 feet. … The first screen line will be on the same level as the projection booth, about 150 feet apart. The second circle of rear-projection screens will be 74 feet behind the first and on a slight rise.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 3, 1962: “Charles Ring has closed the Pine, Crook, after a fire destroyed a part of the theatre.”
From the Oct. 22, 1962 issue of Boxoffice
The drive-in in Waldorf was listed as the “Waldorf 301” in the Motion Picture Almanac in 1960-76, owner Jack Fruchtman. (While the drive-in list was mostly neglected, the Roth Theatres company entry added the “301” in Waldorf in the MPA circuit list in 1964.) The MPA drive-in list finally switched to just “301” in the 1977 edition, owner Roth Theas.
Considering that we have the rare advantage of seeing photos of the marquee in 1962 (from Boxoffice) and after it closed, and the sign shows “Waldorf 301” in both versions, I would suggest that it would be better to include the Waldorf in this drive-in’s name.
From the Oct. 8, 1962 issue of Boxoffice
Boxoffice, July 30, 1962: “Albuquerque Theatres … is going back into the drive-in business, with announcement that it plans to remodel two closer outdoor theatres. The local circuit, a part of Frontier Theatres of Dallas, will reopen the Star Drive-In here in late August and the 66 Drive-In early next spring. The circuit has been out of the drive-in business for about four years. The Star Drive-In, which has been closed about a year since a windstorm blew down its screen, will require about $19,000 worth of work, according to the general announcement from Louis C. Gasparini, resident manager of Albuquerque Theatres. The Star will reopen about August 27.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 1, 1962: “Albuquerque Theatres just completed a $30,000 remodeling job on the Star Drive-In and reopened in September 19.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 20, 1962: “After eight months of construction, the 1,000-car 101 Drive-In has been opened by Blumenfeld Theatres. … Cost of construction was placed at $500,000 … A feature of the big screen is that its surface is porcelainized metal rather than the painted plywood often used on drive-ins in this area.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 13, 1962: “Albuquerque Theatres, which recently returned to the drive-in business with reopening of the Star and 66 drive-in theatres, has added a third outdoor house, the 800-car Cactus. Operation of the latter was taken over from All States Theatres, effective August 1.”
Boxoffice, July 30, 1962: “Albuquerque Theatres … is going back into the drive-in business, with announcement that it plans to remodel two closer outdoor theatres. The local circuit, a part of Frontier Theatres of Dallas, will reopen the Star Drive-In here in late August and the 66 Drive-In early next spring. The circuit has been out of the drive-in business for about four years. … The 66 Drive-In, located on the famed highway just west of the city, has been closed about six years. In the intervening years it has been used as airport runway. (Resident manager Louis) Gasparini said a company survey revealed the population increase warranted the reopening. About $35,000 will be spent to rehabilitate the outdoor property. The work is slated to start early next year for an April opening.”
From Boxoffice, July 9, 1962
From Boxoffice, July 9, 1962
Boxoffice, July 2, 1962: “Sam Teller, T&B Enterprises, will open a new 620-car drive-in theatre in Phoenix July 3 to be called the Nu-View. Joe Bronstein has been named manager”
Boxoffice, June 25, 1962: “The seasonal opening of Herschel Wheeler’s Chief Drive-In, Gordon, Neb., was held up until mid-June by torrential rains which flooded the drive-in area”
Boxoffice, Nov. 3, 1969: “Wedding bells rang in Gordon, Neb., and Mrs. Billie Wheeler is now Mrs. Dr. H. V. Crum. … Billie is leaving the business, having leased the Pace Theatre and the Chief Drive-In to Rosco and Barbara Briscese, newcomers to the area.”
The June 4, 1962 issue of Boxoffice ran a two-page article, with plenty of photos, of the 36-hole movie-themed mini golf offered at the Post Oak. “How to bring the people back to the theatre … That was the question bothering movieman Carroll Lewis jr., Post Oak Drive-In Theatre in Houston in 1961. … He and Charlie Hillis, manager of Post Oak, chose movies to be represented which would give them the best chance for colorful replicas for exhibit.”
More info suggesting the rough condition of the Skyway in its final years, from Boxoffice, June 4, 1962: “There is no report as yet that the Skyway Drive-In will reopen this year. But judging from stories told by previous employes of this out-of-the-way ozoner concerning its nature wildlife, it is their belief it would have been an ideal site for "Cleopatra” to have gone on location. 20th-Fox would have had little difficulty casting the part of the asp"
Boxoffice, June 5, 1961: “Fred Curtis, owner of the Tepee Theatre and the Rio Drive-In at Thermopolis, Wyo., died at the age of 55 after a lengthy illness.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1962: “Paul Cory is taking over operation of the Rio Drive-In and the Tepee Theatre in Thermopolis, Wyo., from the estate of the late Fred Curtis. He will continue to operate the West Drive-In at Riverton”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1962: “Oscar Tellefson has taken over the operation of the Motor Vu Drive-In at Rock Springs, Wyo.”