Pingelly Drive-In Stone Street, Pingelly, WA - R.A. Yelland major theatre owner.

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Pingelly Drive-In Stone Street, Pingelly, WA

Photo - Courtesy of Roy Mudge

The Pingelly Drive-In was built by major theatre circuit owner R. A. Yelland of Consolidated Theatres with a capacity of 220 cars. The theatre was opened by Mr W. A. Manning M.L.A on the evening of April 28 1966. Mr Yelland was congratulated on his endeavors and Mr Manning launched the debut double bill program “Flipper” and “Murder Ahoy” to a packed house.

During the ensuing years there was an on-going lease & rent dispute between Bob Yelland and the landlord “The Shire of Pingelly”. Later Consolidated Theatres leased the drive-in to Benito & Anna Parri. Both Benito & Anna were well versed in the running of cinemas and international live promotion.

The Pingelly drive-in proved to be popular with the local residents and traded very well. Benito was often seen at the drive-in operating the projection booth. As time progressed, distance and increased business commitments became a problem for the Parri family and the drive-in was returned to Consolidated Theatres. A new lease was negotiated with a Mr Larry O'brien.

The theatre continued trading into the middle 80’s with attendances falling because of the inroads of television. The lease & rent dispute continued until the final days of the theatre. The drive-in was finally closed in (approx)1988 - Contributed by Greg Lynch -