I am the first cousin of the late Cletus Benton’s wife, Bobby June. Cletus owned three Holiday Inns in Cleveland, Benton Pontiac/Buick (NOT Ford), a Shoney’s, The King’s Inn in Lenoir City, and several strip malls in Cleveland; he eventually tendered ownership of The Star Vue Drive-In to co-owner, Hoyt Fair. Hoyt had fallen off the top of the drive-in while painting it, and became a paraplegic. He made the best of a tough situation, and invented a novel concept to showcase on Saturday nights. He would have ushers lift him onto a tall stool, and using the tickets that were purchased, he fashioned a bingo game. Patrons could win free concession food and movie passes. Hoyt made the food “top drawer,” and the movies were SO much better before comics, toys, and video gaming took over cinema. EVERY one of the 800+ car slots were filled to the brim every Saturday night!
I am the first cousin of the late Cletus Benton’s wife, Bobby June. Cletus owned three Holiday Inns in Cleveland, Benton Pontiac/Buick (NOT Ford), a Shoney’s, The King’s Inn in Lenoir City, and several strip malls in Cleveland; he eventually tendered ownership of The Star Vue Drive-In to co-owner, Hoyt Fair. Hoyt had fallen off the top of the drive-in while painting it, and became a paraplegic. He made the best of a tough situation, and invented a novel concept to showcase on Saturday nights. He would have ushers lift him onto a tall stool, and using the tickets that were purchased, he fashioned a bingo game. Patrons could win free concession food and movie passes. Hoyt made the food “top drawer,” and the movies were SO much better before comics, toys, and video gaming took over cinema. EVERY one of the 800+ car slots were filled to the brim every Saturday night!