Boxoffice, May 28, 1949: “OTHELLO, WASH. - Finkbeiner’s Outdoor Theatre has opened on the west edge of Othello near the rodeo grounds. A portable power plant is being used until the Washington Water Power Co. makes a hookup to the lines. The drive-in accommodates 58 cars.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1949: “HAVRE, MONT. - A 400-car drive-in theatre being built here by Emil Don-Tigny and Clarence Golder, operators of the Havre Theatre, is expected to be ready for opening about June 15. Expected to cost approximately $70,000, the open air theatre will have a 30x40-foot screen. Motiograph projection and sound equipment will be installed.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1949: “Two Emmett theatremen, Rex Voeller and J. B. Giezentanner, are the new owners of the K&K Drive-In. Purchase arrangements were made with L. A. Knowles, representing K&K Corp. Voeller owns the Gem Aircraft Co. at Emmett and Giezentanner is owner-manager of the Ideal Theatre at Emmett.”
Boxoffice, March 19, 1949: “Wyoming drive-ins to be completed for spring opening include the Motor Vu, Cheyenne; Skyline, Casper; Skyline, Rawlins and West, Cody.”
Boxoffice, May 7, 1949: “Robert Adams has opened the 500-car Skyline Drive-In, Rawlins, Wyo., with Motiograph booth and sound and Service Theatre Supply speakers, bought from Ted Knox.:
Boxoffice, May 7, 1949: “Huish-Gilhool Theatre Enterprises opened their 810-seat Huish Theatre with city officials and film executives on hand for the affair. The new showcase is in a building with three other rental units, which are expected to be occupied in the near future. Although a modernistic atmosphere predominates in the design of the structure, a rustic touch is lent through the use of sandstone and the redwood finish. One of the most striking features is an 18-foot long mural in the inner foyer. It is a painted blown-up picture of Payson City and the surrounding valley taken from Payson summit. The boxoffice is at the side of the double glass-like entrance doors. The foyer contains a snack bar finished in redwood. Advertising frames in the inner foyer contrast with the modern motif, presenting a beveled appearance of old-fashioned picture frames. Even temperatures throughout the building are assured by the ventilating and heating system, and the air wash device further aids in keeping drafts and cross-currents down. The main auditorium occupies one entire floor with the manager’s office and a cry room on the second floor. The Huish, built as a memorial to the late Charles M. Huish, has been under construction for two years. Fred L. Markham of Provo was the architect. He was assisted by Rove Smith. Vincent A. Gilhool is the general manager in charge of the circuit house. The Huish is managed by Gene Braithwaite.”
Boxoffice, March 12, 1949: “J. E. Keegan, manager, reports the Montez in Grass Valley will be closed until further notice. It had been operating on a Saturday-Sunday basis.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 26, 1949: “The H. C. Tuttles have purchased the theatre business in Covelo from G. W. Taylor of San Andreas, who has owned the business for the last ten years. The Tuttles plan to enlarge, repair and modernize the building in the spring”
Boxoffice, May 15, 1961: “W. McNaught had a robbery in his Martin Drive-In, Martin, S. D., in which the concessions stand was completely stripped of merchandise.”
CT really ought to move Knox Drive-In to a previous name and label this page with the ozoner’s last known name, the Wyo Drive-In.
Boxoffice, May 15, 1961: “Bill Hart is now managing the Wyo Drive-In, Newcastle, Wyo. Hart is a veteran in exhibition and at one time operated the theatre in Hay Springs, Neb. The Wyo Drive-In, under Hart, is remodeling its concessions stand.”
Except for a regional retrospective in the San Francisco Chronicle, published 40 years after the Alameda closed, I can’t find anything that includes “Auto Movie” in the Alameda Drive-In’s name. From the grand opening ad to the drive-in sign, it’s all just “Alameda Drive-In.”
Unless someone can point me to evidence to the contrary, I’m going to assume that the Chronicle or its sources mixed up the next door Island’s name.
Here’s where I got confused. In April 1957, a bunch of guys opened the Tab Drive-In in Yuma AZ on US 80 near the Air Force base. The base pushed back, and that Tab closed in mid-July. It would reopen as the Crest and remain active for decades.
Those same guys opened this Tab in Phoenix at the Indian School Road address. Both drive-ins were built by Hi-Plain Pictures, and their name came from the initials of the company’s partners: Everett Toomey, Melvin Allen, Wayne Arnold, and Marvin Bell. In October 1957, the Phoenix Tab reopened as the Sage under “New Ownership” (a detail I missed five years ago). That name lasted only a few months.
Please add Sage Drive-In to the Previous Names list for this CT entry.
Boxoffice, March 10, 1958: “Saffle’s Theatre Service is now doing the buying and booking for the Liberty and Capital, Yakima, and the Tower Drive-In, Union Gap. Formerly Junior Mercy interests, they were sold to Jensen interests and are now being operated by United Theatres out of Portland”
The final ad that I could find in the Fresno Bee for the Woodland Park was on Sept. 2, 2001. The final four double features were: “American Pie 2” + “Jurassic Park III” / “Rush Hour 2” + “Planet of the Apes” / “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” + “The Others” / “Summer Catch” + “American Outlaws”
The following summer, the drive-in was demolished. The final screen came down on July 29, 2002.
The last Sunset ad I could find in the Fresno Bee was on Sept. 5, 1983. Its final triple feature was “Jaws III”, “What Lies Below”, and “Parasite”.
The Bee’s roundup of local drive-in history, published just nine months later on July 13, 1984, said the Sunset had been “plagued by robberies and eventually went dark.”
The last Sunnyside ad in the Fresno Bee that I could find was on Sept. 5, 1988. The final program was “Die Hard” + “Stealing Home on one screen, “Hot to Trot” + “Hero & The Terror” on the other. Of course, the popular Sunnyside Swap Shop continued for years afterward.
The Starlite’s last night was Sept. 9, 1979, according to listings in the Fresno Bee. (That newspaper also ran a photo of the concession stand’s demolition a few days later.)
The final shows were (north screen) “Up From the Depths” and “Piranha”, and (south screen) “Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease.”
Despite that Boxoffice note, the Firebaugh Drive-In endured a little while longer. Around then, the Fresno Bee ran sporadic rundowns of what was showing at “Valley Theatres.” For Nov. 6, 1961, that included the Firebaugh showing “Two Mexican Features.” The next list I could find, May 18, 1963, did not include the Firebaugh.
That matched the aerial photo record. In June 1957, the drive-in looked intact. In 1961, it showed slight disrepair. In 1965 and 1967, the screen was gone.
This photo is also posted on CT’s entry for the Paulo Drive-In in Costa Mesa CA. Which matches a long-distance view of the same “paulo” screen tower in an Orange County Archives photo.
In short, this photo does not belong in U-less Palo Alto.
Boxoffice, May 28, 1949: “OTHELLO, WASH. - Finkbeiner’s Outdoor Theatre has opened on the west edge of Othello near the rodeo grounds. A portable power plant is being used until the Washington Water Power Co. makes a hookup to the lines. The drive-in accommodates 58 cars.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1949: “HAVRE, MONT. - A 400-car drive-in theatre being built here by Emil Don-Tigny and Clarence Golder, operators of the Havre Theatre, is expected to be ready for opening about June 15. Expected to cost approximately $70,000, the open air theatre will have a 30x40-foot screen. Motiograph projection and sound equipment will be installed.”
Boxoffice, May 28, 1949: “Two Emmett theatremen, Rex Voeller and J. B. Giezentanner, are the new owners of the K&K Drive-In. Purchase arrangements were made with L. A. Knowles, representing K&K Corp. Voeller owns the Gem Aircraft Co. at Emmett and Giezentanner is owner-manager of the Ideal Theatre at Emmett.”
Boxoffice, May 21, 1949: “CODY, WYO. - Richard Haberman and Robert Otwell have opened their new $50,000, 300-car West Drive-In near here.”
Boxoffice, March 19, 1949: “Wyoming drive-ins to be completed for spring opening include the Motor Vu, Cheyenne; Skyline, Casper; Skyline, Rawlins and West, Cody.”
Boxoffice, May 7, 1949: “Robert Adams has opened the 500-car Skyline Drive-In, Rawlins, Wyo., with Motiograph booth and sound and Service Theatre Supply speakers, bought from Ted Knox.:
Boxoffice, May 7, 1949: “Huish-Gilhool Theatre Enterprises opened their 810-seat Huish Theatre with city officials and film executives on hand for the affair. The new showcase is in a building with three other rental units, which are expected to be occupied in the near future. Although a modernistic atmosphere predominates in the design of the structure, a rustic touch is lent through the use of sandstone and the redwood finish. One of the most striking features is an 18-foot long mural in the inner foyer. It is a painted blown-up picture of Payson City and the surrounding valley taken from Payson summit. The boxoffice is at the side of the double glass-like entrance doors. The foyer contains a snack bar finished in redwood. Advertising frames in the inner foyer contrast with the modern motif, presenting a beveled appearance of old-fashioned picture frames. Even temperatures throughout the building are assured by the ventilating and heating system, and the air wash device further aids in keeping drafts and cross-currents down. The main auditorium occupies one entire floor with the manager’s office and a cry room on the second floor. The Huish, built as a memorial to the late Charles M. Huish, has been under construction for two years. Fred L. Markham of Provo was the architect. He was assisted by Rove Smith. Vincent A. Gilhool is the general manager in charge of the circuit house. The Huish is managed by Gene Braithwaite.”
Boxoffice, March 12, 1949: “J. E. Keegan, manager, reports the Montez in Grass Valley will be closed until further notice. It had been operating on a Saturday-Sunday basis.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 26, 1949: “The H. C. Tuttles have purchased the theatre business in Covelo from G. W. Taylor of San Andreas, who has owned the business for the last ten years. The Tuttles plan to enlarge, repair and modernize the building in the spring”
Boxoffice, Jan. 15, 1949: “SUNBURST, MONT. - Mr. and Mrs. Frank Trettenbach have purchased the Sun Theatre here from Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Neuser.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 8, 1949: “Ben Wright has sold the Pine at Buena Vista to Joe Delongchamp”
From the June 26, 1961 issue of Boxoffice, which should be in the public domain.
Boxoffice, May 15, 1961: “W. McNaught had a robbery in his Martin Drive-In, Martin, S. D., in which the concessions stand was completely stripped of merchandise.”
CT really ought to move Knox Drive-In to a previous name and label this page with the ozoner’s last known name, the Wyo Drive-In.
Boxoffice, May 15, 1961: “Bill Hart is now managing the Wyo Drive-In, Newcastle, Wyo. Hart is a veteran in exhibition and at one time operated the theatre in Hay Springs, Neb. The Wyo Drive-In, under Hart, is remodeling its concessions stand.”
Except for a regional retrospective in the San Francisco Chronicle, published 40 years after the Alameda closed, I can’t find anything that includes “Auto Movie” in the Alameda Drive-In’s name. From the grand opening ad to the drive-in sign, it’s all just “Alameda Drive-In.”
Unless someone can point me to evidence to the contrary, I’m going to assume that the Chronicle or its sources mixed up the next door Island’s name.
Here’s where I got confused. In April 1957, a bunch of guys opened the Tab Drive-In in Yuma AZ on US 80 near the Air Force base. The base pushed back, and that Tab closed in mid-July. It would reopen as the Crest and remain active for decades.
Those same guys opened this Tab in Phoenix at the Indian School Road address. Both drive-ins were built by Hi-Plain Pictures, and their name came from the initials of the company’s partners: Everett Toomey, Melvin Allen, Wayne Arnold, and Marvin Bell. In October 1957, the Phoenix Tab reopened as the Sage under “New Ownership” (a detail I missed five years ago). That name lasted only a few months.
Please add Sage Drive-In to the Previous Names list for this CT entry.
Boxoffice, March 10, 1958: “Saffle’s Theatre Service is now doing the buying and booking for the Liberty and Capital, Yakima, and the Tower Drive-In, Union Gap. Formerly Junior Mercy interests, they were sold to Jensen interests and are now being operated by United Theatres out of Portland”
Boxoffice, March 3, 1958: “industry deaths … reported from Montana: … Jack Suckstorff, owner of the Centre and the Motor-Vue Drive-In, Sidney”
The final ad that I could find in the Fresno Bee for the Woodland Park was on Sept. 2, 2001. The final four double features were: “American Pie 2” + “Jurassic Park III” / “Rush Hour 2” + “Planet of the Apes” / “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back” + “The Others” / “Summer Catch” + “American Outlaws”
The following summer, the drive-in was demolished. The final screen came down on July 29, 2002.
The last Sunset ad I could find in the Fresno Bee was on Sept. 5, 1983. Its final triple feature was “Jaws III”, “What Lies Below”, and “Parasite”.
The Bee’s roundup of local drive-in history, published just nine months later on July 13, 1984, said the Sunset had been “plagued by robberies and eventually went dark.”
The last Sunnyside ad in the Fresno Bee that I could find was on Sept. 5, 1988. The final program was “Die Hard” + “Stealing Home on one screen, “Hot to Trot” + “Hero & The Terror” on the other. Of course, the popular Sunnyside Swap Shop continued for years afterward.
The Starlite’s last night was Sept. 9, 1979, according to listings in the Fresno Bee. (That newspaper also ran a photo of the concession stand’s demolition a few days later.)
The final shows were (north screen) “Up From the Depths” and “Piranha”, and (south screen) “Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease.”
As I mentioned earlier, the Skyline reopened in the spring of 1988 for another full season. Here’s one of its ads later that year.
Two industry sources also mentioned the Roseville Drive-In, though its one-and-done appearance in the Theatre Catalog suggests it didn’t last long.
Theatre Catalog, 1949-50: “Roseville Dr. Exec: General Theatre Co. (UNO). (M12-C250-D7)”
Film Daily Year Book, 1950-56: “Roseville: Roseville Drive-In”
Despite that Boxoffice note, the Firebaugh Drive-In endured a little while longer. Around then, the Fresno Bee ran sporadic rundowns of what was showing at “Valley Theatres.” For Nov. 6, 1961, that included the Firebaugh showing “Two Mexican Features.” The next list I could find, May 18, 1963, did not include the Firebaugh.
That matched the aerial photo record. In June 1957, the drive-in looked intact. In 1961, it showed slight disrepair. In 1965 and 1967, the screen was gone.
This photo is also posted on CT’s entry for the Paulo Drive-In in Costa Mesa CA. Which matches a long-distance view of the same “paulo” screen tower in an Orange County Archives photo.
In short, this photo does not belong in U-less Palo Alto.