I finally figured out that this was the theatre with KFWB’s towers on top (still there). There was a smaller building connected/next to the theatre (now a parking lot) that was the actual KFWB studios in the 60’s. Also, Aldo’s Restaurant was under the KFWB building and a big hangout for music industry types in the 60’s (Aldo’s is where Sonny Bono and Cher met in early ‘63). I had been there as a child but just could not remember where it was (as the KFWB building is gone).
I’ve researched the Drive In, but have had little luck. It was bound by the frontage road of 494, 12th Ave, and 78th St. (now called American Boulevard). I was born in 64 and we lived in the four plexes across from Met Stadium, next to Gem Store. It was a lovely, new area at that time. My sister worked across the street at Control Data. Most of our neighbors were Twins/Vikings/Airline Pilots and Flight Attendants, now I belive this is the slum of Bloomington. The Collins (Mildred and William) owned a traveling carnival and stored all of the equipment in a vacant lot behind the drive-in and next to the Collins Mobile Home Court (currently Walmart). All Collins are deceased and their only son died many years ago, in his early 30’s. So, I’m very curious as to what they owned in that area. There was also a Masonic Lodge on the Frontage Road behind the mobile home court. I know around 1994 the park closed and construction began on the Walmart. According to my research, the mobile home park opened sometime in the late 40’s. I don’t recall when the drive-in was closed. The buildings that are currently located where the drive in was are looking mighty old…so I’m assuming the drive in closed in the early to mid 70’s. I don’t remember Smokey Point, just France Ave. Drive In. Never went to Queen Anne either, but have read much about it. I have seen pictures of a Rib joint on Cedar pre-stadium. Anyone out there who knew the Collins or has info. regarding what they owned in Bloomingon, I’d really appreciate a response.
Oh, being a big 60’s music fan, this must have been around the same time (1963) that Sonny Bono went to work as Phil Spector’s Go-Fer/Assistant while they recorded at Gold Star on Santa Monica Boulevard. Now I KNOW that Gold Star must be long gone by now.
Thank You Joe V.
After your knowledge of Aldos, I looked it up in the LA library directory. I’m quite sure it was the 6413 Hollywood Boulevard location…I remember Coffee Dan’s and Woolworth nearby. My father worked for KFWB which was a few doors down. We went to Aldos often, and late 62 to 63 would have been the time period. Funny you should mention Sonny Bono as I completely recall him. He must have been doing promo work, my father knew him well and he definitely did stand out. He dressed pretty funky for the times. Not long ago, I was in a bookstore where I live now in the midwest, and ran accross a book Cher had written a while back. Sure enough, she met Bono at Aldos and described him as the strangest man she had ever seen (though she was totally attracted to that aspect of him). I was intrigued, so I looked up Bono in that same 1963 directory. He lived at 7237 Franklin Avenue #1. This would be the apartment Cher talked about in her book. She moved in with him not long after they met. Strictly platonic at first, as she needed a place to stay, but eventually it became a romantic relationship. Interesting. Wonder if that building he lived in still exists? I know Franklin Ave. was and still is sprawling apartment complexes. Anway, thanks for the info. I had fun researching this…wish my father were still alive and I could talk to him about my findings. I guess I wasn’t too far off, at least in the vicinity. Not bad for a 10 year old mind at the time.
I miss that whole block with Pontillo’s next door to Studio 97(now Davanni’s and located where Bridgeman’s was). First movie I remember seeing at Studio 97 was “Young Frankenstein”.
I lived near the stadium and this drive in was not far from me. I don’t have a really clear memory of it, but we did go quite frequently. This would have been late 60’s. Did the Collins' who owned the carnival and the trailer court down the street where Walmart is own this?
Would someone mind telling me what Kraus Anderson doesn’t own? The city I grew up in (Bloomington) has been destroyed and I have a sneaking suspicion they’re behind the Andy’s Tap mall closing as well? Anyone know? I know they own Valley West. The mod Bloomington of today makes me ill.
Kind of off topic, but can someone help me out with a defunct restaurant that I believe was in the Taft building? I think it was called Aldo’s and was on the bottom/street level. Anyone remember exactly where it was or better yet an address. Think this would have been 1960 or so.
Lots of memories here. First movie I saw at Southtown as a young child was “The Poseidon Adventure”….then we went to Montgomery Ward’s for glazed doughnuts and warm spanish peanuts at the candy counter. I must have sat through 25 showings each of “Grease”, “Rocky” and “Superman” at the Southtown theatre as well. My candy obsessed friend would buy giant SweetTarts at the snack bar and lick them until her tongue was bleeding. I miss the old Bloomington. Southtown was a particulary plush theatre with beautiful bathrooms and a HUGE single screen.
I finally figured out that this was the theatre with KFWB’s towers on top (still there). There was a smaller building connected/next to the theatre (now a parking lot) that was the actual KFWB studios in the 60’s. Also, Aldo’s Restaurant was under the KFWB building and a big hangout for music industry types in the 60’s (Aldo’s is where Sonny Bono and Cher met in early ‘63). I had been there as a child but just could not remember where it was (as the KFWB building is gone).
I’ve researched the Drive In, but have had little luck. It was bound by the frontage road of 494, 12th Ave, and 78th St. (now called American Boulevard). I was born in 64 and we lived in the four plexes across from Met Stadium, next to Gem Store. It was a lovely, new area at that time. My sister worked across the street at Control Data. Most of our neighbors were Twins/Vikings/Airline Pilots and Flight Attendants, now I belive this is the slum of Bloomington. The Collins (Mildred and William) owned a traveling carnival and stored all of the equipment in a vacant lot behind the drive-in and next to the Collins Mobile Home Court (currently Walmart). All Collins are deceased and their only son died many years ago, in his early 30’s. So, I’m very curious as to what they owned in that area. There was also a Masonic Lodge on the Frontage Road behind the mobile home court. I know around 1994 the park closed and construction began on the Walmart. According to my research, the mobile home park opened sometime in the late 40’s. I don’t recall when the drive-in was closed. The buildings that are currently located where the drive in was are looking mighty old…so I’m assuming the drive in closed in the early to mid 70’s. I don’t remember Smokey Point, just France Ave. Drive In. Never went to Queen Anne either, but have read much about it. I have seen pictures of a Rib joint on Cedar pre-stadium. Anyone out there who knew the Collins or has info. regarding what they owned in Bloomingon, I’d really appreciate a response.
Oh, being a big 60’s music fan, this must have been around the same time (1963) that Sonny Bono went to work as Phil Spector’s Go-Fer/Assistant while they recorded at Gold Star on Santa Monica Boulevard. Now I KNOW that Gold Star must be long gone by now.
Thank You Joe V.
After your knowledge of Aldos, I looked it up in the LA library directory. I’m quite sure it was the 6413 Hollywood Boulevard location…I remember Coffee Dan’s and Woolworth nearby. My father worked for KFWB which was a few doors down. We went to Aldos often, and late 62 to 63 would have been the time period. Funny you should mention Sonny Bono as I completely recall him. He must have been doing promo work, my father knew him well and he definitely did stand out. He dressed pretty funky for the times. Not long ago, I was in a bookstore where I live now in the midwest, and ran accross a book Cher had written a while back. Sure enough, she met Bono at Aldos and described him as the strangest man she had ever seen (though she was totally attracted to that aspect of him). I was intrigued, so I looked up Bono in that same 1963 directory. He lived at 7237 Franklin Avenue #1. This would be the apartment Cher talked about in her book. She moved in with him not long after they met. Strictly platonic at first, as she needed a place to stay, but eventually it became a romantic relationship. Interesting. Wonder if that building he lived in still exists? I know Franklin Ave. was and still is sprawling apartment complexes. Anway, thanks for the info. I had fun researching this…wish my father were still alive and I could talk to him about my findings. I guess I wasn’t too far off, at least in the vicinity. Not bad for a 10 year old mind at the time.
That was party central until they ripped it down.
I miss that whole block with Pontillo’s next door to Studio 97(now Davanni’s and located where Bridgeman’s was). First movie I remember seeing at Studio 97 was “Young Frankenstein”.
I lived near the stadium and this drive in was not far from me. I don’t have a really clear memory of it, but we did go quite frequently. This would have been late 60’s. Did the Collins' who owned the carnival and the trailer court down the street where Walmart is own this?
Did you know Mr. Reynolds?
Would someone mind telling me what Kraus Anderson doesn’t own? The city I grew up in (Bloomington) has been destroyed and I have a sneaking suspicion they’re behind the Andy’s Tap mall closing as well? Anyone know? I know they own Valley West. The mod Bloomington of today makes me ill.
Kind of off topic, but can someone help me out with a defunct restaurant that I believe was in the Taft building? I think it was called Aldo’s and was on the bottom/street level. Anyone remember exactly where it was or better yet an address. Think this would have been 1960 or so.
Lots of memories here. First movie I saw at Southtown as a young child was “The Poseidon Adventure”….then we went to Montgomery Ward’s for glazed doughnuts and warm spanish peanuts at the candy counter. I must have sat through 25 showings each of “Grease”, “Rocky” and “Superman” at the Southtown theatre as well. My candy obsessed friend would buy giant SweetTarts at the snack bar and lick them until her tongue was bleeding. I miss the old Bloomington. Southtown was a particulary plush theatre with beautiful bathrooms and a HUGE single screen.