Just curious, when the lenses were taken from a Drive-In that closed in 93/94, was this the North Star? It had the largest screen, and longest projection of all the drive-ins, and closed in 1993.
No. The property the Valley was on simply became too valuable for the lease to be renewed. The Valley Drive-In was directly south of the Valley 3 (right behind it), with the projection pointing to the east onto a west facing screen. For a while, Ray Wagnor, managed BOTH the 3 and the Drive-In, and simply slipped out the back door of the Valley 3 to the box office of the Drive-In. It was torn down, and immediately replaced by a shopping center. (Sorry for the late reply.)
For some reason this entry is mistakenly under Texas (possibly because I now live in Texas). However, this drive-in was in Thornton Colorado, a suburb of Denver. Could the webmaster please correct this?
My name is Jerry Dealey, and I was a Manager / Assistant Manager for many of the Compass Drive-ins in the mid to late 1970’s. You are so knowlegeable about the chain, that I feel I should know you. At your convenience, swing by my web site Dealey.org, where you should be able to get my eMail and drop me a line.
This Drive-In is quoted in the statistics as being the Largest Drive-In in the country, with room for 2500 autos. I used to manage the North Star Drive-In, in Thornton, Colo (suburb of Denver) which was reputed to be the largest “single screen” Drive-in at 2,000. (All Weather had 2 screens.) Anyone hear of any single/double that are larger?
The shopping center south of the Valley 3, was until after the summer of 1976, the Valley Drive-In theater. Also part of the Wolfberg theatres, in the “Compass” Drive-In chain. (Also, the North, South, East and West (hence the “Compass”), the Wadsworth, Havana, North Star and Arapaho. I started that last season of the Valley, then the manager of the Valley 3 operated both, while I went on to other theatres.
Looks like this thread is pretty much dead, but I had to add some comments.
I worked for the North Star (capacity was 1900 by the way) as both a Manager and Assistant Manager in th mid to late 1970’s. I also closed the Arapaho (1976), and Havana Drive-Ins (1981) (parts of the Wolfberg/Compass chains, later Commonwealth). At various times I managed the West, Valley and other drive-ins, as well as worked at the North, NorWest, East, and Wadsworth. Still know one of the owners of the Cinderella Twin, which is one of the remaining drive-ins in Denver today.
Just curious, when the lenses were taken from a Drive-In that closed in 93/94, was this the North Star? It had the largest screen, and longest projection of all the drive-ins, and closed in 1993.
LoveBreezy,
No. The property the Valley was on simply became too valuable for the lease to be renewed. The Valley Drive-In was directly south of the Valley 3 (right behind it), with the projection pointing to the east onto a west facing screen. For a while, Ray Wagnor, managed BOTH the 3 and the Drive-In, and simply slipped out the back door of the Valley 3 to the box office of the Drive-In. It was torn down, and immediately replaced by a shopping center. (Sorry for the late reply.)
Jerry Dealey
Jerry Dealey
For some reason this entry is mistakenly under Texas (possibly because I now live in Texas). However, this drive-in was in Thornton Colorado, a suburb of Denver. Could the webmaster please correct this?
Jerry Dealey
Compass Drive Ins?
My name is Jerry Dealey, and I was a Manager / Assistant Manager for many of the Compass Drive-ins in the mid to late 1970’s. You are so knowlegeable about the chain, that I feel I should know you. At your convenience, swing by my web site Dealey.org, where you should be able to get my eMail and drop me a line.
This Drive-In is quoted in the statistics as being the Largest Drive-In in the country, with room for 2500 autos. I used to manage the North Star Drive-In, in Thornton, Colo (suburb of Denver) which was reputed to be the largest “single screen” Drive-in at 2,000. (All Weather had 2 screens.) Anyone hear of any single/double that are larger?
Kurt,
Yes I remember you. Go to my website Dealey.org.
The shopping center south of the Valley 3, was until after the summer of 1976, the Valley Drive-In theater. Also part of the Wolfberg theatres, in the “Compass” Drive-In chain. (Also, the North, South, East and West (hence the “Compass”), the Wadsworth, Havana, North Star and Arapaho. I started that last season of the Valley, then the manager of the Valley 3 operated both, while I went on to other theatres.
Jerry Dealey
Looks like this thread is pretty much dead, but I had to add some comments.
I worked for the North Star (capacity was 1900 by the way) as both a Manager and Assistant Manager in th mid to late 1970’s. I also closed the Arapaho (1976), and Havana Drive-Ins (1981) (parts of the Wolfberg/Compass chains, later Commonwealth). At various times I managed the West, Valley and other drive-ins, as well as worked at the North, NorWest, East, and Wadsworth. Still know one of the owners of the Cinderella Twin, which is one of the remaining drive-ins in Denver today.
Jerry Dealey