Smith's Ranch Drive-In
4584 Adobe Road,
Twentynine Palms,
CA
92277
4584 Adobe Road,
Twentynine Palms,
CA
92277
2 people
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Related Websites
Smith's Ranch Drive-In (Official)
Additional Info
Architects: J. Arthur Drielsma
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Previous Names: Clemon's Drive-In
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
760.367.7713
Nearby Theaters
The Clemon’s Drive-In opened in March 1956 with Frank Sinatra in “Man with the Golden Arm”. This drive-in is still open and has a capacity for 330 cars.
Contributed by
Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
here is more helpful info about the smith’s ranch drive-in for those who haven’t seen it. it can be seen here by clickin this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rixpix1/224698164/
Yes Lost, it is but its a great shot of the marquee though.Nice shot of the Smith Ranch sign also posted earlier.
This is the drive-in’s website: http://29drive-in.com/
I don’t see any evidence of any drive-in in Twentynine Palms existing before this Motion Picture Herald note from March 31, 1956: “Bill and Prudie Underhill have opened a new 450-car drive-in, the Starlight, in Twenty-Nine Palms.”
The Motion Picture Almanac drive-in list first included the Smiths Ranch in its 1960 edition, capacity 300 cars and 192 seats, owner A. Clemens.
Is there an actual Smiths Ranch? Is there really 29 palms trees?
A quick Wikipedia search revealed that Twentynine Palms was named by surveyor Col. Henry Washington who saw the trees there. A quick Google search turned up a page all about the history of William Q. “Bill” Smith’s ranch.
The Motion Picture Herald of Sept. 8, 1956 showed that the Smith’s Ranch did exist already. Its note: “The owners of the Smith Ranch Dr.-In at Twentynine Palms, Mr. and Mrs. Art Clemens, plan to open a new drive-in in Kingman, Ariz.” Not sure whether that became the Sage there, which opened just a couple of weeks after that note and was owned by the Lang Theater Corp.
Boxoffice, Jan. 28, 1956: “TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIF. – A mid-March opening is planned for Clemon’s Drive-In, a 365-car installation here, being built and to be operated by Art and Deldee Clemon. Designed by architect J. Arthur Drielsma of Los Angeles, the ozoner will feature a 60-foot screen, individual car speakers, snack bar and playground for the smallfry.”
A local mentioned this drive in is closed at this time due to the covid-19 issue..
Looks like Art and Deldee Clemon sold out quickly. Here’s a for-sale classified in the Dec. 1, 1956 Boxoffice: “300-car drive-in. Fast growing southern California desert community. Only 8 month old, showing good profit. Owner has interests in another state. Write, Patio Theatre, Box 936, Twentynine Palms, Calif.”
From the current Smiths Ranch web site (https://www.drivein29.com/): “In 1956, Art Clemons, inspired by a drive-in theater he visited in Bakersfield, envisioned bringing this novel form of entertainment to the high desert town of Twenty Nine Palms. With his wife, DelDee, he embarked on a mission to create a local drive-in theater. After hiring an architect, the couple meticulously planned and constructed the Smith’s Ranch Drive-In. Their hard work culminated in a grand opening, where they proudly showcased their first film, “Man with the Golden Arm,” starring Frank Sinatra. Initially, the drive-in operated with three shows a week, becoming a beloved community fixture before the widespread rise of television.”
The Smith’s Ranch Drive-In erected a new metal tower in April 1992, based on a note in the Desert Trail. “The old screen, made from wood, served the theatre since 1954 (sic).”