Carver Outdoor Drive-In
2611 18th Avenue,
Bessemer,
AL
35020
2611 18th Avenue,
Bessemer,
AL
35020
3 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Nearby Theaters
This drive-in offered “the finest in black entertainment” during the 1950’s and 1960’s. It was opened on November 25, 1954 with Elizabeth Taylor in “Rhapsody”. It was operated by A.E. Rook. It was closed on September 2, 1968 with Veronica Radburn in “The Ghastly Ones” & Audie Murphy in “Gunfight at Comanche Creek”. Part of the old space is currently occupied by Middlebrooks Truck & Equipment.
Contributed by
Ken McIntyre
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
I think this was a XXX venue during the late 70’s.
Approx. address for this drive-in was 2611 18th Avenue North.
It is now Middlebrooks Truck & Equipment.
From the Jan. 1, 1955 Motion Picture Almanac:
“The Carver, first Negro-patronage drive-in and walk-in theatre, in Bessemer, Ala., has been opened. Dr. B. H. Johnson, owner, appointed James Benz manager. The combination theatre has space for 400 cars and 200 seats for walk-ins and is equipped for CinemaScope.”
This opened as “The South’s Finest Outdoor Drive-In for Negros” on November 25th, 1954. Grand opening ad posted.
Opened with “Rhapsody”.
Ads end on September 2, 1968 with “The Ghastly Ones” and “Gun Fight at Comanche Creek”
The 1970 aerial shows the drive-in intact, but it doesn’t appear open because there is debris on the property. By 1974, the projection booth/concession stand is no longer present.
Furthermore, I-20 is close, but does not cross the property. In fact, it appears the drive-in was long closed years before highway construction began in the area.
Today, a large part of the property is still open and undeveloped, but there is no trace of the drive-in remaining.