Carver Outdoor Drive-In

2611 18th Avenue,
Bessemer, AL 35020

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Carver Outdoor Drive-In

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. The theatre was demolished to make way for an interstate highway. Part of the old space is currently occupied by Middlebrooks Truck & Equipment.

Contributed by Ken McIntyre

Recent comments (view all 6 comments)

BamaFnNTn
BamaFnNTn on September 23, 2008 at 8:17 pm

I think this was a XXX venue during the late 70’s.

jwmovies
jwmovies on September 17, 2012 at 11:37 pm

Approx. address for this drive-in was 2611 18th Avenue North.

Drive-In 54
Drive-In 54 on March 27, 2017 at 10:33 pm

It is now Middlebrooks Truck & Equipment.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on May 21, 2019 at 4:25 am

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.”

rivest266
rivest266 on August 18, 2019 at 8:22 pm

This opened as “The South’s Finest Outdoor Drive-In for Negros” on November 25th, 1954. Grand opening ad posted.

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on August 19, 2019 at 4:14 pm

Opened with “Rhapsody”.

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