Grand Glaize Drive-In
5785 Osage Beach Parkway,
Osage Beach,
MO
65065
5785 Osage Beach Parkway,
Osage Beach,
MO
65065
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The Grand Glaize Drive-In opened on May 14, 1949. The opening was the front page headline of the weekly CAMDENTON REVILLE, doubtlessly inspired by the huge full page advertisement the theater purchased for that edition of the paper for their grand opening. The Grand Glaize was the first drive-in to open in the area, and was owned by Mr and Mrs Robert Smith. The opening feature was “The Return of October”, along with the cartoon “Pigs in a Polka”, and the color novelty “Footlight Rhythm”. The drive in had space for 328 cars. The grand opening advertisement is really interesting, as apparently nobody had ever heard of a drive-in theater in this part of the Ozarks, so there were detailed instructions about how to park, and how the speakers worked. There were also "ushers" to help guide you to your parking space.
The Grand Glaize Drive-In was located on Highway 54 at Lake Road 22 in Osage Beach "in the heart of the resort area". The Grand Glaize Drive-in was still open in 1969, but had closed by 1970. Before they closed, the local Lutheran church began holding drive-in church services at the theater. Eventually, the church bought the property, and built Hope Lutheran Chapel on the site of the drive-in.
Today there is no trace left of the Grand Glaize Drive-In other than the fact that Hope Lutheran Chapel continues to hold drive-in services in their parking lot every Sunday morning during the tourist season, and advertises this on the sign in front of the church.
Contributed by
Bob Brown
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
I grew up in the Lake area, money was extremely scarce for residents and going out to do anything was a rare treat. Going to a ‘picture show’ was something most local folks could only do once or twice a year. In an effort to attract vacationers as well as locals, the Grand Glaize drive-in would post flyers on cardstock that listed the shows and times for a month. These were given to stores and gas stations around the lake and as far away as Eldon. The concession stand had the typical hotdogs and burgers but the only thing we ever wanted was a large tub of Buttercup popcorn, extra butter. Just the sight of the Buttercup container would make us drool.
The Grand Glaize was still in operation in the early 1970’s.
Now Casey’s (the screen), Culver’s and the Osage Medical Center (the field) and Arby’s (the entrance and rear of the theater).
The address for this Drive-in is 5785 Osage Beach Pkwy, Osage Beach, MO 65065.
Please update.
The Feb. 6, 1954 issue of Boxoffice included a four-page article about the Glaize Drive-In’s extensive use of live entertainment. There were a half-dozen photos and a diagram of the concession / projection building layout.
Wentzville Union, July 26, 1978: “For 21 years, visitors and Osage Beach residents alike have pulled off the highway to attend the interdenominational service. A group of lay Christians first organized services at the Osage Beach Glaize Drive-In Theater to attract vacationers who "neglected to pack suitable church attire” and who would only attend an early service because of “action-packed days.” Nine years later, when up to 300 persons attended, the services were moved across the highway to the present location of Hope Chapel."