North Drive-In
2595 W. 72nd Avenue,
Westminster,
CO
80030
2595 W. 72nd Avenue,
Westminster,
CO
80030
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Last season: 1986
It appears that the North Drive-In is still open as late as the mid-1980s, but the screen was gone by 1991.
I’ve put together a booking history for the North (Motorena) Drive-in, from 1948 up to 1978 so far, in case anyone might like to know when a particular movie played there. I’ll be happy to share my research with you. Take care – Ken Mitchell ()
The Motorena held its Grand Opening on July 17, 1948, tied for the second Denver-area drive-in with Lakewood’s West. Its first program was just “Mother Wore Tights” with Betty Grable “Plus: Color Cartoons”.
Motion Picture Herald, July 10, 1948: “The Carvue Theatres, Inc., are building a 750-car, $150,000 drive-in north of Denver to open soon.”
“DENVER – The new 800-car Motorena Drive-In in north Denver, built by Carvue Theatres, Inc., has been opened. David Samuels is manager. A feature of the new amusement center is an artesian well from which patrons may obtain drinking water for home use.” —Box Office, July 17, 1948
“John Wolfberg, president of Wolfberg Theatres, announces the purchase of the Motorena Drive-In in north Denver, Colo. from Carvue Theatres, a Salt Lake City corporation. The purchase price was reported in excess of $200,000. Improvements planned for the ozoner include a playground for children and a free bottle-warming service. Mickey Gross is city manager for the circuit.” —BoxOffice, Oct. 9, 1948
The address that jwmovies is close; today Google Maps lists the address of Skyline Vista Park as 2595 W 72nd Ave, Westminster, just across the street from Denver. Historic Aerials photos verify that as the site of the North.
the North name was made official on 3/24/49. i’m putting together a series of books on the Denver area’s drive-in theatres and indoor cinemas. If anyone has questions on the subject, I’d be happy to share my research with you. Thanks – Ken Mitchell
actually, the drive-in was first called the motorena when it opened 7/17/48. john wolfberg (compass drive-ins) bought the facility, changing the name to the north motorena on 9/1/48. eventually, the name was shortened to simply the north. —– ken mitchell, denverareadriveintheatresus.
Approx. address for this drive-in was 2511 West 72nd Avenue, Westminster, CO 80330. Now Skyline Vista Park.