Waterford Drive-In
3520 Airport Road,
Waterford,
MI
48329
3520 Airport Road,
Waterford,
MI
48329
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In his 2014 book “Michigan’s Drive-In Theaters,” Harry Skrdla’s list included the “Star-Lite” as the only drive-in in Waterford, capacity 280 cars.
WaterWinterWonderland, the apparent source of many of the images uploaded here for the Waterford, says that the drive-in opened on April 15, 1948. I wonder whether it opened as the Starlite.
Film Daily, July 1, 1948: “Detroit — Impatient at having films scheduled for the Starlite Drive-In at Pontiac delivered to the Blue Sky Drive-In, located a few miles away, Starlite owners have decided to change the outdoor theater’s name to the Waterford Drive-In. Now they hope prints are not shipped to the Blue Water Drive-ln, some 60 miles away.”
The 1949 Film Daily Year Book didn’t list any Waterford Drive-Ins in Michigan and still included the Starlite under Pontiac. The Oakland Press newspaper clipping that Granola uploaded here a few years ago advertises 1947 films shown at the right address with the Waterford name, so I just don’t know.
Beginning with its 1950-51 edition, the Motion Picture Almanac listed the Starlight under Waterford MI, capacity 600, owner Starlight Drive-In Theatres, Inc. In the 1962 edition, that changed to “Drive-In,” owner C & S Drive-In Theas.
In 1986 National Amusements, closed all of their Toledo Area drive-ins. Thank god we still have the Field of Dreams and the Sundance (AKA Parkside) going great!!Thanks for the update Chuck!!