Mustang Drive-In
7301 Park Boulevard N,
Pinellas Park,
FL
33781
7301 Park Boulevard N,
Pinellas Park,
FL
33781
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Yes, it does show both CinemaScope and flat films.
I asked way back and nobody answered me. Did this theater with the large screen have true scope and flat presentations?
The Mustang Drive-In was twinned in 1980 with a second smaller screen just north of the larger main screen, and the Mustang closed for the final time on January 27, 1994 with “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “The Beverly Hillbillies” at Screen 1 and “Sister Act 2” and “Look Who’s Talking Now” at Screen 2 as its last films.
Higher quality grand opening ad at
Found on Newspapers.com
A/C unit photo added courtesy of Lynda Porter Smith.
Can anyone tell me if this theater had true scope on the screen it looked very large. I know it was a Floyd theater and they were known for always wanting the full screen so scope features were off in outer space and the bushes. I hated it
Love this site! I visited the Flea Market in this location as a kid quite frequently. Didn’t move to the area until 1994, but as far as I know, there were no showings. The flea market actually moved just down the street where the Wagon Wheel Flea Market sits, and they still use the Mustang Flea Market signage. I’m still in the area if anyone would like updated pictures of what some of these theatres became.
Andy is correct in his assumption. The Mustang was originally a single screen theatre with two projectors and arc lamps. Later when they no longer had a union projectionist, they added the second screen. Both the screen and the second projection booth were very cheap plywood construction. I worked there as a relief operator from new to just before they made it a twin.
Added some pictures and screen shots from FloridaDriveIns You Tube Videos…Great job FL DI’S
This opened on June 8th, 1966. I posted the grand opening ad here.
Video from 1996: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0i0kcyJaOc
No, you’re not crazy. I’ve heard there were two screens as well. When I visited the site in circa 2000, only one was standing. Perhaps the second one was a cheap addition later on and it was removed?
I may be crazy, and correct me if I’m wrong, but in 1984 when I attended a showing of Psycho II, I thought there were 2 screens at the Mustang. The main screen and another opposite on the other side of the concession building. I do remember they mixed up the reels. Made for an interesting showing!
Thanks Nick,Saw the pictures.
Well, you know Nick he will come through for us.Wish Robin would have I sent her quite a few pictures.
Looking foward to seeing them.
I found the movie ads you might get them before you read this,Mailed them June12 2010.
Nick, forget it.Doggone it,I had those ads in my hands just a couple of days ago and thought these need to be on CT not in my theatre album.I took them out and i think they got tossed in my stack of movie ads which pile up to the size of the Atlanta phonebook.That many.When i come across them i will get them down to you in Fla.I should have taken the time to put them in a place where i could find them.
I think the “SCARS OF DRACULA” had Christopher Lee in it.Maybe Peter Cushing? Since we are never on at the same time i submitted the PAL THEATRE in Fairfax,S.C. it is on CT now.Check it out i left you a post and i dropped a letter in the mail to the Nobles.
Thanks Mike. I’ll post the DALE MABRY ads as soon as I receive them. The Mustang really impressed me. The largest outdoor screen I had ever seen and not to mention air conditioning! Tampa never had a drive-in with a/c. “Night of the Living Dead” was part of a triple feature program along with “Scars of Dracula.” I’m not certain about the third feature but it may have been something like “Twins of Evil.”
I love seeing Double features at Drive-ins.Someone outta make a book about the movies.Nick, you saw “TORA,TORA,TORA” and “100 RIFLES” a WWII movie and a western one G rated the other R rated.What was playing with" NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD “,? "YOURS,MINE & OURS” okay,just kidding,but i have seen some strange double and triple features on old drive-in ads.Speaking of ads I am sending those back you sent me from the DALE-MARBY DRIVE-in to put on CT for everyone to enjoy. Hope you see this.
The Mustang was a large and very nice drive-in with the biggest screen in the area measuring 120-feet wide. Several rows were equipped with A/C units at the bottom of the speaker poles. For an extra 50-cents you could watch the movie in air conditioned comfort via a hose that pumped cool air into your car. All windows were fully rolled up except one which was rolled almost to the top leaving just enough room for the hose. An attendant would activate the unit and place the hose in the opening.
I drove over from Tampa around 1971 to see “Night of the Living Dead.” On another trip I saw “Tora Tora Tora” and “100 Rifles.” The drive-in was later twinned with a second (and much smaller) screen added at the back of the lot. As noted above after the drive-in closed it became known as the Mustang Flea Market for several years.
Picture of the concession stand and projection booth.