Sunset Drive-In
1700 Arenal Road SW,
Albuquerque,
NM
87105
1700 Arenal Road SW,
Albuquerque,
NM
87105
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I found a final-er ad for the Sunset in the Albuquerque Journal. Now I’d say that the last one was on Sept. 1, 1990, showing “Gremlins II”.
And I may have found the slightly misspelled D. Armino.
Albuquerque Journal, May 12, 2009: “The Sunset opened in the early ‘50s, built by a hard-working couple, Marlin and Carrie Butler, who years later, coincidentally became Caroline’s (Armijo Butler, 60) in-laws. Opened a wholesome family place, the Butlers did, and poured their hearts into it, till 1967 … Caroline’s father, David Armijo, owned the land. All the rest – exit signs, popcorn machine, restrooms, was leased.”
An April, 2021 Google Street view shows the entire area has been cleared. A building has been constructed near the former location of the concession stand/projection booth. And a house has been built in the NW corner.
The screen and marquee still stands, although the marquee is still in relatively poor condition.
I guess that D. Armino reopened the Sunset (if it had closed) in 1987. That’s when I started seeing English-language movie ads for the Sunset, and would account for the Motion Picture Almanac listing in 1988. The final ad I found was for “Die Hard” and “License To Drive” on Sept. 25, 1988.
An Albuquerque Tribune columnist wrote in Nov. 2, 1995 noted that the Sunset was still standing “as it had for years, though locked behind barbed wire and chain-link fence, unkempt and neglected … A plywood sign on the ticket booth said, “Open May 31.” “
Boxoffice, Aug. 12, 1968: Marlin Butler has sold the Sunset Drive-In at Albuquerque, N.M., to Commonwealth-Frontier Theatres, headquartered in Kansas City.
Motion Picture Herald, Dec. 15, 1951: “Marlin Butler opening new 500-car drive-in, Albuquerque, N. M., called the Sunset. The theatre will operate year around.”
An ad in the July 11, 1981 Albuquerque Journal showed the Sunset under the Commonwealth banner showing a Spanish-language film.
Journal ads for the Sunset in 1987 and 1988, not under Commonwealth, listed English-language movies. I couldn’t find any similar ads in 1989.
Motion Picture Almanac drive-in list summary for the Sunset:
Opened with “Thats my boy” and “Streets of Laredo”.
brought by a chicago couple who will turn into a farm which will also have a farm to table restraunt and yes they plan on showing films!
https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/farm-to-open-at-old-south-valley-drive-in/1183473256
The owner was active enough recently to turn down a request “to project a message of love on its tattered screen,” according to a Valentine’s Day 2018 article in the Albuquerque Journal.
The good ol' Sunset Drive In. I worked there during the 80’s when I was in high school. Good times.
This opened on November 28th, 1951. Grand opening ad in photo section.
how can i meet the owners of this location? this place has had my heart all my life.
DIT2001…I just thinking that. I have no information on it. I have seen where the owners have shut a DI down and put it hibernation/fenced for security for a few years to reopen it later on.
hispeed54.. Great News! Where did you get this information? Thanx! RAC Photography ..
Maybe down the road they are thinking about reopening it in the future.
A couple of Photos of the Sunset Drive In Theatre Seen here & Seen here .. Randy A Carlisle – Historical Photography
It parked between 250 and 500 cars and was owned in 1956 by Martin Butler.