Skylark Drive-In
2726 W. Towne Street,
Glendive,
MT
59330
2726 W. Towne Street,
Glendive,
MT
59330
2 people
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There were two drive-ins in Glendive, the Skylark and the Star-Lit, later shortened to Starlit.
The 1951 Film Daily Year Book listed both the Skylark and the “Star-Lite” under Glendive.
The Oct. 5, 1952 edition of the Glendive Daily Ranger noted that “The San Francisco Story” was playing at the Star-Lit Drive-in Theater, and “Room For One More” was showing at the Skylark Outdoor Theatre.
An accident report put the Skylark near then-US 10 and a county road, and a speed limit change mentioned that it was in West Glendive. Both match the 2726 W. Towne Street address.
A vandalism report put the Star-Lit’s neon sign “just west of the Yellowstone River bridge”. That matches the position of a drive-in shown in a 1956 aerial photo. By 1965, it had been razed. Its modern-day position is just east of the parking lot of a grocery store at 307 Harmon St.
An obituary for Lewis Moore indicated that he was operating the Skylark and the Rose and Uptown Theatres in the 1940s.
Now Knoll’s Ready Mix, as noted above the site appears pretty much still complete in a 2016 aerial photo with screen, concession building and ticket box still present.
If it’s the same drive-in, it was Star-Lit for quite a while. Boxoffice, May 19, 1958: “GLENDIVE, MONT. – Bill Johnson, owner of the Star-Lit Drive-In announced the purchase of the theatre by Henry Hochhalter of Hardin for about $45,000.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 2, 1976: “BTL Theatre Service has taken over the buying and booking for the Rose Theatre and the Skylark Drive-In, Glendive, Mont. The theatres are owned by Lewis Moore.”
I wonder whether this note, from the June 3, 1950 issue of BoxOffice, is relevant:
GLENDIVE, MONT. – Bob and Bill Johnson have opened the new Star-Lit Drive-In, first local outdoor theatre. The theatre accommodates 300 cars.
Found it. 2726 W. Towne Street. The screen & concession stand, projector booth is still up. https://goo.gl/maps/DFY4u