Falls Motor Vu Drive-In
4300 2nd Avenue N.,
Great Falls,
MT
59405
4300 2nd Avenue N.,
Great Falls,
MT
59405
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The Falls Motor Vu Drive-In was opened May 13, 1949. In 1955 it was operated by George Buzzas & L.A. Donahue. In July 1975 it was taken over by Carisch Theatres who closed it on September 3, 1978.
Contributed by
Chris1982
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
Found It!
According to the topo maps, the drive-in sat at 1123 4th St S, Great Falls, Mt. Today, there is a Holiday Inn on the property with no trace of the drive-in remaining. http://tinyurl.com/zcx285m
May 13th, 1949 grand opening ad in the photo section.
Closed September 3, 1978 after “Close Encounters” and “You Light Up My Life”. The original screen tower burned down June 18, 1956 and was closed while building a new tower.
Address Correction
The Falls Motor Vu Drive-In was actually located on the east side of town per the opening ad page. Its address is 4300 2nd Ave N, Great Falls, MT.
Today, The Home Place, a business that sells prefabricated homes sits on the property. However, you can still see the ramps, entrance, and foundations of the projection booth/concession stand and screen. http://tinyurl.com/zxyjmwr
Looks like The Home Place actually uses the base and the poles from the original marquee for their sign.
Boxoffice, Aug. 11, 1975: “Carisch Theatres, headquartered in Wayzata, Minn., has assumed ownership of five theatres in Great Falls, Mont. The transaction was effective in mid-July and included the Twilight cinemas 1 and 2, the Twilight Drive-In, the Liberty Theatre, the Fox Holiday Theatre and the Falls Motor Vue Drive-In.”
Boxoffice, June 23, 1956: “Fire destroyed the $20,000 screen at the Falls Motor Vu Drive-In shortly before opening time on a recent Monday night. Owner-Manager L. A. Donohue said the 60x108-foot screen, a total loss, is insured for $20,000. Donohue said he believed the fire may have been started by children playing behind the screen, as four children came from the vicinity of the screen about 7:55 p.m. and told him it was on fire. The blaze was out of control before fire trucks arrived.”