Mt. Clemens Drive-In
45360 N. Gratiot Avenue,
Macomb,
MI
48042
45360 N. Gratiot Avenue,
Macomb,
MI
48042
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The Mt. Clemens Drive-In was one of the last of the single-screen drive-in’s in southeastern Michigan when it closed in 1996 (leaving the Ford-Wyoming Drive-In in Dearborn the sole survivor). Opened April 18, 1952 with Randolph Scott in “Fort Worth”, Errol Flynn in “The Sea Hawk” & Lon Chaney Jr. in “The Mummy’s Ghost”. This drive-in (built for the Mutual circuit) originally could accommodate about 1,000 cars, but was increased to 1,200 by the 1970’s.
It was demolished around 1998 or 1999, and an auto dealership now occupies the site.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
The Mt.Clemens Drive-In was in Southeastern Michigan, not Southwestern Michigan.
The Mt.Clemens Drive-In still survives. It was removed form the site when the Drive-In was torn down to be replaced by a large car dealership.
The Van Dyke Drive-In shared it’s property with the “The Butterfly” aka the Van Dyke Sports Center.
when the owner passed away the daughter wanted to keep it open but the sons wanted to sell it. the owner of the ford wyoming tried in vain to buy the drive in but the sons wanted too much money.
Here is a 1987 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/dgvuzv
Excuse me Mr. lexmarks567, I just happened to run across this site this morning and may I ask your source for this uncanny bit of information. “when the owner passed away the daughter wanted to keep it open but the sons wanted to sell it. the owner of the ford wyoming tried in vain to buy the drive in but the sons wanted too much money.†If you want the truth about the Mt. Clemens Drive In, ask me. Sincerely, Joseph Ellul Jr., past President, Mt. Clemens Drive In Theater
Still does not map correctly. Use 24777 Hall Road. Now Milne Ford.
April 18th, 1952 grand opening ad in photo section
It was not on Hall Road as noted above. It was on Gratiot, south of Hall Road (M-59). The map location is also incorrect. A former Dodge dealer is on the site now, or in the same general area. More detailed information:
http://www.waterwinterwonderland.com/driveintheaters.aspx?id=74&Type=1
The current address where the Mt Clemens Drive In theatre once stood is 45360 N Gratiot, Macomb, Michigan 48042-5442. The original address was 45360 N Gratiot, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043. Simply copy and paste the current address into MapQuest or better yet use the Google Earth street view for a closer look. For whatever reason the address will not open in Google Maps. Russ Milne Ford now occupies the 18 acres that the theatre used for almost fifty years on the North West corner of Gratiot and Hall Rd (M59). If you look at the old aerial photograph (the last picture on the Winter Wonderland web page noted above) you can see how the theatre and the Big Boy restaurant, on the corner of Hall and Gratiot, came together. Our property lines went from the corner of Gratiot and Hall Rd extending West down Hall Rd to a (now closed) road that was called Snover that use to connect Hall Rd and Gratiot. The road has been relocated further West and is now called Marketplace Blvd. The Northern most property line ended just past the theatre exit encompassing about twenty-two acres. Thank you for your interest in my families business. Should you have any other questions please feel free to contact me at EllulEnterprises.com Joseph Ellul Jr., past President Mt. Clemens Drive-In Theatre.
Opened with “Fort Worth” and “The sea hornet” and “Mommys ghost”.
Closed in 1996. Site is now occupied by various businesses.