Red Rock Drive-In
190 Taylor Lane,
Chinook,
MT
59523
190 Taylor Lane,
Chinook,
MT
59523
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We have overwhelming evidence that the Red Rock opened in May 1957. (kennerado, I presume you found that date in the Great Falls Tribune.) So what should we make of the aerial photo I just posted, showing a small drive-in at 190 Taylor Lane in 1956? If HistoricAerials is accurate, Herb Bonifas built his drive-in well in advance of its opening date.
And according to Google Earth, the original projection building and screen are still there.
opened on May 22nd, 1957.
Boxoffice, May 11, 1957: “CHINOOK, MONT. – Three people in this area were winners in a contest … for naming the new drive-in theatre at the west side of town. Red Rock is the name chosen for the new drive-in.” (The winner and two other entrants, suggesting Spur and Many Moons, won annual passes.)
Boxoffice, June 15, 1957: “Chinook’s newest enterprise, the Red Rock Drive-in Theatre, was opened to the public recently for the first time by Herb Bonifas. The Red Rock, which will accommodate 200 cars, is equipped with RCA sound and has a CinemaScope screen.”
The Dec. 12, 1977 Boxoffice ran an obituary of Herbert Bonifas, who “built the Blaine Theatre, a 450-seat house, in 1948. This replaced the Orpheum and Gem Theatres opened in 1911 by his father-in-law, Johnnie Griffin. The Red Rock Drive-In was opened in 1957. When land was needed for a rest home in the community, he gave part of the Drive-In acreage for it, and when it was built, he wired in sound for the benefit of the guests who had a clear view of the screen. In 1973 he sold the theatres to Leon Eliason and retired”.
Now Triple T Truck Sales.
The address for this Drive-in is now 190 Taylor Ln, Chinook MT 59523.
Please update.