Derrick Drive-In
25714 U.S. 2,
Cut Bank,
MT
59427
25714 U.S. 2,
Cut Bank,
MT
59427
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previous Names: Ranch Auto Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Derrick Drive-In was located SE of the town sitting on the south side of US Highway 2.
It opened in June 1950 as the Ranch Auto Theatre. The Derrick Drive-In was still operating in 1969, but closed at some point afterwards and was demolished.
Today, a lumber yard appears to be on the site with no trace of the drive-in left save perhaps for the projector booth/concession stand.
Contributed by
Ken McElhaney
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
I’m guessing that this grand opening note from the July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice is about the same drive-in.
CUT BANK, MONT. – The Ranch Auto Theatre on Route 2 between Cut Bank and Shelby recently was opened. Partners in the project are J. E. Kelly, W. G. Harkins and Jim Schollard.
So there were two Derrick Drive-Ins? Boxoffice, July 15, 1974: “Interstate Amusement, based in Twin Falls, Ida., and owned by Roy Roper, has leased the Roxy Theater and North Star Drive-In here (in Shelby MT), along with the State Theatre and Derrick Drive-In at Cut Bank, Mont., and the Orpheum Theatre and Star Drive-In at Conrad, Mont. … HMK Corp. constructed the area’s first drive-in about 1950 between Cut Bank and Shelby. It was closed in 1954, when the corporation built drive-ins in Shelby and Cut Bank. The ozoner at Conrad was purchased in 1956.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 4, 1952: “Mrs. Theo Kluth has purchased the Ranch Auto Theatre between Shelby and Cut Bank, Mont., from J. E. Kelly and W. G. Hawkins. The Kluth interests took over operation early last month, with Hawkins continuing as manager.”
The concession building absolutely remains, you get a good look from google street view. Its a double story deal with the projection booth on top.