Pingelly Drive-In
3 Paragon Street,
Pingelly,
WA
6308
3 Paragon Street,
Pingelly,
WA
6308
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The Pingelly Drive-In was built by major theatre circuit owner R.A. Yelland of Consolidated Theatres with a capacity of 220-cars. The theatre was opened by Mr. W.A. Manning M.L.A. on the evening of 28th April 1966 with “Flipper” and “Murder Ahoy” playing to a packed house. Mr. Yelland was congratulated on his endeavours. During the ensuing years there was an ongoing lease and rent dispute between Bob Yelland and the landlord ‘The Shire of Pingelly’. Later Consolidated Theatres leased the drive-in to Benito & Anna Parri. Both Benito & Anna were well versed in running cinemas and international live promotion. The Pingelly Drive-In proved to be popular with the local residents and traded very well. Benito was often seen at the drive-in operating the projection booth. As time progressed, distance and increased business commitments became a problem with the Parri family and the drive-in returned to Consolidated Theatres. A new lease was negotiated with a Mr. Larry O'Brien. The theatre continued trading in the mid-1980’s with attendances falling because of the in-roads of television. The final exhibitor to operate the drive-in was John Marsden and the Marsden family. The lease & rent dispute continued until the final days of the theatre. The drive-in was finally closed in (approximately) 1988.
Residents were saddened to see the truck arrive and strip out the projection booth, refrigeration and associated fittings. All that was left was the screen, empty buildings and speaker posts. The drive-in is often mentioned on Facebook by the residents of Pingelly, who over the years had gathered many happy memories during its period of operation. Peter Narducci local resident and historian is often mentioned as a friend of the drive-in, and should be acknowledged as one of the contributing factors to its ongoing success. It is believed that the location is now used by the Shire department (Shire of Pingelly).
Contributed by
David Coppock
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
The Pingelly Drive-in was opened by Mr W. A. Manning M.L.A. Member for Narrogin.
The site is now the Shire of Pingelly depot. Address is Stone Street, bound by Murdoch Street and Paragon Street.
Closedvin circa early 1980’s. Reopened by John marsden in circa early 1980’s.
correct address is 3 Paragon St, Pingelly WA 6308
There is a video on You Tube about this drive-in theatre - Pingelly Drive-in Cinema.