Dell-Kern Drive-In

29750 Merced Avenue,
Shafter, CA 93263

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50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on March 7, 2026 at 1:38 pm

The screen was visible in the 1984 aerial view but its most likely that the screen collapsed to the ground at the time it was taken.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on March 5, 2026 at 1:13 pm

Facebook user Lee Fox wrote that the Del-Kern opened on Sept. 6, 1950.

First sighting in the directories was in the 1950-51 Theatre Catalog: “Del Kern Dr. Exec: Panero Ct. (M12-C375-D7)”

Hyphenated or not, please note the single L.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on December 28, 2025 at 5:49 pm

Still open in the 1970s, but appears that it closed later that decade. A 1984 aerial view shows the drive-in with its screen and projection/concession booth but the traces were barely visible.

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on November 5, 2018 at 8:09 am

Opened with “Dakota Lil” and “Oh you beautiful doll”.

dansdriveintheater
dansdriveintheater on November 4, 2018 at 11:25 pm

a picture of the projectors booth!

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on November 4, 2018 at 7:24 pm

Why the name Dell-Kern?

Drive-In 54
Drive-In 54 on November 4, 2018 at 6:29 pm

What is that photo of??

dansdriveintheater
dansdriveintheater on November 4, 2018 at 5:04 pm

as of febuary 2018 the projectors booth still exists