Big Sky Drive-In

The Screen/Drive-In built prior to Cinemascope /Widescreen (1953) was in the old 1:37-1 Format which is why it looks more Vertically Square. When the Projectionist recieved a Scope/Widescreen Print he would have to change the aperature plate in the projector to compensate for tthe intended wider width. Consequently most movie goers weren’t aware that what they were seeing or not seeing was cropped. If they used a Scope Aperature plate which was usually a 2:35-1 ratio the picture would be off the Screen. The Motor-Vu which was built prior to the City-Vu in 1948 did widen their Screen in the Mid 50’s when more feature films were being shot in Widescreen Format. In fact the Motor-Vu Screen after the Addition was the Lrgest Screen in Montana …

Elaborating on Drivein101’s note, here’s a quote from Boxoffice, Sept. 24, 1979: “Theatre Operators Inc., headquartered in Bozeman, Mont., held a special celebration to mark the closing of its Big Sky Drive-In Theatre in Billings, Mont. The Big Sky is being dismantled and the ground will be used for the construction of a new Holiday Inn Motel. The final program was called a "Chicken Little Night” because the Big Sky is falling."

The Big Sky Drive-In opened on June 10th, 1965. Grand opening ad in the photo section. Closing year to come.