Diane Drive-In

1950N and Colt Road,
Carlinville, IL 62626

300 cars

Unfavorite 3 people favorited this theater

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Frisina Amusement Company

Nearby Theaters

Diane Drive-In

The Diane Drive-In opened on May 24, 1952, and could originally accommodate 300 cars. It had a very large screen and a stylish, neon-lit marquee.

It was owned by the same family which operated the indoor Marvel Theater, also in Carlinville. After being damaged in a 1978 fire, the original screen was replaced by a smaller and less-elaborate one.

The Diane Drive-In closed in 1981, but is still more or less intact.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 11 comments)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on September 5, 2009 at 8:58 pm

Some additional photos on this page:
http://tinyurl.com/lrydnz

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on September 5, 2009 at 9:00 pm

There are some great shots on Flickr as well, but so as not to aggravate your various neuroses I will leave those unposted.

rivest266
rivest266 on June 11, 2012 at 8:12 pm

1975 USGS photo in the photo section for this theatre.

Drive-In 54
Drive-In 54 on June 11, 2012 at 10:02 pm

Looks like it could be reopened!!

jwmovies
jwmovies on September 26, 2012 at 2:03 am

Approx. location for this drive-in was Hwy 108 and Colt Rd.

Kenmore
Kenmore on September 28, 2015 at 12:01 pm

A closer address is 12470 IL-108, Carlinville, IL. The drive-in sits just to the west of that location. http://tinyurl.com/qcdbegd

It is remarkable that after nearly 35 years the drive-in is still in such remarkable shape even if the screen could use some work. The land also appears to be for sale as well.

gmasherry
gmasherry on October 27, 2015 at 12:58 am

My hubby & I went to many shows at this drive in back in the 70s when were dating! Fun times!

Kenmore
Kenmore on May 25, 2017 at 4:54 pm

An even closer address is 1950N and Colt Road, Carlinville, IL. The drive-in sits on the north side of the intersection.

A little work on the screen, some mowing, and a new projector and it appears this drive-in could be re-opened even after all these years. http://tinyurl.com/mygbpwk

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on June 19, 2021 at 12:48 pm

The Diane’s first ad in Springfield’s Daily Illinois State Journal, in the classifieds under “Carlinville Ads”, was on May 24, 1952. “The new Diane Drive-In Theatre, 1 ½ miles west of Carlinville! 2 shows nightly - rain or clear! First show at dusk! Adults, 50c; children under 12 free in cars.”

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.