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 6, 2009 at 1:58 am

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

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on September 6, 2009 at 2:00 am

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 12, 2012 at 1:12 am

1975 USGS photo in the photo section for this theatre.

Drive-In 54
Drive-In 54 on June 12, 2012 at 3:02 am

Looks like it could be reopened!!

jwmovies
jwmovies on September 26, 2012 at 7:03 am

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

Kenmore
Kenmore on September 28, 2015 at 5:01 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 4:58 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 9:54 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 5:48 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.”

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