Owen Open Air Theatre
Goodhope,
MO
65608
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Owen Open Air Theatre was a drive-in opened by George Owen in June 1950 with Chief Thundercloud in “Call of the Forest”. The venue was located just off of Highway 76 outside of Goodhope township about 11 miles southwest of Ava.
The theatre offered both films and flying lessons. When it opened for the 1952 season, the drive-in had all new equipment. It closed for the season on November 1, 1954 where admission was a 2-for-1 if you brought an egg in what they called, “Egg Night.” Final film was Esther Williams in “Texas Carnival” supported by the Barney Bear cartoon, “The Bear Who Couldn’t Sleep”."
The drive-in opened the next season in Mansfield, Missouri (which has its own page on Cinema Treasures).
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
Correction: Owen’s Open Air Theatre was a drive-in opened by George Owen on June, 1950 with Chief Thundercloud in “Call of the Forest” supported by the Looney Tunes' cartoon, “Frigid Hare.”
I can find no trace of any drive in around the Goodhope area from a 1955 aerial photo. It’s possible that the drive in was only an open field with no ramps.
However, if flying lessons were also being given, I would expect to see a grass airstrip. And I see no trace of that nor of any buildings large enough to shelter a plane.
I’m not doubting the drive in or air strip existed, but a more accurate address will be needed for confirmation. Especially since a 1955 aerial of good quality should show something.