I was there once in the early 70’s – I remember it as the most beautiful drive-in I had ever been to – a long, long drive through the pines from the marquee on the highway and, once past the boxoffice, you’re suddenly in a clearing in the pines and there’s the screen – no ambient light, clear bright picture, great movie-going experience…except for the movie, which I can’t seem to recall…what WAS I preoccupied with?
Don, I believe the date on that pic is about two years off, as the Leo was demo’d in 1953, according to a Dallas Times-Herald article covering the demo. I will try and locate that pic and post it if I can. This photo was obviously taken just prior to the razing, as the marquee is deteriorating.
BTW, even after its reopening as the Leo, with a big vertical sign stradling the marquee (already dismantled in this view), the new owners never covered up the old Queen sign painted on the west side of the building. Guess they figured everybody in Dallas at that time knew, so why cover it up?
In the 70’s, when this drive-in had switched to showing skin-flicks, I seem to recall some major traffic jams due to accidents on R.L. Thornton Expwy caused (so it was said) by drivers paying too much attention to what was on the screen and not what was on the road!
I am wondering if the opening of the Major (aka Lido), at 2830 Samuell Blvd (just a couple of blocks east of this theater) around 1950 directly led to the closing of the East Grand the following year.
Also, a poster on another nostalgia site dedicated to Dallas corrected me the other day when I referred to this theater as the EAST Grand – he said there was no “EAST” to it, it was just the GRAND; anybody know any of this for sure?
Did the opening of this theater lead to the closing of the East Grand (which closed in 1951, according to a poster on the East Grand page /theaters/27561/),,) which was located just a couple blocks west at the intersection of Samuell and Grand?
I was in this theater several times in the late 60’s and very early 70’s – I believe its seating capacity was considerably more than 500 seats, perhaps half again that number, but no more than that.
Status should be changed to Closed/Demolished. Where this small walk-in once stood is clearly visible, as the concrete floor and surrounding walls remain, but the space is open to the air and used as a parking lot for a bridal shop immediately adjacent to the NW.
I was born in Kingsville, and was taken to this theater many times (spent many times in the cry room at the top of the balcony!) As I recall from my later visits in the 60’s, it was quite beautiful inside.
Does anyone have any info on Kingsville’s three drive-ins, all quite active up to at least the mid-60’s?
I believe they were all on old hwy 77 – south of town was the Brahma, and north of town were the King and the El Rancho (Spanish-language movies only).
An aerial shot from 1958 (http://www.historicaerials.com/default.aspx?poi=8237) seems to show a standard-width screen tower, as in pre-1953 days. What might appear to be extensions to the width do not, on second glance, appear to reach the top of the tower. My memory might be correct.
I want to say that this theater never installed a cinemascope screen; reason I say this is because we saw How The West Was Won in its suburban run here, which would have been close to the time the drive-in closed. Both ends of the picture were lopped off and we could see only the center. From my mom’s story about that night, most of the other people there would not have noticed, or cared much if they did. Could it be true that this theater went 10 years without installing a wide screen?
An absolutely lovely theater – saw Spartacus here in its second run engagement in 1960 or ‘61; continued to visit occassionally over the years. Last time I was there was in 1972 or 73 for a second-run double-feature of Serpico and Save The Tiger – my God, after 3-4 hours of such cynicism, my date and I walked out utterly depressed! It was definitely time for some coffee & cheesecake at Phil’s Delicatessen on up around the corner. Glad they were open all nite!
Had it not been for this theater in the 70’s, I would never have been able to see some of the great classics of Hollywood’s golden age in new 35mm prints – wonderful management, great sound and projection. Video, of course, killed off the market for revival houses, but the upside is I now own most of those films! Oh, well, at least the building survives. I wish it well.
Only time I was inside was to see the exclusive first-run of The Cowboys with John Wayne – presentation was 70mm – sound and projection were wonderful. Seats were VERY comfortable. Decor understated but elegant. Location – – – TERRIBLE!
Name of this drive-in was Denton Road, not just Denton. Owned by same outfit that owned the Garland Road (which was later razed to make room for McLendon’s Apollo Twin) and the Hampton Road Drive-Ins.
ennis, I can answer some of your questions – TOWER opened Ben-Hur, King of Kings, El Cid, Mutiny on the Bounty, My Fair Lady, Great Race, Agony & Ecstacy, The Bible, Doctor Dolittle; CAPRI (nee MELBA) opened Spartacus, The Alamo, How The West Was Won, Mad, Mad World, Circus World, 55 Days at Peking, Khartoum; INWOOD opened Sound of Music and Hawaii; WILSHIRE opened Sand Pebbles and Paint Your Wagon; UA CINE 150 opened Funny Girl; ESQUIRE opened The Cardinal and Lawrence of Arabia; NORTHPARK CINEMA 1&2 opened Doctor Zhivago (can’t remember which auditorium) and just don’t remember the other openings, tho' the TOWER or CAPRI likely opened The Longest Day.
I was there once in the early 70’s – I remember it as the most beautiful drive-in I had ever been to – a long, long drive through the pines from the marquee on the highway and, once past the boxoffice, you’re suddenly in a clearing in the pines and there’s the screen – no ambient light, clear bright picture, great movie-going experience…except for the movie, which I can’t seem to recall…what WAS I preoccupied with?
Bob, here is a photo of the Garland Plaza –
View link
Upshot of all this is: I don’t think we have a pic of the old Plaza Theater that used to be across the street from North Dallas High School.
Name should be spelled “Ascarate.” I’m an old El Paso hand.
Don, I believe the date on that pic is about two years off, as the Leo was demo’d in 1953, according to a Dallas Times-Herald article covering the demo. I will try and locate that pic and post it if I can. This photo was obviously taken just prior to the razing, as the marquee is deteriorating.
BTW, even after its reopening as the Leo, with a big vertical sign stradling the marquee (already dismantled in this view), the new owners never covered up the old Queen sign painted on the west side of the building. Guess they figured everybody in Dallas at that time knew, so why cover it up?
In the 70’s, when this drive-in had switched to showing skin-flicks, I seem to recall some major traffic jams due to accidents on R.L. Thornton Expwy caused (so it was said) by drivers paying too much attention to what was on the screen and not what was on the road!
That ad nails it, Chuck – East Grand it is! Should’ve checked it first. Thanks.
Hey, Mike, thanks for the info – you don’t happen to have the addresses or approximate locations of those drive-ins, do you?
Rmoreno – do you have any info. on Kingsville’s three drive-in’s – the Brahma, the King, and the El Rancho?
Also, do you remember what block of East Kleberg the Rialto was located in?
Thanks.
Rmoreno – do you have any info. on Kingsville’s three drive-in’s – the Brahma, the King, and the El Rancho?
Also, do you remember what block of East Kleberg the Rialto was located in?
Thanks.
I am wondering if the opening of the Major (aka Lido), at 2830 Samuell Blvd (just a couple of blocks east of this theater) around 1950 directly led to the closing of the East Grand the following year.
Also, a poster on another nostalgia site dedicated to Dallas corrected me the other day when I referred to this theater as the EAST Grand – he said there was no “EAST” to it, it was just the GRAND; anybody know any of this for sure?
Did the opening of this theater lead to the closing of the East Grand (which closed in 1951, according to a poster on the East Grand page /theaters/27561/),,) which was located just a couple blocks west at the intersection of Samuell and Grand?
Did the opening of this theater lead to the closing of the East Grand, just a couple blocks west at the intersection of Samuell and Grand?
I was in this theater several times in the late 60’s and very early 70’s – I believe its seating capacity was considerably more than 500 seats, perhaps half again that number, but no more than that.
Status should be changed to Closed/Demolished. Where this small walk-in once stood is clearly visible, as the concrete floor and surrounding walls remain, but the space is open to the air and used as a parking lot for a bridal shop immediately adjacent to the NW.
IIRC, it was red.
This theater was formerly known as the Cinderella.
I was born in Kingsville, and was taken to this theater many times (spent many times in the cry room at the top of the balcony!) As I recall from my later visits in the 60’s, it was quite beautiful inside.
Does anyone have any info on Kingsville’s three drive-ins, all quite active up to at least the mid-60’s?
I believe they were all on old hwy 77 – south of town was the Brahma, and north of town were the King and the El Rancho (Spanish-language movies only).
An aerial shot from 1958 (http://www.historicaerials.com/default.aspx?poi=8237) seems to show a standard-width screen tower, as in pre-1953 days. What might appear to be extensions to the width do not, on second glance, appear to reach the top of the tower. My memory might be correct.
I want to say that this theater never installed a cinemascope screen; reason I say this is because we saw How The West Was Won in its suburban run here, which would have been close to the time the drive-in closed. Both ends of the picture were lopped off and we could see only the center. From my mom’s story about that night, most of the other people there would not have noticed, or cared much if they did. Could it be true that this theater went 10 years without installing a wide screen?
An absolutely lovely theater – saw Spartacus here in its second run engagement in 1960 or ‘61; continued to visit occassionally over the years. Last time I was there was in 1972 or 73 for a second-run double-feature of Serpico and Save The Tiger – my God, after 3-4 hours of such cynicism, my date and I walked out utterly depressed! It was definitely time for some coffee & cheesecake at Phil’s Delicatessen on up around the corner. Glad they were open all nite!
Had it not been for this theater in the 70’s, I would never have been able to see some of the great classics of Hollywood’s golden age in new 35mm prints – wonderful management, great sound and projection. Video, of course, killed off the market for revival houses, but the upside is I now own most of those films! Oh, well, at least the building survives. I wish it well.
Only time I was inside was to see the exclusive first-run of The Cowboys with John Wayne – presentation was 70mm – sound and projection were wonderful. Seats were VERY comfortable. Decor understated but elegant. Location – – – TERRIBLE!
Ran is correct about the name – originally owned by the same group that owned the Denton Road and the Garland Road Drive-Ins
Name of this drive-in was Denton Road, not just Denton. Owned by same outfit that owned the Garland Road (which was later razed to make room for McLendon’s Apollo Twin) and the Hampton Road Drive-Ins.
ennis, I can answer some of your questions – TOWER opened Ben-Hur, King of Kings, El Cid, Mutiny on the Bounty, My Fair Lady, Great Race, Agony & Ecstacy, The Bible, Doctor Dolittle; CAPRI (nee MELBA) opened Spartacus, The Alamo, How The West Was Won, Mad, Mad World, Circus World, 55 Days at Peking, Khartoum; INWOOD opened Sound of Music and Hawaii; WILSHIRE opened Sand Pebbles and Paint Your Wagon; UA CINE 150 opened Funny Girl; ESQUIRE opened The Cardinal and Lawrence of Arabia; NORTHPARK CINEMA 1&2 opened Doctor Zhivago (can’t remember which auditorium) and just don’t remember the other openings, tho' the TOWER or CAPRI likely opened The Longest Day.