Thank you very much for your story, David, and for confirming the appearance of the clown’s head on the screen tower. In doing some quick Googling, you either saw ‘Godzilla, King of the Monsters!’, which was released in 1956, or ‘Gigantis, the Fire Monster’, which was released in 1959. I highly recommend a trip to the Dallas Public Library in downtown, as you’ll find some fascinating movie ads and drive-in theatres now long gone. Good luck on your search, and please let us know what you find out!
Raymj, all of the drive-in theatres in Fort Worth have been demolished and/or paved and built over with new structures (Wal-Mart, strip mall, etc.), except for the Meadowbrook. It’s screen tower and box office (including it’s sign) are still in existence. I believe the property is owned by Waste Management Services, as the old lot now holds garbage dumpsters. It sounds like an intriguing idea you have. Good luck!
Yakima, I am VERY impressed with your research on drive-in theatres. I’m interested in your findings. Please contact me at your convenience. Thank you.
OUTSTANDING, Fwkid! In the July 25, 1953 issue of BOXOFFICE magazine, there’s a two-thirds page article describing the opening of the Fort Worth Twin, complete with three photographs, including the screen tower. The article states that it was opened by the C.D. Leon Theatres circuit, and the original architect for the theater was Harvey A. Jordan of Arlington, who also designed the Cowtown Drive-In.
Also, on the Historic Aerials website, the original screen towers can be seen as late as 1963, but by 1970, were converted over to the Stran-Steel structures. And I believe that by the time of the conversion in the ‘60s, the theatre was owned by Stanley Warner Theatres (which also owned the Corral and Westside Drive-Ins), and was later sold to Texas Southwest Theatres.
EXCELLENT post, Fwkid, and thank you VERY MUCH for your info!
Matt54, from what I’ve seen at Historic Aerials, it looks like the Northwest Highway’s sister theatre, the Bowie Boulevard Drive-In in Fort Worth, didn’t make the Cinemascope upgrade, either, and it closed in 1961. On the other hand, the Chalk Hill (another Underwood & Ezell theatre), did, and survived into the 1970s.
Speaking of these three theatres, I have a question about whether the Northwest Highway featured a mural on it’s screen tower or not. When upgrades were made in 1946, it’s sister theatres, the Chalk Hill and Bowie Boulevard, added murals. The former pictured a circus scene around a large clown’s head, while the latter depicted a cowboy on a bucking bronco. Anyone know about the Northwest Highway, or can recollect any details? Thank you.
That’s OUTSTANDING, ennis! I REALLY appreciate your recollection!
I always thought that the character at the center of the screen was “Dinky Duck”. From what I’ve read and seen, sometimes yellow can photograph very dark, almost black. As for the screen tower itself, from what I can see, it’s architecture is unique. The only other view of it is from the book ‘Cinema Houston – From Nickelodeon to Megaplex’. Here’s a preview of the specific photo which can be found on page 212:
Ennis, if you click onto the earlier link I provided, it’ll take you to a pic of the first Post Oak’s screen tower, provided by the late Carroll Lewis. Would you happen to remember any details about it and it’s artwork? I sure would appreciate what you can recall. Thank you!
Skyhuggs, THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your help – it’s very much appreciated! Given the information you have, there are a myriad of questions I’d like to ask you about the Belknap. As I mentioned earlier, I’m looking for the dimensions of the screen tower for a potential project. Is there a way I can contact you off-site? In the meantime, I look forward to your help, photographs, and memories!
I have a favor to ask my fellow CT members. I’ve been trying to find out the dimensions of the Belknap’s screen tower and screen for some time now, but have hit the proverbial “brick wall”. I’ve contacted Corgan in Dallas, but nothing’s materialized from my effort. Could anyone here lend a fellow drive-in theatre enthusiast a hand, please? Thank you very much in advance.
Nice little story for y'all. I chatted with an older gentleman this evening at a local drug store, and he told me that some time in the past, he was part of an after hours cleaning crew at O.D. Wyatt High School. He said that when he and his crew would take a break, they would look out across Seminary Drive from the school’s front entryway to the Mansfield Twin and see whatever movie was playing. In looking at Google Maps, it’s most likely they were watching the west screen. Just thought I’d share this with everyone.
That’s hard news. I’m sure most of us here would’ve loved to have had an opportunity to ask Mr. Lewis questions about the Post Oak Drive-In, or listened to any stories he may have had. It appears he led a full and adventurous life.
Thank you for the link, ken mc. The Historic Aerials website has definitely become an invaluable tool in researching the history of my local drive-in theatres. About the Mansfield, I wish someone had information on what the old screen tower’s artwork looked like, if there was any.
According to the November 29, 1952 issue of BOXOFFICE magazine, J.H. “Jake” Lutzer, owner of the theatre, “reports that plans have been drawn to convert the Southside (sic) Drive-In at Fort Worth into a twin situation”, which was never realized. He passed away on August 10, 1965 (BOXOFFICE – August 23, 1965), in Dallas, and still owned the South Side Drive-In at the time of his death. His brother, David, passed away on June 20, 1969, at the age of 66 (BOXOFFICE – June 30, 1969).
The South Side Drive-In Theatre closed sometime in 1967. It was soon demolished and quickly cleared for the construction of the shopping complex that contained the K-Mart, a Kinney Shoes store, and the Cineworld 4 Theatre.
Thank you, ken mc. I have that same photograph in my collection, along with another similar one.
I’m VERY interested in seeing that other photograph on that website you provided, but a MUCH larger version! From what I can make out, that’s the way I remember the Corral’s screen tower back in the ‘70s. I also seem to remember the font used was similar to one called Futura Display. An example of it can be seen here:
Yes, it should, Lost Memory. Hopefully, it can be corrected soon.
The Corral was originally opened as the Jacksboro on December 21, 1949. The name was changed either in 1954 or 1955, but what didn’t change was the large clown’s head/circus mural on the screen tower. It was likely the work of Mr. Reed Hubnell, who painted similar murals at other drive-in theatres throughout Texas.
In reference to Gary R.’s post, everyone can see what the screen tower neon art looked like in the September 16, 1950 issue of BOXOFFICE magazine, on page 77. It depicted a night club scene, complete with three chorus girls, and the band. The musicians depicted are playing a piano, a trumpet, and kettle drums.
The article further describes the scene as being in “different colors of neon”, and “on a free-shaped background of porcelain enamel”, and also mentions that it was opened by Harold Gibbons, who also opened Fort Worth’s Pike Drive-In, in 1947. The online archive of BOXOFFICE magazine can be accessed at the following:
FASCINATING pic, Don! I have to ask, too, where in the world did you find that photo? Also, is there a larger copy of this available?
ken mc, thanks for posting the second pic showing the Circle’s roadside marquee. Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m slowly discovering that the drive-ins owned and operated by Stanley Warner Theaters, and later by Texas Southwest Theatres, displayed this unique marquee. I seem to remember the Fort Worth Twin had a similar marquee, and I’m suspecting that the Corral and, possibly, the Westside, all in Fort Worth, had the same, too.
The book ‘Cinema Houston’ has an oblique aerial shot of this particular theatre, circa 1952, and also a short biography of it. Has anyone here been to either the first or second Post Oak Drive-In?
Well, the drive-in was situated along I-30. It’s main entrance was off Riverside Drive, but it’s official address, as listed in the Fort Worth Yellow Pages, was 2100 Bomar Avenue.
At the Historic Aerials website, an overhead shot of the old Beach Drive-In Theatre can be seen. The earliest view that can be recalled is 1960, the year it closed. It can be accessed by typing in it’s address, which is 1200 Shetter Avenue. Also, the link Harvey provided has some brief but interesting information about the theatre, and a color shot of the old three-sided screen tower can be seen in the book ‘The American Drive-In Movie Theatre’, on page 26.
EXCELLENT documentation, Mike! I look foward to seeing your treatment on the theaters and drive-in theatres of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Thank you very much for sharing your information.
Thank you very much for your story, David, and for confirming the appearance of the clown’s head on the screen tower. In doing some quick Googling, you either saw ‘Godzilla, King of the Monsters!’, which was released in 1956, or ‘Gigantis, the Fire Monster’, which was released in 1959. I highly recommend a trip to the Dallas Public Library in downtown, as you’ll find some fascinating movie ads and drive-in theatres now long gone. Good luck on your search, and please let us know what you find out!
Would anyone know if the front of the original screen tower had a mural painted on it, and if so, what was it of? Thank you.
Raymj, all of the drive-in theatres in Fort Worth have been demolished and/or paved and built over with new structures (Wal-Mart, strip mall, etc.), except for the Meadowbrook. It’s screen tower and box office (including it’s sign) are still in existence. I believe the property is owned by Waste Management Services, as the old lot now holds garbage dumpsters. It sounds like an intriguing idea you have. Good luck!
Yakima, I am VERY impressed with your research on drive-in theatres. I’m interested in your findings. Please contact me at your convenience. Thank you.
OUTSTANDING, Fwkid! In the July 25, 1953 issue of BOXOFFICE magazine, there’s a two-thirds page article describing the opening of the Fort Worth Twin, complete with three photographs, including the screen tower. The article states that it was opened by the C.D. Leon Theatres circuit, and the original architect for the theater was Harvey A. Jordan of Arlington, who also designed the Cowtown Drive-In.
Also, on the Historic Aerials website, the original screen towers can be seen as late as 1963, but by 1970, were converted over to the Stran-Steel structures. And I believe that by the time of the conversion in the ‘60s, the theatre was owned by Stanley Warner Theatres (which also owned the Corral and Westside Drive-Ins), and was later sold to Texas Southwest Theatres.
EXCELLENT post, Fwkid, and thank you VERY MUCH for your info!
Would anyone know the screen tower dimensions of either the original or latter (“Stran-Steel”) structure? Thank you.
Matt54, from what I’ve seen at Historic Aerials, it looks like the Northwest Highway’s sister theatre, the Bowie Boulevard Drive-In in Fort Worth, didn’t make the Cinemascope upgrade, either, and it closed in 1961. On the other hand, the Chalk Hill (another Underwood & Ezell theatre), did, and survived into the 1970s.
Speaking of these three theatres, I have a question about whether the Northwest Highway featured a mural on it’s screen tower or not. When upgrades were made in 1946, it’s sister theatres, the Chalk Hill and Bowie Boulevard, added murals. The former pictured a circus scene around a large clown’s head, while the latter depicted a cowboy on a bucking bronco. Anyone know about the Northwest Highway, or can recollect any details? Thank you.
That’s OUTSTANDING, ennis! I REALLY appreciate your recollection!
I always thought that the character at the center of the screen was “Dinky Duck”. From what I’ve read and seen, sometimes yellow can photograph very dark, almost black. As for the screen tower itself, from what I can see, it’s architecture is unique. The only other view of it is from the book ‘Cinema Houston – From Nickelodeon to Megaplex’. Here’s a preview of the specific photo which can be found on page 212:
View link
Hopefully everyone can see it. If not, Google “Carroll Lewis Post Oak (Drive-In Theatre). The Google Books entry should show up.
Ennis, if you click onto the earlier link I provided, it’ll take you to a pic of the first Post Oak’s screen tower, provided by the late Carroll Lewis. Would you happen to remember any details about it and it’s artwork? I sure would appreciate what you can recall. Thank you!
Great story about your boyfriend, skyhuggs! I’ve sent you an e-mail about the South Side. Thank you, again.
Thank you again, skyhuggs! I’ve sent you my e-mail, and I look forward to corresponding with you and your cousin about the Belknap.
Skyhuggs, THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your help – it’s very much appreciated! Given the information you have, there are a myriad of questions I’d like to ask you about the Belknap. As I mentioned earlier, I’m looking for the dimensions of the screen tower for a potential project. Is there a way I can contact you off-site? In the meantime, I look forward to your help, photographs, and memories!
I have a favor to ask my fellow CT members. I’ve been trying to find out the dimensions of the Belknap’s screen tower and screen for some time now, but have hit the proverbial “brick wall”. I’ve contacted Corgan in Dallas, but nothing’s materialized from my effort. Could anyone here lend a fellow drive-in theatre enthusiast a hand, please? Thank you very much in advance.
Nice little story for y'all. I chatted with an older gentleman this evening at a local drug store, and he told me that some time in the past, he was part of an after hours cleaning crew at O.D. Wyatt High School. He said that when he and his crew would take a break, they would look out across Seminary Drive from the school’s front entryway to the Mansfield Twin and see whatever movie was playing. In looking at Google Maps, it’s most likely they were watching the west screen. Just thought I’d share this with everyone.
That’s hard news. I’m sure most of us here would’ve loved to have had an opportunity to ask Mr. Lewis questions about the Post Oak Drive-In, or listened to any stories he may have had. It appears he led a full and adventurous life.
Thank you very much for the link, CWalczak.
Thank you for the link, ken mc. The Historic Aerials website has definitely become an invaluable tool in researching the history of my local drive-in theatres. About the Mansfield, I wish someone had information on what the old screen tower’s artwork looked like, if there was any.
According to the November 29, 1952 issue of BOXOFFICE magazine, J.H. “Jake” Lutzer, owner of the theatre, “reports that plans have been drawn to convert the Southside (sic) Drive-In at Fort Worth into a twin situation”, which was never realized. He passed away on August 10, 1965 (BOXOFFICE – August 23, 1965), in Dallas, and still owned the South Side Drive-In at the time of his death. His brother, David, passed away on June 20, 1969, at the age of 66 (BOXOFFICE – June 30, 1969).
The South Side Drive-In Theatre closed sometime in 1967. It was soon demolished and quickly cleared for the construction of the shopping complex that contained the K-Mart, a Kinney Shoes store, and the Cineworld 4 Theatre.
Thank you, ken mc. I have that same photograph in my collection, along with another similar one.
I’m VERY interested in seeing that other photograph on that website you provided, but a MUCH larger version! From what I can make out, that’s the way I remember the Corral’s screen tower back in the ‘70s. I also seem to remember the font used was similar to one called Futura Display. An example of it can be seen here:
View link
Yes, it should, Lost Memory. Hopefully, it can be corrected soon.
The Corral was originally opened as the Jacksboro on December 21, 1949. The name was changed either in 1954 or 1955, but what didn’t change was the large clown’s head/circus mural on the screen tower. It was likely the work of Mr. Reed Hubnell, who painted similar murals at other drive-in theatres throughout Texas.
The site is now occupied by a shopping center.
In reference to Gary R.’s post, everyone can see what the screen tower neon art looked like in the September 16, 1950 issue of BOXOFFICE magazine, on page 77. It depicted a night club scene, complete with three chorus girls, and the band. The musicians depicted are playing a piano, a trumpet, and kettle drums.
The article further describes the scene as being in “different colors of neon”, and “on a free-shaped background of porcelain enamel”, and also mentions that it was opened by Harold Gibbons, who also opened Fort Worth’s Pike Drive-In, in 1947. The online archive of BOXOFFICE magazine can be accessed at the following:
http://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_091650-2
FASCINATING pic, Don! I have to ask, too, where in the world did you find that photo? Also, is there a larger copy of this available?
ken mc, thanks for posting the second pic showing the Circle’s roadside marquee. Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m slowly discovering that the drive-ins owned and operated by Stanley Warner Theaters, and later by Texas Southwest Theatres, displayed this unique marquee. I seem to remember the Fort Worth Twin had a similar marquee, and I’m suspecting that the Corral and, possibly, the Westside, all in Fort Worth, had the same, too.
Thanks, fellas!
Here’s a smallish but excellent photograph of the first Post Oak Drive-In’s screen tower:
View link
The book ‘Cinema Houston’ has an oblique aerial shot of this particular theatre, circa 1952, and also a short biography of it. Has anyone here been to either the first or second Post Oak Drive-In?
Well, the drive-in was situated along I-30. It’s main entrance was off Riverside Drive, but it’s official address, as listed in the Fort Worth Yellow Pages, was 2100 Bomar Avenue.
At the Historic Aerials website, an overhead shot of the old Beach Drive-In Theatre can be seen. The earliest view that can be recalled is 1960, the year it closed. It can be accessed by typing in it’s address, which is 1200 Shetter Avenue. Also, the link Harvey provided has some brief but interesting information about the theatre, and a color shot of the old three-sided screen tower can be seen in the book ‘The American Drive-In Movie Theatre’, on page 26.
EXCELLENT documentation, Mike! I look foward to seeing your treatment on the theaters and drive-in theatres of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Thank you very much for sharing your information.