81 Drive-In

6250 N. Broadway Street,
Wichita, KS 67219

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dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on November 4, 2022 at 1:48 pm

Sullivan Independent Theatres opened the 81 Drive-In on August 15, 1946 with “The Queen of the Ice” Belita in “Silver Skates” supported by a Three Stooges shorts, and other short subjects. It was just the second ozoner in Kansas behind Wichita’s more primitive Broadway Auto Theatre.

The 81 was far more modern sporting the State of Kansas' largest neon sign (as of 1946/7) with varilite functionality making an evening entry visually pleasing. Unlike the Brodway, the 81 was modernized with speakers at every spot and, purportedly, its own patented ramp design.

The 81 Drive-In closed at the expiry of a 25-year leasing period with Dean Jones in “The Million Dollar Duck” and Walt Disney’s “King of th4 Grizzlies” on September 26, 1971. It was later razed.

rivest266
rivest266 on January 28, 2021 at 3:58 pm

Last season: 1971

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on August 15, 2019 at 2:19 am

A three-page story about Merta and Truman Slothower in the July 4, 1960 issue of Boxoffice included: “The 54 and 81 drive-in theatres were acquired in 1956 from Nu-Vue Theatres of Kansas City.”

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on November 12, 2018 at 1:32 pm

Also opened with “Colorado fishing”. Site is now M. Bruenger Trucking Company.

Lyndon
Lyndon on September 4, 2016 at 12:34 pm

The drive-in craze hit Kansas in 1946 with the construction of Wichita’s 81 Drive-In on N. Broadway. See Bob Curtwright’s story in the active age, July 2015.

Lyndon
Lyndon on January 11, 2014 at 11:09 am

For more memories of the 81 Drive In, see “I Used to Drag Douglas“

kwilkin1962
kwilkin1962 on September 12, 2013 at 3:50 am

The 81 Drive-In opened on August 15, 1946. It’s first showing was “Silver Skates” along with the 3 Stooges, a “Colortoon” and Late News.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on April 20, 2011 at 3:59 am

the 81 Drive-in hasn’t been mentioned on CT since 2008!It was owned by O.F.Sullivan and parked 600 cars.

rbrtptrck
rbrtptrck on July 6, 2008 at 12:05 am

Many, many wonderful stories and photos of Kansas theatres from Abilene to Yates Center can be found HERE<<<.
PLEASE copy this post and post it on every Kansas theatres page.
Thank you.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on February 14, 2008 at 3:04 pm

Absolutely right. I failed to notice that the 81 opened in 1946. My mistake.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on February 13, 2008 at 10:53 pm

Here is a better view of the 3/5/05 photo, which was taken in 1937:
http://tinyurl.com/2usojk

missmelbatoast
missmelbatoast on December 17, 2006 at 3:33 am

A brief history and vintage photos of the 81 Drive-In can be found on the below link;
View link