Panther Drive-In
541 S. Timberland Drive,
Lufkin,
TX
75901
541 S. Timberland Drive,
Lufkin,
TX
75901
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Looks like the Panther opened around Nov. 1, 1953.
Variety, Oct. 28, 1953: “Charlie Wise, general manager for Phil Isley Theatres announced the circuit’s new Panther Drive-In will be opened this week at Lufkin.”
The Exhibitor, Nov. 4, 1953: “Mr. and Mrs. Phil R. Isley drove to Lufkin, Tex., for the opening of their new Panther Drive-In, accompanied by W. H. O’Bryan, a partner, and Virginia Harper, both of Oklahoma City. O’Bryan is auditor for the circuit. Paul Short, NSS, also attended the opening with them.”
The Exhibitor, Nov. 11, 1953: “The Panther Drive-In, Lufkin, Tex., was officially opened by Phil Isley and executives of the Phil Isley Theatres, along with the mayor and other civic dignitaries. This 650-car ozoner played to a vast audience of more than 2,500.”
Maybe it always held 500 cars? Billboard, Aug. 8, 1953: “Panther Drive-In is nearing completion and was slated to open August 1. The drive-in is at Lufkin, Tex., and is owned and operated by Phil Isley. It has 500-car capacity.”
Opened August 1, 1953
Here is a good address: 541 S Timberland Dr. Lufkin, TX 75901
Yeah,your right and i know your state with the TVA has plenty of lakes!
Hey Look up the Fly-in Drive-in for cars and planes,thats no joke it is on my homepage.Boats would have to be the Float-in Drive-in.Weird right.
Oh come on,you did this to me on some Drive-in about holding BOATS! LOL. I hope to be adding TRI CITY DRIVE in, MIDWAY DRIVE in and SKYLAND ARTS CINEMA this weekend if Nick is able to get them on CT.Nick, got THE DREAMLAND on ,but i really need more research on that Theatre.
Cars were bigger in the 50,sso they could not hold as many,HaHa.
Well, in 1956 it parked 300 cars so it must have enlarged since above it is listed at 500 cars! It was owned by Phil Isley theatres.