Starlite Drive-In

2304 N. 7th Avenue,
Bozeman, MT 59715

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50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on May 31, 2023 at 7:18 pm

The original Starlite closed for the final time on September 4, 1988 with “Crocodile Dundee II” following concession concerns by the Bozeman Police Department on alcohol sales after four 17-to-19-year-old Bozeman teenagers were arrested and charged with single misdemeanor charges involving possessions of underage drinking that same day (either during intermission or during the movie).

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on July 21, 2020 at 11:47 am

Reopening with original signage Friday July 24, 2020 at 6465 River Rd. Article and new website below.

https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/coronavirus/bozemans-iconic-starlite-drive-in-theatre-makes-its-return/article_5250e390-243c-5a7a-bae0-2564b86cf345.html?fbclid=IwAR2ew5-IDoOmSS4SUGoJuLW69hBf2dm6m-zNo6q53blN13p91xZyS9PbFww

https://www.starlitedriveinmontana.com/

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on December 23, 2019 at 5:24 pm

Boxoffice, Feb. 9, 1952: “Joe English sold his three theatres and a drive-in at Bozeman, Mont., to Ed Pegrum, veteran showman of the Intermountain area.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on August 27, 2019 at 12:26 pm

The top part of the old Starlite sign is “on display” in front of Media Station Design Works in Bozeman, according to a note posted by the local radio station. I put that in quotes because the photo with the story showed the sign fragments resting in the grass supported only by leaning against a building, which I would characterize as merely “visible” rather than on display. Anyway, some moron stole the “lite” part, but the cops later found it. A happy ending.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on June 21, 2019 at 10:54 am

It probably opened in 1950. The Nov. 12, 1949 issue of BoxOffice reported: “BOZEMAN, MONT. – Construction of the drive-in theatre being erected on Route 10 west of here has been stopped for the winter. A building to house the projection booth, the screen tower and a fence are finished.”

Kenmore
Kenmore on April 24, 2018 at 1:02 pm

Found It!

The drive-in was located on the north side of Bozeman, the address is 2304 N. 7th Ave, Bozeman, MT. This is confirmed by a 1988 topography map and the mountains in the background match the photos shown of the drive-in.

Today, Bridger Park Shopping Mall or Strip Mall sits on the property with no traces of the drive-in remaining.

https://tinyurl.com/yaaa4roe

TomMc11
TomMc11 on April 24, 2018 at 12:25 pm

https://www.flickr.com/photos/henk/37904523145/in/photostream/ has 3 photos of this DI, and it states that it was on Highway 191 but I have been up and down that road on Google Maps and Historic Aerials Topographical included and I cannot find it.