Rustic Starlite Drive-In

1406 E. Fayette Avenue,
Teutopolis, IL 62467

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Frisina Amusement Company

Previous Names: Frisina Drive-In, Starlite Drive-In

Nearby Theaters

Rustic Starlite Drive-In

The Frisina Drive-In was opened on May 18, 1950. On June 2, 1950 it was renamed Rustic Starlite Drive-In. Later known as known as just the Starlite Drive-In. It was located along Route 40 East in Effingham. The drive-in could accommodate 400 cars, and was part of the Frisina Amusements chain. It closed in 1985, and has since been demolished to make way for a construction company.

Its classic lightbulb-studded marquee was saved, however, and moved to an auto dealership in Effingham, which it still stands in front of today, used for advertising.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 8 comments)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on December 13, 2008 at 11:00 am

From Boxoffice magazine, May 1950:

EFFINGHAM, ILL.-The 750-car drive-in being constructed for Frisina Amusement Co. of Springfield, Ill. on Highway 40 about one mile east of the city limits will be opened early in June.

EdBaumgarten
EdBaumgarten on March 4, 2012 at 7:06 pm

The drive in sign seen above is on our corporate campus, 2 miles north of Effingham on N Rt 45 at Mid America Motorworks. Web addy is www.mamotorworks.com for directions.

jwmovies
jwmovies on March 27, 2019 at 3:30 am

A more accurate address for this theater is now 1406 E Fayette Ave, Teutopolis, IL 62467. This points directly to the drive in itself. Most ramps and structures are still there.

Please update.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on June 18, 2019 at 1:24 pm

The Herald and Review of Decatur IL ran a lengthy article on Feb. 27, 1982, profiling the Rustic and its owner, Mike Stephens. It said the Rustic was opened “about 1949” by the Frisina chain, which sold it to Stephens and his wife in late 1980.

“The Rustic was opened quickly, and gravel had to be added later to its parking lot. ‘They had quite a bit of trouble getting the land to settle,’ Stephens recalls, and several customers' automobiles got stuck the first week and had to be pulled out.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on January 20, 2020 at 2:18 pm

Boxoffice, June 23, 1958: “EFFINGHAM, ILL. – The screen tower of the Rustic Starlite Drive-In on U. S. 40 one mile east of here was blown down in a tornado that hit this area the night of June 10. The drive-in will be closed at least until the latter part of this month.”

rivest266
rivest266 on March 29, 2023 at 9:21 am

This opened as the Frisina Drive-In on May 18th, 1950, and renamed the Rustic Starlight Drive-In on June 2nd, 1950. Last season: 1985

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on March 30, 2023 at 9:27 am

Opened as Frisina Drive-in on 18th May 1950 with “Pirates of Monterey”.

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on March 30, 2023 at 9:31 am

Opened on 2nd June 1950 with “Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come”, “Two rode together” and “The Devil’s partner”.

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