Boxoffice, April 17, 1961: “Russ Dauterman of Salt Lake City has taken over operation of the Skyline Drive-in and the Fox Theatre at Rawlings (sic), Wyo., from Fox Intermountain Theatres.”
Boxoffice, May 22, 1961: “RAWLINS, WYO. – The Three-D Theatre Co. has purchased two local theatres from the Fox Wyoming Co. and the Wyoming Amusement Corp. The purchase of the Fox Theatre and the Skyline Drive-In became effective May 3. The owners of the Three-D Theatre Co. are Russ Dauterman, … Ray Davis, … and Charles L. DuRyk … The Skyline Drive-In had been owned by the Wyoming Amusement Corp. since 1958. … Extensive improvements have been made at the Skyline Drive-In, including the remodeling of the snack bar, the installation of a new widescreen and new marquee.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 5, 1960: “The Biggers Drive-In, Scottsbluff, Neb., had a fire in the concession stand with damages estimated at $4,000.”
Boxoffice, March 6, 1961: “When it rains, it pours for Floyd Bigger, Bigger Drive-In, Scottsbluff, Neb. Last fall, after their seasonal closing, the concession stand was completely gutted by fire and is now being completely rebuilt. More recently a 75-mile-an-hour wind blew over and destroyed a major portion of the screen tower”
Boxoffice, May 15, 1961: “Floyd Bigger is repairing the screen tower in the Biggers Drive-In, Scottsbluff, Neb. This is the second time this season that the screen has been destroyed by wind”
Boxoffice, Dec. 4, 1954: “Loraine McCarthy, after driving back and forth to Strassburg (sic), 37 miles each way, has decided it was too much of a job and has sold the Ute to Clayton and Edith Crabb.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 12, 1960: “Cleve Grigsby has taken over the Ute Theatre, Strasburg, from the former owners, Pemberton & McGinnis.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 26, 1960: “C. Grigsby has closed the Ute in Strausburg (sic), Colo.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 27, 1961: “C. Grigsby will reopen the Ute Theatre, Strasburg, in mid-March after having closed it for several months”
According to a lengthy article, with photos, in the Dec. 5, 1960 issue of Boxoffice, the entrance to the Twin was lined with “Softly glowing gas lights … to create an easy transition for motorists from the bright lights of the highway to the semi-darkness of the ramp areas.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 5, 1960: “Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Ellis have installed an organ in the foyer of their Holly Theatre, Holly, and their son Trent plays selections for the audience prior to the feature presentations”
Boxoffice, Nov. 28, 1960: “Modernization bids are being taken for the old Alum Rock Drive-In on Alum Rock avenue. The theatre, when renovation is completed, will be known as the Tropicaire Drive-In.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 10, 1960: “Richard Klein, former general manager of Black Hills Amusement Co. … has purchased the Fox Theatre in Longmont, Colo. … and will take over the theatre there November 1.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 14, 1960: “Dick Klein … has taken over the operation of the Fox Theatre at Longmont, and has renamed it the Trojan.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 26, 1960: “DELTA, COLO. – The Egyptian Theatre has been reopened under new ownership after being closed nearly two years. The theatre, which has been renovated, is being operated by Tom Hardy”
Boxoffice, Aug. 22, 1960: “DURANGO, COLO. – George Hyde, manager of the Kiva Theatre, proudly displayed a sheaf of telegrams received in conjunction with the grand opening of the theatre after its remodeling. … Former managers of the Kiva also sent best wishes by wire. They are: Dave Davis, manager from 1927 to 1930 … ; Mike Zalesny, 1933-1936; Jack Kramer and John Tella.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 22, 1960: “The new owner of the Uranium Drive-In at Naturita is Clarence Files, who also operates the Starlite Drive-In at Grand Junction. The former owner was William More (sic)”
Boxoffice, July 4, 1960: “Columbia contractee Jo Morrow appeared at the premiere of the new South Bay Drive-In in San Diego to cut the ribbon prior to the screening of Columbia’s "Once More, With Feeling.”"
There was a very lengthy article in the June 13, 1960 Boxoffice about the apparent retirement of Eric Peterson, builder and owner of the Motor-Vu, which he had just leased to Intermountain Theatres. The article said the Motor-Vu “was the first ozoner in the Intermountain West” when it opened in 1947. “It was filled every night that first season and grew in popularity ever season after.”
Boxoffice, May 23, 1960: “AUSTIN, MINN. – M. F. "Mickey” Justad, former manager of the Ely Theatre, Ely, and Leo Ross, Sauk Rapids, have purchased the Outdoor Theatre here."
Boxoffice, May 18, 1959: “The new Sky Drive-In, located just north of Twentynine Palms highway, west of the Victorville road, east of Yucca Valley, was opened recently by Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Weiser. Speakers for 328 cars were provided for the opening but there is ramp space for expansion to a 600-car capacity. The desert drive-in also features a 50x75-foot screen, snack bar and car heaters for the chilly desert evenings."
Boxoffice, March 7, 1960: “Hauk & Everett has taken over the Sky Drive-In Theatre on 29 Palms highway, David E. Hauk has advised Boxoffice.”
Boxoffice, June 1, 1959: “Charles Leonard, who operates the Carson Theatre in Carson City, Nev., has taken over the Skyview Drive-In there from George Gessler jr.”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1959: RUIDOSA (sic), N. M. – A drive-in that will accommodate around 200 cars is being rushed to completion for a June 1 opening by Ken Newton and Ed Wimberly, owners and operators of the Mountain-Vue Sho-Dyn Drive-In."
Boxoffice, May 18, 1959: “LEADVILLE, COLO. – The Fox Liberty Bell Theatre is being operated under a lease agreement between the Fox Intermountain Theatres and Robert C. Nelson, Charles Pologar and Gene Hawkins. When the theatre was closed March 1, the Leadville trade area became theatreless and the community work up to the value of the particular type of entertainment the Liberty Bell once again is supplying.”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1959: “Sid Pink adds two more theatres to his growing chain with the addition of the Mustang Drive-In and Parkway Theatre in Chandler, Ariz., where he takes over from A. J. Woods.”
Boxoffice, July 4, 1960: “Tom Schneider has taken over the Parkway and Mustang Drive-In theatres in Chandler, Ariz., formerly operated by the Sid Pink organization”
Boxoffice, April 13, 1959: “Prudence Underhill, 29 Palms Theatre, 29 Plams, was booking and buying along the (L.A. Film) Row for her drive-in and hardtop theatres”
Boxoffice, April 6, 1959: “The Cactus and Star drive-ins, Albuquerque, N.M., which have been operated by Albuquerque Theatres, will open this year under the banner of the Video Independent Theatres. Video Independent, under the direction of James Griffing, also operates the Terrace and Duke City drive-ins, Albuquerque.”
In my book, Drive-Ins of Route 66, I wrote that the Cactus' final night was Sept. 28, 1975. I’m pretty sure I got that from ads in the Albuquerque Journal.
Once again, I was wrong. Based on an Associated Press story published on Aug. 5, 1995 in The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction CO, 1995 was the final season for the Aircadia, and everyone was well aware of it. “At the end of this season’s run in late September or early October, the 40-year-old Aircadia – the last of the Pikes Peak area’s seven drive-ins, will close to make way for a Wal-Mart.”
And the Aircadia’s final night was Sunday, Sept. 3, 1995, as captured in a front-page story the next morning in the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. The final program was “Lord of Illusions” and “Virtuosity.”
The Sky Vue’s final show was Oct. 4, 1983, showing Octopussy and Rocky III, before closing for the season.
The Colorado Springs Gazette of April 21, 1984 quoted Neal Lloyd, president of Westland Theatres, as saying he had no plans to sell the Sky Vue, but it never opened that year, and apartment construction on the site began in January 1985.
Boxoffice, June 19, 1961: “Betty and Charles Crow have purchased the Plains Theatre at Eads from Dorothy and Alvin Johnson”
Boxoffice, April 17, 1961: “Russ Dauterman of Salt Lake City has taken over operation of the Skyline Drive-in and the Fox Theatre at Rawlings (sic), Wyo., from Fox Intermountain Theatres.”
Boxoffice, May 22, 1961: “RAWLINS, WYO. – The Three-D Theatre Co. has purchased two local theatres from the Fox Wyoming Co. and the Wyoming Amusement Corp. The purchase of the Fox Theatre and the Skyline Drive-In became effective May 3. The owners of the Three-D Theatre Co. are Russ Dauterman, … Ray Davis, … and Charles L. DuRyk … The Skyline Drive-In had been owned by the Wyoming Amusement Corp. since 1958. … Extensive improvements have been made at the Skyline Drive-In, including the remodeling of the snack bar, the installation of a new widescreen and new marquee.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 5, 1960: “The Biggers Drive-In, Scottsbluff, Neb., had a fire in the concession stand with damages estimated at $4,000.”
Boxoffice, March 6, 1961: “When it rains, it pours for Floyd Bigger, Bigger Drive-In, Scottsbluff, Neb. Last fall, after their seasonal closing, the concession stand was completely gutted by fire and is now being completely rebuilt. More recently a 75-mile-an-hour wind blew over and destroyed a major portion of the screen tower”
Boxoffice, May 15, 1961: “Floyd Bigger is repairing the screen tower in the Biggers Drive-In, Scottsbluff, Neb. This is the second time this season that the screen has been destroyed by wind”
Boxoffice, Dec. 4, 1954: “Loraine McCarthy, after driving back and forth to Strassburg (sic), 37 miles each way, has decided it was too much of a job and has sold the Ute to Clayton and Edith Crabb.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 12, 1960: “Cleve Grigsby has taken over the Ute Theatre, Strasburg, from the former owners, Pemberton & McGinnis.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 26, 1960: “C. Grigsby has closed the Ute in Strausburg (sic), Colo.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 27, 1961: “C. Grigsby will reopen the Ute Theatre, Strasburg, in mid-March after having closed it for several months”
According to a lengthy article, with photos, in the Dec. 5, 1960 issue of Boxoffice, the entrance to the Twin was lined with “Softly glowing gas lights … to create an easy transition for motorists from the bright lights of the highway to the semi-darkness of the ramp areas.”
Boxoffice, Dec. 5, 1960: “Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Ellis have installed an organ in the foyer of their Holly Theatre, Holly, and their son Trent plays selections for the audience prior to the feature presentations”
Boxoffice, Nov. 28, 1960: “Modernization bids are being taken for the old Alum Rock Drive-In on Alum Rock avenue. The theatre, when renovation is completed, will be known as the Tropicaire Drive-In.”
Boxoffice, Oct. 10, 1960: “Richard Klein, former general manager of Black Hills Amusement Co. … has purchased the Fox Theatre in Longmont, Colo. … and will take over the theatre there November 1.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 14, 1960: “Dick Klein … has taken over the operation of the Fox Theatre at Longmont, and has renamed it the Trojan.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 26, 1960: “DELTA, COLO. – The Egyptian Theatre has been reopened under new ownership after being closed nearly two years. The theatre, which has been renovated, is being operated by Tom Hardy”
Boxoffice, Aug. 22, 1960: “DURANGO, COLO. – George Hyde, manager of the Kiva Theatre, proudly displayed a sheaf of telegrams received in conjunction with the grand opening of the theatre after its remodeling. … Former managers of the Kiva also sent best wishes by wire. They are: Dave Davis, manager from 1927 to 1930 … ; Mike Zalesny, 1933-1936; Jack Kramer and John Tella.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 22, 1960: “The new owner of the Uranium Drive-In at Naturita is Clarence Files, who also operates the Starlite Drive-In at Grand Junction. The former owner was William More (sic)”
Same theater? Boxoffice, Aug. 15, 1960: “The name on the theatre at Saratoga, Wyo., has been changed from the Community to the Range Theatre.”
Boxoffice, April 16, 1979: “Mr. and Mrs. George Hyde are taking over the Range Theatre, Saratoga, Wyo., from Mr. and Mrs. Art Zeiger.”
Boxoffice, July 4, 1960: “Columbia contractee Jo Morrow appeared at the premiere of the new South Bay Drive-In in San Diego to cut the ribbon prior to the screening of Columbia’s "Once More, With Feeling.”"
There was a very lengthy article in the June 13, 1960 Boxoffice about the apparent retirement of Eric Peterson, builder and owner of the Motor-Vu, which he had just leased to Intermountain Theatres. The article said the Motor-Vu “was the first ozoner in the Intermountain West” when it opened in 1947. “It was filled every night that first season and grew in popularity ever season after.”
Boxoffice, May 23, 1960: “AUSTIN, MINN. – M. F. "Mickey” Justad, former manager of the Ely Theatre, Ely, and Leo Ross, Sauk Rapids, have purchased the Outdoor Theatre here."
Boxoffice, May 18, 1959: “The new Sky Drive-In, located just north of Twentynine Palms highway, west of the Victorville road, east of Yucca Valley, was opened recently by Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Weiser. Speakers for 328 cars were provided for the opening but there is ramp space for expansion to a 600-car capacity. The desert drive-in also features a 50x75-foot screen, snack bar and car heaters for the chilly desert evenings."
Boxoffice, March 7, 1960: “Hauk & Everett has taken over the Sky Drive-In Theatre on 29 Palms highway, David E. Hauk has advised Boxoffice.”
Boxoffice, June 1, 1959: “Charles Leonard, who operates the Carson Theatre in Carson City, Nev., has taken over the Skyview Drive-In there from George Gessler jr.”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1959: RUIDOSA (sic), N. M. – A drive-in that will accommodate around 200 cars is being rushed to completion for a June 1 opening by Ken Newton and Ed Wimberly, owners and operators of the Mountain-Vue Sho-Dyn Drive-In."
Boxoffice, May 18, 1959: “LEADVILLE, COLO. – The Fox Liberty Bell Theatre is being operated under a lease agreement between the Fox Intermountain Theatres and Robert C. Nelson, Charles Pologar and Gene Hawkins. When the theatre was closed March 1, the Leadville trade area became theatreless and the community work up to the value of the particular type of entertainment the Liberty Bell once again is supplying.”
Boxoffice, May 18, 1959: “Sid Pink adds two more theatres to his growing chain with the addition of the Mustang Drive-In and Parkway Theatre in Chandler, Ariz., where he takes over from A. J. Woods.”
Boxoffice, July 4, 1960: “Tom Schneider has taken over the Parkway and Mustang Drive-In theatres in Chandler, Ariz., formerly operated by the Sid Pink organization”
Boxoffice, May 11, 1959: “Sid Pink has taken over the Family Drive-In in Brawley, Calif., from Leroy Bowen & Associates.”
Boxoffice, April 13, 1959: “Prudence Underhill, 29 Palms Theatre, 29 Plams, was booking and buying along the (L.A. Film) Row for her drive-in and hardtop theatres”
Boxoffice, April 6, 1959: “The Cactus and Star drive-ins, Albuquerque, N.M., which have been operated by Albuquerque Theatres, will open this year under the banner of the Video Independent Theatres. Video Independent, under the direction of James Griffing, also operates the Terrace and Duke City drive-ins, Albuquerque.”
In my book, Drive-Ins of Route 66, I wrote that the Cactus' final night was Sept. 28, 1975. I’m pretty sure I got that from ads in the Albuquerque Journal.
Once again, I was wrong. Based on an Associated Press story published on Aug. 5, 1995 in The Daily Sentinel of Grand Junction CO, 1995 was the final season for the Aircadia, and everyone was well aware of it. “At the end of this season’s run in late September or early October, the 40-year-old Aircadia – the last of the Pikes Peak area’s seven drive-ins, will close to make way for a Wal-Mart.”
And the Aircadia’s final night was Sunday, Sept. 3, 1995, as captured in a front-page story the next morning in the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. The final program was “Lord of Illusions” and “Virtuosity.”
The Sky Vue’s final show was Oct. 4, 1983, showing Octopussy and Rocky III, before closing for the season.
The Colorado Springs Gazette of April 21, 1984 quoted Neal Lloyd, president of Westland Theatres, as saying he had no plans to sell the Sky Vue, but it never opened that year, and apartment construction on the site began in January 1985.