Very technically, the name of the theatre operation according to multiple sources is the Marlow Mobil-In operated by John Rohr of the Marlow Theatre in Pine River. He decided to create a mobile drive-in operation in 1948 beginning June 17, 1948 in Crosslake. In July and August, Rohr created two more locations of the Marlow Mobil-In Theatre Circuit in Longville and a spot between Backus and Hackensack.
According to the trade press, W.H. Lee was the architect of this venue, originally, the Strand Theatre launching in 1925 for Benny Freed on a 30-year lease. It competed with the existing and smaller Newton Theatre in the silent era. The theatre converted to sound in 1929 becoming the Roxy Theatre. At the end of its lease, the theatre was renewed and was given a major makeover including new lobby, new seating, new projection and screen to accommodate widescreen CinemaScope presentations and air conditioning.
The El Rancho closed for the summer in 1979. It was refurbished becoming the Sunn Cinema on October 5, 1979. The Sunn set closing April 30, 1983. It became a youth center and boxing club before being retrofitted for other retail purposes.
BTW: It was owned by the Deming Theatre Co. though never was the Deming Theatre. It operated part-year with the Deming Company’s Mimbres Drive-In when both were in operation.
The Lyric Theatre launched October 3, 1910. The 1,000-seat venue was managed by Frank D. Hill who programmed three acts of live vaudeville followed by four reels of motion pictures in the formative years of the Lyric. On July 12, 1912, blind organist W.A. Wallace played the new M.P. Moller pipe organ with Hill singing Irish ballads with illustrated lantern slides projected. On October 8, 1925, the theatre was gutted by fire ending its run. Some elements of the theatre were incorporated into a furniture store thereafter. That building burned down on February 10, 1928.
The Strand Theatre launched September 27, 1935 with “The Woman in Red" on a 20-year lease. It closed after a May 15, 1954 showing of “Lone Star Vigilante.” It was retrofitted soon thereafter becoming a retail store in December of 1954.
Whyte Bedford of the Marion Theatre launched the Ford Drive-In Theatre on August 13, 1953 with “Thunderbirds.” The Drive-In likely closed after the 1958 season as ads are discontinued.
Dave Hamilton and his son, Mack, launched Hamilton’s Drive-In Theatre on May 18, 1950 with the film, “It’s a Grand Feeling.” On hand that night was radio station WFPA broadcasting from the grand opening. Local Boy Scouts helped direct cars to the theatre and ramps which held 400 cars at opening. DeLuxe Hot Dogs, malted milks, and cheese sandwiches were among the offerings at the snack bar.
The New Cricket launched on February 12, 1946 with the film, “The Stork Club.” The $60,000 theatre opened with a capacity of 850 – 570 on the main floor for White patrons and 270 in the balcony for African American customers.
Regal Theatres took on this venue in 2017 from Southern Circuit and rebranded it as the Cinebarre Canal Place 9. But the theatre’s dine-in concept proved challenging and Regal closed it on May 23, 2019.
The Norwalk Theatre closed in 1950. After three years of dormancy, Norman Black, Leonard E. Sampson, and Robert C. Spodick relaunched the theatre on December 26, 1953 with “Easy to Love” with Esther Williams.
Greater Baltimore Cinema launched its first Pennsylvania location with the discount, sub-run Cinema 83 at South York Plaza with four free screenings on January 23, 1992 with regular runs the next day. Screens 1 & 2 seated 170 at launch with 3 & 4 with 130 for a total of 600 total seats. The theatre closed on April 5, 1998.
Over a year later, Premier Cinema relaunched with wider seats taking the screen count down to 500 seats. They launched May 7, 1999 as Premier Cinemas at York likely opting to close at the end of the 10th year of the lease. Under new ownership, the theatre became the South York Plaza Cinema 4 in September of 2002. FunTime Cinemas was running the theatre South York Cinemas 4 as of 2019.
Very technically, the name of the theatre operation according to multiple sources is the Marlow Mobil-In operated by John Rohr of the Marlow Theatre in Pine River. He decided to create a mobile drive-in operation in 1948 beginning June 17, 1948 in Crosslake. In July and August, Rohr created two more locations of the Marlow Mobil-In Theatre Circuit in Longville and a spot between Backus and Hackensack.
The apartment is located below the screen.
Launched June 22, 1955 with “Rhapsody” and boasting a 120' screen.
According to the trade press, W.H. Lee was the architect of this venue, originally, the Strand Theatre launching in 1925 for Benny Freed on a 30-year lease. It competed with the existing and smaller Newton Theatre in the silent era. The theatre converted to sound in 1929 becoming the Roxy Theatre. At the end of its lease, the theatre was renewed and was given a major makeover including new lobby, new seating, new projection and screen to accommodate widescreen CinemaScope presentations and air conditioning.
The demolished Drive-In was the Spindletop Drive-In Theatre on Spindletop Drive.
The El Rancho closed for the summer in 1979. It was refurbished becoming the Sunn Cinema on October 5, 1979. The Sunn set closing April 30, 1983. It became a youth center and boxing club before being retrofitted for other retail purposes.
BTW: It was owned by the Deming Theatre Co. though never was the Deming Theatre. It operated part-year with the Deming Company’s Mimbres Drive-In when both were in operation.
Launched October 10, 1951. The screen was removed in 1986 and the remaining tower was toppled in February 1987.
The Lyric Theatre launched October 3, 1910. The 1,000-seat venue was managed by Frank D. Hill who programmed three acts of live vaudeville followed by four reels of motion pictures in the formative years of the Lyric. On July 12, 1912, blind organist W.A. Wallace played the new M.P. Moller pipe organ with Hill singing Irish ballads with illustrated lantern slides projected. On October 8, 1925, the theatre was gutted by fire ending its run. Some elements of the theatre were incorporated into a furniture store thereafter. That building burned down on February 10, 1928.
The Strand Theatre launched September 27, 1935 with “The Woman in Red" on a 20-year lease. It closed after a May 15, 1954 showing of “Lone Star Vigilante.” It was retrofitted soon thereafter becoming a retail store in December of 1954.
After a June 28, 1935 free open house, the Dekalb Theatre launched July 1, 1935 with “Naughty Marietta.”
Whyte Bedford of the Marion Theatre launched the Ford Drive-In Theatre on August 13, 1953 with “Thunderbirds.” The Drive-In likely closed after the 1958 season as ads are discontinued.
Dave Hamilton and his son, Mack, launched Hamilton’s Drive-In Theatre on May 18, 1950 with the film, “It’s a Grand Feeling.” On hand that night was radio station WFPA broadcasting from the grand opening. Local Boy Scouts helped direct cars to the theatre and ramps which held 400 cars at opening. DeLuxe Hot Dogs, malted milks, and cheese sandwiches were among the offerings at the snack bar.
The New Cricket launched on February 12, 1946 with the film, “The Stork Club.” The $60,000 theatre opened with a capacity of 850 – 570 on the main floor for White patrons and 270 in the balcony for African American customers.
Regal Theatres took on this venue in 2017 from Southern Circuit and rebranded it as the Cinebarre Canal Place 9. But the theatre’s dine-in concept proved challenging and Regal closed it on May 23, 2019.
Demolished May 2019
Closed April 3, 1997 with Star Wars, Cats Don’t Dance, Selena and Jungle 2 Jungle. Demolished in November of 2007.
A 2016 redesign brought about stadium seating and an all new concession stand along with new rest rooms.
The Norwalk Theatre closed in 1950. After three years of dormancy, Norman Black, Leonard E. Sampson, and Robert C. Spodick relaunched the theatre on December 26, 1953 with “Easy to Love” with Esther Williams.
Closed September 13, 1987 after showings of “Robo-Cop” paired with “Working Girl.”
Greater Baltimore Cinema launched its first Pennsylvania location with the discount, sub-run Cinema 83 at South York Plaza with four free screenings on January 23, 1992 with regular runs the next day. Screens 1 & 2 seated 170 at launch with 3 & 4 with 130 for a total of 600 total seats. The theatre closed on April 5, 1998.
Over a year later, Premier Cinema relaunched with wider seats taking the screen count down to 500 seats. They launched May 7, 1999 as Premier Cinemas at York likely opting to close at the end of the 10th year of the lease. Under new ownership, the theatre became the South York Plaza Cinema 4 in September of 2002. FunTime Cinemas was running the theatre South York Cinemas 4 as of 2019.
Closed July 27, 1999. The last film to play was “American Pie”
Closed after the 1989 single-year relaunch. Torn down January 1997.
Queensgate closed on September 11, 2008
The ride is the Miracle Star Gazer mini ferris wheel made in Grinnell, Iowa by the Miracle Equipment Company.
Closed February 27, 1943.