Looks like the Alpharetta drive-in opened in 1957 and had a name matching the indoor theater at the time.
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Oct. 23, 1957: (under Atlanta notes) “The new Alpha Drive-In, Alpharetta, Ga., owned by Mel Brown, is managed by Hans Toler, former manager, Buckhead, here.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Dec. 25, 1957: “Ernest Watson was named manager, Alpha Drive-In, Alpharetta, Ga., replacing Hanson Tolar, who joined Wilby Kincey as treasurer.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 15, 1971: “ARTESIA, N.M. - Extensive remodeling has been completed at the Landsun Theatre, … it was announced by Creighton Gilcrist, who recently leased theatres in the Artesia area … The Hermosa Drive-In will remain open all year to permit film choice for patrons, according to Gilcrist.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 15, 1971: “George Stamm, operator of the Campanil Theatre and the Stamm Theatre, has announced that he will begin to twin the Bridgehead Drive-In, Antioch. The work is slated to start around the first of the year and should take approximately four months to complete.”
Boxoffice, May 2, 1977: “Tom Moyer’s Luxury Theatres … has taken over operation of the Coeur d' Alene, Ida., Drive-In which is managed by Bud McKay, a local resident.”
The Starview opened on Oct. 3, 1947, based on its grand opening ad in the Santa Cruz Sentinel. No mention of its opening program, but its ads soon added that there was “Never a foggy night at the Starview Drive-In Theatre.”
The Starview (“No Fog!”) continued to advertise in the Sentinel through August 24, 1956. Its movies on that Friday were “Escape From Fort Bravo” and “Naked Alibi.”
A note in January 1958 mentioned new houses going up “on the site of the old Starview drive-in theater”.
Just sayin', the Ocean City site was in Ocean City FL, a census-designated place across Cinco Bayou from most of Fort Walton Beach. It gets its mail service from a FWB post office, but it’s not within the city limits.
Exhibitor, March 26, 1952: “Louis Craig, manager. Park Drive-In, Crestview, Fla., will also manage the Ocean City Drive-In.”
Motion Picture Herald, April 5, 1952: “L. E. Craig opened his new Ocean City drive-in, Ocean City, Fla., on March 22, completely equipped with RCA equipment.”
Exhibitor, April 9, 1952: “Raymond Gremillion, Southeastern’s sales and service representative, checked in after installing RCA equipment in L. E. Craig’s new Ocean City Drive-In, Ocean City, Fla. It has accommodations for 250 cars.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Dec. 18, 1957: “Mr. and Mrs. Tom Barrow, western Florida circuit operators, acquired ownership of the Ocean City Drive-In, Ocean City, Fla., from L. E. Craig.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Jan. 7, 1959: “Lewis Craig, owner, reassumed management of the Ocean City Drive-In, Ft. Walton, Fla., previously operated by Tom Barrow.”
On Feb. 3, 1964, Boxoffice said that Gulf States Theatres had acquired the Ocean City from Craig.
I went looking for the date of the name change, and I remain confused. The first reference I could find in the San Jose News to “Frontier Auto Movie” was in its movie listings column in April 22, 1964. However, the drive-in’s advertisement in that issue was for the “Frontier Drive-in Theatre”.
A May 3, 1952 note in Motion Picture Herald mentioned that James Totten was (still) running the Lakeview. Although Edward Campbell was a serial drive-in entrepreneur of the region at that time, I haven’t found any mentions of him at the Lakeview. OTOH…
The Exhibitor, July 15, 1953: “William Powars has taken over the operation of the Lakeview Drive-In, Pendleton, Ky., from R. H. Totton (sic?). Powars has been a representative of the Alexander Film Company.”
The Exhibitor, July 29, 1953: “(Louisville) Out-of-town exhibitors seen included … Bill Powers (sic), Lakeview Drive-In, Pendleton, Ky.”
Boxoffice, May 30, 1977: “Exhibitors visiting the (Cincinnati) exchanges included Bill Powars, Pendleton, Ky.”
The last mention of the Frontier Auto Movie that I could find in the San Jose News was on May 22, 1973, showing “The Folks at Red Wolf Inn” (AKA “Terror at Red Wolf Inn”) and “Frenzy”. The Frontier was absent from the News' listings the next day.
The 2009 book Theatres of San Jose by Gary Lee Parks included a clearer, less cropped version of this photo. It credited it to Shirlie Montgomery; History San Jose.
Please don’t think that I was criticizing anyone with my remarks. I was just stating my background philosophy that nothing should be assumed to have existed without evidence.
In particular, I respect CT for erring on the side of believing in borderline possibilities. That provides a location for additional information if anyone has some to offer, even as it shows cautionary notes from such skeptical users as me.
Kenmore, nice work with the mountains lining up. I love doing that.
I’m an optimistic kind of guy, but when it comes to whether something existed or not, my default is that it didn’t. I’ve read too many “under construction” or “about to open” notices in Boxoffice that never amounted to anything. I love discovering new drive-ins after I’ve exhausted all my sources (see the Julesburg Drive-In I added even though it’ll make me add pages to my Colorado Drive-In book), but some just never were.
Kenmore, I can’t see what you’re seeing. The NE corner of Airport & Ellen looks the same in 1992 and 2005 aerials. That would put it at about 950 Airport, if something’s there. OTOH, that News article specifically mentioned N Airport Road, an address that Google Maps says is just south of the airport. Again, I see no obvious change between ‘92 and ‘05.
All I have found so far is the request to build and a “Coming Soon” photo, plus the precise car count from Rainbow Angels Ensemble. So, dear RAE and original poster, can you share the source of your information? Without that, I have no evidence that this drive-in ever opened.
A Feb. 26, 2003 article in the Williams-Grand Canyon News (paywall) said that Marv Mason and business partner, Margaret Hodgkins, wanted to build the Route 66 Drive-In Theater at 950 N. Airport Road. In an edtitorial in that issue, the News objected to Mason’s request to waive over $30,000 in fees to improve the adjoining road and hook up to city water.
The Oct. 30, 1961 issue of Boxoffice had a full-page story on Sky manager William Jenkins' promotions. In particular, patrons who attended shows during the winter at the Sky, “Michigan’s Pioneer of In-Car Heaters,” received an Igloo Club card. After four visits, the fifth was free.
Boxoffice, April 15, 1974: “Officials of the Oak Drive-In in Royal Oak, Mich., a suburb of Detroit, were overwhelmed at the response to their early bird 7 a.m. showing recently. Even with a temperature of 11 degrees and heavy snowdrifts, it was reported that very few cars left before the movie was over … The owner of the drive-in, A. W. Smith, expressed the hope that none of the 350 cars that had to be turned away would hold any ill will … Smith was protesting DST, which he feels most drive-in managers oppose.”
Motion Picture Herald, May 24, 1952: “Charles DeCastro has bought the Moon, Stratton, Colo., from Irvin H. Jeppe.”
Boxoffice, April 30, 1973: “E. J. Buhr has taken over operation of the Moon Theatre, Stratton, from C. A. Decastro. The latter will continue to operate the Peerless in Holyoke and the newly opened Chaka in Julesburg”
Based on the preponderance of notes in Boxoffice, I’d guess that the theatre wasn’t named the Chaka until 1973. Here are a few of those clips.
Boxoffice, Feb. 28, 1966: “Marie Zorn, Hippodrome Theatre, Julesburg, traveled to Iowa for her parents' 50th wedding anniversary.”
Boxoffice, May 6, 1968: “Edward, son of Marie Zorn, Hippodrome Theatre, Julesburg, Colo., has been elected president of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at Colorado State University.”
Boxoffice, March 1, 1971: “JULESBURG, COLO. - Funeral services were held here at the Julesburg Methodist Church for Elizabeth K. Zorn … Along with her sister-in-law Marie Zorn, she operated the Zorn Theatre and was a true pioneer in the field of exhibition. She was active in the operation of the theater up until the time of her death.”
Boxoffice, March 22, 1971: “In town (Denver) to set dates were Marie Zorn, Hippodrome Theatre, Julesburg”
Boxoffice, Jan. 22, 1973: “Charles “Chad” DeCastro and his wife Kay, new owners of the Hippodrome Theatre in Julesburg, report that a major remodeling and redecorating program is being planned for the movie house. They hope to have the building ready for film exhibition early this spring. The DeCastros purchased the historic Hippodrome Theatre at auction from the Zorn estate. They also own and operate the Peerless Theatre at Holyoke, Colo. The updating will include new restrooms, a new concession stand and many other major improvements, DeCastro said.”
Boxoffice, April 30, 1973: “E. J. Buhr has taken over operation of the Moon Theatre, Stratton, from C. A. Decastro. The latter will continue to operate the Peerless in Holyoke and the newly opened Chaka in Julesburg”
A good address for the Starlite would be 2367 Statesville Rd, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659, the address of the Family Dollar store that sits where the viewing field had been.
And here’s a note I just had to share, from Boxoffice, May 23, 1953:
“Chicken night, staged in conjunction with bingo, once a week, is a real box-office stimulant at the Starlite Drive-In, North Wilkesboro, N.C. The attraction was introduced recently by Manager Jack Pardue and gives patrons a chance to take home a fresh chicken for their Sunday dinner. Before showtime, the chickens are released in the play area. All the patrons have to do is catch them, kill them, roast them and dinner’s ready - come'n get it.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 24, 1956: (after talking about his latest promotions) “Bob Tuttle, who started with the competing Sky Drive-In in 1950, sold out there to William G. Jenkins, his partner, and took over the Lenawee with Don Swenk.”
Looks like the Alpharetta drive-in opened in 1957 and had a name matching the indoor theater at the time.
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Oct. 23, 1957: (under Atlanta notes) “The new Alpha Drive-In, Alpharetta, Ga., owned by Mel Brown, is managed by Hans Toler, former manager, Buckhead, here.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Dec. 25, 1957: “Ernest Watson was named manager, Alpha Drive-In, Alpharetta, Ga., replacing Hanson Tolar, who joined Wilby Kincey as treasurer.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 15, 1971: “ARTESIA, N.M. - Extensive remodeling has been completed at the Landsun Theatre, … it was announced by Creighton Gilcrist, who recently leased theatres in the Artesia area … The Hermosa Drive-In will remain open all year to permit film choice for patrons, according to Gilcrist.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 15, 1971: “Dan Rundell jr. advised industry officials that he has closed permanently his Cave Theatre in Delhi.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 15, 1971: “George Stamm, operator of the Campanil Theatre and the Stamm Theatre, has announced that he will begin to twin the Bridgehead Drive-In, Antioch. The work is slated to start around the first of the year and should take approximately four months to complete.”
This 1979 photo by John Margolies is part of the John Margolies Roadside America photograph archive of the Library of Congress, and is effectively in the public domain.
Lloyd Honey’s obituary in the May 2, 1977 issue of Boxoffice mentioned that he and his father built the Starvue.
Boxoffice, May 2, 1977: “Tom Moyer’s Luxury Theatres … has taken over operation of the Coeur d' Alene, Ida., Drive-In which is managed by Bud McKay, a local resident.”
The Starview opened on Oct. 3, 1947, based on its grand opening ad in the Santa Cruz Sentinel. No mention of its opening program, but its ads soon added that there was “Never a foggy night at the Starview Drive-In Theatre.”
The Starview (“No Fog!”) continued to advertise in the Sentinel through August 24, 1956. Its movies on that Friday were “Escape From Fort Bravo” and “Naked Alibi.”
A note in January 1958 mentioned new houses going up “on the site of the old Starview drive-in theater”.
Just sayin', the Ocean City site was in Ocean City FL, a census-designated place across Cinco Bayou from most of Fort Walton Beach. It gets its mail service from a FWB post office, but it’s not within the city limits.
Exhibitor, March 26, 1952: “Louis Craig, manager. Park Drive-In, Crestview, Fla., will also manage the Ocean City Drive-In.”
Motion Picture Herald, April 5, 1952: “L. E. Craig opened his new Ocean City drive-in, Ocean City, Fla., on March 22, completely equipped with RCA equipment.”
Exhibitor, April 9, 1952: “Raymond Gremillion, Southeastern’s sales and service representative, checked in after installing RCA equipment in L. E. Craig’s new Ocean City Drive-In, Ocean City, Fla. It has accommodations for 250 cars.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Dec. 18, 1957: “Mr. and Mrs. Tom Barrow, western Florida circuit operators, acquired ownership of the Ocean City Drive-In, Ocean City, Fla., from L. E. Craig.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Jan. 7, 1959: “Lewis Craig, owner, reassumed management of the Ocean City Drive-In, Ft. Walton, Fla., previously operated by Tom Barrow.”
On Feb. 3, 1964, Boxoffice said that Gulf States Theatres had acquired the Ocean City from Craig.
I went looking for the date of the name change, and I remain confused. The first reference I could find in the San Jose News to “Frontier Auto Movie” was in its movie listings column in April 22, 1964. However, the drive-in’s advertisement in that issue was for the “Frontier Drive-in Theatre”.
A May 3, 1952 note in Motion Picture Herald mentioned that James Totten was (still) running the Lakeview. Although Edward Campbell was a serial drive-in entrepreneur of the region at that time, I haven’t found any mentions of him at the Lakeview. OTOH…
The Exhibitor, July 15, 1953: “William Powars has taken over the operation of the Lakeview Drive-In, Pendleton, Ky., from R. H. Totton (sic?). Powars has been a representative of the Alexander Film Company.”
The Exhibitor, July 29, 1953: “(Louisville) Out-of-town exhibitors seen included … Bill Powers (sic), Lakeview Drive-In, Pendleton, Ky.”
Boxoffice, May 30, 1977: “Exhibitors visiting the (Cincinnati) exchanges included Bill Powars, Pendleton, Ky.”
The last mention of the Frontier Auto Movie that I could find in the San Jose News was on May 22, 1973, showing “The Folks at Red Wolf Inn” (AKA “Terror at Red Wolf Inn”) and “Frenzy”. The Frontier was absent from the News' listings the next day.
The “Frontier Village Drive-In Theatre” opened on April 18, 1962 with “Experiment in Terror”. Grand opening ad from the San Jose News uploaded here.
The 2009 book Theatres of San Jose by Gary Lee Parks included a clearer, less cropped version of this photo. It credited it to Shirlie Montgomery; History San Jose.
Please don’t think that I was criticizing anyone with my remarks. I was just stating my background philosophy that nothing should be assumed to have existed without evidence.
In particular, I respect CT for erring on the side of believing in borderline possibilities. That provides a location for additional information if anyone has some to offer, even as it shows cautionary notes from such skeptical users as me.
Kenmore, nice work with the mountains lining up. I love doing that.
I’m an optimistic kind of guy, but when it comes to whether something existed or not, my default is that it didn’t. I’ve read too many “under construction” or “about to open” notices in Boxoffice that never amounted to anything. I love discovering new drive-ins after I’ve exhausted all my sources (see the Julesburg Drive-In I added even though it’ll make me add pages to my Colorado Drive-In book), but some just never were.
Kenmore, I can’t see what you’re seeing. The NE corner of Airport & Ellen looks the same in 1992 and 2005 aerials. That would put it at about 950 Airport, if something’s there. OTOH, that News article specifically mentioned N Airport Road, an address that Google Maps says is just south of the airport. Again, I see no obvious change between ‘92 and ‘05.
All I have found so far is the request to build and a “Coming Soon” photo, plus the precise car count from Rainbow Angels Ensemble. So, dear RAE and original poster, can you share the source of your information? Without that, I have no evidence that this drive-in ever opened.
A Feb. 26, 2003 article in the Williams-Grand Canyon News (paywall) said that Marv Mason and business partner, Margaret Hodgkins, wanted to build the Route 66 Drive-In Theater at 950 N. Airport Road. In an edtitorial in that issue, the News objected to Mason’s request to waive over $30,000 in fees to improve the adjoining road and hook up to city water.
The Oct. 30, 1961 issue of Boxoffice had a full-page story on Sky manager William Jenkins' promotions. In particular, patrons who attended shows during the winter at the Sky, “Michigan’s Pioneer of In-Car Heaters,” received an Igloo Club card. After four visits, the fifth was free.
Boxoffice, April 15, 1974: “Officials of the Oak Drive-In in Royal Oak, Mich., a suburb of Detroit, were overwhelmed at the response to their early bird 7 a.m. showing recently. Even with a temperature of 11 degrees and heavy snowdrifts, it was reported that very few cars left before the movie was over … The owner of the drive-in, A. W. Smith, expressed the hope that none of the 350 cars that had to be turned away would hold any ill will … Smith was protesting DST, which he feels most drive-in managers oppose.”
Motion Picture Herald, May 24, 1952: “Charles DeCastro has bought the Moon, Stratton, Colo., from Irvin H. Jeppe.”
Boxoffice, April 30, 1973: “E. J. Buhr has taken over operation of the Moon Theatre, Stratton, from C. A. Decastro. The latter will continue to operate the Peerless in Holyoke and the newly opened Chaka in Julesburg”
Based on the preponderance of notes in Boxoffice, I’d guess that the theatre wasn’t named the Chaka until 1973. Here are a few of those clips.
Boxoffice, Feb. 28, 1966: “Marie Zorn, Hippodrome Theatre, Julesburg, traveled to Iowa for her parents' 50th wedding anniversary.”
Boxoffice, May 6, 1968: “Edward, son of Marie Zorn, Hippodrome Theatre, Julesburg, Colo., has been elected president of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at Colorado State University.”
Boxoffice, March 1, 1971: “JULESBURG, COLO. - Funeral services were held here at the Julesburg Methodist Church for Elizabeth K. Zorn … Along with her sister-in-law Marie Zorn, she operated the Zorn Theatre and was a true pioneer in the field of exhibition. She was active in the operation of the theater up until the time of her death.”
Boxoffice, March 22, 1971: “In town (Denver) to set dates were Marie Zorn, Hippodrome Theatre, Julesburg”
Boxoffice, Jan. 22, 1973: “Charles “Chad” DeCastro and his wife Kay, new owners of the Hippodrome Theatre in Julesburg, report that a major remodeling and redecorating program is being planned for the movie house. They hope to have the building ready for film exhibition early this spring. The DeCastros purchased the historic Hippodrome Theatre at auction from the Zorn estate. They also own and operate the Peerless Theatre at Holyoke, Colo. The updating will include new restrooms, a new concession stand and many other major improvements, DeCastro said.”
Boxoffice, April 30, 1973: “E. J. Buhr has taken over operation of the Moon Theatre, Stratton, from C. A. Decastro. The latter will continue to operate the Peerless in Holyoke and the newly opened Chaka in Julesburg”
From the cover of the Modern Theatre section of the April 18, 1966 issue of Boxoffice.
A good address for the Starlite would be 2367 Statesville Rd, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659, the address of the Family Dollar store that sits where the viewing field had been.
And here’s a note I just had to share, from Boxoffice, May 23, 1953:
“Chicken night, staged in conjunction with bingo, once a week, is a real box-office stimulant at the Starlite Drive-In, North Wilkesboro, N.C. The attraction was introduced recently by Manager Jack Pardue and gives patrons a chance to take home a fresh chicken for their Sunday dinner. Before showtime, the chickens are released in the play area. All the patrons have to do is catch them, kill them, roast them and dinner’s ready - come'n get it.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 24, 1956: (after talking about his latest promotions) “Bob Tuttle, who started with the competing Sky Drive-In in 1950, sold out there to William G. Jenkins, his partner, and took over the Lenawee with Don Swenk.”