Brevard Drive-In
336 N. Babcock Street,
Melbourne,
FL
32935
336 N. Babcock Street,
Melbourne,
FL
32935
3 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Kent Theatres Inc., Southeast Cinemas, Talgar Theatre Company
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In early-1950, a new drive-in was announced for the Melbourne-Eau Gallie area. Shortly after that the government placed many restrictions on building materials, forcing a delay in the construction of the new Brevard Drive-In. Patrick Air Force Base (aka Patrick Space Force Base), located nearby, created a great need for an additional theatre in Melbourne-Eau Gallie. After the restrictions were lifted, construction was started. Jack Grayson was the manager. On January 29, 1952 the Brevard Drive-In had its opening night. The feature was the 1950 western “Commanche Territory” with Maureen O'Hara and Macdonald Carey. Parking capacity was 300-cars with RCA speakers. It was opened by Talgar Theatres. Rupert N. Koblegard Jr. (dba Sunrise Theatre Inc.) was from Jacksonville, FL. In 1930, Koblegard Jr. had formed a partnership with M.C. Tally (Tal) B.B. Garner, (Gar) and Frank Rogers. That was the beginning of the Talgar Theatre Co. On April 3, 1955, the Talgar Theatre holdings were bought out by Horton R. Pudden dba First Southeast Corporation. They had extensive holdings in real estate.
Starting on October 5, 1958, St. Paul’s Methodist Church used the Brevard Drive-In as an early morning church. The gate opened at 6am. Donuts, coffee, and cartons of milk were served FREE at the concession stand. Rev. Fred E. Stinson stood on top of the concession building and the cars and trucks parked facing away from the screen. His service came through the drive-in speakers. The service was non-sectarian so everybody could attend. The service started at 8:30 and lasted until 9:15. The services would continue up to the closing of the airer in 1983.
In June of 1960, Fred H. Kent dbs Kent Enterprises bought all of the First Southeast Corporation theatres holdings. Fred H. Kent was a veteran in the theatre business and a lawyer. T.L. Hyde was in charge of all the theatres. Before Kent Theatres, Hyde was associated with Talgar Theatres, Florida State Theatres and Sparks Theatres. They screened the last movies on September 3, 1983. It was closed for good on September 4, 1983.
On December 23, 1962, Kent Theatres had opened up the Palms Indoor Theatre, located beside the Brevard Drive-In. It started out as a single screen theatre and was expanded to 5-screens later on. One of the reasons they closed the drive-in was to expand the Palms 5 indoor theatre and add 3 more screens. The Palms 5 Theatre was located right beside the screen tower of the drive-in and they had to demolish the screen tower to make room for the Palms 8 theatre. The Palms 8 Theatre was opened on May 18, 1984. The Palms 8 closed in 1995 and was later demolished (It has its own page on Cinema Treasures) In 2004, N. Babcock Street was rerouted through the old drive-in site and connected to US 1.
Contributed by
Randy Studer, Andy
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
Eau Gallie and Melbourne Florida Merged in 1969 as Melbourne, Florida. It was used as Parking for the Palms Theater after it closed. It was a cleaner place as it was all paved were the other drive-in the Melbourne Outdoor Theater was all dirt parking! Brevard had tall pine trees and chained link fence that surrounded it! It was fun to go there, You had Dog’s and Suds and Jerry’s Pizza Palace across the street to get food before or after the films.
I grew up in Melbourne and remember going to the Brevard Drive In in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I specifically remember seeing E.T. The Extra Terrestrial when if first came out. The Drive-In was located adjacent to the Palms 5. The Palms owners demolished the drive in screen in built an addition to the original Palms 5 becoming the Palms 8. It operated into the late 90’s before finally closing.
Five images added.
I remember this being owned by Kent Theatres, not Talgar.
I remember we used to go there and put about three people in the trunk. I remember those big tall pine trees they were certain type of pine not like the long needle Pines where was that little choo-choo train that you could ride on the back of after have gone shopping with your parents
I was born in Melbourne went to Central Junior High School then went to a Gallie High School gosh I remember surfing at Indialantic beach I’m 63 years old now my name is Lenny Chalifour
Opened in May 1952, closed in September 1983.