Denham Springs Drive-In
402 S. Range Avenue,
Denham Springs,
LA
70726
402 S. Range Avenue,
Denham Springs,
LA
70726
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Additional Info
Previous Names: Joan Drive-In, Patrician Drive-In
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The Joan Drive-In was a very short-lived drive-in theatre located in Denham Springs, LA. Opened May 30, 1952 with Audie Murphy in “The Cimarron Kid” & Ronald Reagan in “Bedtime for Bonzo”. It was owned by Mrs. Violet Muse Clark, who also owned the indoor Leslie Theatre on Range Avenue. In December 1953, both theatres were part of a bankruptcy sale. The Leslie Theatre was sold to new owners and became the Carol Theatre (now an antique mall), and the Joan Drive-In was reopened in 1954 renamed Denham Springs Drive-In. In 1961 it was renamed Patricion Drive-In which closed in 1962.
It has since been demolished and became the site of a “brikcrete” manufacturer.
Contributed by
MD Caillet
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
Site is now an Albertson’s.
402 S Range Ave Denham Springs, LA 70726
Opened with “The Cimarron kid” and"Bedtime for Bonzo".
Motion Picture Herald, Feb. 16, 1952: “Reports are that H. H. Forbes, Jr., will soon open a new drive-in near Denham Springs, La."
It was later renamed the Denham Springs Drive-In in 1954, and was last known as the Patrician Drive-In since 1961. It was closed in 1962.
This is two different drive-ins.
The Denham Springs turned briefly Patrician Drive-In is what maps to 402 S. Range Avenue, Denham Springs, LA 70726 in Central D-springs. It launched first of the town’s two ozoners in April 1952. It operated a swimming pool beginning in the 1960 season. In its final season, it relaunched on May 11, 1961 as the Patrician Drive-In “The Magnificent Seven” and “The Conqueror.” The theatre stopped advertising after the July 27, 1961 showing of “Ice Palace.” The swimming pool continued for another season. The site was torn down for a Food Town Grocery Store that opened in 1964.
The Joan Drive-In was southwest of town at what now maps to 1401 Hol-U-Bar Rd, Denham Springs, LA 70726. It operated in the 1952 and 1953 seasons and co-existed with the Denham Springs Drive-In. The Joan opened May 30, 1952 with Audie Murphy in “The Cimarron Kid” & Ronald Reagan in “Bedtime for Bonzo” supported by the Woody Woodpecker cartune, “The Puny Express.” Violet Muse Clark operated it and winds on May 20, 1953 damaged the screen. It was repaired and then seized for failure to pay certain bills. The Joan ended up in a sheriff’s sale auction on July 25, 1953. It completed its second / final year of operation. It was demolished.