MEMORIES

This page is dedicated to the preservation of the memory of the Outdoor Theatres that are no longer with us. (Formerly Page of Honour).

Here are a few of the Drive-Ins that I have photographed or researched, a lot of the info is not yet complete but is based on the information that I have collected thus far & is accurate to the best of my knowlege.I hope to add to these profiles as I am able to. If you have any additional information or any old snapshots please E-mail me at

    drive_in_theatres@yahoo.ca   & let me know!

These first three Drive-Ins are my latest project, more photos & text are in the works, so check back soon!!!

Chinook, Montana

• Red Rock Drive-In

Click thumbnails to enlarge

• Location- just west of Chinook on US Highway 2.

• Closed-  late 1970s

• notable features- the screen tower is still intact & sits at the edge of sales lot. The snack bar/projection booth is now used as the office building for Double T Sales.*

• View beyond screen-Bears Paw Mountains

Great Falls, Montana

• Twilight Cinema Center

Click thumbnail to enlarge

• Location- 201 Smelter Avenue NW, Great Falls

• Drive-In closed mid-1980s

• Indoor theatre closed late 1990s

• Notable features- this large projection booth also housed a large indoor theatre.What was once the screen tower base has served as a sign post since the screen was dismantled in the mid-90s.

• View beyond screen-Highwood Mountains

Havre, Montana

• Sunset Drive-In

Click on thumbnails to enlarge

• Location- just east of Havre on U.S. Highway 2

• Closed- early 1980s

• Notable Features- Driving toward Havre on Highway 2 the motorist would be inclined to think The Sunset was still in operation as the screen tower is still intact in excellent condition on the south side of the highway! The entrance gate by the screen is a dead give-a-way though, overgrown by weeds & posted with uninviting "No Trespassing" signs. Driving around to the south side of the lot I was able to see that all the components were still intact, including some of the speaker poles which were falling over. The screen is still shiny white enough that I was tempted to get a projector & show a movie! These photos take my imagination to an era when features were enjoyed overlooking the Milk River Valley & the lights of the city below!

 

Edmonton, Alberta

• Twin Drive-In

• 

• CLICK FOR MORE INFO

Hanna, Alberta

• Capitol Drive-In

  • Location-north side of 2nd Avenue West at the west side of town.
  • Opened-c.1954-1955
  • Closed-c.1974-1975
  • Capacity-originally 290-300 cars, later reduced to approximately 168
  • Sound system-speakers
  • Notable features

    -The snack bar had a large picture window facing the screen and originally had a small seating area inside. If my memory is correct the parking area was flat without any parking ramps.

    -In the mid-1970s the Drive-In was sold & moved to Kindersley, Saskatchewan where it was operated until c.1986.

Kindersley, Saskatchewan

• (name unknown) Drive-In
  • Location-north of Highway 7 on the west side of town
  • Opened-c.1976
  • Closed-c.1987
  • Capacity-unknown
  • Sound System-unknown
  • Notable features-Shortly after it opened a second screen was added. Today only the ticket booth remains.

Lethbridge, Alberta

• Greene Acres Drive-In

  • Location-corner of Mayor Magrath Drive South & Scenic Drive South

  • Closed-1986 or 1987

  (Thanks to The Catering Company for this addition)

Swift Current, Saskatchewan

• Swift Current Drive-In
  • Location-south side of the airport road ,just west of the airport
  • Opened - 1951
  • Closed-c.1968
  • Notable features-I have been unable to find out much about this early theatre yet but it is known that it was Swift Current's first Drive-In . Today only the cement footings from the screen tower remain, visible from the airport road.
  • View beyond screen-Swift Current Creek Valley

  

  Click on thumbnail to enlarge

• Swift Current Drive-In
  • Location-north-east of the junction of Highway 1 & Highway 4 South ,on the property where The Eastside Church of God now stands.
  • Opened-c.1968
  • Closed-c.1985-1986
  • Capacity-c.125 cars
  • Sound system-originally speakers, converted to AM radio sound in later years.
• Notable features-After its closing the sound system was installed at the Clearwater Drive-In near Kyle,Saskatchewan.All that remains of the old Drive-In is the fence around the north & east sides of the property.

Page Created April 3,2000

Updated June 3,2000.

*Thanks to Double T Sales in Chinook for allowing me take these photos.