Skyview Drive-In: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Skyview Drive-In entrance.jpg|right|thumb||450px|Entrance to the Skyview Drive-In]] | [[File:Skyview Drive-In entrance.jpg|right|thumb||450px|Entrance to the Skyview Drive-In]] | ||
[[File:Skyview Drive-In.jpg|right|thumb||450px|View of the Skyview Drive-In]] | [[File:Skyview Drive-In.jpg|right|thumb||450px|View of the Skyview Drive-In]] | ||
The '''Skyview Drive-In Theatre''' was a 600-car [[List of former cinemas#Former drive-ins|outdoor drive-in cinema]] located | The '''Skyview Drive-In Theatre''' was a 600-car [[List of former cinemas#Former drive-ins|outdoor drive-in cinema]] located at 675 [[Decatur Highway]] ([[U.S. Highway 31]]) in [[Gardendale]]. It opened on [[June 1]], [[1956]]. | ||
The cinema was the fifth drive-in to be developed and operated by the [[Waters Theatre Company]] in the [[Birmingham Metropolitan Area]]. It was constructed at a cost of $150,000, part of which was expended in blasting away 20,000 cubic yards of rock from the 8-acre site. | The cinema was the fifth drive-in to be developed and operated by the [[Waters Theatre Company]] in the [[Birmingham Metropolitan Area]]. It was constructed at a cost of $150,000, part of which was expended in blasting away 20,000 cubic yards of rock from the 8-acre site. [[H. M. Norwood Jr]] furnished the landscape design and fencing. | ||
The steel paneled screen was 40 feet tall and 80 feet wide, designed by engineer [[James Goetz]] and fabricated by [[Truscon Steel]], a division of [[Republic Steel]]. The projection booth and caretaker's apartment were built above an air-conditioned restroom and concession stand. | The steel paneled screen was 40 feet tall and 80 feet wide, designed by engineer [[James Goetz]] and fabricated by [[Truscon Steel]], a division of [[Republic Steel]]. The projection booth and caretaker's apartment were built above an air-conditioned restroom and concession stand. [[Joe Lackey]] was the first manager of the drive-in. | ||
The hazardous situation caused by drivers crossing northbound traffic to turn onto the southbound lanes after a show led to the installation of a flashing traffic signal which was operated by theater staffers. | |||
The facility was taken over by [[Cobb Theatres]] in [[1969]]. It closed in [[1972]]. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Badger, Eddie ( | * Badger, Eddie (December 8, 1956) "The Moved a Mountain to Build a Drive-In". ''Boxoffice'' | ||
==External links== | |||
* [http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/57791 Skyview Drive-In] on CinemaTreasures.org | |||
[[Category:Former cinemas]] | [[Category:Former cinemas]] | ||
[[Category:Drive-in cinemas]] | [[Category:Drive-in cinemas]] | ||
[[Category:Decatur Highway]] | [[Category:Decatur Highway]] | ||
[[Category:1956 establishments]] | |||
[[Category:1972 disestablishments]] | |||
Revision as of 17:07, 7 March 2021
The Skyview Drive-In Theatre was a 600-car outdoor drive-in cinema located at 675 Decatur Highway (U.S. Highway 31) in Gardendale. It opened on June 1, 1956.
The cinema was the fifth drive-in to be developed and operated by the Waters Theatre Company in the Birmingham Metropolitan Area. It was constructed at a cost of $150,000, part of which was expended in blasting away 20,000 cubic yards of rock from the 8-acre site. H. M. Norwood Jr furnished the landscape design and fencing.
The steel paneled screen was 40 feet tall and 80 feet wide, designed by engineer James Goetz and fabricated by Truscon Steel, a division of Republic Steel. The projection booth and caretaker's apartment were built above an air-conditioned restroom and concession stand. Joe Lackey was the first manager of the drive-in.
The hazardous situation caused by drivers crossing northbound traffic to turn onto the southbound lanes after a show led to the installation of a flashing traffic signal which was operated by theater staffers.
The facility was taken over by Cobb Theatres in 1969. It closed in 1972.
References
- Badger, Eddie (December 8, 1956) "The Moved a Mountain to Build a Drive-In". Boxoffice
External links
- Skyview Drive-In on CinemaTreasures.org