Columbus Drive In Theatre

[jimbo700]

I just finished reading the section about the Columbus Drive-In and it brought back many fond memories.
The author was correct that people frequently attempted to sneak in by hiding in the trunk.
It was rarely successful because the Drive-In had an employee who patrolled the back rows. If caught, you were asked to pay, or leave (but if you didn't have the money they would occasionally let you stay with a warning).
-Jim Burgan-

[David Sechrest]

Welcome Jim!

The Drive-In article was alot of fun to write. I only wish I had more info regarding that outdoor theatre.

I received an email a few months back from an individual who is looking into the possibilities of building a Drive-In in Columbus. I went to a drive in outside of Bloomington this past summer, and it was packed!

I wonder how a Drive In would do in Columbus in this day and age.

[Livin In The Past]

.
I went to the drive-in at Versailles this past summer and it was packed, too. They had Dolby Stereo that came in on our in-dash stereo, and it sounded great. Those little speakers at Columbus Drive In didn't sound very good, but then again that was when even the best quality TVs had 3"speakers and we listened to music on AM radio.
It would be great to have a drive-in theatre in Columbus, but finding property, unspoiled by excessive lighting at a reasonable price would be a hard thing in Bartholomew County. I understand the drive-in in Shelbyville also does a great business during warmer weather

[David Sechrest]

Hi, Livin', and welcome!

They had the same setup at the drive in outside of Bloomington. You could either listen to the movie on your FM radio (in stereo, no less), or from one of the old drive in speakers. Most spots still had them, and the one where we parked worked!

I opted out for the hanging speaker, and made sure I replaced it on the stand before we left...

...the show starts in 9 minutes...

[jimbo700]

Every time I watch Grease I get a bang of out the drive-in screen behind John Travolta as he sings "Sandy".
Those dancin' hot dogs saying "just 7 minutes 'till showtime".
I also remember the intermission commercial for "the original Tolona Pizza at our concession stand".
There pictures from the exact commercial they ran at Columbus drive-in here -> www.driveintheater.com/menu.htm

[David Sechrest]

A company out of California called Sinister Cinema www.sinistercinema.com/ offers Drive-In double features on VHS tape (if you visit their website, click on the "Current Sales" link at the top).

I bought several of these back in the 1990's, and they are great. Complete with previews of upcoming shows, the movies themselves, and "intermission time," plus that final announcement to be sure to remove the speaker before leaving.

In the tapes I received, all of the intermission spots are different, and some I remember from the Columbus Drive-In.

A nostalgic way to spend an evening at home!

[David Sechrest]

Happy New Year everyone!

Does this look somewhat familiar?



I'll share this much: it's at a drive-in that's STILL in operation, and yes, it is located in the state of Indiana!

[David Sechrest]

Ok, ok, ok...to quell the vast number of questions as to the location of the drive in sign, it's in Wabash Indiana. I believe the Drive In is called the 13-24.

[David Sechrest]

By the by...

The sign above is very close to the way the Columbus Drive In sign looked. The only difference I can tell is the font used for the above letters.

This sign is MASSIVE. I'm going to ask my sister to go out and take some measurements of it, if possible.

Trueman Rembusch, who owned the Columbus Drive In through Syndicate Theaters, also owned the Drive In in Wabash.

There was one other sign similar to ours. It was located in Huntington Indiana. The Drive In there was called the Y & W. When they tore down that drive-in, someone stepped in and bought that sign. It was so big, however, he had to move it on a tractor trailer, and store it in a barn.

Syndicate Theaters (Trueman Rembusch) also owned the Drive In in Huntington...

[michigandriveinscom]

David, the Y&W Drive-In was in Merrilville, IN., it was torn down in 2004. John Detzler, the current owner of the Huntington Drive-In, bought the Y&W marquee in 2002. Here's a good site on the old Y&W....www.lostindiana.net/html/y___w_drive_in.html........Ron

[David Sechrest]

Hello Ron. Thanks for the link.

Also, thank you for sending me the photo of the Drive In marquee in Wabash, plus the info regarding Syndicated Theaters...

[Martha]

I don't remember going to the drive in as a teenager but I took my son and his friends until they tore it down. My son (23) and his friends still go to drive in movies in Shelbyville and I think Bloomington. I wish they would build another drive-in (like the old days).
We would go for sure !!!!
I just came across this page and have enjoyed reading about Columbus and the section about the Drive-In.

Martha

[ron]

My wife's parents worked part time at the Drive-In for several years. I remember them telling us how a young friend of ours was fired. He was working in the concession stand and when patrons paid with coins he was slipping them in his shirt pocket instead of the cash register. He was discovered when the bent over to pick up something from the floor and all the coins came cascading out. I understand he later became a minister.

[64hearse]

I have a Arvin in car heater that I bought years ago at the Crump garage sale when they cleaned out a bunch of stuff from under the stage area to raise funds. I can take a photo of it if you want for the site.