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Drive-ins change Mid-Ohio Valley entertainment scene

Look Back: Historical newspaper excerpts from the Wood County Historical Society

By The Wood County Historical Society 3 min read
Photo Provided The Mur Drive-In Theater opened in May 1949. It was located across present day Murdoch Avenue, from the main entrance to the Grand Central Mall, then Stewart Airfield. Being the area’s second drive-in to open that month, it offered “shows every night, rain or shine.” The double-feature for the opening was “Down to Earth,” starring Rita Hayworth and Larry Park and “Rose of Santa Rosa,” an action, Spanish-style musical. “Down to Earth” was in Technicolor.

Prior  to 1949, movie-goers of the area attended one of the many theaters then available. In May of that year another option was offered. The advertisement for the grand-opening of the Belpre Open-Air Theater, gave movie goers the opportunity to "Relax, Smoke and enjoy the Movies in Your Own Car. Adults 50 cents, children free of charge!"

A block ad in the March 30, 1950, edition of The Parkersburg News announces a "Grand Re-Opening" scheduled for April 1, which reads in part, "Yes Baby, it's cold outside but, the weather will soon be sunny and bright. So now the event for which you've been waiting is near at hand. The Belore Open Air Theater located just West of Belpre on Route 50. Don't forget the finest in Family Entertainment -- Movies Under the Stars -- Shows Will Start at Dark."

In November 1950, property in South Parkersburg was leased at the intersection of Gihon Road and Rt. 21 South for another drive-in theater. In July 1951 the "new and modern" Starlight Drive-In theater opened. The Starlight also offered walk-in service, adults 50 cents and children under 12, 25 cents. A color cartoon was added as an extra. It too offered a convenient refreshment stand.

The next theater to open was on the St. Marys Pike near the intersection with Rt. 2 North. The Jungle Drive-In, built by Carl Westbrook, opened in the fall of 1952. The first movie shown was titled "Wait 'Til the Sun Shines Nellie." John Westbrook, Carl's son, thought his father's choice of the opening movie might have been a special gift to his wife; her name was Nellie.

The Jungle was the area's most enduring drive-in, operating from 1952 until 2012.  The screen, which measures 40 x 72 feet, is still standing.

Yet another drive-in became available when Sam Matheny and Robert Bunting built the Midway Drive-In, just a few miles north of the Jungle at Waverly, alongside Rt. 2. Two of their first movies shown were "Massacre River," starring Guy Madison and Rory Calhoun and "Here Come the Nelsons, with Ozzie, Harriet, Davis and Ricky." The Midway was open for only 2 or 3 years.

The Sundowner Drive-in, a somewhat late-comer to the entertainment scene, was situated aside Gihon Road near what is today Rt. 68 South. The large screen of the Sundowner is still standing. Many will remember it today as the site where the body of a murdered girl was found.

Another area drive-in was the Riverside, situated along Rt. 7, between Belpre and Marietta.

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The Wood County Historical Society works to preserve yesterday for tomorrow. For more information, contact P.O. Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102

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