In 2001 I was scouting around the site of the old Capitol drive-in theatre looking for a remnant, and I found the most wonderful thing: it's a newspaper printing template for the Capitol Drive-in theatre advertisement. I still have it. I'm thinking about puttting it on a few T-shirts. By the way, that was a fabulous trailer.
The good ones are gone! While I'm too young to have been in many of the theaters. I do remember going to the Starlight drive-in in Altoona after we moved to Altoona in '75(there is a Lowes there now). And I remember the Paramount right around the corner from the old Greyhound depot. Great post!
Before the Starlight, it was the Town Drive-in. Back in the fifties, friday night was "buck night". All you could fit in the car got in for a dollar per carload!
The Varsity is still great,with the best popcorn in towm.They're the only theatre to still use REAL butter,for no extra charge.Best concession stand prices also.I seen Valkyrie there the day after Christmas,theatre was mostly full,even for 9:30PM showing.
What a great video! FYI: Architect Norman T. Vorse designed many theaters in DM and throughout Iowa. His studio was on the top floor of the Paramount. The only DM theater he designed that is left is Hoyt Sherman. He did much of his work for Abraham Blank who owned many theaters.
My great-grandfather and Croatian immigrant, Roy Lepovitz had his hands in the Eastown Theatre and the Theatre in Madrid. I look forward to seeing the whole picture.
Hello-- I'm sure you don't remember me, but we visited you in Laredo when I was 7 (like 1985). Please give my best to your parents. I've heard your dad isn't well. We're all praying for him.
Of course I remember you, Your bother and sister. In fact I live not far from where you used to live in San Antonio. Dad is in chemo and radiation treatment and his attiude is good so he should be fine.
That was awesome. My dad and I were just talking about the dumbing down of the Des Moines market for movies. Everything is so homogenized and all but one is a chain. Plus there's no theatre downtown. By the way there are just two true independents left in town, Merle Hay Cinema at Merle Hay Mall - with Iowa's largest non-IMAX screen at 60 feet and 800 seats, all of them good and the Varsity in the Drake neighborhood, with the best popcorn in town.
Wow, after watching a documentary on Riverview Park, I'm very interested in more "old" Des Moines information. Can't wait to see what happens with this one!
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casestudyification 4 months ago
Anyone know the name of the Drive-In in Urbandale that was set on a hill? I think there is a Denny's there now.
All I remember about the Drive-In was that the entrance had a neon seal with its nose bouncing a ball.
visor109 1 year ago
In 2001 I was scouting around the site of the old Capitol drive-in theatre looking for a remnant, and I found the most wonderful thing: it's a newspaper printing template for the Capitol Drive-in theatre advertisement. I still have it. I'm thinking about puttting it on a few T-shirts. By the way, that was a fabulous trailer.
pazzensutra 2 years ago
The good ones are gone! While I'm too young to have been in many of the theaters. I do remember going to the Starlight drive-in in Altoona after we moved to Altoona in '75(there is a Lowes there now). And I remember the Paramount right around the corner from the old Greyhound depot. Great post!
caliger617 2 years ago
Before the Starlight, it was the Town Drive-in. Back in the fifties, friday night was "buck night". All you could fit in the car got in for a dollar per carload!
desmones 2 years ago
The Varsity is still great,with the best popcorn in towm.They're the only theatre to still use REAL butter,for no extra charge.Best concession stand prices also.I seen Valkyrie there the day after Christmas,theatre was mostly full,even for 9:30PM showing.
onecelticwarrior 3 years ago
that was cool thanks.say i really miss drive in movies.laura lynn
7deathcurse7 3 years ago
The Capitol Drive in was a good venue!! so was the Riviera
Diamondmind50 4 years ago
Wasn't there a small theatre between 2nd Ave and 6th Ave on Euclid, too? I thought I remembered my older sister going to movies there.
browneyedbonnie 4 years ago
What a great video! FYI: Architect Norman T. Vorse designed many theaters in DM and throughout Iowa. His studio was on the top floor of the Paramount. The only DM theater he designed that is left is Hoyt Sherman. He did much of his work for Abraham Blank who owned many theaters.
Pal928 5 years ago
Wow, the city looked waaay cooler 60 years ago, huh?
Tavat 5 years ago
My great-grandfather and Croatian immigrant, Roy Lepovitz had his hands in the Eastown Theatre and the Theatre in Madrid. I look forward to seeing the whole picture.
pkjames11111 5 years ago
Hello from your cousins in Texas Lewis Lepovitz and family.
llepovitzlll 5 years ago
Hello-- I'm sure you don't remember me, but we visited you in Laredo when I was 7 (like 1985). Please give my best to your parents. I've heard your dad isn't well. We're all praying for him.
--Phil James
pkjames11111 5 years ago
Phil,
Of course I remember you, Your bother and sister. In fact I live not far from where you used to live in San Antonio. Dad is in chemo and radiation treatment and his attiude is good so he should be fine.
llepovitzlll 5 years ago
That was awesome. My dad and I were just talking about the dumbing down of the Des Moines market for movies. Everything is so homogenized and all but one is a chain. Plus there's no theatre downtown. By the way there are just two true independents left in town, Merle Hay Cinema at Merle Hay Mall - with Iowa's largest non-IMAX screen at 60 feet and 800 seats, all of them good and the Varsity in the Drake neighborhood, with the best popcorn in town.
msh71 5 years ago
oh that was cool
powerfulman5000 5 years ago
Wow, after watching a documentary on Riverview Park, I'm very interested in more "old" Des Moines information. Can't wait to see what happens with this one!
allenhuffman 5 years ago