Clark 54 Drive-In for sale, cheap

Clark 54 drive-in signKHQA, the Tri-States’ News Leader, reports that the Clark 54 Drive-In of Summer Hill IL is for sale, and the official Clark 54 web site confirms it.

According to KHQA, owner Mike Glass isn’t selling because of the looming conversion to digital projection or a lack of business, but “for personal reasons.” Okay.

The Clark 54 opened in 1952. KHQA says that a real estate agent said it’s averaged over $61,000 in annual profit over the last six years. The 70-foot screen was recently refurbished “and the septic system has been given health department approval.” I’m all in favor of that! And I know that the Clark 54 already has a Facebook page, because that’s where I borrowed the thumbnail to illustrate this news note. For another couple of photos and a few more details, check out the KHQA article.

The listing price is reported to be $245,000. If you’re interested, contact Wade Real Estate at 217-285-2774.

More video about the tough times in Twin Falls


I know we just talked about the fate of the drive-ins of Twin Falls a few days ago, but you know I’m a sucker for any video with lots of drive-in photos. When I saw that KMVT, Idaho’s First News, prepared a fresh report yesterday, I just had to share it with you.

This video doesn’t cover much new ground, but we get to see a lot of great shots of the Motor Vu and the Grand Vu, along with the face behind the voice of their owner or manager or something, Larry Roper. I don’t know why its player has that “closing” word stuck by itself, but I’m happy to be able to embed it here. Warning: this video is not safe for anyone easily frightened by really large double chins. C’mon, Larry, please get help. We want you to stay with us running those drive-ins till you’re old and gray, okay?

Big Mo is “squirreling away” for conversion

Big Mo marqueeThe Aiken (SC) Standard ran a nice story this weekend about The Big Mo Drive-In in Monetta. Richard and Lisa Boaz, co-owners of The Big Mo are taking a standard, optimistic approach to the movie industry’s transition to digital projection – they’re hanging on to their film projectors for a long as they can while they’re “squirreling away” money to pay for the necessary new equipment.

The Big Mo has been open since 1951, and the current owners bought the place in 1999. Richard has a day job, yet he still finds the time to knit the film from each movie’s reels onto one huge reel, then take them back apart to return them. According to the Standard, the movie trailers come separately, and Richard often keeps them. “Maybe (I’ll) throw up a trailer festival,” he said. That sounds like fun!

So go check out the story with its small gallery of nice photos. Then visit The Big Mo’s Facebook page, where there’s a lot more information, history, and photos, including the photo I grabbed for this note.