Motor Vu Drive-in Theatre
Tooele, UT Photo courtesy Jack Wright
The Motor Vu Drive-in Theatre sits just off the busy highway outside of Tooele with its screen tower and marquee still intact. In an era when many drive-ins have disappeared, it's always a welcome sight to find one still operating.
The Motor Vu opened in 1949 and became a longtime fixture in Utah's drive-in landscape. After being purchased by the Bradshaw family in 1962, the theater entertained generations of moviegoers from the comfort of their cars. Although a windstorm damaged the original screen tower in the early 1990s, a replacement was constructed to keep the drive-in operating for future audiences.
UPDATE: Now operating as the Erda Drive In, the theater continues to show movies seasonally under local ownership. Modern projection technology has been added over the years, but the property's historic drive-in character remains intact, making it one of the few surviving drive-ins still lighting up the Utah night sky. 06-26
Comanche Drive-in
Buena Vista, CO Photo courtesy Mike Lascuola
The Comanche Drive-in Theatre has been entertaining moviegoers since opening in 1967. If you're looking to enjoy a movie under the stars, the Comanche has long been one of Colorado's most scenic places to do just that. Built by John and Pearl Groy, the drive-in occupies a unique place in theater history. Sitting at an elevation of approximately 8,000 feet, the Comanche is recognized as the highest-elevation drive-in theater in the United States. Despite concerns over its future and the challenges facing drive-ins in the digital age, the theater has continued to welcome audiences for generations.
UPDATE: The Comanche is now open and running for the summer. Many thanks to Barb and John for info update. 07-07
UPDATE: The Comanche Drive-in closed up after the 2007 season. Many thanks to David Hughes for update. 06-11
UPDATE: I just wanted to correct your website in regards to the Comanche Drive-in... it is NOT permanently closed and never has been. Although it is true that it has not run since the summer of '07, this was a temporary "mothballing" due to family issues an the closure was never intended to be permanent.
In fact, the drive in will reopen this Friday (albeit on a limited basis) showing a few classic movies for the remainder of the summer. After they close for the season, they will begin investigating the possibility of converting the projection equipment from 35mm film to digital (an $80k upgrade that may be mandated by the movie studios after 2012 ends) or switching their programming to classic films so that they may continue to remain open using 35mm film. Many thanks to Anthony Vazquez-Hernandez for update in August 2012. 12-12
UPDATE: The Comanche Drive-in remains in operation and continues to show movies seasonally in Buena Vista. Modern digital projection technology has helped secure the theater's future, allowing moviegoers to enjoy films beneath the backdrop of Colorado's mountain scenery for years to come. 06-26
Echo Drive-in Theatre
Roosevelt, UT Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Echo Drive-in Theatre was still showing first-run movies when these photos were taken. Located at a can't-miss spot along Highway 40, the drive-in's bright red marquee is a welcome sight for any drive-in enthusiast passing through Roosevelt.
The Echo opened in 1956 and remains one of Utah's surviving drive-in theaters. In addition to its intact screen tower and classic ticket booth, the drive-in still features a playground—a once-common part of the drive-in experience that has become increasingly rare. For generations, the swings and slides helped keep kids entertained while they waited for the evening's feature to begin.
UPDATE: The Echo Drive-in continues to operate seasonally in Roosevelt and remains one of the last surviving drive-ins in Utah. The red marquee, screen tower, ticket booth, snack bar, and playground all remain in place, preserving much of the character that made the drive-in experience a uniquely American tradition. 06-26
(Far right) The marquee at the Echo Drive-in Theatre is painted red and is very easy to see off the main boulevard
(Near right) the intact screen tower
Echo Drive-in ticket booth
Roosevelt, UT Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Snack Bar
Roosevelt, UT Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
To the far left is the ticket booth.
Playground
Roosevelt, UT Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The playground was a vital part of drive-ins back in the heyday of the
open air cinema. This area kept the kids entertained before the start
of the opening feature. The shape of the Echo's playground is a sight
that's becoming a rarity these days... the swings and slides were in good
shape and operational.
Comanche Drive-in
Echo Drive-in Theatre
(Far right) The marquee at the Echo Drive-in Theatre is painted red and is very easy to see off the main boulevard
Playground
