Miami Area THEATRES and DRIVE-IN THEATRES Historical Photos Gallery - All Years - click on image to view Photo Gallery by Don Boyd at pbase.com

Miami Area THEATRES and DRIVE-IN THEATRES Historical Photos Gallery - All Years - click on image to view

Dade County had a large variety of drive-in theatres for families and teens to attend at night and they were a lot of fun, especially on dates. We need more photos of these great date places so send them if you have them.

For those of you who are new to computing and/or surfing the internet, this is just one page of many pages of photos on this site. The home page for our Old Hialeah/Old Miami galleries is at https://pbase.com/donboyd/memories and all the oldie galleries spin off from that page. You can also click on the yellow colored >>Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries << at top of any page to get back to the main oldies page to search other galleries.

1924 - "A Lady of Quality" playing at the Hippodrome Theatre at 203 E. Flagler Street, Miami (later the Rex and Florida)	1938 - Florida's first drive-in theatre, the Miami Drive-In Theatre, program for the week of July 10, 1938	1947 - people waiting to see the movie "I Always Loved You" at the Olympia Theatre on Flagler Street	1948 - the Florida Theatre on Flagler Street downtown Miami	1948 - looking east on NW 36th Street at 17th Avenue with the Dade Theatre on the left just past Whelan Drugs in Allapattah
1949 - advertisement for the grand opening of the new Wometco Essex Theatre in Hialeah	1950's - the Florida Theater in Hollywood	1954 - world premiere of "The Glenn Miller Story" with appearance by Jimmy and Gloria Stewart at the Miracle Theatre	1954-world premiere of "The Glenn MIller Story" with appearance by Jimmy and Gloria Stewart at the Miami Theatre downtown Miami	1954-world premiere of "The Glenn Miller Story" with appearance by Jimmy and Gloria Stewart at the Carib Theatre on Miami Beach
1954 - the Paramount and Town theatres on Flagler Street	1954 - the Town Theater on East Flagler Street, Miami	1950's - the North Miami Theatre on West Dixie Highway in North Miami	1956 - Olympia Theatre advertisement in the Miami News for Elvis Presley shows at the theatre on Flagler Street, downtown Miami	1956 - INFORMATION NEEDED on audience members at the Elvis Presley performance at the Olympia Theatre in Miami
1956 - INFORMATION NEEDED on audience member at the Elvis Presley performance at the Olympia Theatre in Miami	1956 - INFORMATION NEEDED on audience member at the Elvis Presley performance at the Olympia Theatre in Miami	1956 - Elvis Presley wowing the audience at the Olympia Theatre on Flagler Street, Miami	1959 - the 2200-seat Carib Theatre on Lincoln Road, Miami Beach	The draperies around the screen at the Carib Theatre on Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
1960 - a promotional movie flyer for the Dixie Drive-In Theatre	1960 - a promotional movie flyer for the Tropicaire Drive-In Theatre	1964 - ad for the 79th Street Art Theatre in Miami	1964 - the Coral Theatre on Ponce de Leon in Coral Gables	1960's - the Loew's 170th Street Theatre on A1A in Sunny Isles
1965 - the Dixie Drive-In Theatre at 14601 S. Dixie Highway (US 1), Miami	1965 - the Dixie Drive-In Theatre at 14601 S. Dixie Highway (US 1), Miami	1965 - the Dixie Drive-In Theatre at 14601 S. Dixie Highway (US 1), Miami	1965 - the Dixie Drive-In Theatre at 14601 S. Dixie Highway (US 1), Miami	1965 - the Dixie Drive-In Theatre at 14601 S. Dixie Highway (US 1), Miami
1965 - the Dixie Drive-In Theatre at 14601 S. Dixie Highway (US 1), Miami	1965 - the Dixie Drive-In Theatre at 14601 S. Dixie Highway (US 1), Miami	1965 - the Dixie Drive-In Theatre at 14601 S. Dixie Highway (US 1), Miami	1965 - the Dixie Drive-In Theatre at 14601 S. Dixie Highway (US 1), Miami	1960s - the Tropicaire Drive-In Theatre on Bird Road across from Tropical Park, Dade County
1966 - the marquee and box office for downtown Miami's Florida Theatre	1968 - Wometco's Air-conditioning at the North Dade Drive-In	1969 - aerial view of the Miami Drive-In Theatre on NW 7th Avenue and 81st Street, Miami	1969 - aerial view of the Turnpike Drive-In on NW 27th Avenue north of Master's Field	1972 - the Paramount Theatre (former Fairfax) and Hotel on Flagler Street in Miami
1976 - ad for horror shows playing at the Tropicaire Drive-In, the Turnpike Drive-In and the Northside Twin 2	1970's - the Rex Theatre (formerly the Rosetta Theatre) at 7929 NE 2nd Avenue in Little River	Early to mid 1980's - unusual attire at one of the Omni Mall theatres

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Marilyn Allen		07-Feb-2022 15:41
I worked at a theater in Miami in 1949 and can't remember the name The ticket booth was on the right and a candy counter to the right behind it. There was also an opening to the street left of the ticket booth where I also sold candy. I am now 89 and still have my pay stubs that say Paramount Enterprises, but no address. My co-worker was Wynelle .

Dolly		16-Aug-2015 11:09
Anyone remember a small theatre on Biscayne Blvd,. Before the Omni was built? I went there on a field trip to see "Sounder" in '73, I believe it was torn down soon after to make way for the Omni.

Ed Voelkel		24-May-2015 21:27
Just wondering if anyone has pictures of the Olympia Theater in downtown Miami ? They used to have great vaudeville acts as well as movies. Ed Voelkel Miami High 1952 Kinloch Park 1949

William J Bopp		16-Aug-2014 18:32
I am trying mightily to purchase a photo, or a print or a painting of the old Rosetta Theatre in Little River, on N.E. 2nd Avenue, just south of 79th Street, without success. Any ideas? Thanks, Bill

Don Boyd		29-Jun-2014 06:39
Nancy, I can only post what I find or what people send me. The Essex was in east Hialeah, not Miami Springs, and I attended many movies there until the Palm Springs Theatre opened which was much closer to my home at the time. Don .

Nancy Rutledge		28-Jun-2014 18:36
I didn't see the Circle or the Essex in Miami Springs.

Keith Wikle		20-Jun-2014 16:28
I meant Coral Way drive in

Keith Wikle		20-Jun-2014 16:27
No one has mentioned the Wometco floral way drive in. I have yet to see a picture of that

wally		02-Sep-2013 23:42
love a royal castle hamburger and birch beer in frosted mug , a regular at the rosetta 1950's

Don Boyd		24-Feb-2013 19:57
From my friend Steve McDonald who grew up in Coral Gables and is a historical buff: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ American drive-in movie theaters experienced their golden era during the 1950’s, but Floridians were watching movies under the stars in their cars even before then: The City of Miami got its first drive-in on this day in 1938. The Miami drive-in charged admission of 35 cents per person, which was more than the average ticket price at an indoor theater, and soon had to trim the price to 25 cents per person. America's first-ever drive-in opened near Camden, New Jersey, on June 6, 1933, and was the brainchild of Richard Hollingshead, whose family owned an auto parts company. The inaugural feature was a 1932 film called "Wives Beware," and admission was 25 cents per car and an additional 25 cents per person. The sound for the movies was provided by three large RCA speakers next to the main screen. (The quality of the drive-in experience improved during the 1940s with the advent of the in-car speaker.) Following WW2, the popularity of drive-in theaters increased as America's car culture grew. By the early 1950s, there were more than 800 drive-ins across the USA. Although they earned a reputation as "passion pits" for young couples seeking privacy, most drive-in customers were families (parents didn't have to hire babysitters or get dressed up and their children could wear pajamas and sleep in the car) and often featured playgrounds, concession stands, and other attractions. Some drive-ins were super-sized, including Detroit's Bel Air Drive-In, built in 1950, which had room for more than 2,000 cars, and Baltimore’s Bengies Drive-In, which opened in 1956, and claimed the biggest movie screen in the U.S.: 52 feet high by 100 feet wide. Over the years, attempts were made to develop a daytime screen that would enable drive-ins to show movies before it got dark, but nothing proved successful. At their peak in the late 1950s and early 1960s, there were some 4,000 drive-ins across America. However, during the 1970s & 1980s, the drive-in industry went into decline and theaters shut down, due to such factors as rising real-estate values (which made selling the land for redevelopment more profitable than continuing to operate it as a drive-in) and the rise of other entertainment options, including video recorders, multiplex theaters and cable television. By 1990, there were around 1,000 U.S. drive-ins. Today, they number less than 400. New Jersey has the distinction of being the home of not just the first drive-in but also the first fly-in theater. In June 1948, Ed Brown's Drive-In and Fly-In opened in Wall Township and had space for 500 cars and 25 planes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Don .

Miket46		28-Aug-2012 13:23
I remember the 79th street Art theater, As a teenager, I used to go to the "Library" from Coral Gables, and just stay on the bus to 79th stree and walk to the theater. Watch nudies all day then get home in time for dinner...

Vince C		11-May-2012 01:42
Anyone know if the Olympia theater is still there? I worked there as an usher in early 1956 and quit when I could not stand seeing the Solid Gold Cadillac any more and maybe a month later, Elvis Presley performed there. Great timing, huh?

Vince C		11-May-2012 01:40
To Bob Sara: Just a note about the 27th ave drive in theater. Were you always a paying customer or did you happen to park behind the theater on 29th terrace just off 81st street. If so, that was my house you parked in front of. Great time to grow up in.

Phil V		25-Apr-2012 22:23
I seem to remember a drive in somewhere in south Miami that would hold church services on Sunday. "Come as you are,worship in your car". Great for people who were on their way to the beach.

Gordon Stuedler		22-Mar-2012 15:41
Thanks for the memories. I've worked at both the Dixie Drive In and the Tropicare Drive In at different times. I remember going to the Dixie Drive In as a child when it had two concession stands, one for whites and one for blacks. If you look at the pictures the segregated concession is in the very back. When I worked there in the 1970s it was used for storage. The Tropicare kept itself going long past it's viability as a movie theater by running swap meets on the weekends. They were very successful for quite a while. But like most of the Drive Ins across the country the land became too valuable for even the extended use and was sold for retail purposes. It's now a mall and the Dixie is a Publix supermarket.

Don Boyd		25-Feb-2012 21:17
Jim: do you remember where on 79th Street that the Roulette used to be? I can't seem to recall it. What years was it there? Don

Don Boyd		25-Feb-2012 21:16
Here is some information on Drive-In Theatres that Steve McDonald, a contributor to this site, sent out in an e-mail today: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ American drive-in movie theaters experienced their golden era during the 1950’s, but Floridians were watching movies under the stars in their cars even before then: The City of Miami got its first drive-in on this day in 1938. The Miami drive-in charged admission of 35 cents per person, which was more than the average ticket price at an indoor theater, and soon had to trim the price to 25 cents per person. America's first-ever drive-in opened near Camden, New Jersey, on June 6, 1933, and was the brainchild of Richard Hollingshead, whose family owned an auto parts company. The inaugural feature was a 1932 film called "Wives Beware," and admission was 25 cents per car and an additional 25 cents per person. The sound for the movies was provided by three large RCA speakers next to the main screen. (The quality of the drive-in experience improved during the 1940s with the advent of the in-car speaker.) Following WW2, the popularity of drive-in theaters increased as America's car culture grew. By the early 1950s, there were more than 800 drive-ins across the USA. Although they earned a reputation as "passion pits" for young couples seeking privacy, most drive-in customers were families (parents didn't have to hire babysitters or get dressed up and their children could wear pajamas and sleep in the car) and often featured playgrounds, concession stands and other attractions. Some drive-ins were super-sized, including Detroit's Bel Air Drive-In, built in 1950, which had room for more than 2,000 cars, and Baltimore’s Bengies Drive-In, which opened in 1956, and claimed the biggest movie screen in the U.S.: 52 feet high by 100 feet wide. Over the years, attempts were made to develop a daytime screen that would enable drive-ins to show movies before it got dark, but nothing proved successful. At their peak in the late 1950s and early 1960s, there were some 4,000 drive-ins across America. However, during the 1970s & 1980s, the drive-in industry went into decline and theaters shut down, due to such factors as rising real-estate values (which made selling the land for redevelopment more profitable than continuing to operate it as a drive-in) and the rise of other entertainment options, including video recorders, multiplex theaters and cable television. By 1990, there were around 1,000 U.S. drive-ins. Today, they number less than 400. New Jersey has the distinction of being the home of not just the first drive-in but also the first fly-in theater. In June 1948, Ed Brown's Drive-In and Fly-In opened in Wall Township and had space for 500 cars and 25 planes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks Steve! Don

Guest		24-Jul-2011 14:24
I remember the Roulette drive-in on NW 79th. We saw A Hard Day's Night there. Jim

Joel		27-Jan-2011 18:41
Such great times. Kellys hamberger on sat after colecting my news route. With milkshake took all I made but worth it.I went to Kinlock and Miami High grad.56.

Lee Martines (MEHS '57)		22-Jul-2010 03:17
Sorry, but I believe Jeff is mistaken about the open air theater location. I lived in the area of NW 7th Ave and 95th St from 1947 to 1962 and there was never any such theater there. The only open air theater I am aware of was the Edison, located at NE 2nd Ave and 75th St. It fell into disrepair and was condemned sometime in the fifties. It was purchased and rebuilt, adding a roof and air conditioning in 1961, by Mi-Am-I Grotto, a Masonic social fraternity, and operated as a 825 seat arena as the Little River Fight Club.

Don Boyd		27-May-2010 03:15
nonniesbrat: thank you for posting that comment about movies on top of Sears. I haven't heard that one yet and while I was old enough in the mid 50's my father and aunt never took me there. Does anyone else have memories of movies on top of Sears? The Essex building is still there but I don't know what is in the theatre's previous space. I'll go by there one of these days and take a photo for this website. I tried to find the Rosetta a year or so ago and nothing was recognizable to me. I am in definite need of a photo of the Majorette Drive-In --- that ranks right up there on the top of my "want" list. I remember going there a few times in the mid 1950's with my aunt and her boss and I always got a hamburger and a chocolate shake or malt. Don

nonniesbrat		27-May-2010 00:27
Does anyone remember going to see the kids movies at the top of the Sears on Biscayne Blvd.? That was in 1954!!

nonniesbrat		27-May-2010 00:21
What ever happened to the Essex theater in Hialeh, and the Rosetta in Little River? Also the Majorette Drive in Restaurant in Little River, from the 50's.

marc cremin		19-Mar-2010 01:14
I don't have any pictures of the Sunny Isles twin theatre but a lot of memories.I was a junior at the Uof F in 1966. Home for the summer to work (we lived in South Miami) I joined the Laborers Union in Liberty City for a temporary union membership. Myself and a friend were the only 2 white college kids that would show up at the union hall each morning.After a few days of hanging around the hall I got called out to the theatre site.They were just starting foundation work and I carted around concrete blocks in the Miami sun. Nothing but blistering heat on hot sand.Almost killed me and I was a very in shape 20 year old.However the union job paid about $3.25 an hour when everyone else was making $1.25! Spent 3 months helping to build that theatre yet never saw a movie there. Marc Cremin

radio lady		15-Feb-2010 00:03
I remember the LeJeune Drive In. I grew up in LeJeune Gardens, just down the street from Kelly's hamburger stand. Our dog used to find his way down the street to Kelly's, and they'd give him handouts. Lucky dog. A bunch of us would walk in to the drive-in (I think it was 10 cents) and sit on the benches just under the screen. Boy, did our necks hurt the next day! Does anyone remember the Constellations that would come in to the airport? It seemed as if they were so low you could almost touch them. The sheriff once came out and had us take down our kites because the pilots were complaining to the control tower at the airport. I remember Mansenes also. Before the days of spaghetti sauce in a jar, you used to be able to bring your own pot to them, and they would fill it with their wonderful sauce to take home. No "to go" container necesssary.

Lee Martines (MEHS - 1957)		02-Feb-2010 08:01
Nice list Jeff; that probably covers the majority. Living just outside Miami Shores in the 40's and 50's the theaters of choice were the Shores, and the Rosetta in Little River. Sometime around 1953 all the merchants in Miami Shores issued numbered tickets with purchases, and each Saturday numbers would be drawn during the kid's shows for merchandise prizes. I remember winning a nice Universal tank-type vacuum cleaner in a hassock case with all attachments. I believe my mother used it until the mid 70s. Another week my prize was two grocery carts full of items from the A & P grocery. At age 16 I obtained a job at the Shores Theater as an usher. Unfortunately I had to start work while I was battling the flu and I proceded to throw up all over the lobby carpet racing to the restroom. That was the end of my usher career.

Don Boyd		01-Feb-2010 13:52
The below post is from the main message gallery, and reposted here because it concerns theatres in our area in 1955, and it will just get buried under a ton of other comments in the main message gallery: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From Jeff Levine: While doing some other research, I ran across a list of local theaters from a Jan. 30, 1955 edition of the Miami News. This will surely evoke some memories... Beach, Boulevard, Boulevard Drive-In, Cameo, Carib, Center, Cinema, Circle, Coral, Coral Way Drive-In, Dade, DAnia Drive-In, Dixie, Dixie Drive-In, Embassy, Essex, Flagler, Florida, Gables, Gateway, Hallandaale Drive-In, LeJeune Park Auto, Lincoln, Little River, Mayfair Art, Miami, Miami Drive-In, Miracle, Normandy, North Miami, Paramount, Parkway, Regent, Roosevelt, Rosetta, Royal, Sheridan, Shores, Strand, Surf, Tivoli, Tower, Town, Trail, Tropicaire Drive-In, Turnpike Drive-In, 22nd Avenue Drive-In, 27th Avenue Drive-In, Variety, West Hollywood Drive-In... and listed as "Negro Theaters"... Ace, Bunche, Liberty City Drive-In and Ritz ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Don

Leighton		25-Jan-2010 16:54
Beyond drive-ins, I'm looking for pics of the Sunny Isles Twin. The building is still there, as a furniture store. Two oval theaters (the "Aquamarine" - blue rocking chairs - and the "Driftwood" - orange), with a funky lobby that had an aquarium motif in elaborate tiles. It was THE coolest theater in the late 60s. "A Funny Thing Happened..." opened it, and I saw "Chitty" there in 1968. I've found a couple of newspaper ads, with a black/white photo, but would love a color shot of the interior.

jeanne ledbetter-knapp		24-Jan-2010 15:48
I WAS BORN IN EDISON CENTER 2 BLOCKS WEST OF SHELLS CITY ON 59ST AND 7PL.I SHARE ALL THOSE MEMORIES AND HAVE SOME SPECIAL ONES ALSO. WHEN I WAS 15 I WALKED OUT TO 7AVE. AND CAUGHT BUS #26 DOWN TO 36ST TO MOORE PARK FOR BATON LESSONS. I STARTED 1ST GRADE AT ORCHARD VILLA IN 1942. AT THE AGE OF 5 WALKED TO SCHOOL BY MYSELF STRAIGHT DOWN 58 ST TO I THINK 12 AVE. I HAD MS BIRCH FOR FIRST GRADE. I REMEMBER A BOY NAMED JERRY SUTTON ACTUALLY I HAVE A PICTURE OF MY FOURTH GRADE CLASS WITH HIM IN IT.THE CENTER THEATRE IS WHERE I WENT ALL OVER THE WORLD AND DANCED IN BEAUTIFUL GOWNS,ETC DREAM ON!!!!!!OH ,AND KISSED ALL THE GORGEOUS MEN ON THE SCREEN. I TOO WENT RUSTIC ROLLER RINK, AND THE OPEN AIR THEATRE WAS EDISON THEATRE JUST SOUTH OF LITTLE RIVER ON THE EAST SIDE,THE MAIN STREET THAT RUNS THRU LITTLE RIVER. MY FAMILY WALKED TO THE EDISON THEATRE MANYTIMES THER WOULD BE ABOUT 20 FAMILY MEMBERS WALKING. I HAVE BEEN TO EVERY DRIVE IN IN DADE COUNTY. DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE "MAJORETTE DRIVE IN ON 79ST AND ABOUT 5AVE?

Guest		15-Jan-2010 20:33
I remember the Miami Shores theater. When my family moved from the beach to the Shores, it was the date theater with a stop afterwards at HoJo's. I saw Dr. Zhivago there and Help! Peggy Green Lou, KY.

Robert		20-Nov-2009 01:59
This site is great!! I was a projectionist during the 70's - 80's and worked at many of these Drive-ins. Now work for AT&T and everytime I stop at Publix for a deli sandwich where the Dixie Drive-in was it brings back great memories. The Austrailian Pines are still there.

Don Boyd		15-Nov-2009 08:42
I went to kiddie matinees there on Saturdays in the mid 1950's and on dates there in the mid 1960's. My last visit there was probably in the mid 1970's. It was a nice theatre with a nice crowd going there as I recall. Don

Guest		15-Nov-2009 05:34
One theater that nobody has mentioned but still has a lot of history is the Miami Shores Theater, located in Miami Shores of course. Still around today in one form or another. Anybody have any memories of it?

Randy H.		11-Nov-2009 04:43
Born in 1953 in Miami and lived from 1960 to 1994 in Opa Locka. I recall in that area drive-ins near the Palmetto and 32ns Avenue (which I went to), NW 27th Avenue and about 170th street, NW 27th Avenue and about 127th Street and One on 27th Avenue and near 83rd Street. The last of them went I believe in the mid 1980s and that was the one I believe on 27th Avenue and about 127th Street.

Jeff		07-Nov-2009 05:43
Kathy... are you sure you're not thinking of the Miami Drive-In Theater on NW 80th Street and NW 7th Avenue (441)? To the best of my knowledge, there was NEVER any drive-in theaters on 441 between NW 103rd and 111th Streets... There WAS, however, an open-air theater on NW 7th Avenue around 95th Street in the late 40's to some time in the 50's... but I don't think that classified as a drive-in... and I don't know if it lasted into the 60's.

Kathy		03-Nov-2009 17:33
Any one remember the drive in on 441 between NW 103rd and 111th near the Pony Ride place? Can't remember the name of it. We lived on 111th and we used to go there as kids - sitting on the front bumper of the car in our PJ's. Remember seeing "The Jungle Book" and "Batman" (Adam West) there. But the name of the place has gone out of my head. Still amazed that they tore that down and yet the land sat empty for AGES. :-(

Jeff		30-Oct-2009 04:22
Theater names changed often with ownerships, as did operating locations. The Rosetta became the King and then the Rex. Downtown's Dixie became the Rio. The Little River Theater became the Bard, then the 79th Street Art. The Central became the Carver and so on... The Claughton "twin" theaters Embassy and Royal on SE 1st Street closed entirely. Claughton's Variety on 6th and Washington on Miami Beach closed down, then was re-opened as an adult theater called the Paris. The Town Theater ws originally the Miami, but was renamed when Wometco built a new Miami Theater in 1947. As Don has noted, the Paramount was formerly the Fairfax and the Florida was previously known as the Rex and the [second] Hippodrome. The Strand was a little out-of-the-way theater West of NE 2nd Avenue in what's now known as Miami's Design District. My late friend Al Eckhardt (of Allied Signs) used to go there with his wife all the time when he lived near the area. All the great "movie palaces" are now gone... the Central, Cameo, Surf, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Cinema, Plaza Art, Flamingo, Carib, Colony, Lincoln, Essex, Beach... more than can be listed in a short post. Each one had their own special design, charm and neighborhood appeal.

Guest		18-Oct-2009 20:38
To Jeff Norman - Oh Yes I remember the LeJune Drive-In. I grew up in Grapeland Height too. My parents would take me and our dog to Kelly's Drive- in acrossthe strret and go to the movies. Fog trucks. Wow I forgot about that. I saw Born Free there in a VW Bug that my parents bought at an auto dealer across the street from the Hot Shops in the Grove. It was the early 60's. My grandparents lived in the Grove so I spent alot of time there too. My husband and I lived in the Grove until 2001. To Don Boyd. Thank you so much for the memories. We live down the street from Tropical Hobbyland and ate at Mansens all the time. Great Meatballs. I was looking for other archive photos from the 60 and 70 (could not find) today and came across your site. I sent this web site to my Mom. She will LOVE it.

Pokey		23-Sep-2009 20:59
Guest ------ 1 June 09 As I read your entry, I almost had a heart attack, because my name is Pokey, but the time frame and school is a little to early for me. I was given the name Pokey in 1953 and still go by it. The only Pokeys that I remember from that time frame was Gumby & Pokey, and Porky & Pokey from the old Lassie TV Show----Ha Ha But its nice to know that that was more then just one Pokey running around Miami back then, I graduated from Miami Central in 68 take care Pokey

Nicky		30-Aug-2009 22:24
Yes larry, I spent a lot of time in Jahn The Magic Man. Had to be on 1st or 2nd Ave in the first block south of Flagler. One older sister worked at the Olympia theater and the other older sister worked at the Coral theater. Both on Flagler. My Mother sent me with them on Saturdays in the middle '40's. I'd watch the movies (free, of course) at one theater and then cross the street to the other a block away. After the movies, I'd go straight to Jahn's for the rest of the day. My stepmom bought my Daisey Red Rider there for me. I had longed for that gun for years. Much like Ralphie in the Christmas Story movie. Oddly enough, I am now married to a women who's Dad owned the shoe repair shop at 12 NW 5th St for all of the those years. She would go to work with him (we were single digit ages) and walk the downtown streets just as I did. It was safe as rain back then. Unbelievable! You know that at some point in time, we had to run into each other. In 2002, at age 61, we found each other and are now married. At high school age, I spent every weekend at the Tropicare. lost my virginity there! can't say that I every saw a complete movie there. Humidity kept the windows to fogged up! Had to be the humidity!

JEFF NORMAN		09-Jun-2009 02:17
DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY PICS OF THE OLD LEJUNE DRIVE IN THEATER??I LIVED IN GRAPELAND HIEGHTS IN THE LATE FIFTYS AND EARLY SIXTY'S AND WE USED TO GO THERE QUITE A BIT. MY DAD KNEW THE PROJECTIONIST THERE AND GOT FREE PASSES ON OCASSION. GREAT MEMORIES. PIZZA,COKES, FRIES WERE GREAT AND REMEMBER THE MISQUITOE FOG TRUCKS WOULD SPRAY DURRING THE SHOW.

Guest		01-Jun-2009 19:57
In 1957 my family lived on N.W. 173rd Terrace near 27th Avenue, Mrytle Grove(?) which was in walking distance of the Farmer's Market, the Golden Glades Drive-in, the 27th Avenue Drive In, and that little Phillips Gas station. The city of Opa Locka was nearby where I went roller skating. N.W. 173rd Terrace neighbor-family names that I remember are: Picaithley, Mobley, Alderson, Landers, Anacarico, Murphy, Cash, Damson, Moore and there was a photographer whose first name was "Frank." In 1957-58, I attended the newly built Palm Springs Junior High School. While living at N.W. 173rd Terrace, my sister, Karen, dated a guy by the name of "Pokey." In 1958-59 I attended the newly built Carol City Jr High School (Mr. Gaskey was my homeroom teacher.) In 1960-61 I attended Hialeah High School.

Guest		19-May-2009 22:39
Bob Sara, Thanks for remembering the Strand for me. I can find no record of it anywhere. My parents used to take me there when I was a pre-teen. I've been trying to retrace my childhood but it seems to be disappearing. I think the Langoliers are doing it!

Bob Sara		17-May-2009 16:18
Alb, if I recall correctly, the Strand was on NW 7th Ave around 27th Street. It later became an adult theater, and the building now houses a church.

Alb		12-May-2009 19:29
I spent just about every Saturday morning at the Tower theatre on SW 8th Street and about 14th Avenue during the late 50s'. 25 cents to get in and 25 cents for a hot dog and 10 cents for a soft drink. And Flash Gordon serials. Anyone ever hear of the Strand theatre just North of downtown Miami?

Bob Sara		21-Apr-2009 13:06
Don, might you or one of the members here remember anything about an amusement park near or next to the Coral Way Drive In on Coral Way around SW 70 Street? My wife works in an equipment rental company behind Braman Honda, and she say's she's had customers say the location is behind "Pirate's World" The only Pirate's World I remember was the one in Broward off of Sheridan Street Causway.

Don Boyd		29-Mar-2009 02:40
Bob, thank you much for remembering the Palm Drive-in east of 27th Avenue. That has to be the one that I was wondering about at the top of this page. Don

Bob Sara		28-Mar-2009 19:35
The 27th Ave Drive-In was located on the corner of N.W. 27th Ave and 87th Street. As kids in the 60's we spent every Friday night there in the summer months. The was also the Palm Drive-In just east of 27th Ave between 62nd Street and 79th Street, behind the Royal Castle Hamburger plant.

Guest		12-Mar-2009 16:49
We lived in the Edison Center area and my sister and I spent Saturdays at the theater watching the serials, movies, and intermission when there would be yo yo contests. If my memory is correct it cost us .25 to get in. Kathy

Don Boyd		06-Feb-2009 06:36
Hi Marie, welcome and thank you for your commetns. There are comments all over the place in different galleries on this site and the Rosetta has been mentioned a few times, usually as part of a list of places from Old Miami. I used to go to the Rosetta's Summer Movie Club during the summer in the mid-50's so I was there many times in my youth. Julie, also welcome to the site and thank you for posting. I patronized the Biscayne when it was respectable and probably once or twice later on in life after it wasn't respectable. Good memories! Don Don

Marie Roper Gerber		06-Feb-2009 04:41
Me again! Anyone remember the Rosetta Theatre in Little River? I believe it was right on NW Second Avenue and just off NW 79th Street.

Marie Roper Gerber		06-Feb-2009 04:37
No mention of the Miami Drive In - I lived in Rovell Trailer Park which was right next to the drive - in - we watched movies from our porch - and the sound wasn't too bad either! It was on NW 9th Avenue and about 81 st Street - just off 79th Street. This is a fantastic website by the way!

Guest		19-Jan-2009 19:00
Does anybody remember the Biscayne Blvd. Theater at Biscayne Blvd. and 78th Street? In about 1970, we walked from our house on NE 71st Street with our little kids and watched Butch Cassiday and the Sundance Kid. Later, it was the "Pussycat" Theater, and, of course, we never went back!! It was directly across Biscayne Blvd. from the Playboy Club. Julie

Don Boyd		18-Dec-2008 16:06
Guest, thank you for your comments and memories. I don't remember it being segregated down the middle like that but I could have been there after that era. All I remember were the Brigette Bardot movies that neighbors took their kids and me to at that drive-in in the late 50's. I believe there's a portion of the Turnpike Drive-in visible (the screen and some of the parking spaces) visible in shot of Master's Field in the Aviation gallery, Master's sub-gallery. That airport was immediately to the south of the Turnpike on 27th Avenue. I haven't seen any shots of the Golden Glades twin screen drive-in yet but it lasted relatively long compared to other drive-ins in the area before being developed into more profitable real estate. Don

Guest		18-Dec-2008 13:34
I did some more investigating and the other half of the drive-in was called the "Liberty City Drive In". BTW ... What about the "Turnpike Drive In" on 27th ave near the Palmetto Xway and the "Golden Glades Drive-In" ??

Guest		18-Dec-2008 02:08
The Drive-In near the Sears warehouse was actually two seperate but combined drive-ins.There was a fence running right down the middle from the screen to the back, even thru the concession stand. One side was for blacks and the other for whites. There were two seperate entrances. There were two different names. The only name I remember was "22nd Ave Drive-In" Bob Henke

Bob Vlugt		12-Dec-2008 23:28
For hours,we would stand in awe in front of Jahn the magic man in downtown miami in the 50's. And remember the old Olumpia theatre,my buddy Joe worked there as a usher and would sneak us in at times.~I also worked in the consesion stand flippin burgers at the Leujune drive in theatre,after closing we would go to Tommy's BBQ on Lejuene and 14th street,I lived just in back of it in the early fiftie.Went to Kinloch Park and Tech high.Ahhhhh yes,they were the good old days.

Larry		21-Oct-2008 20:49
The Tropicare drive In, in the late 50's was oh so popular with our h/s crowd. Many terrific memories which are better left unexplained. Also I would appreciate if anyone remembers Jahn the Magic Man in downtown Miami, and the Mayflower Resturant with the donut hole story on the building ? Thanks for a great site

rick		17-Oct-2008 17:37
The old Coral Way drive in was near the RR tracks where the car dealer and condos are now. It closed in the late 70's and was demolished soon after. It sat empty for many years till the condo was built and the front lot was empty even longer. The entrance was next to the RR tracks and the old traffic light control box still exists on coral way to this day

Ed		03-Oct-2008 04:05
Do you remember the drive-in on Coral Way where Brahman Honda is now located?

Pokey		28-Aug-2008 20:31
There was a Drive In called the 27th Ave Drive In at around nw 87 st and 27th ave, the Turnpike was locate on 27th ave and appox 119-121 st, next to Terry Kart track.

Bill Woolley		20-Aug-2008 07:02
the Drive In on 27 Ave was called the Turnpike Drive In. I made pizzas and fries and burgers there for about a year. There was also the LeJune Drive in on LeJune (of course) and about 10 or 11 Street. It is a Mariott now. I was usher there for many years. Lots of stories to tell.

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