HomeDrive-In TheatersBel Air Drive-In Theatre - Detroit, MI

Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Detroit MI

Address: 8600 E 8 Mile Rd
City: Detroit
State: MI
Zip: 48234
County: Wayne
Open: 1950 (8-25-50)
Closed: 1986
Capacity: 2200
Owner History: N/A
Number of visits to this page: 45341
General Information:

The Bel-Air Drive-In was opened as a single screen, with a car capacity for 1,800. It eventually became a four screen ozoner with a capacity of 3,000 cars. Listed as opening on August 25, 1950 with Ann Sheridan in “Stella” & Donald O'Connor in “Curtain Call at Cactus Creek”. Operated by Community Theatres. The theatre had a model train for kids to ride. Screen 2 opened in 1971. Screen 3 opened in 1982 and screen 4 opened in 1983. It was closed on August 21, 1986. Following demolition the Bel-Air Shopping Center was built on the site.

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Info Updates:
10/16/2003 - MichiganDriveIns.com
BOX OFFICE MAGAZINE ARTICLE Feb.14,1972: DETROITS FIRST TWIN - ADDITION OF SECOND SCREEN BRINGS CAPACITY OF BEL-AIR DRIVE-IN TO 3,000 CARS "Detroits first twin drive-in theatre, the Bel Air 1 and 2, has proven a bonanza beyond expectations since its opening late last November, according to its owners, the well-known Goldberg twins, Adolph and Irving, founders and owners of Community Theatres of Detroit. The circuit, with with both indoor and drive-in theatres, the Adams and the Grand Circus, neighborhood theatres Punch & Judy, Redford, Royal Oak and Jewel-Mt.Clemens, and two other drive-ins, the Gratiot and Grand River. Well established as Michigans largest drive-in theatre since its opening in 1949 as a 2,200-car facility, the Bel Air became a dual complex after completion of construction undertaken early in 1971, with operation continuing throughout the project. Bel Air 1 now accommodates 1,800 cars, with another 1,200 in Bel Air 2, facing a separate screen tower at the opposite end of the original property. A second and separate concession building services Bel Air 2, and projection buildings are seperate for each of the theatres. Based on an average of three partons per car, this means the facility is capable of accommodating some 9,000 moviegoers. The original entrance, holding area and boxoffices facing heavily traveled Eight Mile Road serve both facilities for year-round operation in all weather conditions with heaters and hard-topped ramps serving all positions. The dual drive-in opened its expanded operation Thanksgiving weekend with "The Organization" headlining the bill in Bel Air 1, and "Play Misty For Me" in Bel Air 2. The Detroit News observed the occasion with a Sunday feature complete with an aerial photo of the site, saluting the Goldbergs for being the first with a twin drive-in, and tracing their activities in building the Community Theatres circuit of indoor and outdoor theatres, following their pre-war introduction to the theatre business as employees of an uncle, Charles Komer, one of of Detroits pioneer exhibitors. One week following the actual opening, an official "Grand Opening" was held, with all twins admitted free and with free gifts to both men and women attending. Ever since its expansion, the Bel Air twin has maintained a high level of grosses compared to seasonal averages, with weekends frequently achieving capacity business in both sides of the theatre.
 Photos:38
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Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Old Pic From Jim
Old Pic From Jim
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Aerial Shot
Aerial Shot
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Bel-Air Grand Opening Ad 8-25-50
Bel-Air Grand Opening Ad 8-25-50
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Bel-Air Marquee Screen 1950-51 Theatre Catalog
Bel-Air Marquee Screen 1950-51 Theatre Catalog
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Building - Photo From Rg
Building - Photo From Rg
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Kiddieland From Jim Bonkowski
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Concession - Photo From Rg
Concession - Photo From Rg
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - From Jim Bonkowski
From Jim Bonkowski
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - From Jim Bonkowski
From Jim Bonkowski
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - From Jim Bonkowski
From Jim Bonkowski
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - From Jim Bonkowski
From Jim Bonkowski
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - From Jim Bonkowski
From Jim Bonkowski
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Snack Bar 1972
Snack Bar 1972
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Screen - Photo From Rg
Screen - Photo From Rg
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Inside Snack Bar 1972
Inside Snack Bar 1972
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Projection 1972
Projection 1972
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Belair Owners The Goldberg Bros 1972
Belair Owners The Goldberg Bros 1972
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Screen From Back - Photo From Rg
Screen From Back - Photo From Rg
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Poles And Concession - Photo From Rg
Poles And Concession - Photo From Rg
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - From The Air - Photo From Rg
From The Air - Photo From Rg
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Speaker Pic From Jim
Speaker Pic From Jim
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Speaker Pic From Jim
Speaker Pic From Jim
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Train - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Train - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Marquee - Photo From Rg
Marquee - Photo From Rg
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - From Facebook (newer photo)
From Facebook (newer photo)
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Old Photo
Old Photo
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Old Photo
Old Photo
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Old Aerial
Old Aerial
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - 1950-08-25 Ad
1950-08-25 Ad
Bel Air Drive-In Theatre - Article From Ron Gross
Article From Ron Gross
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