Some copies of Greater Dayton Drive-In Movie Theaters  are still available at Books & Co. (937) 298-6540.  Chock full of photos of the theaters, their first ads and other related items, the book sells for $17.95. Readers will find the words “Sidebar comments” under the heading of each drive-in theater.  This text was usually found under pictures that appeared in the book. These pictures are not being reproduced on this web site.

Greater Dayton Drive-In Movie Theaters

by

Curt Dalton

Copyright 1998

Acknowledgments

            I would like to thank the following people for their help and advice:

            Bob Batz and Virginia Burroughs, for articles in the Dayton Dayton News; Donna Blankenship, for telling me of her parent’s memories at the Dayton East; Gary Castle, for his insights into the drive-in business as manager of both the Captain Kidd and Dixie Drive-in, and the use of his pictures of the Captain Kidd; Philip Chakeres, Vice President and General Manager, Steve Harris, District Manager and Rod Adams, of Chakeres Theaters, for their support and for allowing me to take photographs of their company’s drive-ins; Bruce Doll; Joe and Zelma Flory, for their pictures and memories of the Belmont Auto; Robert Gump, one time owner of the Salem and Piqua Drive-in; Don Leet, owner of the Book Shoppe, for use of his rare motion picture books and his memories of the local drive-ins; Al and Lou Levin, co-owners of Levin Service Co; Karen Levin; Charlie McCartney, for his insight into the theater business; Rich McCartney who, just in the nick of time, came up with pictures of the Sherwood and Dayton West Drive-ins, as well as the intermission clock film;  Randy Cooper, who provided intermission film to help illustrate the various and colorful ways we were entertained between films while being persuaded to go to the concession stand; Beatrice Musick, who lived two doors down from the Miller’s Grove Drive-in when it opened, and who lives there still; Harriet Mote, one time owner of Miller’s Grove, and her two sons, J. P. and Tom Miller, for their memories and pictures; Fontelle Presley, for sharing her memories of working at the Dayton East in 1949; Craig Ramby, for pictures of the Sherwood Twin’s north projection booth; Scott Scarsborough; William “The Amazing” Shaner, for the picture of him being electrocuted; Dennis Thatcher; and Fred White, long time maintenance man for Levin Service Co.

            A special thanks to Mike Jesse and Dayton Newspaper, Inc. for use of their pictures and newspaper clippings without which this book could not have been done.

            Also thanks to a great guy, Ryan Levin, of Levin Service Co., for the many pictures and help that he gave me.

            Finally, I want to thank Edith Doll, and her son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Shirley Doll, for all of their help, pictures and drive-in memorabilia.  Alan was especially helpful, spending many hours helping me get the facts straight and bolstering my confidence when I wasn’t sure if the book would EVER be finished.

            My thanks to all of you.

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