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Opening films: "My Wild Irish Rose" (1947), musical starring Dennis Morgan
and Arlene Dahl, and "Albuquerque," a western starring Randolph Scott and
Gabby Hayes. (Advertised in the local newspaper as an "all-color double
feature." Judging by the dates of the films, it appears they could have been
studio re-releases.)
During the early years they ran two double features a week. Films ran
Wednesday through Saturday and Sunday through Tuesday.
Sunland Drive-in tidbits:
- 10 Acres
- 700 car capacity
- One-mile of fencing surrounded the interior
- Original screen was 75 by 80 feet, constructed to withstand winds of 200 mph. In the mid-1950s, panels were added on both sides of the screen for CinemaScope and other widescreen films
- Seven miles of sound cables were laid to equip the speakers, 1,200 tons of rock and 26,000 gallons of oil for grades and paving, and 28 cubic yards of concrete to support the screen structure
- The marquee extended at a 90-degree angle from the back of the screen superstructure, and it's design was mid-century modern
Snack Bar: Originally decorated on three walls with Hopalong Cassidy print
wallpaper (flown in from Chicago). Counters were red plastic, floor was
green checkered lineoleum. Restrooms: (What I remember most about the men's
room was the large wall-to-wall urinal (no individual fixtures in those
days!).
Snack Bar goodies: the usual (but not memorable) stuff -- popcorn, hot dogs,
soda, candy, coffee. Pizza was added later in the 50s. On cold nights they
sold a lot of Hot Toddy, a chocolate drink that I think is long-gone.
The Sunland closed on Tuesday, September 14, 1976. Closing films were "St. Ives" starring Charles Bronson and "At Earth's Core," a "B" sci-fi flick starring Doug McClure.
Closure Details: According to a local newspaper article in the summer of
1976, negotiations had been underway "for several years" involving the
Morgan-Edwards Theatre Corp. and Federal Amusement Corp., the latter who
operated the theater, to demolish the drive-in and develop the property. In
early September 1976, the public announcement was made that a $3 million
K-Mart department store would be constructed. After the theater closed on
September 14, demolition began one week later and was expected to take one
week.
Current Use: The K-Mart opened the following spring (1977) and closed in
2004 as part of the parent company's closure of several of their department
stores. According to the Little Landers Historical Society, the Edwards
company still holds title to the property, although I could not confirm that
from another source. Currently, there is a vacant department store shell on
the property. Home Depot reportedly is interested in moving in, although the
local residents would prefer another department store.
Personal recollections:
--Since Sunland-Tujunga was a small town, the drive-in was usually a top
attraction, especially on the weekends.
--Stately palm trees were planted on both sides of the screen and clearly
visible from the parking area. On warm, breezy summer nights, seeing those
palm trees sway gently was a classic California image.
--The setting was picturesque, as Sunland-Tujunga is surrounded on three
sides by hills and mountains, which were clearly visible from the drive-in.
--For many years the drive-in screen could be seen from many blocks away in
the surrounding residential neighborhood--until trees grew too tall.
--During the 1950s and the projectionist was a guy named Mac, who looked
like he'd been in the business a long time. On hot summer nights, Mac left
the side door open to the projection booth. Curious kids (and adults) could
peak in and watch Mac load the large reels into the hot, arc-light
projectors. The booth wasn't air-conditioned. All Mac had was a fan to keep
cool. It wasn't a glamorous job.
--The marquee was gorgeous at night, with its mid-century modern design and
brightly colored neon. Unlike some other drive-ins, there was no artwork on
the back of the screen. Instead, the neon lighting extended to the top of
the screen. It was quite a sight.