Elko Motor Vu Drive-In Theatre, Elko, Elko County, Nevada

As I understand it, the first drive-in theater was invented by Richard M. Hollingshead at his home in New Jersey in 1932, during the midst of the great depression. But a double feature, while sitting in your car with your loved ones - for a quarter - was a great escape.

By 1940 their were about 100 drive-ins in the US. But as with most neat inventions, there are sometimes delays and problems - in this case World War II (1939 - 1945). Gas and tire rationing, squelched the enthusiasm for the drive-in - America preferred the in-door theaters. But then when the war was over and the guys returned - what could be better than sitting in the relative privacy of your car with your arm around your sweetie watching a movie. I wonder how much of the baby boom was enhanced by drive-ins? In 1946, over 650 drive-in theaters were built. Yes, then when the babies began arriving, they too went to the movies - in the car. So what - the kids didn't disturb the other movie goers. During this time playgrounds and refreshment stands were added to the movie experience. Life was great! By 1950 there were nearly 2000 and then by 1958 nearly 5000 drive-ins - wow!

This is where I come in, born in 1953, then living in Phoenix in the late '50s and early '60s, I fondly recall the drive-in. 'Bout twice a year in the summer or so, there was a big production, coke bottles were chilled in the ice chest and popcorn was cooked and put in pans and the whole family would head off to the movies in the station wagon. If you were lucky dad let you sit on the roof of the car. If you were real lucky you could convince your big brother to take you to the bathroom and you could see the refreshment stand - candy bars, popcorn, rides - things you had never even dreamed of. Oh man what memories! Even when you didn't go to the movies, when you just drove by them in the evening, you would strain your neck to see what was playing.

By 1960, the boom was over, home TV began to take its toll on the drive-ins. The drive-ins to stem the tide began to show more adult films that were not permitted on TV. So much for the family experience. The decline continued through the '80s. The late '80's and '90s were bad for the drive-ins - the number of theaters went from 3,500 to less than 1,000 by 1990. Why? Not only TV, but cable TV and VCRs - you could see all the movies at home - even the racy ones. Why go to the theaters where the riff-raff hung out - and I suppose they did - booze and drugs in the car instead of popcorn and cokes.

Through the '90s the trend has been stable - about 800 or so. Nostalgia, big markets, more screens in a single theater, a tighter security, a new generation - still sitt'n in the car with your sweetie.

This has been a rather long intro, but it has been fun wandering down memory lane. Elko had a drive-in, too. Down on the west edge of town, past the airport along old US 40. It was standing when I came to Elko in 1977. Then sometime later it came down. I never had a chance to attend Elko's Motor Vu Drive-In Theatre. It was only open in the summer months and for that matter it may have been closed down before I got here. But revisiting it has brought back many wonderful memories of my childhood - Walt Disney's "Lady and the Tramp" was my favorite. It was a simpler time for sure.

I went to the museum to see what they had on Elko's drive-in, but just the newspaper records were available. A big task to hunt down without some specific dates to go by. But the archives gang said Bruce Warmbrodt, of Ruby Valley, parents owned and ran the theater along with a clothing store. They suggested I check with Marge and Bruce to see if they might have some old photos and history. And I will. Maybe we can fill in some of the blanks. If you wish to add to this page - just let me know.

I contacted Marge and Bruce by e-mail and said what wonderful memories working on this page had brought back. Here are Marge's replies ... they are absolutely wonderful reading. Dan

How right you are......what memories. I will dig out what I have and see what we can come up with. I went to work there when it opened. The first job I ever had. Popping popcorn.......and they gave it away free opening night......so you know I was busy. That night I also was introduced to Bruce----the boss's son----and now for the rest of the story.

I will be back in touch soon.......Marge 3/27/02

Bruce's father, Bob Warmbrodt, was an enterprising individual. In the early 1950's he was mine manager for a gold mine called Goldacres (where the Cortez Gold Pipeline project is now). Bob had to have major back surgery and during his recuperation, his thoughts turned to the planning of the construction of a drive in theater in Elko. In February 1953, Bob
Warmbrodt, Elwin Holman (Elko) and Lee Liston (a theater owner in Kaysville, UT) formed the Silver State Amusement Co. (What brought these three men together for this venture is unknown to me) I knew Mr. Holman was in partners with a Mr. Hogge in a grocery store known as H&H Market and that he was managing the Motor Vu when I went to work there. Mr. Holman is now elderly but still lives in Elko He may be able to share some of that history.

This company purchased property (500ft by 1200ft) west of Elko (just off of Highway 40) and the drive in was constructed on half of it.
At the entrance to the property stood a marquee, which separated two travel lanes amply lighted to identify the route to a cinderblock wall that was constructed the entire width of the property . At the wall-- the east lane turned to the east where cars could go on either side of a ticket booth. It was designed so tickets could be sold on either/both sides and then proceeded on east to an entrance gate. The lane on the west side served as an exit lane from a gate at the west end of the wall. (Many times cars would be lined up in the 600 ft of driveway and along highway 40 waiting long before show-time just to get in.) There was an opening in part of the cinderblock wall, so the box office could be seen from the snack bar and also so the cashier could watch the movie. The interior consisted of 13 ramps (graded so the view of the screen would not be hindered by other cars) and could accommodate 453 cars. Posts with speakers and a 7 watt light each accommodated two cars. A lighted path was provided up the center to the snack bar and restrooms.

A special touch --------- Bob Warmbrodt also liked to deal in war surplus and also being a very creative person, he constructed the driveway lights and speaker posts by welding army soup ladles for the caps to shelter the bulbs and wiring from the weather. He, also, constructed the playground equipment,-- teeter totters--little boats that children could sit in that were moved in a large channel of water and ---little planes that hung from chains and flew around in a circle like a merry-go-round. These he fashioned from army surplus bomb cases, etc.
One of the laborers working there during construction---made a suggestion to add some cartoon characters. He then was given the job of drawing (free hand) and painting life size characters of many children favorites. On the fourth ramp (from the screen) was constructed the snack bar building which also housed the projection room and restrooms, with large metal sliding doors that could be opened at an intermission to accommodate the people. The smell of the popping corn was hard to resist. The projection room housed two projectors. I will have to have Bruce explain about this part of the operation.

More of the nostalgia of dealing with mosquitoes, weeds, painting the screen, sneak-ins etc. may be of interest
Will send more thoughts later.... Marge 4/1/02

Photos taken from freeway - foundation for the screen is at the hill in the foreground.

Playland (?) tanks were for little boats for the kids to sail in(?)

Photo taken west of drive-in. Mound in the center of the photo is where the projection screen was located. The cars in the mine parking lot are parked in the old drive-in parking area.

Entrance gate to old drive-in(?)

Part of the old play land(?)

Electrical switch box next to above part of the old play land(?)

Concrete footings near mound.

Foundation of Screen at top of mound.

020402screenfoundation.JPG (375156 bytes)

Barrick Goldstrike Mine parking lot in old drive-in parking area.

Section of old movie screen behind mound along freeway right-of-way fence (?).