Bel Air Drive-In Theater - Detroit Michigan

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Bel Air Drive-In Theater

Name: Bel Air Drive-In Theater Street: 8600 E 8 Mile Rd

City: Detroit State: MI Zip: 48234 Phone:

County: Wayne

Operator: G. R. Associates

Open: 1950 (8-25-50)

Closed: 1986

Capacity: 2200

Status: Closed

Screens 4

Owner History N/A

Web Address: N/A

Notes: 4 Screens

Number of visits to this page since February 23, 2007: 16622

Click here to show pictures only

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Entry Date: 2/26/2010 - ElJay: The aerial photo from Terraserver is not the correct updated aerial view of what used to be the BelAir drivein location.

Entry Date: 10/10/2008 - wayne: I just found this site and had to "fess up" and tell a story about the drive-in. I will preface that I am not condoning this action but we were kids and we did stuff that was not honest. When the lights went down at the Bel Air Drive-in we would pay the fee of ten cents and take the train ride around the perimeter of the drive-n. When the train reached a spot near the back of the fenced area we would jump off the train and crawl under the fence. Then we would meet in the front row near the rides. Our friend who would be alone in his car and pay the simple price would meet us and tell us where the car was parked. EWe then would enjoy the movies in the confort of the car and save a lot of money! Surprised that they never caught us. As life went on and I grew to be a parent we still went to the drive-in. We would bundle the kids and take them. The fireworks were always a JOY! Wayne

Entry Date: 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.

Entry Date: 10/16/2003 - MichiganDriveIns.com: I grew up in Detroit, and my favorite DIs were the East Side and especially the Bel-Air. The last time I went to the Bel-Air was around 1981; my wife and I were visiting Detroit and went to a flea-market they were holding there. At that time they regularly held flea-markets at the Bel-Air; I dont know if they were still showing movies there then.

It broke my heart when I heard the Bel-Air was being torn down, to be replaced by another shopping mall. The mall has an indoor theatre in it. But in the early 60s, the Bel-Air was at its peak, with a small amusement park on the west side of the screen and a playground on the south side of the screen (in front of the viewing side of the screen). There was also a kids size train (a REAL miniature train) that the kids could take free rides on. And on the 4th of July weekend, the place was packed for the fireworks display. Cars were also lined up along the street outside to see the fireworks for free. Doug Long 10-31-99

Entry Date: 1/6/2003 - Drive-Ins.com: One of the largest drive ins in Detroit, actually the ONLY drive-in IN Detroit. The first 2 screen drive in. Capacity 2200 cars. The Bel Air was the #1 grossing drive in in the metro area, with the Algiers #2. The Bel Air was torn down and replaced with a shopping center. However the name lives on, as there is a 10-screen hard top (indoor theatre) on that site.
R. Fredrick