HomeDrive-In TheatersWest Side Drive-In Theatre - Oak Park, MI

West Side Drive-In Theatre - Oak Park MI

Address: 14350 W 8 Mile Rd
City: Oak Park
State: MI
Zip: 48237
County: Oakland
Open: 1940 (4-26-40)
Closed: 1984
Capacity: 700
Owner History: N/A
Number of visits to this page: 27552
General Information:

AKA "Drive-In Theater", "Detroit Drive-In", "8-Mile Drive-In"

The Westside Drive-In was one of the earliest drive-ins to open in the Detroit region, and could accomodate 700 cars. The opening movie on April 26, 1940 was John Wayne & Claire Trevor in “Allegheny Uprising”. It was operated by General Cinemas.

The drive-in was also known as the 8 Mile Drive-In. Its last operator was Wisper & Wetsman and it operated until 1984. It was demolished later that year to make way for a lumber yard (which itself is no longer in operation).

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Info Updates:
8/5/2013 - Mike Wills
Early 60's was in the trunk many times to get in for free, and afterwards drove to the Dipsey Doodle for a hamburger.
10/14/2007 - Ken
I grew up right behind the West side drive in. We use to look forward to watching the fireworks from our house on the fourth of July. We also use to sneak to the back of the drive in and watch the movies with no sound. Yes, we also went with our parents in a car to the drive in. This was during the late 60's and early 70's. I remember around 1980 going there with my Mother to watch a cheap horror flick. It was a fun place for a kid. I also remember the Royal Oak drive in which was a blast too!
9/21/2007 - Marshall
My folks used to take us there in the late 50's and early 60's. There was a kids amusement park called Kiddieland next door and we would go early so we could go on the rides before the movie started. I remember seeing The Birds and List of Adrian Messenger there.

6/24/2007 - Ron Smith
My father would take us to this drive in almost every weekend when I was around 8 or 9, that would have been lte 5os early 60s. I too loved the playground and our parents allowed us to play in our Pajamas! I though that was the coolest. I remember seeing some kid with a Mohawk boy did that upset my dad:) I thought it was awesome. They also had spotlight tag during the intermission for all the guys that had spot lights installed.
7/25/2005 - Debra
I grew up in Ferndale and remember in elementary school (late 1950s or early 1960s) my parents taking me there a couple times. It was a pretty popular place and I remember the playground underneath the movie screen. It wasnt elaborate...swings, slide, maybe merry go round. It was next or near to the National Guard Armory and just down the road to Northland Shopping Center (a favorite hangout of mine as a kid.)
5/26/2003 - Drive-Ins.com
One of the earliest drive ins, a sister to the Eastside. It was a small theatre holding about 800 cars. Started having gang troubles in the early 80s and was torn down in December 1984 to make way for a lumber yard (which has since gone out of business). - R. Fredrick
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Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

West Side Drive-In Theatre - Screen From Harry Skrdla
Screen From Harry Skrdla
West Side Drive-In Theatre - West Side 7-4-80 Tagged Rg
West Side 7-4-80 Tagged Rg
West Side Drive-In Theatre - Westside No Date
Westside No Date
West Side Drive-In Theatre - Marquee From Harry Skrdla
Marquee From Harry Skrdla
West Side Drive-In Theatre - Now - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Now - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
West Side Drive-In Theatre - Empty Lot - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Empty Lot - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
West Side Drive-In Theatre - Ad - Photo From Rg
Ad - Photo From Rg
West Side Drive-In Theatre - Aerial - Photo From Terraserver
Aerial - Photo From Terraserver
West Side Drive-In Theatre - Old Aerial
Old Aerial
West Side Drive-In Theatre - Aerial
Aerial
West Side Drive-In Theatre - Box Office Magazine June 1959
Box Office Magazine June 1959
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