Aside from furnishing its share of Hollywood stars, Kansas was also noted for furnishing Hollywood
under the stars... having been one of the most enthusiastic states for outdoor movies back during the boom years for American Drive-ins, when as many as 125 outdoor cinemas had flourished within the Sunflower State. Since the peak years, 92% of the Drive-in theatres in Kansas have gone dark or have been demolished... and presently, only 8 now remain showing outdoor movies for us to enjoy and support:
Dodge City (Ford County), Kansas
South Drive-in: 620-225-4301
located at 1019 West McArtor Road
First lit back in 1947, this is the state's oldest operating outdoor cinema... an old fashioned solo screen Drive-in movie theater, with a capacity for up to 300 cars; open seasonally, April thru October.
Showing double feature outdoor movies on one of the largest screens. Movie audio provided with AM & FM
radio (and with pole speakers still functioning); open on weekends only (Friday-Saturday-Sunday).
Admission: $10 per carload covers all passengers.
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El Dorado (Butler County), Kansas
Star Vu Drive-in: 316-321-2444
located on the east side of Route E1 (RR1)
The second-oldest Drive-in which has remained operating in Kansas is this solo screen, which was first lit back in 1949, for up to 300 cars. Their screen is usually lit with double feature outdoor films and audio is provided by (96.7 FM) radio broadcast.
Admission: $6 for ages 12&up; $1 ages 6-11 5 and & under free.
NOTE: For several weeks there's been a view of the stars right-thru the screen... after damage caused by a tornado on June 10th. Things have been patched-up, and as of August 12th, the outdoor cinema is open again on weekends only; Fridays and Saturdays.
Gas (Allen County), Kansas
54 Drive-in: 620-365-7676
located on Highway 54, 1 mile east of town
Solo screen Drive-in theater which has been lit since the late 50's heyday of America's Drive-ins, which has a capacity for up to 300 cars.
Kanopolis (Ellsworth County), Kansas
Kanapolis Drive-in: 785-472-4786
located at 804 North Kansas Avenue
Solo screen, which was first lit back during the early years of America's Drive-in boom in 1952, and has remained in continuous operation; with a capacity for up to 750 cars. Screening double features, seasonally, April thru September.
Kansas City (Wyandotte County), Kansas
Boulevard Drive-in Theatre: 913-262-0392
located at 1051 Merriam Lane (near I-35)
First lit on June 30th, 1950 (under present management since 1984); exceptionally well-maintained Drive-in; featuring the traditional speakers for nostalgia fans & DTS digital sound + FM Dolby stereo (March-Oct). 'SwapShop' flea market here on weekends.
The Boulevard Drive-in was the first Kansas outdoor cinema to install DTS audio; Freq: FM (89.7) radio. Admission: $7 person for ages 12 & up.
On Friday & Saturday nites they offer a bonus triple screening.
Medicine Lodge (Barber County), Kansas
Pageant Drive-in: 620-886-5358 / 800-956-6843
located on Highway 160 (1ВЅ miles east of town)
This solo screen was first lit back in 1953 - though not in continuous operation all these years. It was restored and revived, with both traditional pole speakers operating, as well as an FM radio broadcast of the movies' soundtrack. Screening a single feature outdoor film, seasonally, May thru September.
Osawatomie (Miami County), Kansas
Midway Drive-in: 913-755-2325
located at 29591 West 327th Street (Route 5)-
mid-way between Osawatomie and Paola, Kansas
and, mid-way between I-35 and the Missouri line)
The smallest of Kansas' operating Drive-ins, this solo screen outdoor cinema has a capacity for 240 cars.
Screening double feature outdoor movies, seasonally, April-Sept; and still using traditional pole speakers.
Admission: $5.75 (ages 12&up); $1 for ages 3-11.
Wichita (Sedgewick County), Kansas
Starlite Twin Drive-in: 316-524-3267
located at 3900 South Hydraulic St @ MacArthur
(3 blks from Hydraulic St. exit (Exit 2) off I-135
Wichita once had as many Drive-in theatres as are currently operating throughout the entire state of
Kansas. There is some compensation and solace, by the fact that Wichita's sole remaining outdoor
cinema is an exemplary Drive-in experience. It is also the largest of the state's Drive-in theatres, with two screens and a capacity for up to 1300 cars. The Starlite's twins are lit with double features, and on Friday and Saturday nights, a bonus triple feature, for one admission price. Audio is provided with a local FM radio broadcast, as well as traditional pole speakers.
Admission: $7 (12&up); ages 7-11 $1; 6 & under free (in spring and fall they feature a carload rate: $10/car).
Source: http://www.driveinmovie.com/KS.htm.
