News Article: Detroit's First Twin - Addition of second screen brings capacity of Bel-Air Drive-In to 3,000 cars - Detroit's 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 Michigan's 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 separate 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 Detroit's 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. (Boxoffice Magazine 2/14/72)

Status: BEL AIR -- 8 Mile Rd and Van Dyke, Detroit -- 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. (Evil Sams Drive-In Theatre Guide/Fredrick R. 1996)

Update: Gone, site is now Bel Air shopping center. (Whit Whitworth 1/99)

Update: 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 don't 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 it's 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)

Update: Hi! Was I shocked to see these pictures of where I worked for several years as the manager of the concession stand there at the Bel-Air 2 Drive In back in 72 thru 74. Started there when Godfather 1 started he he, Stuart Mcguire was the Theatre manager and Weeks was his last name was the concession manager of Bel-Air 1. Thanks for the memories !!! Bob.(Bob Baisden 7/18/04)

Update: I worked at the Bel Air Drive-in for a year around 1973. The big thing at the time was the replacement of the carbon rods used to light the projectors with new light bulbs. The bulbs cost $1000.00 at the time the picture quality was poor. The Bel Air played first run movies when I worked there and we set the record for the highest gross for the movie “Enter the Dragon”. (Jim Szeles 12/28/04)

Update: I used to belong to the Karate club across the street from the theater. We used to do demonstrations in the lobby during intermission of the Karate movies being shown at the time. Great memories then, and later in life when we would sneak in by hiding in the trunks of cars, or crawling under the back wall. (Tim Kalmar 2/21/05)

Update: This was my family's drive-in for the latest movies in the 60's and 70's. Being an inner city Detroit kid (Gratiot & 6 Mile Rd. area), my family was there at the Bel-Air many weekends throughout the year. Besides the train and play area, the one thing I remember is something my cousins would do to their cars so we kids could have fun and comfortable play & sleeping space in the rear seat of their cars, was make a "shelf" in the back seat of their enormous 4 door cars (like Chryslers and Dodges) with a piece of plywood, which would "level" out the rear seat area. We kids could play comfortably and watch the movie until we finally feel asleep in this great little space! WOW! We need drive-ins today! So much more fun than just going to "hardtops" or staying home and watching TV! I miss those days! Later on in my teen and young adult years, the drive-ins were the place to go with a girlfriend or another couple. And the infamous "hot dog" commercial! WOW! Those were the days, my friend! (Vito R. Finazzo 3/8/05)

Update: WOW! I just saw two photos from the Bel-Air Theatre and it brought back memories to me. I remember going there with my mom and dad in the 50's and early 60's as it was near our home. I also recall going to the kiddie park before the show started. My mom always brought blankets and a pillow for me to sleep in the back seat, as I'd inevitably fall asleep. But I do remember one complete movie I saw there and that was "Thrill Of It All" with Doris Day. I have that movie on videotape and if I watch it, I inevitably think of being young and being with my parents at the Bel-Air Theatre in Detroit. Thanks for a great memory for this 52 year old. Keep up the great work with your website. (Michele Binienda 3/14/05)

Update: My family lived at 4966 E. Outer Drive, near Holy Cross Hospital from 1957 to 1967. While we often went to the Belair Drive (single screen then) my sisters and could also watch with binoculars from our upstairs bedroom windows...minus the sound...which we made up. One funny visit was just after I received three stitches after a golf club backswing hit me in the face (that's already funny) My parents took us to a Jerry Lewis double feature...The Bellboy and The Delicate Delinquent. I was laughing so hard that my bandaid kept popping open. Going home from the drive in, we used to fall asleep and our parents would carry us in. As we grew older, we pretended to fall asleep, but they caught on and would just let in the car until we gave up and came inside under our own power. We enjoyed the playground before the movies started. (Steven O. Suessmann 8/16/06)