History: The M-78 was originally a twin screen when it opened at 6:30 p.m. on Friday November 7th, 1969 as a year-round drive-in offering in-car heaters. That opening night featured "Romeo & Juliet" with "Prudence and the Pill" on the "BLUE" screen, and "The Madwoman of Chaillot" with "The Green Berets" on the "RED" screen. A third "GREEN" screen was built and put into use on Friday, May 27th, 1977, it was subsequently removed around 1991-92 to make room for a Super Cinemas indoor theater. The green screen was added by dividing off the blue screen's field. Apparently a fourth screen was also being considering in November 1976 as shown in the blueprint below, possibly at the same time the third screen was added. The fourth screen would have used a portion of the Red screen's field. But, for some unknown reason,the fourth screen was never built. The M-78 was a sister to two other Redstone drive-in's, the Miracle Twin in Flint, and the Cascade Twin in Grand Rapids. All three were built about the same time and used the "color" screen theme. The M-78 and Miracle Twin marquees were very similar. In the fall of 1992, the M-78 closed for the winter as usual, and a message on the brand new Super Cinemas/M-78 Twin marquee indicated the drive-in would re-open in May of 1993. But for some unknown reason the M-78 did not re-open as planned in 1993. It has sat abandoned ever since, slowly being destroyed by vandals and neglect. Unfortunately the M-78 is destined for demolition soon, leaving the Lansing area with no drive-in's, or even the hope for a drive-in. (Michigandriveins.com 9/25/99)

1968 News Article: Lansing Zoning Board Hears Drive-In Plans - The character of pictures shown at drive-ins as a class was assailed at a zoning hearing for a proposed outdoor theatre in Meridian Township, a suburb of Lansing, planned by National Amusements of Boston. Edward Redstone, company executive, appeared before the planning commision, and indicated that the drive-in would be operated to upgrade the shows presented by area competitors. "However, I cannot be responsible for the moral fiber of this community", the Lansing State Journal reported Redstone as saying. John Cote, identified as a lawyer from East lansing, said drive-ins normally do not carry a family bill of fare and "the movies shown here would be a danger to the moral standards of the young people of the community. This type of theatre will attract Michigan State University students who could care less about a family show." An 1,800-car drive-in, costing $1,400,000, is planned. Arguments over traffic problems from the airer were countered by the proposed policy of staggering shows so the two units would empty at different times. A local official said the project would bring in $25,000 in taxes annually to the township. The zoning commission held a 2 1/2 hour session, then tabled the controversy for further consideration. (Box Office Magazine 3/11/68)

1969 News Article: The Deluxe Twin Drive-In at Grand Rapids will open this month, and construction has begun on another twin drive-in at Lansing, to be completed in the fall. (Box Office Magazine 5/12/69)

1969 News Article - Twin Drive-In Will Be Second In State: Lansing, Mich, - The first twin drive-in in this area and the second in Michigan is nearing completion at Highway M-78 and Newton roads northeast of East Lansing. Opening is expected within the next four to six weeks. Unique in the Midwest, the new facility, managed by Redstone Management of Boston, will feature parking for 2,300 autos and present nightly showings of the latest movie features throughout the entire year. Known as the M-78 Drive-In, it will provide a minimum of 1,500 in-car heaters for use of moviegoers during the winter months. Cars will enter the grounds from Newton Road off M-78 and follow a six-lane roadway leading around to the main entrance boxoffice where they will be directed to the film of their choice. The grounds are divided by a large air-conditioned refreshment stand and a green belt, with each drive-in having its own screen. The six-lane roadway was designed to eliminate backup congestion on the county road. (Box Office Magazine 10/69)

1969 News Article - M-78 Twin Airer Is Second In Michigan: Mason, Mich.-The M-78 Twin Drive-In at Newton Road and M-78, Meridian Township, owned by Redstone Theatres Co. of Boston, Mass. opened Friday, November 7. It becomed the second twin drive-in situation in the state of Michigan. Featured is an automated projection and sound system, first tried in England, which controls that which is being seen and heard. The twin screens themselves are among the largest in production. The projection booth is located midway between the screens. Directly beneath the booth is a concession area that serves patrons of either theatre. Stainless steel funishings and custom cabinetry such as found in kitchens of fine restaurants has been used in the concession stand. Employing over 30 people, the concession area consists of four traffic lanes and eight cash registers. Terry Dotson, manager of the M-78 Twin, stated, "This type of set-up provides a new system of serving patrons. It has been proven to be not only the fastest yet found allows you to make a choice of all items offered, no matter which lane you are in." Opening attractions at the M-78 Twin Drive-In were "The Madwoman of Chaillot" and "The Green Beret" on the Red Screen and "Romeo and Juliet" and "Prudence and the Pill" on the Blue Screen. (Box Office Magazine 12/15/69)

STATUS: M-78 -- Newton Rd, East Lansing -- This drive-in has been closed for about 5 years at least, but 2 of the screens and concession stand are still in tack. The 3rd screen area has been made into a 12 screen indoor theatre. Why they haven't taken down the other areas is a mystery. Maybe they plan on running both a indoor and a outdoor if the business time is right? (Evil Sams Drive-In Theatre Guide/Michael Mc Carthy 1996)

UPDATE: The snack bar, ticket booth, & two screens are still up just waiting for the projectors to be turned on, there's always hope....(1999)

1999 News Article: The M-78 Drive-In - With two screens on both ends of its expansive, abandoned lot and a large concession and projection building at the center, the M-78 Drive-In behind the Super Cinema Multiplex, 6365 Newton St. in Meridian Township, stands as a local reminder of the drive-in theater heyday. The property on which the theater stands, owned by National Amusements, is in the hands of a local real-estate agency. The M-78 Drive-In, which opened in November 1969, closed in May 1978 (It actually closed in 1992 - ed) because it was no longer viable, said Dana Wilson, assistant vice president of corporate communications for National Amusements. The drive-in wasn’t doing enough business to stay open, she said. Lunde remembers going to the M-78 Drive-In after his family moved to Michigan in the 1970s. He said he’d like to see the theater reopen even though it may not be as lucrative as it was in the past. It’s a more selective market, and I’m not sure it would support the numbers it did before, he said. (The State News 4/7/99)

Update: In response to my request for information on the status of the M-78 Drive-In, National Amusements official reply was; "We have no current plans to re-open the M-78 Drive-In." (Michigandriveins.com 11/11/99)

Update: Sadly, both screens were demolished sometime around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17th, 1999. All of the speaker poles were also removed. The concession stand, office, and ticket booths remain, probably not for long. The screen tower demolition coincides almost exactly with the M-78's November 7th, 1969 Grand Opening. (Michigandriveins.com 11/20/99)

Update: The Super Cinemas indoor theater adjacent to the M-78 was closed in July 2000. The property has reportedly been sold, the Super Cinemas and the remaining drive-in structures will be demolished to make way for new homes. (Michigandriveins.com 8/11/00)

Update: "Charter Township Of Meridan Township Board Regular Meeting...Board Members and invited guests discussed the following:....Consideration of M-78 Drive-in theater site for mixed-use residential development.... (Meridan Township Board 2/18/03)

Update: The seemingly abandoned structures of the M-78 Drive-In graveyard, and the Super Cinemas indoor theatre remain with no signs of future development." (Michigandriveins.com 3/01/03)

Update: Just so you know that the M-78 Drive In Theater is being sold in three weeks and will be torn down. I have talked to the management that handled the real-estate sale's for the current owner. The new owner's probably won't let anyone on to the property when the sale is done. I worked out there in 1984-1985. I have been out there and taken some photo's for the memory's, what a sad way to see it. I think it has gone down more since your photo's. (Pat Pixley 1/19/05)

Update: In spite of hearing reports that it will be "sold and demolished soon" for ten years now, the M-78 Drive-In graveyard and the shuttered Super Cinemas indoor theater remain untouched. Sixteen years after it's closure, the elements continue to wither the drive-in away. Except for the screen towers, all of the structures still stand, and the property remains unsold. (Michigandriviens.com 10/27/08)

Update: Less than a month after out last update, the M-78 Drive-In and the Super Cinemas indoor theatre were both unexpectedly torn down on Thursday, November 13th. All structures have been demolished, the marquee remains for now. Site development plans are unknown at this time. (Michigandriveins.com 11/15/08)