News Article: Elton Samuels is enlarging the capacity of the Pontiac Drive-In from 720 to 1,200 cars. (Boxoffice Magazine 6/59)

News Article: Waterford drive-in manager cleared - Obscenity case dropped A 46-year old man has been cleared of charges that he showed an obscene movie last September during his once-weekly stint as relief manager at a Waterford drive-in theater. The obscenity charges against Melville King, of Clarkston, were dropped yesterday in Waterford District Court on a motion by the Oakland County prosecutor's office. At the same time, identical misdemeanor charges were filed against the owners of the Pontiac Drive-In, 2935 Dixie Highway, Waterford. Township police swooped down on the outdoor theater Sept. 28, arresting King, and taking a 90-minute film, "Southern Comfort." Attorneys for the company, Bloomfield Realty Corp. of Detroit, said yesterday the confiscated film violates obscenity laws. Judge Kenneth H.Hempstead set sentencing for Jan.7. Showing an obsence more can bring a $100 fine and 90 days in jail. Waterford police said the theater raided because the X-rated film seen by young children. The film, they said, was an "old-fashioned smoker." It was the first time township police have closed down a theater, indoors or outdoors, the police said. King, who awaited trial on $1,000 personal bond, was filling in for the regular manager at the time the raid took place, the prosecutors office said. Earlier, expressing surprise at his arrest. King, said he rarely sees the theater's movies. (Detroit News 11/24/71)

Update: To my knowledge, the last movie at "Pontiac",was Eddie Murphy's "Golden Child", which I saw there with a new girlfriend and one of her friends in a '73 convertible. Whatever year the movie was released, is when it closed(in case I'm mistaken about my '87 drive in speakers). Golden Child was also the last movie shown at the "Grand River", according to the Detroit Free Press (which has several drive in photos in its archives). When the drive in's began closing,I contacted the owner and asked why all the closings. "Are all the new multi-screen cinema's taking over?" He replied, "Yes, but mostly just too many teen fights". Frequenting the drive in's nearly every Friday night (and many Saturday nights too) for about 5-6 years, I never saw a single fight at any of them! In any case, they're all gone now. Surprisingly, with the exception of the Grand River, none of the lots have been developed -- just empty fields. The Commerce Drive In marquee still stands." (Chris Arble 8/31/02)

Update: I was the projectionist at the Pontiac for many years - right up until its closing. I think that it was the last bastion of the 50's style drive ins left. The equipment was from the late 40s when they used to have 3D. I was sorry when it closed finally - then end of an era. I also showed movies at the Miracle Mile, the Blue Sky, the old Algiers and many others. Those were the days. (Waterwinterwonderland.com/Marshall 10/22/03)

Update: I recall getting my car stuck in the snow at this drive-in during a winter viewing. Sadly there was a train track at the rear of the lot and it made quite a noise when it passed by during a movie. (John S. 7/10/04)

Update: I was the manager at the Pontiac from August 1975 to August 1977. The capacity was 1267 and we filled up a number of times and ended up re-opening the box office after the first movie ended and re-showed it after the second show. The theater closed for the winter in Feb 76 and re-opened for the season in March 76. It closed for the winter every year since until it closed for good. The theater sat abandoned for years and vandals set fire to the concession stand at least twice, the final time gutting the building and causing the final demolition of the theater. I have a bunch of pictures of when it was open and after the different fires. I also have some pics of the property after it was cleared. Just before I started there, the screen had a large painting of Chief Pontiac on the street side. The picture was not re-painted due to the costs. Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures of the chief. Those were defiinitely interesting years and I would not trade them!! I also subbed at the Miracle Mile while the regular manager, Wes Parker, was on a medical leave in the winter of 76 - 77. (Waterwinterwonderland.com/Greg 1/5/06)