Sunrise Drive-in Theatre was located in Valley Stream, New York

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WAS GREAT PLACE FOR YOUNG AND OLD. MY FRIEND'S DAD USED TO TAKES US THERE IN OUR PJ's when we were little kids so we could get right to bed when we got home. ALSO, I enjoyed as a teen when I could drive. I think 20+ % of L.I,Queens,and Brooklyn's population was probably conceived in that place.

#1 - ALLAN - 05/01/2010 - 16:06

I did my basic training at Fort Dix, and one of the projectionists for the Sunrise Drive-in was in my company. His name was Ray. That was back in 1962. The Sunrise Drive-in was my favorite place to go on a saturday evening. I drove out from Brooklyn with my girl friend. Needless to say, I have some really great memories.
I also remember the refreshment building and the singing hot dog at intermission.

#2 - Joe M - 07/28/2010 - 06:51

Joe Del Guidice ‎....my grandfather, Joseph Del Giudice, bought the frontage land of the Sunrise Drive-in Movie Theater, on Sunrise Highway in Valley Stream, N.Y., from an acquaintance of his, Michael Redstone, for the purpose of constructing "The Patio" Night Club. The intent was for my father, Frank Del Guidice, and his son-in-law Joe Pitrelli to own and run it, which they did. Redstone was a pioneer in the entertainment industry and his son, Sumner Redstone, a contemporary of my father's, grew the business into what would include multi-billion dollar media giant, VIACOM......The club was situated on Sunrise Highway, next door to Green Acres Mall, one of the first open air shopping malls on Long Island, N.Y..

I have a nice, old photo of the club with the drive-in in the background but don't know how to post it here. It can be seen on Facebook...."Sunrise Drive-in"

#3 - Joe Del Guidice - 09/05/2010 - 20:59

I lived in Arverne and my memories of the Sunrise Drive-in was going there with my parents when I was really young and playing in the playground until showtime. Then it was off to sleep in the backseat while they watched the movie on that "big piece of paper".

#4 - Sandy - 06/19/2011 - 15:59

I Lived in Rosedale and use to go to the drive-In with my parents and I remember that it cost one price for the car so we stack in the car and than pulled out our blankets and watch it outside it was great.

#5 - Linda Falbo - 06/25/2011 - 17:22

That Drive- In can be seen in the movie the Lords of Flatbush with Henry Winkler and Sylvester Stallone

#6 - Smitty - 01/04/2012 - 13:33


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Topo Map from 1979, courtesy of TerraServer USA.	Aerial image from 1966, courtesy of HistoricAerials.com.	Aerial image from 2006, courtesy of Google Earth.	Aerial close-up image from 2006, courtesy of Google Earth.

Opening soon article from the Gibson Herald on August 5, 1938.	Opening soon ad from the Gibson Herald on August 5, 1938.	Grand opening tonight ad from the Broklyn Daily Eagle on August 10, 1938.	Grand opening tonight ad from the Gibson Herald on August 10, 1938.

Article from the Broklyn Daily Eagle on August 14, 1938.	Article from the Broklyn Daily Eagle on August 21, 1938.	Article from the Broklyn Daily Eagle on September 4, 1938.	Ad for both the Sunrise and its sister drive-in, the Whitestone Bridge, from the Long Island Star Journal on May 18, 1964.

Sunrise Drive-in screen tower, courtesy of Domonic Scalzo.	Sunrise Drive-in neon screen tower lighting from 1974, courtesy of Nicki Capparelli.	Sunrise Drive-in postcard with ticket stubs, courtesy of Bruce Lacoste.