This month marks the sixtieth anniversary of Costa Mesa’s Paulo Drive-In. Opened on July, 8, 1949, with the features “Streets of Laredo” and “Across the River”, the venue was Orange County’s third drive-in. Originally an independent, the drive-in was picked up by Pacific Theatres in the Fall of 1952. The Paulo lasted until February of 1976, when the site was demolished for an apartment complex and 55 freeway construction. Mirroring the decline of the drive-in theatre format, the venue closed out it’s run with a “B” film double bill of “Flesh Gordon” and “The Cheerleaders”.
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This is first time I actually found a mention of this drive-in! I was born in Costa Mesa and have many found memories of summer nights with my family watching double features and Woody Woodpecker cartoons. Life was good in O.C. back then. Thank you for sharing this.
I worked at this theatre in 1972 and 1973: sold tickets, sold food (if you could call it that), patrolled the field, changed the marquee… and told people to put their clothes back on and go home when the show was over. The manager had a bad case of acne, a real case of attitude – and a penchant for hiring Marines for the staff. Interesting times, those. Too bad they’re gone. RIP, Paulo.
The car capacity of the Paulo was 1205 – not 800 as listed. I managed the theatre for several years in the early 60’s. I actually counted the number of operative parking places.
Wonderful staff. Wow, could we sell pizzas (“Can’t enjoy the show without a Paulo Pizza!”
Pearl was my Concession Mgr – wonderful woman!
I used to live right behind this theatreat 555 pierpont dr we would sit on my back fence and watch the movies until the patrol would ride by on bikes & turn down the speakers !!!! that was in the late 60’s early 70’s have lots of great memories of that place!
What a blast from the past this web site is to me. I was once employed at the Paulo Drive-In from 1964 thru 1965. I was hired by Mr. Brian Kelly manager to work in the snack bar. Had more fun working at this drive-in at $1.00 per hour and weekends mandatory than my career in the aerospace industry. Worked with many people but the ones that I can still remember are Anthony Roe and Dennis Nelson. Anthony Roe’s dad Fred Roe was the District Manager of all the Pacific theaters in Orange County. Pearl Dolan was also the Concession Mgr. when I was at the Paulo.