CLERMONT, Fla. — Once a staple of Clermont’s entertainment scene, the Clervue Drive-In opened its gates on July 7, 1953, bringing the magic of movies under the stars to the growing Central Florida community. Situated near the intersection of Highway 50 and Highway 27, the independently operated drive-in was originally accessed from Highway 50 before the entrance was relocated to Hooks Street following the construction of a McDonald’s. It’s been 37-years since the final showing of Good Morning, Vietnam in 1988 that brought an end to this iconic theater and it was iconic for a variety of forensic reasons which you will learn below.

(The former Clervue Drive-In right before it’s final demolition in 1992. Photo Credit – Historic Lake County.)

Founded by Edwin G. Calhoun and his wife of Montrose, Colorado, the Clervue had a car capacity of 200 and included a 35-seat indoor viewing room for walk-in patrons. Later in the 1950s, operations shifted to MCM Theatres before transitioning again to Winter Garden-based theater owner Sheldon Wimpfen.

(The walk-in viewing area offered unobstructed views for those who did not bring a car. Photo Credit – Cinema Treasures.)

While the Clervue enjoyed steady business, the theater made headlines in 1983 when it began screening foreign and explicit films during late-night hours. Then owner Sheldon Wimpfen defended the programming in a February 1983 interview with the Orlando Sentinel, stating that securing G-rated films was difficult and that many of the features shown were standard R-rated films available statewide. Clermont Mayor at the time Charles Beals sent a formal complaint to the theater’s owners, urging them to cease showing explicit content.

(You can imagine that motorists driving on Hwy 27 did not appreciate adult rated films being shown on the screen in the early 80s which was visible from hundreds of yards away including the main highway. Photo Credit – Historic Lake County.)

Concerned citizens continued to voice opposition, particularly because the theater’s screen was visible from U.S. Highway 27 and Hooks Street. Other Drive-In’s had a history of showing x rated content late at night but perhaps no drive-in theatre in the country was more visible than Clervue Drive-In. On November 10, 1983, city officials opted not to pursue legal action against the Clervue but left the door open for future measures if public complaints persisted. Unfortunately for the Clervue Drive-In however, they wouldn’t operate long enough to see any further complaints.

After decades of operation, the Clervue Drive-In closed in 1988 after a showing of Good Morning, Vietnam and was demolished in 1992. Today, the only remnant of the once-beloved theater is its original sign, now repurposed for the city of Clermont and local businesses. The property is currently owned by River Clermont Church, located at 796 Hooks Street.

(Today the sign of Clervue Drive-In is still in use as PNC Bank and Holiday Inn Express currently utilize the old signage. Photo Credit – Historic Lake County.)

The Clervue Drive-In remains a nostalgic piece of Clermont’s history, a relic of an era when drive-ins were at the heart of American moviegoing culture. Although most Drive-In theaters like Clervue are long gone, you can still head on up to Ocala and enjoy a movie at the Ocala Drive-In which remains a favorite.

(This is the very exact view where the screen would have been about 150 yards away. The screen has long since been demolished with much of the original Drive-In. From first dates, to lifelong memories and much more, here’s to Clervue Drive-In. Gone but certainly remembered. Photo Credit – Historic Lake County.)