Histories & Landmarks #1: The Romantic Motor View Drive In

Every neighborhood has its secrets. The Salt Lake Valley is full of forgotten rail spurs,

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Feature Story: The Romantic Motor-Vu Drive-In

For decades, the east bench of Millcreek was home to one of the valley’s most beloved drive-ins: the Romantic Motor-Vu, located at 3300 South and Wasatch Boulevard, where Smith’s Marketplace now stands.

Opened in the 1940s, the Motor-Vu wasn’t just a place to see a movie — it was an experience. Families rolled in with station wagons loaded with blankets and homemade popcorn. Kids showed up in pajamas, eager to hit the playground or take a Shetland pony ride before the film began. Couples found a perfect date spot, complete with canyon breezes and a sweeping view of the Wasatch.

The Experience

• A playground beneath the screen with rides like a merry-go-round and train.
• A small petting zoo — locals still recall monkeys, ponies, and even a donkey.
• A glowing neon sign of a cupid shooting an arrow into a heart, animated across the sky.
• The Peterson family, who owned and lived in the building that doubled as the base of the massive screen.

Community Memories

• Residents recall watching films like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Jason and the Argonauts, The Ten Commandments, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
• Some kids who lived on the hills above could see the screen from their yards or balconies — “silent movies” under the stars.
• Families went not only for films but also for community health campaigns — one memory shared was receiving the polio vaccine on sugar cubes at the pay booth.
• Teens snuck in through fences or stuffed friends in the trunk to save on admission.

Why It Was Special

Unlike many drive-ins across the valley, the Motor-Vu stood out for its charm and sense of community. The sloping lot ensured everyone had a clear view, and the canyon breeze made summer nights comfortable. The neon sign became a landmark in its own right, glowing red in the night sky.

The End of an Era

By the mid-1970s, changing times, rising land values, and home entertainment spelled the end for the Motor-Vu. The screen and playground came down, and eventually Grand Central, and later Smith’s Marketplace, took its place.

But for thousands of locals, the Motor-Vu lives on in memory. The laughter of kids in pajamas, the smell of popcorn, the sound of tinny car-window speakers, and the thrill of seeing favorite movies against a backdrop of the Wasatch — these memories continue to echo across Millcreek’s history.

Your Turn

Did you or your family ever visit the Motor-Vu? Do you have photos of the neon cupid sign, the rides, or the screen? Share your memories and help us preserve this piece of Millcreek’s hidden history.

Quick Bites

• Did you know Salt Lake once had a trolley system that stretched as far as Holladay?
• The “ghost sign” on the side of the old downtown warehouse once advertised a flour mill in 1912.
• Kearns’ old Air Force base still has hidden tunnels used during WWII.

Community Voices: Share Your Story

Do you remember a restaurant, music venue, or shop that no longer exists? Send us your memories and we’ll feature them in upcoming issues.