About Philip Smith
Lived 1899 – 1961 (aged 61–62). Philip Smith was a business executive.
Philip Smith (May 10, 1899 – July 13, 1961) was an American businessman and founder of Midwest Drive-In Theaters (which later became General Drive-In Corporation and then General Cinema) who was one of the largest operators of drive-in movie theaters in the United States.
Biography
Smith worked as a Pathé Frères salesman. In 1922, he purchased the National Theatre restoring it to profitability by reducing ticket prices from 25 cents to 10 cents. Smith named his new company Philip Smith Theatrical Enterprises At his drive-ins, children entered free and there were playgrounds to help make it a family friendly event. Smith died in 1961 and his son succeeded him as CEO; his son changed the name to General Cinema in 1964.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Family & relationships
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Philip Smith's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Philip Smith?
American theater owner
When was Philip Smith born?
Philip Smith was born on 10 May 1899 in New York City.
When did Philip Smith die?
Philip Smith died in 1961.
What was Philip Smith's occupation?
Philip Smith was a business executive.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Philip Smith (theater owner)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Philip Smith. https://biography.guide/philip-smith-business-executive/
MLA: "Philip Smith." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/philip-smith-business-executive/.
Chicago: "Philip Smith." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/philip-smith-business-executive/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:14 UTC