Last reel: The death of the drive-in cinema?

[Pete]

Last reel: The death of the drive-in cinema?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23596661

"Nestled in a mountain valley on the border between the states of Vermont and New Hampshire, the half-century-old Fairlee Drive-in cinema is in danger of going out of business. It is a threat that drive-ins across the US face as new technology puts this most American night out at risk..............."

Technology marches on leaving some in the dustbin of time.......

[35NCO]

This is a sad story. My wife and family saw nearly all their childhood movies at this very drive in. Its also amazing to see something that was a part of our seemly meaningless small town life, leak out to the global attention.

I have not ever seen any other drive ins before other than this location in my area. Does anyone else still have any near-by? Its an expeirence worth taking the kids/spouse to if you ever have the chance. Bring your own favorite beverages and popcorn.

[tonyz]

Some interesting info at links below - "The list of Theatres contains 500+ Operating Theatres and 3,000+ Dead Theatres."

http://www.driveintheater.com/drivlist.htm

http://www.driveintheater.com/index.html

[98G]

Nice story and great Drive-In. They even have Funnel cakes.

History of the Swan Drive In Theatre

In 1955 Jack and "H" (W.H. Tilley, jr.) built the Swan Drive In Theatre that is located on 651 Summit Street, Blue Ridge, Ga. Building this drive-in was a real challenge. Locating a piece of property large enough that was suitable for a drive-in theatre would turn into a big problem. The first property purchased for the drive-in was on E. First Street where Blue Ridge Supply and several other buildings are now located. They would be forced to build a tall fence on the street side of this property to keep the car lights from shining on the screen, they were advised by engineers that the property was not suitable. The City Of Blue Ridge owned a large area of property known as the Willingham Circle and they were able to lease several acres from the City, on which, to build a drive-in theatre. The property they leased had large gullies, hills and valleys that had to be graded. The grading was much more than had been expected and several times they almost gave up. They considered quitting as it was such a large job, after they started the grading they hit slate rock and dynamite was the only thing that could move it. The grading was done by Mr. Raleigh Hembree, a local man that was an expert at his work whom encouraged them to keep on trying. After the land was graded, wired for the speakers, paved, the concession stand and the box office built, there was another LARGE problem. The screen tower would have to built on the ground and then raised in parts. There was not a crane any nearer than Atlanta that was big and tall enough to lift the screen tower. A crane large enough to lift it was found at Atlanta Steel Erectors, many of the construction workers and 'lookers-on" held their breath as this job was completed. The cost of the crane was one hundred dollars. This drive in theatre was the beginning of the real growth of Blue Ridge. People came from miles around to see movies on a large screen.

Why the Drive In Was Named Swan

During World War 11, Mr. Tilley was stationed in England part of the time before being sent into The Omaha Beach Landing in the Normandy Invasion, while in England he admired the Swans swimming on the lakes and ponds. They were so beautiful and peaceful he suggested this name "Swan" for the new drive-in. Mr. Jones also liked the name as it was short and would be easy to use a neon sign with. This is why the drive-in was named "SWAN". Mr. Jones served in the Marines before World War 2. During the first part of the World War 2, he was stationed in Panama helping build an Air Force Base, next he helped in the construction of an Air Force Base in West Palm Beach Florida.

Jack Jones Sr. and W.H. Tilley, jr. operated these theatres until 1959 when Mr. Tilley sold to Mr. Jones. The Swan Drive-In is still operating and is one of four Drive-In theatres left in the state of Georgia. The locations of the other three are Atlanta, Jessup and Tiger, Georgia.

History page written by Blanch Tilley and approved by Mrs. Jack Jones.

Jack Jones, Sr. passed away in 1980.

Mrs. Jack E. Jones passed away on Dec. 6th, 2010.

W. H. Tilley passed away on January 17th, 2011

[35NCO]

Originally Posted by tonyz

Some interesting info at links below - "The list of Theatres contains 500+ Operating Theatres and 3,000+ Dead Theatres."

http://www.driveintheater.com/drivlist.htm

http://www.driveintheater.com/index.html

Thanks for the links!

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by tonyz

Some interesting info at links below - "The list of Theatres contains 500+ Operating Theatres and 3,000+ Dead Theatres."

http://www.driveintheater.com/drivlist.htm

http://www.driveintheater.com/index.html

That list isn't exactly up to date.

The Fort 1, 2, 3 Drive-in in Fayetteville closed in the early 80s.

ETA - There are a finite number of summer nights per year. 35mm films are pretty much obsolete in the US. I wonder why the theater owners don't just buy 100-200 classics, and rotate them among themselves. Most people are not at the drive-in for the movie, they are there for the exercise.

TR

[PSM]

This list seems to focus on large communities. We were on US 191 a couple of weeks ago and saw at least one running first-run movies. I think it was in Dáʼákʼeh Halání (AKA Many Farms, AZ).

Pat

[tonyz]

Can vouch for this one being in existence as of today.

Weirs Drive-In Theatre
Laconia, NH 03246 (603) 366-4723 4 screens

And this one - as of July 2013.

Moonlite Theatre
17555 Lee Hwy. Abingdon, VA 24210 (540) 628-7881

Been quite a few years since I was here...

Ocala Drive In Theatre
4850 Southeast Pine Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471 (904) 629-1325

Enjoy !

[Beef]

The Beverly Drive Inn in Hattiesburg, MS burned in OCT 2010. It's still listed. I took my kids to the one in Columbia Falls, MT in 2007???? We had to wait until damn near midnight before it was dark enough to start the show. I can't believe that these are almost gone. I mean, where do people go to have sex????

[The_Mentalist]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

That list isn't exactly up to date.

The Fort 1, 2, 3 Drive-in in Fayetteville closed in the early 80s.

ETA - There are a finite number of summer nights per year. 35mm films are pretty much obsolete in the US. I wonder why the theater owners don't just buy 100-200 classics, and rotate them among themselves. Most people are not at the drive-in for the movie, they are there for the exercise.

TR

More modernized drive ins no longer use 35mm film or even the speakers hanging in the window. Modern digital projectors as well as FM transmitters are helping to keep some drive ins alive. However, high population density areas do have some issues for the new systems. With a lot of radio stations limiting available frequencies as well as suits filed against some theaters that over ride FM modulators in cars (remote CD, sat radio etc) also contributing to limits on available frequencies, these theaters are having to set up in sparsely populated/small media market areas.

Combine all these issues with the decline in society (no more family nights out) the expenses of movies today, fuel prices and everything else, the drive in will die. Why pay $15 per ticket to go to a theater when you can PPV it for $5 and then TiVo the movie to keep. Unless it is a "mega movie" people just wait for it to come out on DVD to redbox it or PPV or just wait for it to hit HBO etc... It is truly sad that the former icon of the American movie experience is dying off, but it is happening.

[mojaveman]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Most people are not at the drive-in for the movie, they are there for the exercise. TR

Correct.

Everybody who lost their virginity at a Drive-In movie theatre please raise their hand.

There are actually two left in the city where I live. The rest closed years ago because in Southern California the real estate is worth much more developed with businesses or homes on it. There are swap meets at both locations everyday of the week so that is probably another reason why they were able to survive for so long. I've always thought that backseat shock absorber tests at the Drive-In were kind of crass and instead looked forward to watching the alcohol fueled fights broke out near the snack-bar or restrooms.

[RedLegGI]

My local drive-in is the Van-Del and its about an hour drive away. As a kid we'd go there once a month or so to watch the double or sometimes triple feature. Now they've actually expanded out to 3 screens and seem to be doing well for a drive-in. I was just there about a month ago and had a blast.

[Ambush Master]

There's a new one in Ft Worth, Texas in the Trinity Rive Bottom by Lagrave field!!

Lagrave Field is where the Ft Worth Cats play. They are a minor league team.

http://www.coyotedrive-in.com/


http://www.coyotedrive-in.com/directions/