The Albion Drive-In went to showing exclusively X-rated films in the 1980s, and was forced to place blinder lights around the perimeter of the property to prevent distracting drivers on I-94. Some drive-ins completely changed their business model in order to survive. In addition, exhibitors are often at the mercy of what first-run films the major studios are putting out. The opening features typically start around 9 p.m. Michigan's weather makes drive-ins a seasonal venture, with the prime viewing window between Memorial Day and Labor Day.Īnd the fact that the state sits near the edge of the Eastern time zone, coupled with daylight saving time, makes for a late night at the drive-in. A big part was some of the land these places were sitting on when they were built was in the sticks, now they were in developed areas and property taxes went up." The onset of VCRs and DVDs allowed people to stay at home and watch movies, and of course television. Cars were becoming more for just transportation and more functional. "The cruising-type culture was diminishing. "I think culturally there was a change," he said. He says a number of factors led to the steep decline in drive-in theaters in the Great Lakes state. Gary Ritzenthaler of Holly, with the help of Lansing researcher Ron Gross, compiled information on all of Michigan's past and present drive-ins on his website. Watch Video: Movie night at Capri Drive-In "We have our own little niche," said Susan Magocs, co-owner of Capri. "It's an experience you can't get anywhere else: the drive-in experience." Bygone era: How drive-in theaters became endangered Their customers aren't just people longing for nostalgia, but often families searching for a different kind of screen time and movie-going experience. In a digital age when movie consumers have more options than ever, drive-in theaters like Capri retain their charm but they're also trying to stay relevant. Now, only nine remain in the state among 317 across the country. There were once as many as 137 drive-ins in Michigan. The family-owned Capri Drive-In in Coldwater remains a slice of Americana, albeit one from a bygone era. With all the vehicle lights turned off, advertisements began to project to the screen, illuminating the parking lot. Others cozied up inside their cars or in the beds of their pickup trucks, facing a blank 150-foot-wide by 75-foot-tall screen. People paid $10 for their tickets - for a double-feature - at a drive-thru box office and parked their vehicles in front of white posts.Ī few emerged to set up blankets and lawn chairs before making a run to the snack bar for popcorn. The sun had just set over a nearby cornfield, ending a game of catch on the grass in front of the marquee with "Capri" written in neon red cursive lettering. Here is a list of drive-in and outdoor movie venues in Greater Columbus to check out - this weekend or later this summer - in honor of National Drive-In Movie Day.COLDWATER - It was 53 degrees on what would be a clear and starry night in April. The only theater in Columbus is South Drive-In on South High Street, while other ones across the state include Skyview Drive-In in Lancaster, Hi-Road Drive-In in Kenton and Dixie Twin Drive-In in Vandalia. Ohio connections: Columbus native gets big break in 'Malum' movieĪs of 2020, there were fewer than 350 drive-in theaters left in the U.S. Property value also rose and states moved to Daylight Saving Time, causing many theaters to close, according to. The demise of drive-ins took place about 20 years later, when home viewing of movies via VCR became popular in the late 1970s. But, soon, the term drive-in and the idea caught on there were 4,000 nationwide by the late 1950s. Hollingshead, a movie fan.Īt first, such venues were known as "park-ins," according to a article on Hollingshead's theater. The year was 1933 and the place was New Jersey, where Camden Drive-In was opened by Richard M. June 6 is the day the first drive-in movie theater opened. More on summer screenings: 'Selena,' 'Metropolis' among lineup for CAPA Summer Movie Series Tuesday is National Drive-in Movie Day, so, to mark the historic occasion, make sure to check out this guide to where you can catch an outdoor film - in your car or not. Whether you're taking your car for a drive-in movie, setting up a blanket in the grass or gathering at a local brewery, there are plenty of ways to see a flick outside this summer.Īnd the timing is perfect. There are several places where you can in the Greater Columbus area. Want to catch a movie under the stars this summer?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |