Entertainment
THE RESURGENCE of drive-in theaters
BY STEVE BRYAN
I
n the early 2000’s, I was privileged to meet Joe Williams, a writer who was then the film critic for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. A kind and well-spoken man, he loved movies and especially enjoyed watching them at drive-in theaters. In some of his pieces, Williams would talk about Richard M. Hollingshead, Jr., the man credited with the concept of mixing cars with big outdoor screens. It was never a surprise to see Mr. Williams’ byline on a piece referencing “Ozoners,” the affectionate nickname for driveins. Growing up in the 1960’s and 70’s, my parents would frequently take my brothers and sisters and I to see movies at a local drive-in. We would load up the station wagon with soft drinks and snacks and settle in for several hours of cinematic enjoyment. In those pre-social distancing days, the only time we’d really interact with other people was during a trip to the snack bar. For our family, this was an economical way to see several movies over the summer months. When my friends and I were old enough to drive, we’d inevitably head to a drive-in on the weekend. Over time, though, once-popular drive-in theaters in the Bi-State region closed for various reasons. Located at 9348 Watson Road, the “66 Park In Theater” was a Crestwood landmark until It was torn down to make way for a shopping center. During the summer of 1982, families in their cars waited in long lines on Lemay Ferry to see “E.T.” at the South Twin Drive-In. A year later, however, this venerable
establishment gave way to yet another shopping plaza. In the current climate, though, drive-ins have seen a resurgence in popularity. Broadcasting the sound in FM stereo, the Skyview Drive-In in Belleville, Illinois, for instance, opens at 6:30 p.m. every night. As their website points out, those iconic window speakers are long gone but patrons can use their car radio or bring a battery-operated portable one. I’m not sure if Richard Hollingshead had social distancing in mind when he opened his first drive-in, but the concept works well here. Modern technology also made “Pop-Up” drive-in theaters a reality. Ben Hooper at UPI recently reported that the Kathedral Event Center in Hammonton, New Jersey started showing movies on their parking lot. For their “Karpool Cinema”, cars are spaced approximately 10 feet apart to be in line with social distancing. ABC affiliate WPIV in Philadelphia even posted on-camera interviews with patrons who were happy to get out of the house for some family-friendly entertainment. I’ve written more than once about how much I miss sitting in a theater with my snacks with other movie lovers close-by to share the experience. On Twitter, however, Regal Cinemas recently posted their intention to stay closed until they can show movies in a safe environment. Until it’s safe to go back to the cinema, drive-in’s and innovative pop-up theaters provide a very welcome way to get out of the house and enjoy the movies.
JUNE 2020 | CROSSROADS | 15
