Mahoning Drive-In Theater

Last updated

Mahoning Drive-In Theater
Mahoning Drive-In Theater
Address635 Seneca Rd
Lehighton, Pennsylvania, 18235
United States
Coordinates 40°48′31″N75°46′17″W / 40.80861°N 75.77139°W / 40.80861; -75.77139
Type Drive-in
Opened1949
Website
https://www.mahoningdit.com/

The Mahoning Drive-In Theater is a drive-in theater located in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, along Route 443. [1] [2] Opened in 1949, the Mahoning was one of many drive-in theaters that became popular in the United States following World War II. [3] Attendance at the Mahoning waned by 2014, but the theater has since gained a resurgence in popularity due to the management's decision to screen primarily older cult films and B movies rather than newer releases. [3] It is the last remaining drive-in theater in the US to screen films in 35 mm every weekend. [4]

Contents

History

The Mahoning Drive-In Theater opened on April 29 1949 with space for 75 cars, amidst a wave of drive-in theaters that became popular in the US after World War II. [5] [3] A preview showing the night before drew 500 attendees. [6] According to Gene DeSantis, the theater's manager circa 1988, the first film screened at the Mahoning was 1948's April Showers . [2] The first season screened films every night of the week and admission was 50 cents. [1] [2]

Though drive-in attendance declined across the country with the advent of multiplex theaters in the 1970s and 1980s, the Mahoning remained in operation. [3] In 1997, owner Joe Farruggio courted controversy when he threatened to screen Deep Throat and Debbie Does Dallas following multiple rejected zoning applications to build two additional screens. [7] Mahoning Township required the theater to get approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to build the additional screens because of their proximity to an airport, which they did not receive. [8] Police were present before the Friday night screening to confiscate the films, had they been visible from the road, but Farruggio instead elected to show Mimic and Cop Land . [9] The drive-in was only open for two weeks that year. [8] By 2014, the Mahoning had seen a significant decline in attendance, sometimes with as few as 10 cars per show. [3]

Projectionist Jeff Mattox (who started working at the Mahoning in 2001) decided, at the suggestion of then-volunteer employees Virgil Cardamone and Matt McClanahan, that the Mahoning would screen primarily older cult films and B movies, as opposed to newer releases. [3] The decision proved successful, and attendance at the Mahoning soon rose in accordance with the addition of Exhumed Films themed programs like the recurring "Zombie Fest"—a marathon of films featuring zombies—and "Camp Blood" [3] —a marathon of horror films set at summer camps. Films are commonly shown as double or triple features at the Mahoning, and are often accompanied by screenings of older movie trailers, other vintage advertisements, and themed sets and costumes by volunteer James T. Mills. [3] The Mahoning has gone on to host events for Shudder, Joe Bob Briggs, and Troma Entertainment.

On July 13, 2021, [10] it was announced that the land on which the theater is situated was optioned by a solar power company, Greenskies Clean Energy LLC, which plans to demolish the Mahoning (including its screen and marquee) and to construct a solar farm in its place. [11] [12] Following an outpouring of community support, the plans have been put on hold. [4] [13]

Location and Facilities

The screen, marquee, concessions building, ticket booth, and projector are all original to the Mahoning, although changes and repairs have been made over the years. The original Mahoning screen was built in 1947 by Bethlehem Steel and measured 70 feet. [14] [1] By 1958 it measured 100 feet and has now expanded to 110 feet. [15] [14] Two weeks before the 2019 season opening, the screen was significantly damaged and underwent approximately $20,000 repairs. [16] The marquee sits at the intersection of Route 443 and Seneca Road to point cars towards the theater entrance a half mile away. In 2018, it was severely damaged by weather and a GoFundMe campaign was launched to help raise the nearly $20,000 it cost to repair the sign. To commemorate the repaired marquee, drive-in volunteers placed a time capsule in one of the posts. [17]

The concessions building also houses the projector room and bathroom. The projectors were manufactured in 1947 and have been used at the theater since it opened. 35 mm prints are sourced both from studios, private collectors, and university libraries. [18] Exhumed Films is also a regular source for prints. [19] The concessions building housed cigarette and pinball machines (both of which were robbed in the 50s and 60s). [20] [21] The mural on the concessions stand was painted by Christian Egbert in 2016, who first learned about the drive-in after meeting staff at a local flea market. Mattox paid for the materials and Egbert was given a place to sell his paintings in exchange for the labor. [22]

The Mahoning Drive-In is one of three drive-in movie theaters in the Lehigh Valley, the other two being Becky's Drive-In Theatre and Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre (the oldest operational drive-in in the country, now operated by former Mahoning volunteer owner Matt McClanahan). [23] [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Movie theater</span> Venue for viewing films

A movie theater, cinema, or cinema hall, also known as a movie house, picture house, picture theater or simply theater, is a business that contains auditoria for viewing films for public entertainment. Most are commercial operations catering to the general public, who attend by purchasing tickets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IMAX</span> Large-screen film format

IMAX is a proprietary system of high-resolution cameras, film formats, film projectors, and theaters known for having very large screens with a tall aspect ratio and steep stadium seating, with the 1.43:1 ratio format being available only in few selected locations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drive-in theater</span> Cinema format

A drive-in theater or drive-in cinema is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor movie screen, a projection booth, a concession stand, and a large parking area for automobiles. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars. Some drive-ins have small playgrounds for children and a few picnic tables or benches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinerama Dome</span> Movie theater in Hollywood, California

The Cinerama Dome is a movie theater located at 6360 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California. Designed to exhibit widescreen Cinerama films, it opened November 7, 1963. The original developer was William R. Forman, founder of Pacific Theatres. The Cinerama Dome continued as a leading first-run theater, most recently as part of the ArcLight Hollywood complex, until it closed temporarily in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in California. The ArcLight chain closed permanently in April 2021, with the theater never having reopened. In June 2022, it was announced that there were plans to reopen it and the former ArcLight Hollywood under a new name, Cinerama Hollywood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AMC Theatres</span> American movie theater chain

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. is an American movie theater chain founded in Kansas City, Missouri, and now headquartered in Leawood, Kansas. It is the largest movie theater chain in the world. Founded in 1920, AMC has the largest share of the U.S. theater market ahead of Regal and Cinemark Theatres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regal Cinemas</span> Movie theater chain in the United States

Regal Cinemas is an American movie theater chain headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. A division of Cineworld, Regal operates the second-largest theater circuit in the United States, with 6,853 screens in 511 theaters as of December 31, 2021. The three main theatre brands operated by Regal Entertainment Group are Regal Cinemas, Edwards Theatres, and United Artists Theatres.

Landmark Theatres is a movie theatre chain founded in 1974 in the United States. It was formerly dedicated to exhibiting and marketing independent and foreign films. Landmark consists of 34 theatres with 176 screens in 24 markets. It is known for both its historic and newer, more modern theatres. Helmed by its President Kevin Holloway, Landmark Theatres is part of Cohen Media Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somerville Theatre</span> Independent movie theater and concert venue in Somerville, Massachusetts

The Somerville Theatre is an independent movie theater and concert venue in the Davis Square neighborhood of Somerville, Massachusetts, United States. Over one hundred years old, the Somerville Theatre started off as a vaudeville house and movie theater. The theater has since transitioned and now operates as a live music venue and first-run movie theater. As a music venue, the theater has played host to many historic concerts, including the first of the two Last Dispatch concerts, two shows by Bruce Springsteen in 2003, and a performance by U2 in 2009. Recent live performances have included Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, Cursive, Norah Jones, The Jonas Brothers, Joan Baez, and the John Butler Trio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B&B Theatres</span> American movie theater chain

B&B Theatres Operating Company, Inc. or simply B&B Theatres is a family-owned and operated American movie theater chain based in Liberty, Missouri. Founded in 1924, B&B is the fifth-largest theater chain in the United States, operating 500+ screens at 54 locations in 14 US states. The company also maintains offices in Salisbury, Missouri and Fulton, Missouri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uptown Theater (Washington, D.C.)</span> Theater in D.C., United States

The Uptown Theater, known as The Uptown, was a single-screen movie theater in the Cleveland Park neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Opened in 1936, it hosted the world premieres of such movies as 2001: A Space Odyssey and Jurassic Park. It closed in March 2020.

The King Drive-In is a historic drive-in theater located in Russellville, Alabama. It is the oldest continually operating drive-in theater in the state of Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Civic Theatre of Allentown</span> Cinema in Allentown, Pennsylvania, US

The Civic Theatre of Allentown, also known as the Nineteenth Street Theatre, is the oldest cinema in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The theater opened on September 17, 1928. It hosts live theater, educational programs, and screens art house films. In July 1957, the property was purchased by Allentown's Civic Little Theatre. Since then, stage productions have been performed at the theater. In 1994 the company officially changed its name to the Civic Theatre of Allentown. Its building on 19th Street was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orpheum Theatre (Wichita, Kansas)</span> United States historic place

The Orpheum Theatre is a historic theater in downtown Wichita, Kansas, United States. It was designed by renowned theatre architect John Eberson with funding from a group of local investors and opened on September 4, 1922.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Villa Theatre</span> Former movie theater in Millcreek, Utah, United States

The Villa Theatre is a former movie theater in Millcreek, Utah, located at 3092 S. Highland Drive. The theatre was open from December 23, 1949, to February 18, 2003. In 2004, Dr. Adib purchased the old cinema and converted it into the present showroom for Adib's Rug Gallery, which continues to operate at this location today.

Loew's Route 35 Drive-In was a drive-in theater on Route 35 in Hazlet, New Jersey. Opened in June 1956, its first movie was The Searchers, starring John Wayne, and Magnificent Roughnecks, starring Jack Carson. It operated for 35 years until an economic boom along the corridor and a turn towards enclosed movie theaters resulted in its closure in September 1991. The site became a Costco warehouse store and an enclosed movie theater.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosendale Theatre</span> Theater in Rosendale, New York

The Rosendale Theatre is a three-story, 260-seat movie theater and performance venue in Rosendale Village, a hamlet and former village in the town of Rosendale in Ulster County, New York. The building was opened as a casino in 1905, and began showing films in the 1920s. By the 1930s, a stage had been installed for live vaudeville and burlesque acts. The casino was eventually taken over by the local government, and used to house the town's fire department.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boulevard Drive-In Theater</span>

The Boulevard Drive-In Theater is a closed drive-in theater, located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It was one of two drive-in theaters in Allentown; the second one was Cinema Treasures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moonlite Theatre</span> Historic theater in Washington County, Virginia, US

The Moonlite Theatre, also known as the Moonlite Drive-In, is a historic drive-in theater located near Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia. It was built and opened in 1949, and remained one of the few drive-ins still open in Virginia until finally closing in 2013. The theater reopened briefly in 2016 but closed shortly after due to a pending lawsuit. Remaining original buildings and structures include the 65-foot-tall screen tower and office wing, the ticket booth, the concession stand/projector booth building, and the neon-illuminated attraction board at the edge of the highway. The theatre includes 454 parking/viewing spaces designed as reverse-incline ramps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre</span> Drive-in movie theater in Pennsylvania

Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre is a single-screen drive-in movie theater located off of Route 309 in Orefield, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the oldest operational drive-in theater in the world It generally operates during weekends in the colder months, while playing films seven days per week during the summer season. Admission gives patrons access to both nightly movie showings.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Mahoning Valley Drive-in Theatre Ready to Open". The Morning Call . Allentown, Pennsylvania. April 18, 1949. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Connolly, Sean (September 15, 1988). "Theaters out of doors out of date?". The Morning Call . Allentown, Pennsylvania. p. 161. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Abrams, Simon (July 9, 2021). "The Schlock-Horror Drive-In That Rose From the Grave". The New York Times . Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Harris, Jon (July 15, 2021). "Mahoning Drive-in Theater to stay open after solar farm plan is put 'on ice'". The Morning Call . Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Drive-In Theatre To Open Friday". Mauch Chunk Times-Nwes. April 28, 1949. p. 1. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Open Drive-In Theatre". The Morning Call. April 30, 1949. p. 8. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  7. ↑ Ayers, Chuck (August 21, 1997). "Drive-in neighbors upset over planned X-rated films". The Morning Call. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  8. 1 2 Laylo, Bob (June 8, 1998). "Mahoning Drive-In theater may not see 50th birthday". The Morning Call. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  9. ↑ Ayers, Chuck (August 23, 1997). "Drive-in offers action". The Morning Call. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  10. ↑ @MahoningDIT (July 14, 2021). "SAVE THE MAHONING Watch. Share. https://vimeo.com/574291936 We're calling upon the Mahoning Township to deny the requested variance, and @GreenskiesSolar let their option lapse, allowing us to purchase the land from the landowner, in order to remain in operation. #savethemahoning" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021– via Twitter.
  11. ↑ Smith, Zachary (July 14, 2021). "Historic Mahoning Drive-In to be replaced by solar farm". PAHomePage.com. Nexstar Media Group . Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Save the Mahoning". The Mahoning Drive-In Theater. Archived from the original on July 15, 2021.
  13. ↑ Warner, Andrea (July 15, 2021). "'You guys aren't going to let it happen': Mahoning Drive-In theater staying open". PAHomePage.com. Nexstar Media Group . Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  14. 1 2 Nark, Jason (August 14, 2019). "'Magnet for strange': Nostalgic Pa. drive-in lets you sleep over, bring your dog, get weird". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Mahoning Drive-In Theatre To Open Tomorrow". Jim Thorpe Times News. April 4, 1958. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  16. ↑ Monteforte, Laurie (April 8, 2019). "Drive-In Screen: Gone with the Wind". wnep.com. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  17. ↑ Mataloni, Carmella (May 1, 2018). "Repairing Iconic Marquee at Carbon County Drive-In". wnep.com. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  18. ↑ Strunk, Brianna (May 8, 2021). "Mahoning Drive-In Theater". Pocono News Network. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  19. ↑ Tatu, Christina (June 22, 2019). "Reeling in the film fans: Mahoning Drive-In is last in the U.S. showing 35 mm films every weekend". The Morning Call. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Mahoning Drive-in Theatre Burglary". Jim Thorpe Times News. June 24, 1959. p. 3. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Police Probe Burglaries in Panther Valley Area". The Morning Call. September 7, 1965. p. 12. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  22. ↑ "An artful exchange: Bernville man swaps paintings for exposure". Reading Eagle. December 19, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  23. ↑ Report, Morning Call | Staff (June 6, 2015). "Lehigh Valley's historic drive-ins and movie theaters". The Morning Call. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  24. ↑ WFMZ-TV (November 5, 2022). "Shankweiler's Drive-In sold to new owners". WFMZ.com. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.