It promises to be a beautiful weekend night, not too hot or buggy, the stars will soon begin the preview of their celestial show that will later feature in the night sky. The car is packed with blankets, pillows, lawn chairs and coolers, you have your comfortable clothes on (maybe even PJs); if you have children, they, too, are similarly prepared. The scene is set and you are ready for a night out at the Drive-In movies, one of summer’s many wholesome entertainment offerings, and perhaps a nostalgia trip too.

Drive-In theatre fans are probably aware of a few theatres in their geographic area; however, for those who may not be aware of the existence of Drive-Ins in our region, there are actually eight operating theatres—some having recently celebrated their 50th anniversaries. Hugely popular in the 1950s and ‘60s, Capital Region movie enthusiasts once had 24 Drive-Ins to choose from. During the 1970s the Drive-In theatre industry (nationwide) experienced a decline in attendance based on a number of factors, primarily urban expansion, and the competition for first-run films being shown at newly developed multiplexes (Drive-In theatres were now at the bottom of the list for distribution). The rural land where these theatres resided became very valuable, and owners, seeing an opportunity to exit out of a declining field of entertainment, cashed in and sold their land for development. A resurgence of attendance began in the 1980s as the film industry began releasing first– run summer blockbuster movies to the remaining Drive-In theatres. It may also have been, in large part, due to the fact that many ‘Boomers’, who had fond memories of their earlier Drive-In theatre experiences, wanted to share similar experiences with their children.

Today, 75 years after the first Drive-In theatre opened in Camden, NJ (thanks to the ingenuity of Richard Hollingshead, inventor of the Drive-In theatre), the remaining Drive-Ins in our region are thriving and successful. In fact, the NY State Assembly—prompted by the success, organization and dedication of involved Drive-In theatre owners—officially designated the weekend of June 6th (it was on this day that Hollingshead opened his first Drive-In), the official Drive-In theatre weekend in the state of New York.

These remaining local Drive-In theatre owners take great pride in their businesses, and preserving a piece of our national pastime. They offer family entertainment that is relatively inexpensive and requires little effort—providing an irreplaceable experience for all. Frank Fisher, the current owner of the Hollywood Drive-In Theatre in Averill Park (built in 1952), actually grew-up helping his father and mother run their family-owned theatre. Now, 56 years later, his Drive-In offers the summer’s blockbuster movies (no waiting for them to make the rounds at the multiplexes), sees 400 cars on any given weekend night, and approximately 41,000 people in a season, which begins the end of May and ends in early October. Not a bad gig for 5 months of the year! As he said, “Business is good, and we get great support from the township.”

Similarly, the Chenettes, a young professional couple, seized the opportunity to preserve a piece of the past when they changed career paths and purchased the Jericho Drive-In, in Glenmont, in 1995. Owning and operating this theatre (built in 1957), and the ice cream shop on the same premises, allows them the opportunity to work and raise their family. Business is great for them as well. Choosing first-run family-oriented and action movies (for the teenage crowd), their lot, which holds up to 500 cars, is filled to capacity on weekends, and they see everyone from elderly couples to young families. Maybe someday, just as Frank Fisher has, their children will operate their Drive-In.

Whether your recollection of the Drive-In theatre is of childhood innocence, climbing into the back of your parents’ station wagon with blankets, pillows and hopes of raiding the concession stand for popcorn, candy and soda; or of collective teenage freedom; or perhaps a rendezvous spot with your main squeeze (smooching permitted), the Drive-Ins are still here providing a summer full of PG, well, okay, maybe PG-13, rated entertainment. Double feature: $8/adult and $3-4/kids under 11; popcorn, candy and soda: about $25; an evening out under the star-filled sky at the Drive-Ins with your family, friends, or main squeeze…Priceless.
www.hollywooddrivein.com Averill Park, NY
www.jerichodrive-in.com Glenmont, NY
www.hiwaydrivein.com Coxsackie,NY
www.hathawaysdrive-in.com North Hoosick, NY
www.maltadrivein.com Malta,NY
www.glendriveintheatre.com Glens Falls,NY
www.hydeparkdrivein.com Hyde Park,NY
www.mountaindrivein.com Hunter,NY
by Jennifer Stoner