Why the Drive-In Movie Theater Experience is one to Remember and Visit in Fort Collins
A first date idea, fun for the family, or simply a unique way of watching the movies, a Drive-In Theater keeps its history and heritage of a classic movie experience for many generations to enjoy.
A Drive-In Theater features a movie being played on a large screen outside, while the audience gets to sit back and enjoy it within their personal vehicle. Music and sounds are played throughout your car’s stereo or a personal radio which brings a unique perspective towards enjoying the movies.
Many of us are aware of Drive-In Theaters through our parent's or even grandparent's experiences and stories. This was due to the popularity of Drive-In Theater around the nation in the 19th century. As New York Film Academy stated, Drive-In Theaters offered “a solution for people unable to comfortably fit into smaller movie theater seats.”
Richard Hollingshead in 1933 pioneered the Drive-In Theater specifically for his mother that couldn’t fit into regular movie theater seats. Family’s were appealed with this experience which lead to Hollingshead creating more Drive-In Theaters where, “The whole family is welcome, regardless of how noisy the children are.” Family-friendly entertainment at an affordable rate grew the popularity of these types of theater experiences.
Furthermore, the Drive-In Theater grew a special place within the car community. As Robin T Reid stated, “It took an auto-parts salesman such as Hollingshead to see the genius in giving a car-loving society one more activity they could do in their vehicles.” The car community did not only found a place to enjoy and experience movies within their own personal vehicles, but it also connected a lot of people towards showing off their unique vehicles of the era. Classic cars, Hot Rods, and unique vehicles would all come together to enjoy talking about their cars and to watch a movie.
Drive-In Theaters reached their peak popularity during the 1950s and 60s. With more than 4000 theaters across the US, located in rural areas, the Drive-In experience of watching a movie vastly appealed to the Baby Boomer Generation. However, Drive-In Theater begins to shorten out as technology, crisis, and funding began making Drive-In Theater’s experience less appealing.
Sit-down local theaters gained popularity as their technology progressively gets better towards the movie-watching experience. Many new theaters feature a 4D experience, surround sound, moving seats, and water that sprays on your face during specific movie scenes. The classic appeal of Drive-In theaters slowly begins to age as newer generations began to enjoy the revolutionizing technology seen within sit-down theaters.
Furthermore, Drive-In Theaters are primarily locally owned and operated, meanwhile, some sit-down theaters are funded and owned by major corporations. AMC, Regal, and Cinemark are some of the major movie corporations that have more access and funding towards the movies and features of a sit-down theater. This means movies being shown, a location that theaters are placed, and the overall movie watching experience can be seen better through sit-down theaters. However, both types of theaters feature a sense of community and entertainment throughout the movie-showing industry. As Jared Polis stated, “Our rural communities are essential to Colorado’s economy, and rural movie and stage theaters provide economic and cultural benefits that strengthen our communities.”
Many local theaters, like The Holiday Twin Drive-In Theater in Fort Collins, are one of the last couple of Drive-In theaters located around Colorado that host plenty of venues, seasonal movies, and people who continue to enjoy the classic experience. Stephanie Webb, the current owner of The Holiday Twin Drive-In Theater in Fort Collins said, “Many Fort Collins residents and Colorado locals come up here to enjoy me and my husband's theater of the Drive-In experience.” Stephanie's husband, Wesley Webb was the prior owner before he passed away, however, Stephanie continues to carry on their family legacy of this historical landmark and entertainment here in Fort Collins.
Stephanie states that the difficulties of owning and operating a Drive-In Theater come down to “upkeeping and obtaining mainstream movie technology, meanwhile being a seasonal operation theater.” It’s important to note, that any theater doesn’t make any money off of the movies they show, but instead the support from local patrons, donations, and concessions keep these theaters running.
Bob and Peggy, Old-Time Fort Collins residents, and Patreon continue to support and watch movies at The Holiday Twin Drive-in Theater. They state, “We love the experience of watching movies out of our cars that we grew up in. The classic look of the theater brings back a good memory towards our generation of people and society.”
The Drive-In Theater regained popularity recently due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, which shut down many sit-down theater operations during the summer of 2020 and some of 2021. However, Social Distancing practices and with Drive-In Theaters being outside, many enjoy this form of entertainment and environment of watching movies during the COVID-19 pandemic. “As COVID-19 shut down most of the local theaters and venues, the Drive-In Theater was the only place to go and watch a movie.” Bob and Peggy said. “It’s great to see many people coming out of the shelter to enjoy some time with their friends and family at the movies.” Meanwhile, Stephanie states that her theater will “understand that the Drive-In is a place that will offer space to abide by new guidelines and enjoy movies and presentations during these difficult times.”
As Drive-In Theaters begins to regain popularity, there are only a few of them left throughout Colorado and the nation. With the classic appearance and environment, meanwhile including affordability towards the movie-watching experience. There is a lot to remember and enjoy of watching a movie out of your car with friends and family at a Drive-In.
