If you've been reading Daily Dead since we first opened, you know that I love catching horror movie marathons at the drive-in. Of course, it's great to see original prints of classic horror movies on the big screen, but there's a community aspect that's unlike anything you'll see at a regular movie theater and I'm always making new friends.
Unfortunately, drive-ins have had a real hump to get over the last few years with the push to digital projectors, making the low number of operational drive-ins even lower. Thankfully, there have been some great efforts to support these locations and it seems like there's a real push to preserve and expand this experience for a new generation.
USA Drive-Ins announced that they're working with Johnny Rockets and other partners to bring the drive-in experience to moviegoers across the country at special events, such as Comic-Con, DragonCon, and more:
"USA Drive-Ins today announced a major initiative to bring back the classic American Drive-in. “We understand that there are many people in America that have never been exposed to a drive-in,” tells Bruce Taffet, Director of USA Drive-ins. “Because of that we believe that it’s time we introduce the fun and economy of a drive-in to them.” To that end together with a group of seasoned organizers, Johnny Rockets, and USA Drive-ins is launching a major initiative to bring the classic American Drive-in to movie fans.
Throughout the next year movie fans will have movies brought to them, through a a nationwide series of film screenings targeting events like Indy Pop Con, DragonCon, Wizard World, Comic Con and other major fan conventions. “Imagine a warm summer night, you and a couple hundred of your closest friends watching a movie under the stars, combined with great Johnny Rockets burgers...it will be an amazing time,” says Justin Beahm, Roadshow Coordinator for USA Drive-ins.
USA Drive-ins and Johnny Rockets are in partnership to re-invigorate American culture, by combining amazing movies with great food in great outdoor environments.” This is a natural for us,” says James Walker president of Johnny Rockets. “Our Route 66 Food Truck initiative combined with the efforts of USA Drive-ins is really going to re-ignite American Drive-in culture.”
The drive-in's peak popularity came in the late 1950s and early 1960s, particularly in rural areas, with some 4,000 drive-ins spread across the United States. Among its advantages was the fact that a family with a baby could take care of their child while watching a movie, while teenagers with access to autos found drive-ins ideal for dates.
With the escalation of land prices, drive-in theatres began their decline. Today only about 370 remain in business throughout the USA.
Look out for USA Drive-ins/Johnny Rockets events ….bringing back great summer drive-in experiences starting in May 2015."
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