Boxoffice-May.03.1952

A Manual of
Drive-In
Design and Operation
MODERNIZING YOUR DRIVE-IN THEATRE
This is the last installment of a series of 20
articles which hove appeared in the
MODERN THEATRE Section
r RECEDING THE LAST WORLD WAR, and immediately thereafter,
a comparatively large number of drive-in theatres were
built as cheaply as possible in an effort to cash in on this type
of entertainment before it became passe. Now, however, that
the demand for this type of theatre is increasing, it becomes
imperative that these sub-standard operations be modernized
if they are to compete with the newer type of drive-ins.
It is always more costly to remodel than it is to build properly
in the first instance, but in view of the fact that the original
investment in the majority of these sub-standard jobs has been
entirely amortised, it stands to reason that the cost of any
modernization will actually be paid out of earnings so that it
is to the best interests of the exhibitor to bring his theatre up-todate
at the earliest possible date.
The problem of installing in-car speakers is perhaps the
most costly item involved since this work requires that ramps
be cut up in order to install the underground wiring circuits.
Prior to placing these circuits it is advisable that the sight lines
from all ramp locations be checked by an experienced engineer
to be sure they are suitable for a larger screen area or for additional
ramps.
The next project for the modernizing program is the surfacing
of the ramp area and the driveways. It is actually surprising to
see the large number of 700 to 1,000-car drive-in theatres that
do not have proper surfacing.
Before surfacing the areas, sight lines should be checked to
preclude the possibility of having to make alterations in them
after the surfacing work is completed. The ramp area is actually
the very foundation of a modern drive-in theatre and it should
be surfaced in a manner that will prevent surface water from
penetrating the subgrade; it should provide a smooth surface
for pedestrian traffic; and it should have sufficient abrasive
material to provide traction for automobiles on the sUppery
nights which frequently occur.
by GEORGE M. PETERSEN
The screen structure on many of these sub-standard jobs
also requires attention both as to the size of the screen proper
and as to the architectural appearance from the highway. The
successful indoor exhibitor is most particular regarding the appearance
of his marquee and his lobby and the drive-in theatre
exhibitor should be equally interested in the landscaping and
in the attractiveness of the highway elevation of his theatre.
Due to the fact that many of the early screen structures
were erected by carpenters who had no experience in computing
loads and stresses in the materials, it is not advisable to add to an
existing structure until a thorough check has been completed
of the structural members, the connections, the size and weights
of the footings, the size of the anchor bolts, etc. This checking
should be done by an experienced and capable engineer. The
fact that a screen structure has stood for several years is no
assurance that it will continue to stand after it has been enlarged.
A structure 45 feet high may withstand the pressure exerted
by the normal winds in a certain locality but such winds may tax
the sti'ucture to the maximum limit so that an additional added
height of only a few feet could cause a complete failure. Recent
court decisions in cases of claims for damages caused by the
failure of improperly designed screen structures proves all too
clearly that it is not advisable for the exhibitor to take a chance
on the design of such structures. -a
There are three principle methods that may be used to properly
enlarge the screen structure. I. If the enlarging is to be completed
during the closed season the existing structure may be
wrecked and the salvaged material may be reused in the new
structure. 2. An entirely new structure may be erected on the
highway side of the existing structure and the existing structure
can then be removed. 3. A new structure may be erected around
the existing structure. However, this method is not recommended
unless all details of the existing structure have been
checked as previously mentioned since the additional pressure
will add to the load of the existing structure.
As the highway elevation of the screen structure is the most
valuable advertising space available to the exhibitor it should
be developed to the utmost and this result may be obtained at
i
54 The MODERN THEATRE SECTION