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j<br />
DRIVE-IN<br />
THEATRES<br />
With the Rockies Risini<br />
As a Backdrop^ a Helem<br />
Drive-In Theatre Boasti<br />
Of a Spectacular Setting<br />
V^NE OF THE MOST spcctacular settings fori<br />
drive-in theatre is in tlie valley of the Rockies i<br />
Helena, Mont, where Ralph A. Hahn and Don an<br />
Keith Dedrikson opened their Sky-Hi Drive-l<br />
Theatre.<br />
To the north rise the majestic Rockies, and to tb<br />
west is the dome of the state capitol building abov<br />
the town itself. With the rugged west as the settln,<br />
the theatre follows the motif of the countryside i<br />
design. Sturdy timbers are employed in both cot<br />
structlon and establishing the decorative touches.<br />
There's a knotty pine entrance area and al<br />
traction board, a refreshment service buildir<br />
paneled in knotty pine and a 15,000-foot rust<br />
fence built in basket-weave of wide, natural-finis<br />
This attractive sign marks the entrance to the drive-in. The lettering is held by five 2x6s,<br />
each 27 feet high. The sign and attraction board light up in red against a background of<br />
blue, silver, red and yellow blinking stars. Lights inside the entrance way illuminate large<br />
"Thank You" and "Call Again" signs over the entrance arches. Natural knotty pine boards<br />
were used for the entrancewoy and the arches have been painted a forest green.<br />
fir timbers. The service building also is built (<br />
knotty pine.<br />
The basket- weave fence was inspired by the nee<br />
for wind and snow resistance, as well as for whf<br />
the owners thought was a need for a rustic toucl,<br />
The timbers actually were woven in and out, wit,<br />
no nails used except for the bottom baseboards.<br />
The 500-car area has a natural slope, whic!<br />
simplified the construction job.<br />
I<br />
CREDITS: Proiection: RCA • Ramp lighting: RCA |,<br />
Changeable letters: Wagner • Acoustical materiol: Celotex.<br />
This bostei weo»e fence of fir planks was inspired by the need for wind resist<br />
ance as well as providing the rustic touch. There are no nails used except<br />
for the bottom baseboards. The 15,000 feet of fencing will be varnished to<br />
keep the ioit rustic look as well as protect the timbers from snow and rain.<br />
It looks like o difficult and arduous task, but the owners claim they actually<br />
i<br />
picked on the design because they were in a hurry to get the fence up<br />
42 The MODERN THEATRE SECTIOIll
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