Boxoffice-August.06.1955

DRIVE-IN
THEATRES
A NAUTICAL TOUCH TO DRiVE-IN NEAR OCEAr
OWNER: Walter Reade Theatres ARCHITECT: Leon M. Emhorn
URIVE-rN
iH WAiJ£RRLu)E Theatre
HU" L'WOSBYV WRCE "KELLY
•
I » "THE COUNTRY GIRL
f'Bsi "PERILOUS JOURNEY"
A pylon resembling a lighthouse adds an interesting touch to the design of the attraction board at the new Absecon Dri*e-ln
Theatre in Absecon, N. J. The lighthouse is symbolic of the seashore resort area, and there is a revolving light at the top
,SS«1
Illuminated Lighthouse Pylon Dominates Attraction Board
I HE 1,000-CAR Absecon Drlve-In
Theatre, newest of the eight outdoor theatres
in the Walter Reade circuit was officially
opened June 11. Located in Absecon.
N. J., it Is just two miles from Atlantic City.
A lighthouse pylon and attraction board,
Inspired by the nautical atmosphere of
Each of the twin boxoffices can service
two lanes of cars, and each contains office
space behind the cashier posts; one used
by the manager for an office, and the
other is used as a storeroom. Both box-
offices are finished in attractive Califo
nia Redwood, and are amply lit by cluste
of baby spots. The boxoffices are situat*}
approximately 200 yards from the hlglf
way. The ticket -taker's booth Is about nl
yards behind the boxoffices and Just prli
to the point where cars turn off to enU
the ramps.
the Atlantic City seashore resort area, is
a feature of the Absecon. The board utilizes
19-inch-hlgh wood letters, and the light
at the top of the pylon revolves similar to
a lighthouse. The same type of design
was al.so used at Atlantic Drlve-In, the
other Walter Reade outdoor theatre serving
the other .side of Atlantic City's area.
There are lights behind "Ab.secon Drlve-
In," and lights above and below the three
panels of the attraction titles.
I20m80FOOT
screen
One of the large.sl curved .screens In the
east serves the theatre. It measures 120
feet In width and l.s approximately 80 feet
high. The tower Is of wood frame construction
set In concrete, and Is covered with
Mnsonlte.
tfMzs^mJ
A pickup trucit which normally carts m»nhandise,
runs errands and pushes stalled cars, does double
duty OS an advertising vehicle lor the Absecon
and Atlantic Drive In theatres, both Walter Reade
properties The frames ore usually used to plug
picturtt rather than institutional copy as shown here.
Is
PLAYGROUND BEHIND CONCESSIONS
A free kiddie playground at the Ab.seeoi
placed in a different location than tha
In other Walter Reade theatres where tl'
play area Is in front of the screen. Th)
one was placed at the rear of the bulldln
housing the R*'freshery and projeetio
bootli In the Ix-lief that the central Ux-i
tlon might be more convenient for pntroi
and would al.so keep them near tlie foe!
counters.
A mechanical merry-go-round, swing
slldi'.s and a self-propelled merry-go-roiir
are among the play e