Boxoffice-April.07.1958

Efficient
Equipment Lineup Makes Possible
Fast Service by Only Three Attendants
the outdoor theatre he opened last July 24.
The 35x70-foot concessions area at the
center of the drive-in offers refreshmentcraving
motion pictui'e patrons such a varied
sandwich menu as club, grilled cheese,
roast beef, tuna fish, lettuce and tomato,
chicken salad, bacon and egg, small steak
and frankfurters. Only three employes are
needed to keep customers moving steadily
along the 58-foot stainless steel counter,
cafeteria style, at the peak of Intermission
business.
Service equipment built into the countir
includes a popcorn machine, hot dog
machine, ice cream unit, grill, deepfryer,
ice chest, Sno-Kone bin, deep freezer
box for small items and thirst stimulating,
refrigerated dispensers for Coca-Cola,
Pepsi-Cola. Orange-Crush and Hire's root
beer. A Carrier ice-making machine that
turns out 450 pounds per day is a handy
behind-the-counter aid.
USES A SUGGESTION BOX
Efficient positioning of counter equipment and concessions items along a single-lane cafeteria counter
at the 600-car Autoscope Driye-ln, La Center, Ky., enables owner Clark Smitf) to operate his refreshment
service with only three employes. When this picture was taken. Smith, nearest the camera, and his wife
Frieda, at the cashier's station, were filling two of the important posts on the serving line. Fast-moving
items make up a menu that offers patrons considerable choice in both food and drink. Along with such conventional
standbys as popcorn and coffee. Smith provides a choice of nine sandwiches, as listed on
the easy-to-read menu board at the right; four flavors in snow cones, and four nationally advertised soft
drinks, each ready for fast service from attention-winning, refrigerated dispensers on the SS-foot stainless
steel concessions counter.
The idea of making his drive-in
theatre as popular for quality concessions
products as for its substantial family screen
fare was a guiding principle with Clark
Smith from the time he began planning
his Autoscope Drive-In, La Center, Ky. He
also wanted a concessions operation which
could be carried on with equal economy
and efficiency either as a cafeteria or overthe-counter
operation by a minimum of
employes.
Smith has achieved both objectives at
Sales within the concessions building are
augmented by service to all cars. A 50x70-
foot patio for dancing before the show and
during intermission brings more potential
customers near the concessions building
doors. Also useful in building refreshment
business. Smith has discovered, is a suggestion
box in the concessions building Where
any patron may deposit a written request
for an item he would like
to see added to
the menu, films he would like for Smith to
book or improvements that could be made
in the drive-in's operation.
Among the featui-es of the Autoscope development
is an 800-foot steel fence that
separates the ramp area from U. S. Highway
60. Downlights are provided on speaker
posts and at both the entrance and exit
to the theatre. A moonlight tower is positioned
at the rear of the ramp area and
flood lighting for live entertainment is
used on top of the projection booth. SjJecial
attendants are on duty to clean the
windshield of each car as it enters the
ramp area.
LEARNED BUSINESS IN TEXAS
Smith, who gained drive-in operation
experience in Texas before returning to his
native western Kentucky county to build
the Autoscope, can accommodate 600 cars
and 600 walk-in patrons for programs on
the 52xl05-foot screen. The drive-in, a
quarter mile from La Center, was built at
cost of $125,000. Its grand opening was
saluted by merchants in both the Kentucky
county and in Cairo, 111., through extensive
spreads of ads in newspapers in Cairo
and in Wycliffe, Ky. Although about 15
miles from the Illinois town, the Autoscope
attracts much patronage from there. The
bulk of its regular trade, however, comes
from Ballard County, population 8,545,
Smith's drive-in being the only outdoor operation
in the county.
The acres of popcorn grown in the
United States increased almost 12 times
trom 1909 to 1950. Increase in quality was
probably the chief reason.
40 The MODERN THEATRE SECTION