Drive In Theaters

Saddle shoes, bobby sox, poodle skirts, and pony tails—they are all icons of the 1950s, an era that now provokes a wistful yearning in folks of a certain age. Equally iconic is the drive-in movie theater where many of today’s grandparents once spent languid summer nights ensconced in cars, munching concession food while watching double features that screened far into the night.

Drive-ins were often boisterous Friday-night hangouts for teens and provided an inexpensive way for young families to get out of the house. Children could squirm and squiggle without reprimand, young couples could cuddle and smooch and even pets could sleep in the back seat.

At one time there were more than 4,000 drive-ins dotted across the United States. But it was a way of life doomed by its seasonal restrictions, the rising value of land (it takes some 15-acres of land for a drive-in theater) and—ironically—the very cars that families sat in. With the rising cost of gas in the 1970s, cars shrank and became less comfortable. Finally, the development of the VCR moved family movie night from the drive-in to the living room. Today there are only about 325 drive-ins operating across the country.

But stir-crazy Tri-state region residents, driven to get out of the house for some safe entertainment after months of COVID-19 confinement, have rediscovered the joys of the drive-in theater. There are two nearby—a traditional theater in operation since 1947 and a modern interpretation—and both have devoted coteries of patrons.

Barkhamsted’s Pleasant Valley Drive-in is a clear favorite with its supporters. The 72-year-old facility has been owned for the past 25 years by Donna McGrane, who spent childhood evenings there when her parents worked in the project and concession booths. This year, when COVID struck, she lost her regular employment and at the same time was faced with a leaking roof on the concession stand.

McGrane established a go fund me page, seeking $7,500 in support. She was astounded when the donations poured in—a total of $40,130 that allowed her to make other upgrades she had only dreamed of before, including installing pavement in front of the concession stand.

When she finally opened, on a cold, rainy night in early May, fans were more than ready to enjoy a movie in their cars. A line of cars stretched down the road more than two hours before the show would be screened, as McGrane answered calls with one hand while she selling tickets with the other.

“I knew I was going to be busy even if it snowed,” she said.

“I guess it was in my blood,” she said, explaining her decision to buy the theater, which she says is a “labor of love.”

“Twenty-five years ago my brother called and said it was for sale. I went and talked to the man the next day and the day after that, I bought it. I didn’t know a thing about running a drive-in.”

She turned it into a continuing family enterprise with her own children growing up in the business. Her daughters Shannon and Jessica run the concession.

“There’s nothing better than coming here,” said Jessica, recalling that as children they played whiffle ball on the lawn in front of the screen. “Families still do that,” she said. “They come early and the kids play kick ball and other games before the show comes on.”

Strict adherence to social distancing regulations must be maintained this season, however. Patrons can now sit in their cars, trucks or in lawn chairs placed directly in front of their vehicles. At the concession stand, masks must be worn and patrons must stay six feet apart.

Over in Amenia NY John and Paul Stefanopoulos, scions of the Four Brothers Restaurant family, have given a new twist to the drive-in experience at the Four Brothers Drive-in which first opened five years ago. The theater has been given a modern flavor but the idea of operating one dates back to when family members went to a drive-in shortly after arriving in this country in the 1970s.

The Stefanopoulos brothers have created a quirky, retro vibe that appeals to a whole new generation of theater-goers and they offer a variety of amenities and options for special events ranging from birthday parties, to weddings, to fundraisers.

The theater also has a camping area where patrons can pitch tents and a caravan that reflects the funky atmosphere of the theater where visitors can spend a night or longer.

Alexandra Mazza, an employee of the theater, said restrictions have been put in place to make the movie-going experience safe for patrons. As with the Pleasant Valley theater, patrons tend to spend as much time out of their cars as in them but now they must practice social distancing while viewing the show, getting food or using restrooms.

“Both the caravan and the camping area are open for bookings,” Mazza said, “but we have the camp sites farther apart. People who rent the caravan can sit on their front porch and watch the show without masks but if they leave the porch they must put on their masks and we encourage them to wear gloves. The same with the campsite, if they leave their site for food or to the use the restrooms, they must put on masks and gloves.”

Bathrooms are sanitized after each use.

The rules have also been tightened for viewers who come in trucks and cars. They are free to sit inside the vehicles, to have the back hatch of the car open or to sit in the bed of a pickup with their masks handy. They can also sit in lawn chairs immediately in front or behind their cars.

COVID may have taken a little of the spontaneity out of the drive-in experience, but the Stefanopoulos brothers have remained true to making their theater a “destination.” Locally sourced and quality foods can be ordered from the concession or the family restaurant next door, delivered to vehicles by car-hops.

Four Brothers Drive-in is located at 4957 Route 22, Amenia NY; 845-373-8178, click the link below. For information about the Pleasant Valley Drive-in, 47 River Road (Rt. 181) in Barkhamsted, go to www.pleasantvalleydriveinmovies.com or call 860-379-6102.