The Exhibitor (May-Aug 1948)

LETTERS . . . May 10, 1948 Dear Sir: I read with interest your May edition on drive-in theatres. However, you should tell Motiograph, Inc., that they are all wrong when they figure $85,000 for a drive-in. It will run much more. Kindest regards. Yours sincerely, Mai'tin B. Ellis, A. M. Ellis Theatres Company ( Editor’s Note: Mr. Ellis’ company is cur¬ rently completing a deluxe drive-in out¬ side Camden, N. J., and his letter was dutifully passed on to Motiograph with the following answer .) May 20, 1948 Gentlemen: We appreciate very much the copy of Mr. Martin B. Ellis’ letter stating that a Drive-In Theatre cannot be constructed for $85,000 plus the cost of the land. It is quite true that total investments in some modern Drive-In Theatres have ex¬ tended to sums of $250,000 and over but on the other hand, it is my opinion that the majority of Drive-In Theatres have been constructed at a total investment of $100,000 or less. We are attaching a planographed copy of a Drive-In Theatre layout which we recently made and which is reproduced in our Drive-In Book. You will note that this Drive-In Theatre is of the amphi¬ theatre type — that is, the screen is at the rear end of the theatre area rather than in its conventional position near the highway. By designing the theatre layout in this way, it will require that only some 27,000 cubic yards of earth be moved to create optimum viewing angles from every car position. On the other hand, had we de¬ signed the theatre in the conventional manner, it would have required nearly triple this amount of earth moving, in order to give each car occupant the best possible viewing angle. As it costs from 30c to 40c per yard to move earth, (depending upon local labor costs) you will appreciate that a saving of about $10,000 in grading alone was effected. The above figures will clearly indicate to you how much money can be saved in construction of a Drive-In Theatre by intelligent planning by individuals fa¬ miliar with Drive-In Theatre construction and equipment. Had the original site had a very gentle slope, was high and well drained, the amount of grading and drainage costs would be even less than the expected costs of the theatre as designed. The savings above mentioned are only part of the savings that can be effected by intelligent pre-planning of the screen tower, projection and concession build¬ ing, and in the actual positioning of the theatre itself on the site. Cordially yours, MOTIOGRAPH, INC. Fred C. Matthews ( Editor’s Note: The drive-in book re¬ ferred to above contains some very help¬ ful data on grading, construction, and equipping of this type of theatre, and is recommended reading for anyone contem¬ plating such projects .) 6fllV • I’ltE-m S«m TOWER w _ for Drive-In Theaters Supporting members . . . tall, slender, sturdy frame. Screen surface ... ys" thick steel plates. Streamlined and sturdy . . . beautiful, esthetic, smooth lines that harmonize with any landscape. Going up! Yes, going up all over the country are ELIZA¬ BETH IRON WORKS Drive-In Theater Screens. Gone ! The probl ems, delays an d add ed costs of screen tower erection. Here’s a pack¬ age . . . tested and proven for any Drive-In Theater. ERECTION IN 6 DAYS! • "SEE-LINE" VISION Sloped right, for correct sight! Elimi¬ nates keystone and assures maximum right angle line of vision. • ALL-STEEL, RIGID FRAME Construction guaranteed to withstand a 100-mile-per-hour gale! 0 MORE ECONOMICAL All-steel, permanent construction at practically the cost of temporary ma¬ terials. Minimum maintenance required. 0 3 SIZES Overall Surface (Including masking) 3 8 x 50 ft. 44 x 60 ft. 53 x 72 ft. Car Capacity 350-400 450-650 650-1000 0 PORTABLE Can be taken down and reassembled at low cost if location is changed. FIRST COME FIRST CONSTRUCTED! Supplies . . . limited. Demand . . . large. If you want the distinctiveness of the ultimate in screen towers, order NOW! PRE-FAB SCREEN TOWER—* product of .. . June 2, 1948 PHYSICAL THEATRE DEPARTMENT of THE EXHIBITOR PT-23