Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Mar 1956)

each succeeding ramp (with practical though not absolute constancy) has an increase in capacity of six cars. With this formula, one can determine the number of ramps required for a certain capacity, allowing for deduction of cars in ramps interrupted by structures (also see playgrounds in caption below). Required Buildings WHILE IT IS not necessary to associate the projection booth structurally with the refreshmentrestroom building, that is usually the most economical way of providing for it with the booth at one side (at front of building or set back), or above the refreshment section. If at one side, setting the projection section back has the advantage of providing naturally for clearance of the projection light beam; otherwise this clearance has to be assured by fencing in an area of suitable dimensions immediately in front. Placement of the booth on the roof, or at rear of the main section with sufficient elevation of projection ports for the light beam to clear the roof, allows a narrower structure and makes projection so nearly head-on, instead of at an upward angle, as to practically eliminate “keystone.” These considerations must be weighed with the other factors in a projection-refreshment-restroom structure. Optics of any projection system suited to drive-ins allow substantially any distance between the projectors and the screen from about the third ramp back. However, for obvious reasons, refreshment and toilet facilities should be at the center of “ramp population.” Furthermore, the most efficient conditions of projection optics, with high-speed lenses available for non-anamorphic as well as anamorphic 35mm projection, advise a distance between 350 and 450 feet, or at the sixth (approximately 370 feet), seventh or eighth ramp (see discussion of screen size). How many ramps are interrupted by this combination building in the ramp area, and to what width. varies principally according to the emphasis placed on the refreshment business. Variation of the restroom requirements according to car capacity (average 2^ persons per car) has a minor effect, while projection booth dimensions are practically constant at approximately 20 feet square a minimum of 20x12 feet for the projection boothproper, and most if not all of the rest required if, besides a projectionists’ toilet and current rectification equipment for projection lamp supply, the drive-in electrical installation switchboard is placed here. A men’s and a women’s restroom (each entered from the outside, never through the refreshment room, and at well separated points of the building) will require space that may be estimated on the following basis: For a capacity of 800-1200 cars: Men, 5 water closets, 15 urinals, 2 lavatories, 1 drinking fountain; women, 10 water closets, 2 lavatories, 1 fountain. Above 1,200 cars, one water closet and urinal should be added in each case for every additional 200 cars. Refreshment service no longer is incidental; it is a major function of the drive-in operation, usually accounting for as much as 35% of the total gross of the drive-in, and often more than 40%. Whether it is low or high depends to a great extent upon the amount and kind of merchandising effort exerted by the management, and also upon the efficiency of the service. Most of the business is done at intermission time, a period commonly averaging only 15 minutes. {See discussion of refreshment service facilities on page 52.) Self-service has taken precedence over counter service for its speed per unit of space. With cafeteria style of installation, a building housing restrooms and refreshment facilities (including storage ‘’nd preparation) requires dimensions of about 60x80 feet. This would allow three or four service lines. For comparable efficiency, a capacity of 1,000 cars indicates dimensions of about 70x85 feet; for 1,400 cars, 80x90 feet, etc. While various types of common construction are suitable, concrete blocks, used predominantly, supply all requirements with, in most most cases, greatest econ Field of a 1,250-car drivein (see plan on page 39), showing refreshment-restroom building with projection booth structure adjoining at rear, elevated sufficiently for ports to clear roof. This plan provides for a playground at rear of these structures. This is now the favored location for playgrounds; previously it was most common to install them in front of the screen tower. For the usual playground equipment an area of around 7,000 square feet is sufficient. It should be fenced in decoratively. Better Theatres 1956 Market Guide 41