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Called "The Drive-In that Censorship Built''
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Memphis is in Tennessee, and West Memphis is just across the Mississippi River in Arkansas, but between the two is a world of difference in the matter of film censorship. Memphis has a 28-year record of severe censorship, while West Memphis’ outlook in this regard is relatively liberal. This set of circumstances led to the construction of the 532-car Sunset drive-in theatre in West Memphis, which policy is the general run of screen attractions, with special emphasis on films banned in Memphis. The Sunset is thriving.
f he jump across the river was made by the Kenn Corporation of Memphis, by way of Harahan Bridge, five miles into Arkansas . territory. Managed by Robert M. Kilgore, with special field supervision under Harvey Carter, the Sunset has quickly developed a reputation in and around the tri-state area of Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi, as “the theatre that censorship built.”
OUT-OF-STATE PATRONAGE
Given the proper promotional sendoff, the Sunset immediately began to draw carloads of moviegoers across the state line. A breakdown of patronage in the beginning showed 95% from Mem
Among recent improvements at the Sunset is a screen tower for a CinemaScope picture 105 feet wide and projection lamps of increased output. Plug-in speakers are used, handed patrons as they enter. At right Harvey Carter, field supervisor, holds a plug-in cable. A terrace spans the refreshment building (below) with chairs for an out-of-car audience of 400.
phis, and only 5% local. Gradually, however, the tide is changing. The latest reports indicate that local trade now constitutes 35% of the total, leaving (>5% from out-of-state. The Sunset management views this as a good sign, tes
. , . the Sunset theatre at West Memphis, Ark., is building patronage cn its own merits.
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tifying to the success of a policy of programming and service that has not been content to exploit merely the incidental advantage which promoted prosperity at the beginning.
Recently the Sunset underwent a series of improvements to insure its popu
larity. “Dyn-Arc” lamps were installed to go with RGA Century projectors. A new screen was constructed for a CinemaScope picture 105 feet wide. The playground at the base of the screen was expanded, with new equipment includ
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MOTION PICTURE HERALD, OCTOBER 13, 1956