Mahoning Drive-In Theater

The Mahoning Drive-In Theater is a drive-in theater located in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, along Route 443.[1][2] Opened in 1949, the Mahoning was one of many drive-in theaters that became popular in the United States following World War II.[3] Attendance at the Mahoning waned by 2014, but the theater has since gained a resurgence in popularity due to the management's decision to screen primarily older cult films and B movies rather than newer releases.[3] It is the last remaining drive-in theater in the US to screen films in 35 mm every weekend.[4]

Mahoning Drive-In Theater
Address635 Seneca Rd
Lehighton, Pennsylvania, 18235
United States
Coordinates40°48′31″N 75°46′17″W
TypeDrive-in
Opened1949
Website
https://www.mahoningdit.com/

In July 2021, it was announced that the theater would be demolished and replaced by a solar farm.[5] Following an outpouring of community support, the plans have been put on hold.[4][6]

History

The Mahoning Drive-In Theater opened in 1949, amidst a wave of drive-in theaters that became popular in the US after World War II.[3] According to Gene DeSantis, the theater's manager circa 1988, the first film screened at the Mahoning was 1948's April Showers.[2]

Though drive-in attendance declined across the country with the advent of multiplex theaters in the 1970s and 1980s, the Mahoning remained in operation.[3] However, by 2014, the Mahoning had seen a significant decline in attendance, sometimes with as few as 10 cars per show.[3]

Projectionist Jeff Mattox (who started working at the Mahoning in 2001) decided, at the suggestion of then-volunteer employees Virgil Cardamone and Matt McClanahan, that the Mahoning would screen primarily older cult films and B movies, as opposed to newer releases.[3] The decision proved successful, and attendance at the Mahoning soon rose in accordance with the addition of Exhumed Films themed programs like the recurring "Zombie Fest"—a marathon of films featuring zombies—and "Camp Blood"[3]—a marathon of horror films set at summer camps. Films are commonly shown as double or triple features at the Mahoning, and are often accompanied by screenings of older movie trailers, other vintage advertisements, and themed sets and costumes by volunteer James T. Mills.[3] The Mahoning has gone on to host events for Shudder, Joe Bob Briggs, and Troma Entertainment.

On July 13, 2021,[7] it was announced that the land on which the theater is situated was optioned by a solar power company, Greenskies Clean Energy LLC, which plans to demolish the Mahoning (including its screen and marquee) and to construct a solar farm in its place.[5][8] Following an outpouring of community support, the plans have been put on hold.[4][6]

References
  1. "Mahoning Valley Drive-in Theatre Ready to Open". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. April 18, 1949. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  2. Connolly, Sean (September 15, 1988). "Theaters out of doors out of date?". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. p. 161. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  3. Abrams, Simon (July 9, 2021). "The Schlock-Horror Drive-In That Rose From the Grave". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  4. Harris, Jon (July 15, 2021). "Mahoning Drive-in Theater to stay open after solar farm plan is put 'on ice'". The Morning Call. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  5. Smith, Zachary (July 14, 2021). "Historic Mahoning Drive-In to be replaced by solar farm". PAHomePage.com. Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  6. Warner, Andrea (July 15, 2021). "'You guys aren't going to let it happen': Mahoning Drive-In theater staying open". PAHomePage.com. Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  7. @MahoningDIT (July 13, 2021). "SAVE THE MAHONING Watch. Share. vimeo.com/574291936 We're calling upon the Mahoning Township to deny the requested variance, and @GreenskiesSolar let their option lapse, allowing us to purchase the land from the landowner, in order to remain in operation. #savethemahoning" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021 – via Twitter.
  8. "Save the Mahoning". The Mahoning Drive-In Theater. Archived from the original on July 15, 2021.
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