It’s been a difficult year for the entertainment industry. Movie theaters, event venues, and restaurants have been among the industries hit hardest by the pandemic. However, one form of entertainment has experienced a surprising resurgence: the drive-in. Drive-ins are a well-known piece of Americana, but they haven’t been seen as integral to the movie industry for a long time. Then the pandemic hit and movie theaters everywhere closed down, except for the drive-ins.
In the summer of 2020, Americans attended drive-ins in record numbers, according to the Donald Reynolds Center for Business Journalism. Theaters which were once believed to cater to nostalgia became the most viable way to see a new movie.
The Greater Dayton area is still blessed with four operational drive-ins: The Dixie Twin, the Melody 49, the Sidney Auto-Vue and the Holiday Auto Theatre. These theaters are opening early this year to capitalize on the renewed interest the pandemic has generated and to give audiences the opportunity to see films like “Godzilla vs Kong” and “Mortal Kombat.”
The Dixie Twin Drive-In is located at 6201 N. Dixie Dr. in Dayton. During the pandemic, the Dixie Twin has reinvented itself as an event venue. Over the past year, it’s hosted fundraisers, film festivals, concerts and even church services. All of these events would normally take place at other venues, but the pandemic has made the drive-in an ideal place to gather while socially distancing.
The Melody 49 Drive-in is located at 7606 Pleasant Plains Rd. in Brookville. The Melody’s secluded location means that it offers audiences the true ambiance of an old school drive-in. Limited renovations mean it looks much the same as when it first opened in 1966. The lack of new movie releases last summer left the Melody with limited fare, but this year things seem to be off to a good start, with both “Godzilla vs Kong” and “Mortal Kombat” on the schedule for its opening weekend.
The Sidney Auto Vue is located at 1409 Fourth Ave. in Sidney. The last of the local drive-ins to open this year, it will likely also be the last to close for the season. The Auto Vue remains open every weekend through December and has a tradition of showing holiday movies. It opens on April 30 this year and will show “Godzilla vs Kong” and “Tom & Jerry.”
The Holiday Auto Theatre is located at 1816 Old Oxford Rd. in Hamilton. Last year their season boasted a selection of old and new movies including cult classics like “Labyrinth” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” It’s a bit of a drive from Dayton, but for those looking to make a night of it, Hamilton offers numerous eateries and some lovely parks if you want to drive down before dark.
The pandemic has called many aspects of daily life into question. Things we once took for granted, like commuting to an office for work or conducting meetings in person, are much less universal than they once were. Ideas about entertainment are also constantly changing. Drive-ins have proven to be a surprisingly popular way for Ohioans to gather together for movies while also staying apart.
Mackenzie Tastan
Reporter