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History

[edit]

One of a series of drive-ins opened by A.M. Ellis in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. [1] He purchased a 50% share from "Rappaport and Shrier."[2]

The Mahoning Drive-In Theater opened on April 29, 1949 with space for 75 cars, amidst a wave of drive-in theaters that became popular in the US after World War II.[1][2] A preview showing the night before drew 500 attendees.[3] According to Gene DeSantis, the theater's manager circa 1988, the first film screened at the Mahoning was 1948's April Showers.[4] The first season screened films every night of the week and admission was 50 cents.[5][4]

1952: sold at auction to Max Korr and associates.[3]

In the 1950s, the drive-in was popular among teens, hosting dances and, in more than one instance, causing mischief.[6][7] The Mahoning Fairways served as another attraction next door.[8]


1952 lawsuit: [4]

1966: attempted arson

Though drive-in attendance declined across the country with the advent of multiplex theaters in the 1970s and 1980s, the Mahoning remained in operation.[2]

1988: [5]

1991: reopen theater? likely the just mean for the season [6]

In 1997, owner Joe Farruggio courted controversy when he threatened to screen Deep Throat and Debbie Does Dallas following multiple rejected zoning applications to build two additional screens.[9] At the time, he owed nearly $7,000 in back taxes on the property and claimed adult films were the only way to earn revenue with only one screen.[10] As early as 1992, Mahoning Township required the theater to get approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to build the additional screens because of their proximity to an airport, which they did not receive.[7] Police were present before the Friday night screening to confiscate the films, had they been visible from the road, but Farruggio instead elected to show Mimic and Cop Land.[11] The drive-in was only open for two weeks that year and two weekends in 1998.[12][13]

In 1999, Michael and Deb Danchak began leasing the drive-in from Farruggio.[14] Jeff Mattox began working at the theater in 2001 and took over operations in 2002. The theater operated on weekends only and began showing vintage trailers alongside modern releases.[15] On a good weekend, the theater was estimated to receive 100 cars.[16]

In September 2013, the Danchaks attempted to raise funds to purchase a digital projector, as major studios announced they would stop distributing new releases in 35mm.[17] The effort was unsuccessful and in 2014 Mattox took over ownership of the business.[18] Mattox also attempted to raise funds to buy a digital projector, and a later New York Times piece noted that 2014 attendance was low, sometimes with as few as 10 cars per show.[2][18]

At the suggestion of volunteer employees Virgil Cardamone and Matt McClanahan, Mattox decided that the Mahoning would screen primarily older cult films and B movies in 35mm, as opposed to newer releases.[2] The last first-run feature shown at the Mahoning was Guardians of the Galaxy, while the first retro double feature was Jaws and Jurassic Park.[19] 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"[2]—a marathon of horror films set at summer camps. Attendees have noted the sense of festivity and community that have been a draw for visitors from hours away.[20] 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 created by volunteer James T. Mills.[2] The Mahoning has gone on to host events for Shudder, Joe Bob Briggs,[21] John Waters[22] and Troma Entertainment.[23]

Location and Facilities

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1963: airport opened [8] (was previously a driving range in 1960?[9])

Each parking spot had individual speakers with the ability to page waitstaff to bring food. The property also had plans for a playground (verify?)[5]

Impact and legacy

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The Mahoning Drive-in was the subject of Alexander Monelli's 2017 documentary, At the Drive-In, which won "Best Local Feature" at the Philadelphia Film Festival.[24][25] In 2022, the theater partnered with local brewing company Neshaminy Creek to release a lager, Showtime at Sundown. The beer was initially only available at the drive-in.[26]

Staff and other notes (not to include in final article)

[edit]

1949: lawsuit over sign painting [10], civil trial in June 1950

1951: Johnie Light manager [11]

1958: William Shirar, manager[27]

1966: owned Pencor Television Cabel Co. George Karas director, Andrew Hammel projectionist [12]

1981-1992: Amos Theaters Inc. owned

1988-1998: Farruggio owned [13]

1988-1998: Gene Desantis manager [14][15]

2012-present? Jess Peel senior-most employee and lead manager as of 2024


Note to self: reviewed first 35 pages of newspapers restults for mahoning drive-in (no quotation marks) 1949-1996, Pennsylvania

References

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  1. ^ "Drive-In Theatre To Open Friday". Mauch Chunk Times-Nwes. 1949-04-28. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
  2. ^ a b c d e f 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.
  3. ^ "Open Drive-In Theatre". The Morning Call. 1949-04-30. p. 8. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
  4. ^ a b Connolly, Sean (September 15, 1988). "Theaters out of doors out of date?". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. p. 161. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Mahoning Valley Drive-in Theatre Ready to Open". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. April 18, 1949. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  6. ^ "Mahoning Drive-In Theatre". Jim Thorpe Times News. 1959-06-22. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  7. ^ "Mahoning Township Police Chief Has Busy Day of Investigations". The Morning Call. 1954-08-10. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  8. ^ "New Dudley Baseball Machine Installed". Jim Thorpe Times News. 1957-07-19. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
  9. ^ Ayers, Chuck (1997-08-21). "Drive-in neighbors upset over planned X-rated films". The Morning Call. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  10. ^ Ayers, Chuck (1997-08-23). "Drive-in offers action". The Morning Call. pp. B3, B12. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  11. ^ Ayers, Chuck (1997-08-23). "Drive-in offers action". The Morning Call. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  12. ^ Laylo, Bob (1998-06-08). "Mahoning Drive-In theater may not see 50th birthday". The Morning Call. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Drive-In opens briefly to keep permits active". The Morning Call. 1998-09-02. pp. B2. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  14. ^ "Angela theater reopens in Coaldale". Standard-Speaker. 2002-12-21. p. 9. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  15. ^ Mucha, Peter (2001-08-16). "The drive-in: Projecting nostalgia across Pennsylvania". The Philadelphia Inquirer. pp. D1, D3. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  16. ^ Pytak, Stephen J. (2002-06-06). "Moviegoers enjoy opportunity to watch films under the stars".
  17. ^ "Poconos drive-in theater hoping for a savior". WHYY. 2013-09-03. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  18. ^ a b Duckett, Jodi (2014-10-23). "Halloween Horror Film Fest at Mahoning Drive-In". The Morning Call. pp. O3. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  19. ^ Tatu, Christina (2019-06-22). "Reeling in the film fans: Mahoning Drive-In is last in the U.S. showing 35 mm films every weekend". The Morning Call. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  20. ^ Reber, Chris (2021-08-07). "More than movies; Mahoning Drive-In supporters say events more like a convention". Times News. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  21. ^ Jones, Tamera (2022-07-12). "Horror Critic Joe Bob Briggs Wraps Second Annual Drive-In Jamboree". Collider. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  22. ^ Leszak, Kimberly (2023-08-25). "Exclusive: John Waters On Getting Filthy At The Drive-In". Fangoria. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  23. ^ Blacktooth (2022-07-01). "Troma Entertainment Returns to The World Famous, Mahoning Drive-In in Lehighton, PA July 15th – July 17th for TromaDance 2022". Horror Society. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  24. ^ Staff, NEPA Scene (2018-07-30). "Mahoning Drive-In documentary 'At the Drive-In' gets TV premiere on WVIA Aug. 2-11". NEPA Scene. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  25. ^ Sorokach, Josh (2019-08-27). "At The Drive-In is a Feel-Good Documentary That Celebrates The Joy of Cinema". Decider. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  26. ^ "Neshaminy Creek Partners With Mahoning Drive-In For New Signature Brew". Breweries In PA. 2022-05-05. Retrieved 2024-03-21.
  27. ^ "Mahoning Drive-In Theatre To Open Tomorrow". Jim Thorpe Times News. 1958-04-04. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
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