GC34PR9 (MCH) Blue-Sky Drive-In Theatre (Traditional Cache) in Michigan, United States created by RayQix

GC34PR9 ▼

A cache by RayQix Message this owner

Hidden : 9/23/2011

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Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

The Michigan Cinema History (MCH)
caches are dedicated to the local creation, viewing, or enjoyment
of movie and cinema-related items in the local area.

This can include, and is not limited to people, places, and things of Cinema or both past-and-present.

(This series is a companion to the Detroit Cinema History (DCH) and Ontario Cinema History (OCH) series.)

Most Drive-In Movie Theaters consist of a large outdoor screen (either a wall painted-white, or a complex steel-truss structure with a complex finish), a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars.

The original Patent Drawings.

The idea originated in the early 1930's in Camden, NJ. and was Patented by Richard M. Hollingshead. His idea began as an experiment in his driveway with a Kodak Projector, mounted on the hood of his car, aimed at a screen that was attached to some trees. He tried different techniques and finally worked-out the parking-arrangement and spacing to allow everyone that attended, an unobstructed view of the screen. Once he had this idea in-place, he was granted a Patent in 1933 and He opened his first Drive-In Theater soon thereafter. This facility only lasted a few years, but the idea caught-on elsewhere to become part of the American Pop-Culture and Landscape to-this-day.

Typical-style of Drive-In Theater Speakers with the Volume Knob.

Sound was originally produced from Speakers in the main screen tower, but the quality wasn't that good and many attempts were made to improve it. In 1941, the RCA corporation found a solution and along-came the in-car speakers with built-in volume controls that most drive-in patrons would come to know. These were better than the original Sound, but still had a very "tinny" sound to them. Later-on, as the technology improved, this system was replaced with Radio Broadcast equipment to allow the sound to be transmitted directly to the vehicles. This was an improved process for sound and also kept damage to the wired Speakers and/or patrons cars that would happen when folks would leave, after a good show of their favorite film, and some people would "forget to remove the speaker" and damage both the speaker and/or their cars in the process (i.e. Windows, or scratches/dents, etc.).

The popularity of the Drive-In's soared after World War II and peaked in the 1950's and 1960's. The theaters would provide cheap, family entertainment including many having a Playground (or other things) for their youngest patrons. For colder-weather, in-car heaters were also offered at many Theaters, much like the Speakers had been.

An "intermission cartoon" to entice patrons to the Concession Stand.

The Concession Stand (or Snack Bar) would have food that could be served very quickly. Hot Dogs, Pizza, Cheeseburgers, Popcorn, Soft Drinks, and a host of other "food" could be found there to enjoy along with the show. This is usually where the Theater makes most of it's profits and much of the promotions are geared towards that area. This was vital to the success of drive-ins, as food revenue increased steadily during the late 1940s and 50s. While some operators experimented with talk-back speakers to take orders and deliver food to the car, others had mobile carts patrolling the lots selling snacks. Over time, owners discovered that concessions could be sold at a high mark-up and that revenues did not have to be shared with film distributors. To this day, food revenue remains extremely important to exhibitors, especially with film rental rates going as high as 80% on opening weekends for some features. In order to promote the concessions, most locations used the now-famous drive-in intermission films, popularized by the Filmack Company, featuring dancing hot dogs and countdown clocks that were supposed to mesmerize the audience members, wet their pallets and open their wallets.

Another Intermission Ad

Many Theaters even had "car-hops" like their Drive-In Restaurant counterparts to make the experience even more appealing for their patrons.

A car-hop, taking an order (California)

The Drive-In owners would later allow other-uses for their large amounts of space which could only be used for the Theater after-sunset. This would usually generate more income for the theaters and some of these uses included Flea Markets, Swap Meets, and even Outdoor Church Services.

A typical Flea Market at the Mission Drive-In, San Antonio, Texas, 1984

Over time, with the advent of other sources of entertainment, as well as the rising cost of Real Estate and other economic factors, Cinematic Landmarks such as these have been slowly disappearing over the years, leaving less than 500 across the United States currently. Many of those which were closed were later demolished and the real-estate used for other things such as Office or Retail Space, with some being replaced on the exact same land with Mutli-Plex indoor Movie Theaters. Some properties have just been left vacant with nothing remaining there but an empty field. However, a very-select few that were closed have even re- opened to be given a new-life with new patrons looking for a very unique movie-going experience.

Many folks feel that these Gems of Americana are very much an endangered part of the landscape. Most, if not all of them, have very fond memories of their time spent there and would love to be able to revisit their favorite Drive-In Theater once again.

Michigan Cinema History:
The Blue-Sky Drive-In Theatre
Auburn Hills, Michigan

OPEN: May 28 1948 | CLOSED: Sep 10 1987 | Vehicle Capacity: 700

1975 view of the Marquee

The Blue-Sky Drive In opened on May 28, 1948 with the movie "Fun on a Weekend" starring Eddie Bracken and Priscilla Lane.

Oakland Press Ad

It was owned by Arthur & Roger Robinson from 1948-65 and was sold to National Amusements who owned and managed it until it's closing in 1987.

Ticket Lanes, 1975

Like many of the Drive-In Movie Theater complexes, there was a Playground for the kids to keep them busy until showtime.

Playground with Concession Stand behind, 1975

Some of the other memories are of the window-heaters that would have to be hung-on the windows of your vehicle which worked "fairly well" and kept you "pretty warm".

Economics changed as time went on, and many drive-ins closed in the mid-to-late-1980s. The introduction of VCRs meant more people were either staying home to watch movies or going to indoor movie theatres which were getting bigger screens and Dolby sound. This evolution would lead to the decline of "going to the movies" and folks staying-home.

1955 view of the Marquee from the Article in "Box Office Magazine" from Sep 1955

The article regarding the "high-tech" Marquee:

Fluorescent, neon and incandescent lights were combined in this dominating sign for the Blue Sky Drive-in, Detroit. A total of three separate flashers is used, creating an intricate and appealing timing and pattern. Blue is spelled out in neon, then Sky comes on all at once in neon, then the incandescent lights in the letters come on in the same pattern. Then both light sources come on together. Flurorescent lights are used behind the opal glass and letters which were made by Adler. The stars at the top of the sign are about three feet in diameter and are non-illuminated.

The Screen from the Audience side, 1975

Land values and prices began to go up and the suburbs gradually expanded around it. As the area built up, property taxes also increased until the taxes on the acres of land that the drive in occupied were usually more than the net income the theatre generated.

The Blue-Sky would have its final show in 1987 with two of the last movies to shown here were a pairing of "HAMBURGER HILL" with "THE UNTOUCHABLES".

It was a sad day when only a short two-years after the Blue Sky was closed, it would be demolished to make-way for an indoor "megaplex" type theatre. This indoor theatre wouldn't last long either and ended up closing their doors around 2002.

June 1987, "Untouchables" and "Star Trek 4" were the features.

After little more than half a century, an era of the Drive-In Theatre ended. Most people that visited Drive In's consider themselves lucky. Most don’t remember what movies they saw but many of them do remember how exciting it was to be outside late at night, loading up at the snack bar and then then trying not to fall asleep while watching the flickering movie screen from the comfy backseat of the car.

Many memories of the Blue-Sky were shared by those of all ages and the several-generations of movie-goers that patronized the Theatre in the years it was here.

Aerial view, prior to I-75 being built.

One theater goer summed up her feelings. "You just worry sometimes that it will be all gone. We felt so sorry to see those others all go. We really enjoyed this place."

Many folks feel that the Drive-in Theater is a part of an Endangered Americana that is missed by all who treasured the times that they had there.

Enjoy the Hunt...and beware of your surroundings, as always. :)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Anu... abg arrqrq

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)