Drive-in theaters face digital challenge

News Live

Related Photos

27 DRIVE-IN THEATER forweb.jpg

December 26, 2012

Drive-in theaters face digital challenge

Owners vow to keep 27 Drive-in open despite cost

by Bill Mardis Commonwealth Journal The Commonwealth Journal Wed Dec 26, 2012, 07:04 PM EST

Somerset —

“I’ll do whatever I have to do to stay in business. I assure you 27 Drive-in is not going to shut down.”

Harry Roaden was emphatic. He was responding to questions about media reports that the cost of conversion to digital projectors is causing many of the some 600 remaining drive-in theaters in the United States to cease operations.

Roaden and his wife, Brenda, doing business as Roaden Enterprises, own drive-in theaters in Somerset and Georgetown. Located on U.S. 27 between Somerset and Burnside, 27 Drive-In has two screens and 700 parking spaces. The Georgetown drive-in has seven screens, already equipped with digital projectors.

“It costs $70,000 per screen to install digital projectors,” Roaden noted. “I may have to come around and ask some of you guys for a loan,” he laughed, “but I’ll do whatever I have to do to keep my business open. After all, you can’t build a drive-in theater for $140,000.”

Roaden is skeptical of news stories about the demise of 35 mm film. “No film company has told me we won’t be able to get 35 mm film,” he said.

News media in some large metropolitan areas are reporting it will be difficult to obtain 35 mm film by early to mid 2013. The greatest impact of conversion to digital is that studios and distributors can save millions on the cost of film prints and shipping fees. No longer will they have to spend $1,500 to ship 35 mm prints in 80-pound film canisters. Digital Cinema Package hard drives cost about $150 to ship.

Roaden said at one time there were about 6,000 drive-in theaters in the United States. The number has dwindled to about 600, he said, disputing media reports there is less than 400 drive-ins left. Closest drive-in theater to Somerset is at Stanford, he noted.

Roaden is firmly convinced 35 mm film will continue to be available. Therefore, he said he doesn’t plan to change to digital projectors at 27 Drive-In until he can no longer get 35 mm film.

“But when it’s not available, I’ll change ... 27 Drive-In will not close down,” he reiterated.

Matter of fact, Roaden says he is looking for somebody to put in a restaurant in front of his theater. “I’m ready for them as soon as they are ready,” he said, indicating he would like to have Olive Garden or another high end dining place.

The Roadens opened 27 Drive-In Theater in 1967. “I sold it and bought it back in 1978,” he said. The theater’s website expresses appreciation for a wonderful 2012 season and welcomes moviegoers to return in Spring 2013.

Text Only

News Live

Local relief drive for Oklahoma storm victims underway
If you’ve been watching coverage of the Oklahoma tornado devastation and wondering how you could make a difference, you’ll have your chance in the coming days.

May 23, 2013 1 Photo
Sewell, 103, was well-known Pulaski preacher
Pulaski County and its many churches have lost an old-time preacher man. The Rev. Lloyd “Jerd” Sewell went to rest about 7 o’clock Wednesday night at a nursing and rehabilitation center in Maysville where he has stayed for the past several years. Sewell was 103; he would have been 104 on November 4.

May 23, 2013 1 Photo
Despite bill, signs are in place to prohibit fishing
Signs and buoys are already in place at Wolf Creek Dam that restrict fishermen’s access within 500 feet above and below the structure.

Tom Hale, operations manager for Lake Cumberland, said already existing buoys and signs warning of hazardous waters have been replaced with new signage restricting entrance into prohibited areas. He said enforcement of the restrictions has not begun because the Corps is still in the implementation stage.

May 23, 2013
Legendary 'Big Daddy' Garlits to visit Cruise
Go, Big Daddy! Go!

Or, you can go to Somernites Cruise this weekend in downtown Somerset to see “Big Daddy” yourself — that is, Don “Big Daddy” Garlits, a living legend on the drag racing circuit.

Considered by many to be the “father” of the drag racing sport, the 81-year-old 17-time world champion Garlits was the first to set numerous speed marks in the quarter-mile, and is an internationally-known name.

May 23, 2013 1 Photo
Fishing restrictions near Wolf Creek Dam halted by Congressional action
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Lake Cumberland all better in time for Memorial Day weekend
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Car collides with truck on Ky. 914
May 22, 2013 1 Photo
Minor damage reported after local afternoon storms
Pulaski County felt the first wave of strong weather blow through the area Tuesday afternoon, but came out much better for it than those in other parts of the country.

May 21, 2013 1 Photo
Local schools prepared for the worst when storms strike
News like that out of Oklahoma this week has a way of striking a nerve with the rest of the nation. Particularly, those charged with the care of children — many of which were victims in the Midwestern tornadoes — find themselves paying close attention.

Steve Butcher, superintendent of Pulaski County Schools, said on Tuesday that there was a meeting of his district’s principals that very day — only one day after the storms in Moore, Okla., that killed over 90 people — to address such matters.

May 21, 2013 1 Photo
War ration books remind us of difficult times during WWII
With 24/7 news channels spouting horrendous tales of terror and rampant crime, it’s easy to conclude the world has gone to the dogs; that these are dangerous times.

Sadly, horrific events are nothing new. For those old enough to remember World War II, nothing since has matched the impact this global conflict had on the American people.

May 20, 2013 1 Photo
More News Live Headlines

News Live

Search Results

Related Photos

Drive-in theaters face digital challenge

Owners vow to keep 27 Drive-in open despite cost

Site Map