Low Risk Drive-In?

I don't have much to comment on for what could come back following this pandemic. Many states have their phases on what should reopen. Being couped up in a home for a long time could drive some a little crazy. But what if you want to see a movie? Parts of the country will more than likely have plans on what should open and what shouldn't until a specific time. Drive-ins seem like they would be a low risk.

You're in your car. You listen via your radios whether in the vehicle or you bring a portable radio. You're set. But what about food? I don't see the concession stand open. The last time I went to a drive-in was not too long ago in 2016. Brought my own food and drink, a little entertainment before the movies began. People, especially if its families, will need to be well-prepared. I would bring some protection like wipes and some Lysol to keep everyone clean and safe. A little precaution doesn't hurt.

But what movies could you have? Many are still pushed back. I didn't know Top Gun: Maverick got pushed back to the Christmas season until a few days ago. I knew many were delayed, but I didn't think it would because of it being a June release and my assumptions that things would get better by the time that month hit. Can't use movies that haven't been in theaters for a while and/or made the release to home video and streaming. Maybe you have to go old school and do older movies. There's not a good solution depending on the drive-in in question. You would hope at least that they would know there should be entertainment and get people out of the house for a short while, even if it's for three to six hours.There are triple features at some places.

This should be a low risk option. Practice the social distancing and plan ahead and things should go smoothly. We do need entertainment. But we still have to have it in a safe manner.

Mahoning Drive In

I live quite a distance away from this place. After watching a video that talked about it a tiny bit, it makes me want to actually go there. The premise of Mahoning in Lehighton, Pennsylvania is very simple. It's a callback to the old days of the drive-in theater. Seeing films in 35 millimeter film and enjoying it on a screen that could be viewed for tons of cars.

Taking a look at their photos, they go all out for their weekends. They show old movies ranging anywhere from the 50s up to the 90s. Maybe 2000s if we're being generous. Certain weekends include horror movies. It's mostly double features, with some triple features like a Spielberg weekend (Back to the Future, E.T. and Jaws). Even though it is a bit gimmicky, it's a gimmick worth doing since they have been in the business of showing movies since 1949.

Since they are focused on older movies, they do ask for suggestions. I see that as a nice thing because the way I see it, this is for moviegoers. It's not for people who only want comic book movies and Disney movies, which is one thing they won't do for licensing reasons. Their prices seem very fair for tickets and they even offer overnight stay for ten dollars. Of course, they have food and the usual stuff for the drive-in experience.

If I didn't live a few hours from it, I'd go there in a heartbeat. This is the kind of experience other drive ins should take notice. A sheer variety of movies and going the nostalgia route. It doesn't hurt to think outside of the box, and Mahoning knows that.