Harrisburg Drive-In
6100 Allentown Boulevard,
Harrisburg,
PA
17112
6100 Allentown Boulevard,
Harrisburg,
PA
17112
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During a double feature of “Cactus Flower” and “MacKenna’s Gold” on April 15, 1970, many heads turned to the concession stand after a fire broke out there, damaging the kitchen.
The fire caused by short circuit in an electric range which led flames to quickly spread to an adjacent French fryer and then ductwork. The projection booth was not damaged at all but was only affected by smoke. The projection continued running throughout the show without incident.
Closed permanently following a double feature of “Summer School” and “Back to the Beach” on September 6, 1987.
Last season: 1987.
It opened on May 29th, 1950. Grand opening ad posted.
I grew up less than a mile from the Harrisburg Drive-In and saw a huge number of movies there. I also played on the swings in the daytime. My parents would take me in our car, and there were typically double features. The films would often be a few years old, but we didn’t mind. The refreshment stand snacks were yummy, and the theater promoted the refreshment stand aggressively. The speakers that provided the in-car sound weren’t the greatest, but they were functional. One of the main promotions was $1 a carload night. As a kid just walking to a spot at the back of the lot to see a movie without paying, I recall usually being chased out of there a lot by the management. With this coronavirus horror, I wish that drive-ins would make a comeback.
I wish someone could find a photo.
Launched June 2, 1950 by Thomas and Paul Kerrigan who were also debuting their Hi-Way Drive-In in Frackville, PA at the same time.
I have fond memories of this Drive In. My parents took all of us to this drive in, in the 50s. My sisters & brothers & myself used to love playing on the swings which were right under the screen. I later went on dates that took me there in the 60s. I also enjoyed the Flea Market they had there on Sundays. I wish it was still there. I would be taking my Grandchildren. Karns Market sits there now, along with a bank, a Burger King and a few other stores. I miss the good old days.
PS: Click on ads to ENLARGE.
Ads for the Harrisburg and Keystone Drive-Ins, both showing CinemaScope films: View link
They do they are the Kerrigan brothers,, a nice bunch of people.. I was a projectionist when thier father ran the theatre, then they leased it to UA, until the sons took it back Great booth XLs and Strong Futura II lamps RCA sound and a huge generator that sounded like a plane taking off when you started it….
Actually in this case the land was never sold for development of a shopping center. Instead the owners of the drive-in developed the shopping center themselves and I believe those fellows still own and manage that shopping center today.
This Drive-in parked 6oo CARS and was owned by R.Corporation in 1956.
Very true John.
That was a good, clean, well-run drive-in and was open year-round with first-run movies in the 1960s and 70s. I remember seeing “Summer of ‘42” there in January, using one of their in-car heaters. And the flea market was huge, a good Sunday afternoon use of all that land. I recall when that drive-in was really out in the middle of nowhere with hardly any development out that far on 22. Now the retail zone extends way beyond where the drive-in once stood. When the drive-in was built the land must have been dirt cheap. By the time they got around to selling the land it must have been worth a fortune. Land value and the VCR spelled the end of many a drive-in around 1985 or 86.