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LEHIGHTON, PA'S MAHONING DRIVE-IN THEATER, HOME OF ANNUAL 'REEL RUMBLE' FESTIVAL, FACING EXTINCTION

In news that is absolutely depressing for movie fans in the Northeast but also has a ripple effect cascading over to pro wrestling fans, The legendary Mahoning Drive-In in Lehighton, PA, which has operated for 49 years, announced overnight that the landowner that they have leased the property from quietly sold the land on which the drive-in stands to a company Greenskies Clean Energy LLC, which intends to raze the theater, its historic screen (which is the largest Cinemascope screen in Pennsylvania) and in its place put up a solar energy farm.

The drive-in, which has been in operation since 1948 has evolved into one of the major destination hubs for fans of genre film programming, as chronicled in the excellent documentary At The Drive-In. 

Facing extinction when Hollywood required that all drive-ins upgrade to digital projectors, those running the theater instead choosing to dive into programming themed repertory weekends via their 35 mm projectors.  In doing so, The Mahoning's footprint and popularity explodes with moviegoers from across the country and beyond descending upon Lehighton, PA for weekends themed to superheroes, Godzilla, Zombies, Harry Potter, video games, B-Horror, fantasy and yes, even professional wrestling.

Over the last several years, Mahoning has hosted Reel Rumble, which featured live independent wrestling as well as screenings of such films as No Holds Barred, Beyond the Mat, Suburban Commando, They Live, Hell Comes to Frogtown, Bodyslam the Movie and other films that relate to professional wrestling in some way.   

Having attended a number of these weekends for professional wrestling and beyond, I can attest that the Mahoning has evolved into something of a cultural oasis for film-goers, uniting a special community of cinephile fans who just want to enjoy their chosen genre of film the way independent wrestling fans want to celebrate their favorite promotions - in an intimate, special way that bonds them to their fellow fans as well as their entertainment of choice. The visits are an experience unlike anything you can hope to get at their local multiplex, with Mahoning going out their way to dress up their concession stand for photo-ops, bringing in guests and local vendors and enhancing every single aspect of the experience. They have created a destination that brings money into their community and in doing so, are literally held up as the perfect example of what a drive-in theater can be in 2021.

Not even a week ago, was profiled by The New York Times for their success in finding a very important, special niche destination for film fans. That Rocky-esque moment of victory has now evolved into, just days later, the worst possible development, the potential loss of everything management has fought to successfully (until this moment) save.

What may be even worse is that the management of the drive-in, after close to five decades of leasing the land, were not even informed of the sale, instead learning when a public notice was published in the local newspaper that the new owners were seeking to get approval to build the solar energy farm.  Having visited the theater, what is even more maddening is that there is tons and tons of open land in that area, so the solar farm could easily be placed and built elsewhere, without destroying what has become a cultural landmark that has existed for generations in that area.

The Mahoning is calling on patrons and fans of their drive-in to gather on 8/2 for a rally before invited media to help bring attention to their cause, including a double feature of films and the ability to camp overnight at the theater before caravaning to the local council meeting on 8/3 to speak before the local zoning board to push for the theater to be saved and for the theater to have the ability to purchase the land upon which it currently stands, which was not afforded the opportunity to do previously.

For more on the attempts to save the theater and what you can do to help, The Mahoning Drive-In has released the following video:

For the remainder of the Mahoning's current programming for this summer, click here.

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