Cultural Treasures: Clearfield County Movie Theatres

The Super 322 Driven-In Theatre, by Jessica Shirey

WOODLAND - Family and friends. Slush puppies and popcorn. Movies and laughter. All have created memories and brought the Super 322 Drive-In Theater to life for the past 58 years.

“It’s almost like a social gathering. People bring their lawn chairs and blankets. Kids play with Frisbees down front. It’s like a big yard,” Barb Frankhouser, co-owner of the theater said.

She said the after sunset double feature showings have contributed to the uniqueness of the Drive-In. “People can come sit and enjoy movies under the stars.”

Frankhouser said she enjoys seeing previous generations share their experiences with younger family members.

“Families come with their grandchildren and share it with them, as they once did,” she said.

Over the years, she has also had visitors come from around the country.

“People love the Drive-In Theaters and come from hundreds of miles away,” Frankhouser said. “A lot of people travel and visit different ones all over.”

But visitors have came from other countries, such as France, Germany and Japan as well as many others.

“Although there are outdoor theaters all over the world, these people don’t see them in their countries,” she said. “The concentration of Drive-Ins is here. It’s an American thing.”

Co-Owner, Bill Frankhouser said the Drive-In also played into the car culture.

“People come to show them off,” he said. “They can sit in their convertible with the top down.”

The couple had long thought of hosting a car show at the Super 322.

“We both love cars and travel to shows but just didn’t have the connections,” Barb Frankhouser said.

She said the two bumped into Caroline Zortman, who shared their love and idea, at a show. “Caroline suggested we do one at the Drive-In and gave us a call last June.”

According to the couple, Zortman was a blessing to them, as she pulled the first annual car show, which was held Sept. 15, 2007, together in a couple of months.

“She contacted the car clubs. She organized the classes and awards. She did all the marketing. She did it,” (Barb) Frankhouser said.

The second annual car show was held on Saturday, June 14.

“It’s a meeting place for people who love their cars. It’s nostalgic for them and something to remember,“ she said. “For us, it’s a labor of love. We love the Drive-In.”

Improvements

The couple only have ideas of what the Super 322 Drive-In Theater looked like, when it first opened.

Barb Frankhouser said the projection and concession buildings were smaller, but there was evidence of expansion.

“You can see where there were additions made, because the roof is a foot lower in a place,” she said. “But we have no idea of who or when the construction was done.”

While changes have been made, a lot has remained the same at the Super 322.

According to Bill Frankhouser, the theater still uses the original screen tower, but the face of the screen was replaced around 1992. He also said the projector is the same but has been upgraded.

He said the upgrade allowed more light and a better projected on-screen image.

“It’s good quality and an excellent picture out there,” Bill Frankhouser said.

However, the Super 322 has a more sophisticated speaker system through an AM/FM radio.

“It’s only broadcast in the field and can by picked up in the cars,” Barb Frankhouser said.

She said attendees who choose to sit on the lawn bring their own portable radios. “We have some to hand out for those who don’t, but most bring their own. They are Drive-In diehards.”

The couple shared a proud moment at the Super 322 in June 2002. Dave Simmons, of Neon Exposure in Sykesville, put in the current neon marquee display along the roadway.

“He loves old, nostalgic things,” Barb Frankhouser said. “It was a very exciting moment and like a parade.

“Cars drove by and beeped, while others gathered and clapped. I could see the nostalgic feeling begin to take shape.”

History

Richard M. Hollingshead Jr., an auto parts salesman, coined the idea for an outdoor theater. He began to establish the first Drive-In 75 years ago in Camden, NJ

He hung a sheet in his backyard and mounted a 1928 Kodak projector on the hood of his car. He then placed a radio behind the screen for sound and tested the audio with the windows up, down and halfway. He used a lawn sprinkler system to test his idea’s vulnerability to varying weather conditions.

Hollingshead soon realized people who were parked behind others would have difficulty viewing the entire screen. As he experimented, he moved cars around in his yard and driveway and found the appropriate spacing to allow the movie to be seen by many.

He showcased “Wife Beware,” a British comedy, on opening night on June, 6, 1933.

By 1958 more than 4,000 Drive-In Theaters were open and in operation, including the Super 322, which had its first showing -”Fighting Man of the Plains” - on May 26, 1950.

“Many small towns had outdoor theaters,” Bill Frankhouser said. “It became popular after the Second World War. The men came home and went with their families.”

According to the couple, westerns and romantic comedies were among the popular showings at the Super 322.

“And, the old horror movies like “Godzilla” and “The Blob,” he said.

Barb Frankhouser said Elvis Presley and beach movies became popular in the late 50s and early 60s.

“We had a lot of movies with music,” she said. “Rock ‘n’ Roll” began to play a big part in our society then.”

Drive-In Theaters began to close down, and their numbers declined in the decades to follow.

“There were so many. Movies became harder to get. The film companies catered to the indoor theaters,” Bill Frankhouser said. “There aren’t many left. They all kind of disappeared.”

But the Super 322 remains open and is still a popular spot on the weekends.

“People keep it going. They want it to stay. It’s been around for 58 years, and we hope its around to celebrate its 75th year,” Barb Frankhouser said.

She said a time capsule with newspaper clippings, photos and ticket stubs was buried in October 2004 and will be uncovered in about 50 years.

“We want people to remember the Drive-In and reminisce about the good times,” Barb Frankhouser said. “We hope the next generation continues the memories.”

The couple have found very few photos from the early decades.

“Unfortunately, we have very little information and original photos. We’ve asked neighbors, and no one has any,” she said. “We’d like photos from the 50s and 60s.”

She said the two have envisioned the Super 322 Drive-In Theater then but would like to see it for themselves.

Anyone who would like to share their photos is encouraged to contact Bill or Barb Frankhouser at 263-4329.

Located between Clearfield and Philipsburg, the Drive-In plays a double feature each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May through September. The theater also offers an All-Night Drive-In, which showcases five films, the Sunday before both Memorial and Labor Day.

Click here to visit the Drive-In online and view show schedules.

Editor's Note: Multiple attempts to contact someone from The Ritz Theatre were unsuccessful.