Wake up little Susie, wake up
Trip Start
Unknown
1
Trip End
Ongoing
Poteau, Oklahoma
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Poteau's Tower Drive-In Theatre
Wake up, little Susie, wake up.
Wake up, little Susie, wake up.
We’ve both been sound asleep,
Wake up, little Susie and weep.
The movie’s over, its four o’clock,
And were in trouble deep.
Wake up little Susie,
Wake up little Susie, well . . . . .
Susie and her Everly Brother boyfriend could have avoided disciplinary action with the parents if they had only been watching the movies at the Tower Drive-In in Poteau, Oklahoma. The new digital imaging system owners John and Amber Pickel have installed would have kept even the lovesick hypnotizingly mesmerized by the motion picture’s high definition detail and vividly intense color.
The Pickels recently switched all their film screen equipment, including that of the indoor theatre’s three screens to a completely digital system. This new high definition system has transformed the movie industry’s theatre experience and has a near 3-D, even participatory feel. The picture is so distinct in fact, you may feel as if you are watching the actors roll play right in front of your very eyes. However, it won’t do you any good for you to ask for autographs! The visual detail is exhilaratingly intense and captivating.
Recently I had the opportunity to take my brother Hunter and friends Karli and Massiel along to critique the drive-in’s new system first hand. Smith Auto Group once again provided my ride, a brand new black Camero convertible for the ultimate drive-in experience. Don’t be jealous, I returned it to Smith’s the following morning before it switched into a pumpkin and I lost my glass slipper.
I have to say, the night was perfect, Camaro top folded back, a cool gentle breeze, buttery popcorn, sodas, Peanut M&M’s and good company all added to the extreme retro experience. Adding to my digitally enhanced evening at the drive-in was the newest Robert Downey, Jr. movie 'The Avengers,’ which include Marvel comic book super-heroes, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and the Hulk.
No high definition words are necessary to relate that the movie was a winner, if you remember and enjoyed any of the Marvel characters from your childhood. Also, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and the pre-Hulk aren’t half bad too look at. O.k., and if you’re a dude, Scarlett Johansen also contributes to the scenery, as well. Simply put, the movie was a hit with my friends and me.
The Pickel’s have exciting and even extreme events going on at the Tower Drive-in and indoor theatres starting this summer. They will be hosting Xbox 360 and PS3 Tournaments, broadcasting popular sporting events for all of you fans who like the camaraderie of cheering on your favorite sports team on the ‘big screen,’ and they’ll be featuring matinee’s all summer long on Fridays at 1:00 & 4:00 p.m. in addition to their regular weekend matinee’s.
Amber Pickel says, "The movie industry using film as we know it will come to an end in 2013, making every movie theatre and drive-in upgrade a definite. This will also force half of the few remaining drive-ins to go out of business." The cost of upgrading the Tower Drive-In and indoor theatres cost the Pickels around $270,000. “Pickel relates, “By the time the upgrades are paid off, it will be time to upgrade again.”
With 60-70% of all ticket sales going to the film studios nowadays, this creates a major cut in profit to the movie host. With a lot of drive-in’s or small theatres across the U.S unable to afford such a massive investment they will go out of business and be shut down permanently.
With the high cost of keeping not only a theatre inside a small community alive, let alone near obsolete drive-in theatres in your community as well, it is definitely a love for their community that the Pickels have made such a financial investment.
How can you help play a part in keeping your local drive-in, in business so that you don’t have to describe a vacant drive-in screen as an extinct dinosaur to your children and grandchildren? The snack bar. “The snack bar is what keeps us open,” says Pickel.
Now there are several of us who have been guilty of sneaking our own snacks in the theatre such as food, soda and candy but this really does a disservice to the theatre. They have a variety of options at the drive-in snack bar such as cheeseburgers with French fries, hot dogs, nachos, sopapillas, funnel cakes and much more! Keeping the drive-in open, as the Pickels have done, has been a huge asset to our community. This outdoor activity is still one of the most peaceful, enjoyable and affordable ways to treat your family.
So next time purchase your food at the theatre’s snack bars and don’t sneak your goodies in. Honestly contributing to the success of the local theatre will allow your children and their children the opportunity to share good memories and insure that they can come back to the tower drive-in for years to come. For more information about tournaments, sports programming and movies, make sure you check out The Tower Drive-in facebook page and website.
