The theater has recently upgraded to a laser projection screen, which delivers unprecedented sharpness, brightness and rich colors, Chancey said.
“We wanted to stay at the top with new releases, so we spent $80,000 in 2013 to convert to digital for our one screen, and it had a capability of being retrofitted to laser projection, and that was on our bucket list one day, and this year was the year,” he said.
The images on the screen are “vibrant” and “crystal clear,” and even with darker filmed scenes, guests can clearly see the detail. Another advantage is there are no more light bulbs (Xenon bulbs), which cost about $1,400 per year, on average. The retrofit to convert to laser projection cost about $38,000.
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
“We had the image converted to laser, and our image went from great to absolutely incredible,” he said. “And we’ve had incredible attendance this year.”
Holiday Auto Theatre, which opened as Hamilton Outdoor Theater on Sept. 3, 1948, was purchased by Chancey and his business partner, Mark Althoetmar, in September of 2007. The previous co-owners were Fred Baum, and his partner Gregory Reinhold.
Primarily, the theater features first-run, family-friendly, PG and PG-13 movies, but they’re big fans of showing retro movies. They have hosted several retro movie nights this year like “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” and “The Goonies.” The theater has sold out four times this year.
The theater is showing “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” and “Trap” this weekend. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” starts at 8:15 p.m. and “Trap” begins at 10:05 p.m.
The theater is also gearing up for the annual Halloween event — the last three weekends in October, “Terror at the Drive-In.” “Smile 2″ will be one of the featured films.
“This will be our 17th year doing ‘Terror at the Drive-In,’ and grows in popularity each year,” Chancey said. “People just love it.”
The concession stand and lot will be decorated. Characters such as Freddy Krueger or Leatherface will greet theatergoers. Then, when the movies are playing, costumed characters from the movie will be walking around, scaring guests.
How to go
What: Holiday Auto Theatre
When: Box office opens at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6-8
Where: 1816 Old Oxford Road, Hamilton.
Cost: Adult admission is $10.25, children 4-11 are $6.25, and children ages 3 and under are free. Cost includes both movies. Seniors/military/first responders are $8.
More Info.: holidayautotheatre.com, or call (513) 929-2999.
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