Troutman, decided they liked the movie theatre business better than undertaking, and moved full-time into it with the purchase of the Gratz Sky-Vu Drive-In and Halifax Drive-In. In 1969, the Collonade Theatre in Millersburg was purchased by Marvin Troutman and Ada Troutman, who turned the operation of the theatre over to their son Marvin Troutman, who ran it as a sideline to his undertaking business. Money had to to be earned and saved for college. It was time to spend the summers working in Atlantic City where jobs were plentiful. For someone who grew up in Atlantic City, with at least ten movie theatres in the neighborhood, going to a movie was not as much of an exciting experience as it was for many in the Lykens Valley – but going in a car and watching a movie “outdoors” was different and a memorable part of my summer vacations upstate.Īfter those late 1940s and early 1950s summer visits to the Sky-Vu, I never returned. I also remember that a drive-in employee would come around and assist anyone who couldn’t get the speaker working right – which seemed to be more often than not. We heard stories of people who forgot to put the speaker back on the pole and drove off – ripping the cord and making the parking place useless for the next patron. There was no wireless, so the speaker cords dangled from the speaker box to the pole. The driver reached out and pulled the speaker box into the car and hooked it to the window, then rolled up the window. Each car had to park at a pole with a speaker hanging from it. There were also cartoons that preceded the feature films. While I don’t recall any of the films I saw there, I do remember that there were always double or triple features, with each film shown once, and that we never stayed for all the shows. A trip to the refreshment stand was always on the agenda, and there were always lines even though the food and drinks seemed to be expensive. The adults who took us were always careful to park in a spot near the center and near the concession, so that if we left the car for refreshments or to stretch our legs, we wouldn’t ask too many questions about why so many cars were parked to the sides and so far from the screen and why the windows were steamed up on those cars. We never did, but we were sure that some of the others who were there got in that way. On the way, we would joke about the ways some of us could hide in the car so the “toll booth operator” couldn’t see us. In several of those early years of operation of the Sky-Vu, I was a pre-teen and I recall getting into a vehicle of a family member and going off to the drive-in in Gratz. Eston and Stanford established a partnership to create the Sky-Vu Drive-In Theatre in 1950. In 1949, the land on which the theatre now stands, was sold by Allen Lincoln Shade and Etta May Shade to Eston C. There are no films advertised on the sign board and the grounds appear to be overgrown with weeds. The photograph shown here was taken in the 1990s. It was open “in season” from early spring through mid-November. They genuinely wanted you to have a great time and even offered coffee for anyone who needed a little extra caffeine to drive home.The Sky-Vu Drive-In Theatre is located at the east end of Gratz, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, along Route 25. This theatre was great! The people were incredibly kind. The only suggestion I would make is to light up the entrance and to have a sign. The staff was very friendly and the experience was as expected for a drive in movie. Our family loves going to the Sky-vu movies Carolyn 4 years ago David 4 years agoĮverything was great, food, staff and facilities. The sound was available by tuning into the radio. Worth the trip, played newly released movies, staff was friendly, plenty of parking, the view of the screen was good. Nice place, cheap, not over crowded friendly staff. Always an enjoyable trip! ted 4 years ago Grassy turf, clean restrooms, great concession stand, friendly staff, good picture and sound quality. Very pleased with our experience at the drive-in, sound quality was excellent and the staff and owner were very friendly. Loved the experience and the atmosphere! You also got a massive popcorn and drink with the deal as well! Will definitely purchase again! Julia 4 years ago
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