Melody 49 Drive-In
Description
Melody 49 Twin Drive-In opened on July 1st 1966.
Screen 1: 107.3 FM
Screen 2: 103.3 FM The Melody 49, located at 7606 Pleasant Plains Road, Brookville, opened with a bang on July 1, 1966. With space for 1,100 cars on its 18 acres, the cost of the year round theater was estimated to run $500,000 by Ralph T. Sharp, Inc., the general contractor for the project. A 75’ x 130’ Cinemiracle picture screen, installed by the M. E. Renfro Screen Tower Company, was chosen so that both 35 and 70 mm movies could be shown. Circle-R electric car heaters were provided during the winter to adventurous movie goers.
Melody 49 began their gala opening with a giant fireworks display, followed by three hit movies, including the incredible undersea adventure ‘Around the World Under the Sea’ starring Lloyd Bridges.
Michael Chakeres, then vice-president and general manager of Chakeres Theaters, Inc. stated that the new theater would “have first run and subsequent run family-type shows similar to Southland 75 (Drive-In). This is a fast growing area and will serve Brookville, Englewood, Trotwood and other communities.”
In 1982 Melody 49 switched to a sound process with operated through a special cable installed above the drive-in parking area. The movie soundtrack was transmitted through the cable, which broadcasted over an AM frequency that could be picked up by the patron’s car radio. In 1998 this was replaced by an FM frequency.
The theater changed it name to the Melody 49 Twin in 1987 after a second motion picture screen was added. Taken from Southland 75 after it closed, the smaller screen was set up at the back of the lot and could accommodate approximately 200 cars.
“So when attendance at the major screen drops off, we can move the film tot he smaller screen and bring in a new picture for the major screen,” explained Grant Frazee, general manager of Chakeres Theaters at the time.
Chakeres must be doing something right. The Melody is still open and doing quite well. With its great location, this theater is assured of lasting for many more years.
Sidebar comments in book about the Melody 49 Twin Theatre:
Melody 49 was the second all-medallion theater in Ohio, meaning that everything was electrically operated, including the heating and air-conditioning.
The three lane snack bar, designed by architect R. J. McNutt, was built to be capable of serving 2,000 patrons in 30 minutes. Since most refreshments were bought during the ten minute intermission, quick service was of the utmost importance. Automatic food warmers were installed to ensure that the snacks remained hot and delicious.
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RECENT FACEBOOK POSTS
facebook.comPhotos from Melody 49 Drive-In's post
Movie Line-Up for Friday May 26th-Wednesday the 31st ******Starting the 25th we will be open 7 days a week, rain or shine******** Screen One: Pirates of the Caribbean 5: Dead Men Tell no Tales Pg13 9:15pm Co-feature: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Pg13 11:45pm 107.3FM Screen Two: Baywatch R 9:15pm Co-feature: Alien: Covenant R 11:45pm 100.5FM Start times are approximate As always the Box Office opens at 8:00pm. Adults 12 and up $8.00, children 6-11 $2.00 and 5 and under are free.
Please note. The movies have switched screens. Screen one: guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 Beauty and the Beast Screen Two: Alien: Covenant snatched
Sneak Preview of Pirates of the Caribbean
Screen One: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales PG13 130 minutes. 107.3FM Screen Two: Baywatch R 120 minutes. 100.5FM We will only be showing these two movies on Thursday. Starting Thursday May 25th we will be open 7 Days a week. Start times are approximate As always the Box Office opens at 8:00pm. Adults 12 and up $8.00, children 6-11 $2.00 and 5 and under are free.
Timeline Photos
Are you looking for a fun, awesome Summer job? We are still accepting applications for the 2017 season. Must be at least 16 years old and work every Friday and Saturday night. Applications can be picked up in the concession stand during business hours and on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3-5.
Photos from Melody 49 Drive-In's post
******Movie Line-up for this weekend have changed ******* Movie Line-Up for Friday May 19th-Sunday the 21st Screen Two: Alien: Covenant R 9:00pm Co-feature: Snatched R 11:30pm 100.5FM Screen One: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Pg13 9:00pm Co-feature: Beauty & the Beast Pg 11:30pm 107.3FM ****Start times are approximate*** Please remember that it must be dark out before we start the movies. As always the Box Office opens at 8:00pm. Adults 12 and up $8.00, children 6-11 $2.00 and 5 and under are free.
Timeline Photos
Timeline Photos
Thought this might help those who get confused. The drive in was built in 1966 and at that time we only had one screen. Screen one is the original screen and is the bigger of the two, the drive in was built to face it as you can see in the picture. Screen two was added in 1986 after Southland 75 closed making Melody 49 a Twin Drive-in.
Photos from Melody 49 Drive-In's post
Movie Line-Up for Friday May 12th-Sunday the 14th Screen One: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Pg13 9:00pm Co-feature: Beauty & the Beast Pg 11:30pm 107.3FM Screen Two: Snatched R 9:00pm Co-feature: Logan R 10:45pm 100.5FM Start times are approximate As always the Box Office opens at 8:00pm. Adults 12 and up $8.00, children 6-11 $2.00 and 5 and under are free.
Timeline Photos
We are still accepting applications for the 2017 season. Must be at least 16 years old and work every Friday and Saturday night. Applications can be picked up in the concession stand during business hours and on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3-5.
Did anybody loose any golf balls on the lot last night?
Please Note: in order to improve sound quality the radio station for our back screen is now 100.5FM 📻
Timeline Photos
Coming Soon May 19th 2017 Alien: Covenant R Starring: Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, Demian Bichir, Carmen Ejogo, Amy Seimetz, Jussie Smollet, Callie Hernandez, Nathaniel Dean, Alexander England, Benjamin Rigby, Noomi Rapace, James Franco Ridley Scott returns to the universe he created, with "Alien: Covenant," a new chapter in his groundbreaking "Alien" franchise. The crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise, but is actually a dark, dangerous world. When they uncover a threat beyond their imagination, they must attempt a harrowing escape. https://youtu.be/zX7URpWBNKE
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