Why Fayetteville Rules: 112 Drive In
I am not a huge fan of going to the movies. After you pay for tickets and buy some candy and a drink, you have invested a small chunk of change into seeing a movie that has a pretty good possibility of being ruined by others adding their own soundtrack, or worse, the dreaded ”constantly kicking the back of your chair” guy. I have had enough bad experiences going to the movies that I rarely go unless there is something playing that I really want to see. That being said, I have never had a bad experience at the 112 Drive In.
Drive in theaters are a dying breed of entertainment. Of the 60 or so drive ins that at one time have been operational in Arkansas, only three remain, and one happens to be in our backyard.
112 Drive In Theater
The 112 Drive In allows you to see new movies, at a reasonable price. It’s 11 bucks a car load which means the more people you pack into your mom’s Civic, the cheaper the movie gets. Not to mention that admission pays for two, not one, movies. With all the left over cash you have you can get a hotdog and a burger for the same price of a small bag of candy at the regular movies. Not in the mood for a hotdog? No problem, they have all kinds of options. Beef sticks, burritos and nachos to name a few. When do nachos not sound like a good idea? Never, that’s when. You could probably invite the president over for dinner and surprise him with nachos and end up getting a state renamed after you.
Jonessouri.
Really, there is only one way a person should view a movie at a traditional theater, that’s sit down and shut up. The 112 Drive In provides a unique movie going experience because it gives the viewer options as to how they would like to enjoy the movie. If peace and quiet is your thing, you can turn your car stereo on, roll up the windows and drown out most outside distractions. If not, you can set up some chairs in the bed of a truck and watch the feature with your friends, chattering a little as you do so. As long as you are being reasonable, you are not likely to disturb your neighbors. Plus, you are outside, which is a bonus on cool summer nights.
Having said all this, I must admit that it has been a long time since I’ve been to the drive in, but I have been watching the upcoming features waiting for something that perks my interest. The last movie I saw there was one of the Lord of the Rings movies, I think it was Fellowship. I had already seen it a couple times before that, but it was still fun. Todd saw Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo there as a child and not only did he see a quality film, but his resulting amateur dance moves ended in his education of what it means to be patronized.
Anyone else have any sweet memories of the drive in?
This week the 112 Drive In is currently showing Up and the Hanna Montana movie.
If the slideshow doesn’t load, you can view all the photos at our Flickr page.
Discussion
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By djstorms on June 18th, 2009
I love the drive in and agree that it is one of the most overlooked movie theaters in the area. Where else can you bring in a cooler of your favorite beverages/snacks and enjoy two movies for around $10? It is a perfect place to take a date (or even a family) and enjoy a beautiful Northwest Arkansas night. My only word of advice is not to enjoy the “beverages” too much or you will “fall asleep” during the second feature.
By Innarested Observer on June 18th, 2009
Even if your beverages are a case of Mountain Dew or Red Bulls you might fall asleep when the second feature is Hannah Montana. Consider yourself lucky.
By Scott Stapp of Creed on June 18th, 2009
Got my first HJ during a showing of “The Pianist.” Overall not bad. The nachos are first-rate.
By George on June 18th, 2009
Awesome Scott. I hope he was gentle.
HJ = “not bad”
Nachos = “first-rate”
‘No, that was not my wish. Why on earth would I wish for a 12 inch pianist?’
By The Leprechaun on June 18th, 2009
An interesting tidbit, considering you ran the two articles fairly close together: The man who ran the Mall Twin for most of its life also ran the drive-in up until about 10 years ago.
By Stuart on June 19th, 2009
I have watched a lot of bad movies at that drive in and had way more fun than any good movie in a regular theater. I really love the ancient commercial real they run during intermission, it is my favorite thing. Mid 90’s Sprite and Skittles ads with Biz Marquee, the creepy 1950s commercials with hamburgers that are practically still mooing, and the barley animated clown countdown clock. I hope they never update it. I have always thought that the drive-in should buy up some older movies and have sort of a back catalog. Then they could have an old movie night once in a while and really crank up the nostalgia.
Watching movies in the rain there is awesome. Ok I think I’m out of things to say about the drive-in, it’s awesome.