The Last Projectionist @ The Overlook Drive-In

As movie studios ceased distribution of film prints to movie theaters in favor of the more affordable "DCP"(Digital Cinema Package), small theaters were left with a hard choice: upgraded or close. This burden left the mom and pop movie theaters financially vulnerable with no theater more vulnerable than the classic outdoor cinema, the drive-in. The Last Projectionist follows the story of a family owned drive-in in upstate New York dealing with the costly decision to either upgrade or "go dark." If you are nostalgic for those nights of watching a movie with your friends parked out under the summer stars you owe it to yourself to watch this film.
Directed, edited and produced by: Eugene Lehnert & Christopher Pecoraro

[@justafanofnerdculture7602]

That 100 foot screen is a thing of beauty! Fly easy, Mr. Cohen. 🙏

[@cindyr3720]

When i was young, i look forward to go the drive in movie theater on the weekend . Just love the drive in movie theater. ♡♡♡.

[@russellborrego1689]

Rest In Peace, Fred.

[@jeastwood2737]

I have many memories of the Hyde Park Drive-In in the 50s ... My father did a lot of sign work for him, and helped repair the movie screen when it was almost destroyed in the 50s by Hurricane Hazel. We spent many an evening watching movies in both places. He was a very nice person and so was his family. He looked very much the same as I remember him... I was wonderful to see him again, in this video I was sorry to hear when Andy passed away about 10 years ago too. He was only in his 40s if I remember right... (I told him how I remembered him as the little kid in the striped shirt) I was working at the Roosevelt Cinemas at the time and he came in and we got talking. The Cohens owned that too, for a time and my father designed and painted the ROOSEVELT sign that is still the same even now... So many fond memories of evenings there and Sunday matinees as well

[@american_alien_1583]

@@jeastwood2737 Did you ever visit the 9G Drive In? My grandparents owned it. My family still has the sign.

[@bobbillings]

I am fortunate to still have a drive -in my area. The 49er drive-in in Valparaiso Indiana. During this summer of 2020, with all the indoor theaters closed for the pandemic, the drive-in has never been more busy with all parking spaces sold out by the time the start of the movie. You still get two movies back to back for admission. With no new digital movies being released, they have been playing old movies all summer, changing every week on their backup film projector. I just saw Jaws and Jurassic Park last weekend in all their film splendid glory in the comfort of my car. Abolutely loved it.

[@JohnMGilbert]

I watched this with moist eyes. It reminded me of the days growing up in my dad's drive-in. I still remember lugging those cans of film up to the projection booth. I now have a 35mm setup in my back yard and I have the intermission reel from the drive-in. I'm now 65 years old and what am I doing? Still lugging cans of film. I do film preservation.

[@docphillips5153]

Those were the days back then. I had one of those car window speakers in my shop till a few years ago and donated it to the museum in NYC.

[@billhall916]

I have a 35 simplex projector that I still use to watch the movies I have. Projetor indoors and large screen outside so nice to go and watch real film instead of digital

[@lucianokyson5012]

I know Im asking the wrong place but does anybody know a method to log back into an instagram account?? I was dumb lost my login password. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer me.

[@cohenjunior9530]

@Luciano Kyson Instablaster ;)

[@lucianokyson5012]

@Cohen Junior Thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Takes a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@johnsherman6718]

An excellant fun and unique experience to be with family/friends! Genuine experiance of "group entertainment!!"

[@docphillips5153]

I just stumbled onto this video, wow trip down memory lane. Back in the seventies, ancient history, I worked on those car speakers for both drive-ins. It was a spring break job, but it kind of cemented my career in film, TV, and general broadcast. I remember those old projectors rock solid easy to fix. I've seen that change from film to digital projection, same happened in broadcast we went film and Quadraplex recorders and players with 10 to 50 LBs reels and camera chains that you needed a Con Ed substation to run that took an entire floor to now 2k video on an SDHC media on a camera weighing only a couple pounds and you can put in your wallet end of day. I personally think the "Digital" look is cold compared to Eastman Color or Technicolor prints. May the drive in carry on.

[@MANUEL2041027]

I love going to the drive in theater ... I live in Mexico and when I was a kid my dad took us in California and we bought popcorn ... good documentary of the drive in theaters

[@moisesperez4605]

I remember when I got my license and I was able to drive, on my first day to a drive-in, what an experience. Something that will never forget.

[@janakiraman3721]

Super...

[@Malbailey670]

what a great video, Digital can never replace film as mentioned in the video it's just a hard drive. Putting the film together adding trailers etc, is great. I used to work for AMC theatres in the UK when they first opened in Milton Keynes 1985. What great times they were. Unfortunately the younger generation would never understand that era.

[@MichaelBeeny]

All seams a long time ago Malcolm in another life time.

[@henryatkinson1479]

Don't lose all hope... I'm in my 20s and currently the Head Projectionist at a venue operating a pair of Philips DP70s. I've torn both machines down to bare castings for a rebuild, and we run 35mm or 70mm screenings weekly for audiences.

[@bigbow62]

I watched The Exorcist, Patton & Alive and many more great movies for the first time at The Drive-in ✌😎 We had 5 Drive-in Theater's all within 30 minutes from our house 😆

[@user-ut1zs3vb4o]

I'm a retired film projectionist. Started at a drive-in in 1975. Carbon arc, etc.

[@leonardodalongisland]

Nice. My second theatre job was in a drive in (Coram, Long Island, NY). My two best friends and I worked there. Donald was inside at the concession stand while Chris and I were "Ramp Men" who took care of the grounds, installing and maintaining the speakers, changing the marque and chasing out the kids who'd sneak in through the broken fence in the back! (sometimes we'd "suggest" they donate a few bucks our way -or cigarettes for Chris and let them stay:). We'd scare people during the horror and other films. We had a lot of fun. One of my favorite -all time jobs

[@guardianobserver6593]

We had many cinemas when young. Now there are only few. One of my favorites (closed nowl was one that the roof could open when summer. Beautiful experience. There was often a kind of one direction "discussion" from the audience to the machinist if it was late on time.

[@letaloudone]

Good video. Really enjoyed it. Glad to see they went digital. Many drive ins did not.

[@matthrivnak6572]

I have video of an old drive in in Illinois in projection booth, when I went there with my dad years ago, the projectionist showed us the whole operation, they had carbon arc projectors.

[@bunbreath]

great doc, brings back memories. Good job!

[@121GigawattProductions]

Thanks Justin

[@petermot645]

It’s a great drive in !

[@petergoldberg6293]

Happy to see the Overlook Drive In is still doing very well. They’ll open for the 2023 season soon

[@dayarao1555]

great job...

[@musicman257]

I so much miss drive inss it was a lot better then digital miss 35 mm film

[@danadesjardins3002]

This place is a gem and should be supported until drive-in movies are no longer around (and I'm sure that will be soon)! By the way, the best Black Angus burgers & fries anywhere. Come for the food, stay for the movie! Godspeed Mr. Cohen! Thanks for the memories. Their Hyde Park location is just as great!😉Support both!

[@bobcrandall7749]

I forget the last time went to a drive-in. I hope they return love going to them

[@teimurh]

Miss 35mm projection.

[@juliaflo3172]

I used to go to the Overlook Drive-In when I visited upstate.

[@michaelmcgee8543]

Love drive inns.

[@towerman123]

The drive-in screens that I used to see in the 60's and 70's were alot bigger.

[@theprisonernumbersix996]

I myself am a projectionist. And the arrival of digital has destroyed a magnificent job that my grandfather was already doing. It's not a movie anymore...

[@tundratomo]

so sad, anything big business can do to put people out of work, they will do it.

[@irvinklugh8858]

LOVE IT

[@WaffleProfanity]

Nothing like listening to a big movie through one small metal speaker hung on your window.

[@CDJF1]

Drive in where i live transmit on FM radio.......Huge screen and a huge system in my car.

[@drumdude10]

That century 35mm projector would be able to project for another 50 years. That Barco digital projectors will wear out and be too expensive to maintain in 10-15 years.

[@MichaelBeeny]

10 to 15 years. I think that VERY optimistic. I give it 8 years maximum.

[@vishnunextlevel6362]

Nice....

[@JonathanHancock]

I am building a home cinema 35 mm projector. Are there any books that should read or website flock. Like film-tech

[@brianochs2297]

Sometimes technology kills the dream

[@patrickmusson4571]

Isn't there a better sound system than the antiquated speakers?

[@hardeeentertainment-alsplace]

Nice

[@MANTLEBERG]

What happens when the moon comes out?

[@marzsit9833]

doesn't affect the movie watching experience at all.

[@MichaelBeeny]

@@marzsit9833 Rain probably does.

[@andyalberti8476]

the true movie is in 35mm. digital is trash!!!! greetings from buenos aires,argentina!!!

[@SkyShazad]

Cinema Has Lost Its Magic

[@danielyoung6630]

karma