This is topic Tri-Circle Autoscope Drive-In Theater in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Arthur Allen (Member # 969) on 02-04-2002, 08:55 PM:
I recently received new photos for this theater, using unusual optics to distribute an image to 120 back-projected drive-in screens. This theater was built in 1973, so instead of using platters they used a tower with reels side by side.
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Pavillion/2216/TriCircle.html
NEW PHOTOS
Posted by Josh Jones (Member # 447) on 02-04-2002, 09:15 PM:
I have heard about this system and seen pictures similar to this, but man, a little strange.Josh
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 02-04-2002, 10:21 PM:
Man, is that wierd or what! Could this have been an early attempt at a Stealth Drive In? I wonder if Kids clipped the screens out and stole them along with the ramp speakers??? Imagine a lens cleaning and alignment session out there some night to get rid of all the dead bugs. Any bug or mosquito landing on one of the lenses would instantly take the viewer at that position directly into a B rated monster flick. It could take weeks to get the alignment of all the lenses and mirrors just right. This has got to be an idea lifted from a Rod Serling Twighlite Zone Episode. Just imagine that they(who ever they were) are in control of your lens and mirror positioning instead of the horizontal hold.......
That looks like a Lee Artoe big reel transport system in the photo. He used to call it Artoemation. One thing is for sure, JOE AND BRAD HAVE GOT TO MAKE A VIDEO OF THIS PLACE called "Interlocking Part 2" Directed by Steve Guttag. Its time this place got 120 seperate 35mm projectors and Steve be subjected to this many platter systems at once.
I know this place is gong to be in my nightmare I'm now expecting to have tonight!
MArk @ GTS
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 02-04-2002, 10:26 PM:
Gee, Can anyone come up with ten reasons why not to build a drive in this way.......
Mark @ GTS
Posted by Bob Healey (Member # 1003) on 02-04-2002, 11:02 PM:
That link seems to have suffered the slashdot effect. Geocities says its down for an hour or so due to excessive bandwith usage
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 02-04-2002, 11:08 PM:
Arthur, please just email me the pictures. Linking to outside sites only causes problems.
Posted by Dave Bird (Member # 490) on 02-05-2002, 07:40 AM:
Don't suppose anyone was smart enough to save one of those fly's eye lenses, there'd be an interesting curio to show off at the office! Speaking of porn drive-in's, there's rumoured to be one left in operation, the "Apachie" in Tyler TX. No idea what they might be running, maybe some sort of video I guess. Anyone want to go and - er - confirm that? 
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 02-05-2002, 08:40 AM:
I finally was able to get into Geocities page and have placed the pictures on the Film-Tech server for archival use. They can be viewed here .What crazy loon came up with that!!! And some of you said I was crazy with my interlocking. Compared to this, I don't think so.
What size xenon was in that lamphouse? Has anyone here ever been to one of these theaters? Does anyone know if one of the techs who has ever set one of those things up is still around? Perhaps even just someone who has had to go in and re-align those mirrors? This certainly beats out AMC's record of 30 screens!
Anyone else notice the odd similarity between Fritz the Cat and Front Row Joe?
I am moving this topic to the Film Handler's Forum.