Lynn Drive-In Movies

kencmcintyre on February 28, 2008 at 9:59 pm

“Come as you are in the family car” was also the slogan for Pacific Drive-ins in Southern California in the fifties and sixties. With the advent of adult films at drive-ins in the late sixties and seventies, the phrase took on a new interpretation.

Drive-In 54 on February 16, 2013 at 12:16 am

Here is a nice slide show of the history

Mikeoaklandpark on October 4, 2014 at 12:28 pm

Chris1982 thank you so much for keeping us updated on the drive ins. They are a dying breed that need to make a big comeback.

MichaelKilgore on December 11, 2017 at 5:57 pm

Based on the helpful but old slide show linked by Drive-In 54:

• Boyer’s Auto Theatre was open in 1937.

• Dick and Abby Reding were owners in the 1980s. They were pictured talking with son Rick and grandson Jamie.

• A tornado blew down the screen in Spring 1960. It was replaced by a “new Selby Screen”. Abby Reding is pictured with the damaged screen.

• The marquee was smashed by a semi in 1992.

• Richard Wallace “Dick” Reding / Owner of the Lynn Auto Theatre from 1957 to 2004 / At age 93 he was the oldest Drive-in Theatre owner in the world!

• Manager Rick Reding retired in 1999, passing the torch to his two sons.

• The Lynn is now operated by Dick’s grandsons, Rich & Jamie, making it a four-generation business.

• Another semi hit the marquee in 2004, but the damage looked less severe.

From the Lynn’s History page:

The construction of the Theatre started in the summer of 1935. In the spring of 1937 the Theatre opened as BOYER’S AUTO THEATRE. The Theatre was built by Andy Thompson and Roland Boyer. A Restaurant, Gas Station, Golf Driving Range and Arcade were also located on the Theatre grounds prior to the Theatre’s opening. The complex was owned and operated by Roland Boyer during the 1930’s and 1940’s.

In the spring of 1948, Ward Franklin and his son-in-law Ray McCombs purchased the Theatre. Changing the name, in honor of McCombs daughter, Judy LYNN, to the Lynn Auto Theatre. In the mid 50’s, the Restaurant, Gas Station, Arcade, and Golf Range were closed.

In the fall of 1957 Richard R. Reding and his son Richard W.“Dick” and his wife Eunice “Abby” purchased the Theatre. In 1970 Rick joined his Mom and Dad in the family owned business. During the 70’s and 80’s Dick, Abby and Rick owned and operated twelve Theatre’s in NE Ohio. The Drive-In Theatre’s are now operated each season by Rick’s two sons Rich and Jamie, making it a four generation business!

In 1967 a second screen was added along with the traditional Speaker Post Sound System to make the Theatre a Twin Drive-In. Most resent in 1996, new Stereo Audio Soundheads, two Digital Dolby FM Stereo Transmitters and Audio Boards were installed in both Theatres allowing patrons to enjoy First Run Movies, in HD Stereo, from their vehicles radio. In 2001 both Theatre’s Projection Systems were overhauled and refurbished. For the 2002 season both screen towers were painted and new counters were installed in the Concession Stand and in 2005 a “Classic Mammoth Retro Neon Marquee” was installed!

In 2012 we installed a new digital projector, server and sound processor in screen 1 projector room. In 2013 we completed our digital conversion with an identical digital projector, server and sound installed in screen 2 projection room.

MichaelKilgore on December 11, 2017 at 7:57 pm

I wonder why the current owners of the Lynn keep saying it was open in 1937. Also, it looks like we need to add another name to that official history.

The Daily Times of New Philadelphia OH wrote on May 26, 1939, “Boyer’s Auto Theater, the first of its kind south of Cleveland, will be opened to the public tomorrow evening … by Roland and Karl Boyer”.

On May 4, 1941, The Daily Times wrote, “Rollin Boyer of Strasburg purchased the interest of his brother, Karl Boyer of Navarre, in the Boyer Auto Theatre … and became sole owner of the business. The purchase was part of a settlement … which dismissed Karl Boyer’s suit asking for dissolution of the partnership”.