Daily Herald opinion: The show goes on: McHenry Outdoor Theater stands the test of time to remain a summertime tradition

In a time when moviegoers are drawn to theaters to watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters on massive IMAX screens with immersive surround sound, the McHenry Outdoor Theater continues to thrive as a nostalgic remnant of a bygone era.

Last week, the drive-in theater in Lakemoor celebrated 75 years of welcoming carloads of people who want to enjoy a movie under the stars with a date, friends or family.

We congratulate owner Scott Dehn for the work he did to help his theater reach that impressive milestone, especially since it’s the last remaining drive-in in the suburbs.

“It’s very unique, and I think it’s very important to preserve it,” Dehn told our Rick West for a story about the theater’s 75th anniversary on July 20.

The McHenry Outdoor Theater was called the Skyline Drive-In when it first opened on July 20, 1951. “Rogues of Sherwood Forest” was the first film shown on its six-story screen.

During the late 1950s, there were roughly 4,000 drive-ins in the United States, according to driveinmovie.com. Nationwide, only about 300 continue to operate today.

Many drive-ins closed because they couldn’t afford new equipment when the movie industry switched from traditional 35 mm film to digital projection. West reported that Dehn, who bought the McHenry Outdoor Theater in 2000, faced the same dilemma.

However, Dehn saw an opportunity when Honda offered an online contest called “Project Drive-In” in 2013. The company described the contest as “a national effort to save as many of America’s remaining drive-ins as possible” by supplying them with free digital projection setups.

Dehn successfully spread the word about the effort, which required people to vote online for the theater they wanted to receive the equipment. As a result, the McHenry Outdoor Theater was one of nine theaters selected in the county.

In addition to its conversion to digital, a variety of improvements have been made to the theater, including a renovation of the concession stand three years ago. All that work has paid off. Dehn told West that on weekend nights, there are 600 to 700 cars at the theater, which is generally open from April to December.

Those of us old enough to have grown up visiting drive-ins understand why so many people still crave the experience. There’s something special about navigating gravel paths to find the perfect viewing spot, walking to the concession stand for popcorn and drinks, and then sitting in the comfort of your car or truck to watch a film.

We hope the last surviving suburban drive-in continues to provide those fond memories for movie lovers for many years to come.