Not only does the Movie Manor feature a working drive-in theater, they also still have the old-fashioned speakers you attach to your car...
...and it appears they have at least two brands. This one is an Eprad...
...while this one appears to be a Projected Sound model. Any drive-in aficionados care to enlighten me?
A working drive-in movie theater is a wonder to behold. Relics of a bygone era, they stand proudly as if to say, "Hey, everybody, I'm still here! Home theater? Ha! Is that all ya got, punk? I got chunks of guys like you in my stool!" (okay, that last line came from Phil Hartman). So we were particularly delighted when we came across the Best Western Movie Manor motel while cruising down Highway 160 in south-central Colorado. Back in 1964, the Star Drive-In opened, with a small motel where guests could see the movies from their rooms. Some time later, the Best Western chain took over and changed the name to Best Western Movie Manor and in 2003 they added a second screen for an additional 200 cars. An old self-promotional postcard has this to say about the place (thank you Roloff):
"Kelloff's Best Western Movie Manor, the world's only movie motel. A unique concept in accommodations. Rooms face a giant outdoor movie screen so you can enjoy watching the latest movies, complete with sound, without leaving the comfort of your room. Kelloff's Restaurant, next to the motel, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. While you enjoy your meal, view two spectacular mountain ranges - the San Juans and Sangre de Cristos."
We were on a rather tight travel schedule, so we weren't able to take advantage of this extraordinary movie-lodging opportunity, but we did stop to snap a few pictures. And that post card copywriter wasn't just blowing smoke about the mountain range scenery being spectacular.
Be sure to check out this panoramic photo display from the motel's website.
Beautiful mountain scenery by day, and the theatrical stylings of Mr. Vin Diesel on a screen the size of a Zeppelin hangar by night, all without leaving the comfort of your one-queen, one-king or two-queen bedroom...Colorado, we like your style.
4 comments:
Very cool!
This seems right up your alley, Betty!
How freakin' cool is that!!! I would love to have stumbled upon that on a road trip. We have an operating drive in up in Goleta CA near Santa Barbara. Its pretty rad but its no Movie Manor!
Hi there. I saw your picture/comment regarding the Projected Sound Drive-in speaker. I currently work for this company in Indiana. We were established in 1959 by my great grandfather. At one time we were the largest manufacturer of drive-in speakers in the country. We have now shifted our focus to a more commercial approach as the days of drive-ins are all but lost. Just thought I could shed a little light about this nostalgic piece. Thank you for posting about us!
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