The Sun Newspapers
July 27^th, 2001

Nestled among the trees a block west of 1-35 just across the Johnson County line is the survivor of the great drive-in theater age. The Boulevard Drive-In, located at 1051 Merriam Lane, has operated continuously since June 30, 1950. We are the oldest theater of any kind in the metro area that has operated continuously, said owner Wes Neal. Years ago, Merriam Lane was Southwest Boulevard, that is why we call it the Boulevard. With all of the trees surrounding it, you can't see it from anywhere but the air. 

The setting of the theater is beautiful. The marquee was just recently rebuilt and is an awesome sight with its neon lettering and bright copy panels. The screen is one of the largest in the state of Kansas. At 75-by-100-feet, it produces the brightest picture of any drive-in. 

Our projectionists are first class as is our projection equipment, Neal said. The speaker posts are always straight and the speakers all work well. There is not a bad speaker in the field. According to Neal, the Boulevard Drive-In is the first drive-in in the world to install digital sound. Now the DTS (digital) processor makes the field speakers sound fantastic, no distortion, no raffles. In your car radio, it is fantastic, Neal said. 

The sound of the movie can also be heard on 89.7 FM. 

The Boulevard Drive-In still shows the latest released movies. Neal recalls one recent night when the theater was showing The Mummy Returns. A man came and told our box office cashier that he had taken his kids to see the movie at an inside theater because he assumed the picture and sound would be better, Neal said. After he watched the movie here he said, Boy did I waste my money at that inside theater. This is great! 

We pride ourselves in having the best presentation of any drive-in theaters anywhere. In fact, it is probably better than most inside theaters. Although many people believe that drive-ins in America are dead, that is contrary to what the Boulevard has experienced. Good weather Saturday nights in the spring and summer are usually full and it is necessary to come early to even get a ticket. 

Drive-ins have declined due to television and VCRs and also because of high land value in urban areas or the decline in population of rural areas, Neal said.Besides the high-quality picture and sound provided by the Boulevard Drive-In, part of its popularity may be the value. 

When we opened the drive-in 52 years ago, I got my hair cut for 25 cents, now a haircut is $10 and up. A car cost $1,500 and now they are $30,000, Neal said. Drive-in admission was 60 cents then and only $6 per person now. That is just $3 per person for a double feature. Children 11 and under are free. 

To get to the Boulevard Drive-In from Johnson County, go north on 1-35 to Lamar Avenue, take a left on Lamar to Merriam Lane (about one block) and a right on Merriam Lane for about 1 1/2 miles. 

For more information on shows and show times, call 262-2414.