History
![Becky started out showing movies at Uncle Charlie's Lunch outside to customers on benches, 1930's.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486953731_lecld_thumb.jpg)
![The very first site of the drive-in, which is a block away from it's present location. It is now a baseball field.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486918860_zt2rg_thumb.jpg)
![The drive-in (circa 1948) at it's present day location. Then known as <em>Route 45 Drive-In</em>.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486918865_gtdug_thumb.jpg)
![Earl Spadt fixing the speakers made at Dieter's Foundry in Cherryville, PA.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486915780_j3hwa_thumb.jpg)
![Lots of work was needed to maintain the speakers... (Pictured: Kenneth Derhammer)](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954101_rysox_thumb.jpg)
![...and the speaker posts. Now we use FM stereo. (Pictured: Marvin Spadt)](/graphics/gallery/image_1486919091_ft2lu_thumb.jpg)
![Construction of the first block screen, 1946.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486928538_ihttk_thumb.jpg)
A dream and a hankering for the movies was all that was needed to "drive" William D. Beck (known to all as Becky) into the field as a full-fledged Cine-Photographer and projectionist.
With a love for film, and a desire to share, Becky started showing movies in his parent's living room. Using a hung bed-sheet, Charlie Chaplin often graced this home-made movie screen. This is about when it all began.
Between the years 1936-1939, Becky began taking his movies from site to site, showing films at numerous locations; Uncle Charlie's Restaurant, Minnich's Restaurant, and at the baseball field (now known as Bryfoyle Memorial Park). In 1942, Becky had an indoor theater "Midway" located in East Mauch Chunk, PA. "The Bucket of Blood" was the nickname earned to that theater due to all the westerns shown there. Becky was especially fond of westerns.
It wasn't until 1946 that Route 45 Drive-In opened at it's present day Becky's location. With help from his wife Alice, and numerous family members, Route 45 Drive-In (then named for the road it was located on) was a success. Around 1971 the state of PA changed the highway number from Route 45 to Route. 248.
Becky continued to upgrade his business advertising in-car speakers to accommodate 440 cars. A concession stand delivered smells of Alice's fresh cut french fries. From hamburgers and hot dogs to penny candy and pretzel rods, Becky could provide a dinner out of just satisfy a sweet tooth. There was a playground for the children, free pony rides, and bands playing certain nights. You could say it was the "ticket" for entertainment.
Becky's generosity took him distances showing movies in parks, community halls, fire companies, elementary schools, American legions, VFW's, Sr. citizen groups, and county homes only to mention a few. He also traveled around PA, VA, MD, and OH, showing education short subjects to students in one room schoolhouses. The grounds were lent for benefits for Lehigh Township Fire Co. and the American Legion.
Becky died on April 4, 1987, and his wife, Alice, passed away on December 28, 2007. She was preceded in death by their second eldest son, Dale, March 28, 1997. The four surviving children of Becky and Alice continue to operate the drive-in along with their families, showing family films starting April to mid-October. They include sons Darrell and Dennis, daughters Mary Mayberry and Cindy Deppe and their spouses, Joe and Dean. Some of the grandchildren get into the act as well. They include: Wanda Beck, Sean Beck, Scott Beck, Christopher Deppe, and Nicholas Deppe, along with great-grandchildren Michael Marino, Julian Deppe, and Margot Deppe, and even great-great-grandchild Logan Marino. They are assisted by long time employees, Marc Hillenbrand, Tim Minnich, Dave Clark, and Duane Deppe to name a few.
We here at Becky's hope you have enjoyed seeing some of our history and that when you're in the area, you will visit us for an enjoyable evening. We will continue to try our best to delight and entertain you with our creativity and showmanship... Such as the way we dress up to suit the movie...
From the Flintstones...
...to cutouts and costumes for Casper.
We hope to see you this summer at the drive-in, where you can bring your own lawn chairs and sleeping bags and make yourself feel right at home. We'll supply the food and entertainment + an enjoyable evening under the stars. See you soon!
![Becky started out showing movies at Uncle Charlie's Lunch outside to customers on benches, 1930's.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486953731_lecld_thumb.jpg)
![The very first site of the drive-in, which is a block away from it's present location. It is now a baseball field.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486918860_zt2rg_thumb.jpg)
![The drive-in (circa 1948) at it's present day location. Then known as <em>Route 45 Drive-In</em>.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486918865_gtdug_thumb.jpg)
![Earl Spadt fixing the speakers made at Dieter's Foundry in Cherryville, PA.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486915780_j3hwa_thumb.jpg)
![Lots of work was needed to maintain the speakers... (Pictured: Kenneth Derhammer)](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954101_rysox_thumb.jpg)
![...and the speaker posts. Now we use FM stereo. (Pictured: Marvin Spadt)](/graphics/gallery/image_1486919091_ft2lu_thumb.jpg)
![Construction of the first block screen, 1946.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486928538_ihttk_thumb.jpg)
![Painting the first screen after construction, 1946.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486928662_7g4j3_thumb.jpg)
![Completed first screen, 1946.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954089_dm2hr_thumb.jpg)
![We had <em>Twister</em> before it was a blockbuster.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486934811_b4rpf_thumb.jpg)
![Construction of our current screen.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954127_lxr6s_thumb.jpg)
![We added a second screen in 2005.](/graphics/gallery/image_1487478231_4qsb3_thumb.jpg)
![Construction of our permanent second screen, 2007.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486956740_zzab5_thumb.jpg)
![Original entrance marquee, 1952-53.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954123_jz7le_thumb.jpg)
![Entrance marquee, showing "The Ten Commandments", late 1950's.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954093_a3dri_thumb.jpg)
![Marquee and entrance road, 1960's.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954111_n6bew_thumb.jpg)
![First projector - Simplex 35mm.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486267693_l11kq_thumb.jpg)
![Becky doing what he liked to do best, making people happy by showing a movie.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486915988_z7yti_thumb.jpg)
![William Beck operating the projectors in the 1970's.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486269266_2k158_thumb.jpg)
![William Beck operating the projectors in the 1970's.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954109_dzzva_thumb.jpg)
![Christopher Deppe (grandson of William Beck) operating projectors in 2000's.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486269265_pbpse_thumb.jpg)
![Tim Reed installs our digital projectors, 2014.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486269778_99fvr_thumb.jpg)
![First ticket booth, 1946.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954082_f242k_thumb.jpg)
![Second ticket booth with arches.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954122_jjrbm_thumb.jpg)
![William Beck selling tickets. The boy pictured in the center is William's son, Dennis.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954092_yclhu_thumb.jpg)
![Earl Spadt (William Beck's father) selling tickets, 1950's.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486267060_hw8fo_thumb.jpg)
![Ticket booth and speaker posts, 1950's.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954106_d2wjl_thumb.jpg)
![Becky selling tickets.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954103_u3ade_thumb.jpg)
![Original refreshment stand](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954108_9cc0x_thumb.jpg)
![One of the original refreshment counters, 1950's.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954100_tm51w_thumb.jpg)
![One of the original refreshment counters, 1950's.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954099_gkrf7_thumb.jpg)
![Alice Beck serving her delicious french fries.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486918981_9srqf_thumb.jpg)
![Construction of refreshment stand, 1971. This structure is now our "Snack Shack", selling funnel cakes and other goodies.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486953619_nn8e7_thumb.jpg)
![Completed refreshment stand, 1970's.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954120_12jz9_thumb.jpg)
![Refreshment stand, 1970's. Pictured: Darlene Beck and Dean Deppe.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954113_r2h92_thumb.jpg)
![Construction of our new refreshment stand, 2012.](/graphics/gallery/image_1487476606_fp0n8_thumb.jpg)
![Sometimes bands would play music before the movies started.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486915778_wbb38_thumb.jpg)
![Characters roamed the grounds before the movies began. The man selling tickets in Dale Beck, William and Alice's son. The boy posing with the clown is Brian Beck, Dale's son.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954119_g7m7f_thumb.jpg)
![Going for sleigh rides in the winter.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954115_rlj55_thumb.jpg)
![Scott and Sean Beck (William and Alice's grandsons) handing out balloons to patrons before the movies start.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486954117_xylo9_thumb.jpg)
![Mac Marino (great-grandson of William and Alice), dressed up as George of the Jungle, handing out flyers to patrons entering the theater.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486956272_1uv63_thumb.jpg)
![Patron costume contest for Austin Powers.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486956281_hg6qy_thumb.jpg)
![Dressed up for Scooby-Doo](/graphics/gallery/image_1486956274_m93td_thumb.jpg)
![First Hollingshead Celebration. Pictured: Michael Marino (great-grandson of William and Alice), and long-time employee Marc Hillenbrand.](/graphics/gallery/image_1486956276_bnpub_thumb.jpg)
![Pony rides by Venture Farms](/graphics/gallery/image_1486956278_wogic_thumb.jpg)