411 Twin Drive-In

The 411 Twin Drive-In is a drive-in movie theater and grill located at 300 County Road 265 in Centre, Alabama, United States. It was originally built in 1953 by Emory Johnson during the peak era of drive-in cinemas, when outdoor theaters were a common American pastime. Like many drive-ins, it eventually closed as television and later home video reduced attendance. In July 2001, Emory Johnson reopened the 411 Drive-In with the help of his sons Rex and Carl, continuing a family tradition of movie exhibition that began with his father Glover Johnson, who owned and operated the Cherokee Theatre, the first walk-in theater in Centre, Alabama. Emory Johnson passed away in July 2004, but the drive-in continued under family ownership. In the summer of 2008, the theater expanded by adding a second screen and capacity for another 400 cars, becoming the "Twin" drive-in. A new restaurant facility was built to serve both screens, with projectors housed on the second floor. The original concession stand was demolished to make way for the expansion. Today the 411 Twin Drive-In operates year-round on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, showing new-release movies with two double features to choose from each weekend. It promotes itself as offering great food at great prices, fun for the whole family, and a bargain experience. The theater maintains a movie information line at (256)-927-2855 and offers an email newsletter with weekly updates on movies, showtimes, and dinner-and-a-movie specials. It is a classic American drive-in experience, with patrons arriving in pickup trucks, lawn chairs, and blankets under the stars.

The 411 Drive-In Theatre was built in 1953 by Emory Johnson, at a time when drive-in theaters were booming across the United States and almost every community had one nearby. The theater operated during the classic drive-in era, but the rise of television in the 1950s and 1960s swept away most drive-ins, and the home video craze of the early 1980s seemed to finish off many of those that remained. By the mid-1990s, however, drive-ins began a modest comeback, with some entrepreneurs even building new ones. The 411 Drive-In itself was reopened in July 2001 by Emory Johnson, with help from his sons Rex and Carl. Emory was a second-generation movie exhibitor: his father, Glover Johnson, owned and operated the Cherokee Theatre, the first walk-in theater in Centre, Alabama. Emory and his father later built the Emory Theatre, also a walk-in, in Centre. Emory Johnson passed away in July 2004, but the drive-in continued to operate as a family business. In the summer of 2008, the theater underwent a major upgrade. A second screen was added, increasing capacity by another 400 cars, and the operation was rebranded as the 411 Twin Drive-In. A new restaurant facility was constructed to provide concession service to both screens, with the projection booth housed on the second floor. The original concession stand was demolished to complete the project, an emotional moment for the family, but necessary for the expansion. The theater has since operated as a two-screen drive-in, showing new-release movies on weekends year-round and offering a full grill menu. It remains a local landmark in Centre, Alabama, and a rare surviving example of the American drive-in tradition.

• 2008

  A second screen and a new restaurant facility are added, creating the 411 Twin Drive-In with capacity for another 400 cars.

• 2004

  Emory Johnson passes away in July; the drive-in continues under family ownership.

• 2001

  Emory Johnson reopens the 411 Drive-In in July with help from his sons Rex and Carl.

• 1953

  Emory Johnson builds the 411 Drive-In Theatre in Centre, Alabama.

A nostalgic, family-friendly, value-priced drive-in theater and grill offering new-release movies and food in a classic outdoor setting.

• Drive-in movie screenings

  New-release movies shown on two outdoor screens, with two double features to choose from every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

• Grill and concession menu

  A full grill and snack bar menu serving food to both screens, promoted as great food at great prices.

• Dinner and a movie specials

  Weekly dinner and a movie specials promoted through the email newsletter.

1. 1411 Twin Drive-In - Centre, AL411drivein.com
2. 2411 Twin Drive-In » History - Centre, AL411drivein.com
3. 3411 Twin Drive-In - Wikidatawikidata.org