METRO Drive In: when Rome wanted to look like hollywood
METRO Drive In: when Rome wanted to look like hollywood
On August 29, 1957 the Metro Drive In theatre was inaugurated in the area between Casal Palocco and Axa, a residential neighbourhood in the south west of Rome greater area.
It was the first drive in movie theatre in Italy: with its 540 m² concrete screen, it still represents the largest drive-in screen in Europe and it is capable of accommodating 750 cars.
In ’57 the entrance ticket cost 600 Liras (less than 0,5 €)
Born on the initiative of some local entrepreneurs inspired by American fashion was meant to attract tourists and bathers returning from the nearby beach of Ostia Lido.
The first film screened was “La nonna Sabella” directed by Dino Risi maestro of the Italian-style comedy.
Metro Drive In operated until the mid 80s and then was abandoned mostly because its aged technology could not stand the emerging of Dolby sound in enclosed theatre.
These days, due to the pandemic, the idea to open it again, with new technology both on the audio and video system, is growing fast and it is highly probable that this summer Rome will have its drive in theatre offering those movies that missed their winter distribution due to the lockdown.
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