PHOTO BY HUCK BEARD

The name could refer to longevity. Dependable Drive In has been showing movies in the open air for 75 years, lasting from the era of Humphrey Bogart and Marilyn Monroe to the age of Marvel and “Mission: Impossible.” (And, from then until now, lots of Disney flicks.)

Perhaps it’s called Dependable because it’s (almost) always open. Unlike most drive-in cinemas, Dependable doesn’t close for the winter; while it switches to a weekend-only schedule in the colder months, you can spend a Friday night in front of one of the outdoor theater’s screens the day after Thanksgiving, a week before Christmas or on your Valentine’s date. (Pack a comforter and get a coffee from the concession stand.)

Related: Pittsburgh Area’s Drive-In Theaters

As it turns out, neither reason is the source of the name; the site was once a strip mine called the Dependable Coal Co. The owners of the mine built the theater in 1950; the Glaus family took over in ’68. Current owner Rick Glaus began working at Dependable in 1971, when his father, John, was the owner; Rick still staffs the ticket booth today, and his son, Jay, works at the drive-in as well.

PHOTO BY HUCK BEARD

Drive-in theaters, once a staple of moviegoing, have been decimated by changes in moviegoing habits and technology; the rise of the multiplex hurt them, the switch to digital projection finished off many and the pandemic did more damage. Hundreds remain, however, many with loyal followings; Glaus describes three varieties of customer, with many discovering the drive-in anew, others who make one or two trips per year and regulars who make visiting the drive-in a habit year-round.

A ticket for one of the three operational screens at Dependable (a fourth is waiting for repairs) costs $10 for a double-feature; children ages 5-11 get in for $5. While there’s much more to the experience than the savings, they’re considerable; a family with two kids would’ve paid $30 to watch “Lilo & Stitch” and “A Minecraft Movie” last month. Tickets for the same family to see both films in prime time at a certain local multiplex would’ve added up to $91.92.

More importantly, the experience of going to a movie at the drive-in is unmatched. Rolling in as the sun sets, lining up for snacks at the concrete concession stand — not just popcorn and candy, but hot dogs, pizza and chicken tenders — and then settling into the car or camp chairs for a night of entertainment under the open sky: It’s a quintessential American experience that can’t be replicated.

A 75th-anniversary celebration at Dependable is planned for August, and it’ll be worth a visit. But take it from the regulars; this needn’t be a once-per-summer visit. Once you’re in the habit, you’ll find yourself drawn back to the drive-in on a weekly basis. Your car can be just as cozy as your couch — and this screen is a whole lot bigger.

Insider’s Tip:

Order the pizza logs. They’re egg roll-shaped snacks filled with pepperoni and mozzarella, almost like a tiny calzone; you’ll get enough to share, but be tempted to finish them off on your own. Don’t bring food from home or other take-out; because ticket prices are so low, Dependable (like all drive-ins) survives almost exclusively on concession sales. You’re not just getting a snack; you’re helping to keep the place in business.

While You’re Here:

Arrive early to beat the lines at the concession stand and relax; you’ll see families pull up an hour before showtime and toss footballs while waiting for the sun to set.