Bengies Drive-In: The Only Picture Show

At one time, there were 40 drive-in theaters in Maryland. Now, Bengies Drive-In Theater in Middle River is the last one standing. It received its name from the community, named Bengies, where it was located, in honor of the 23rd president, Benjamin Harrison (nicknamed Bengie).

The theatre generally operates from late March or early April and runs through November.

Bengies opened on June 6, 1956. “Drive-in movie theaters are no longer ‘passion pits,’” said

D. Edward Foley, known as D., the owner of Bengies, and vice president of the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association (UDITOA). “Otherwise, the audience hasn’t changed. Some of our regulars are grandchildren of the patrons from when I took over the theater in 1988.”

However, D. has noticed one difference between the generations of customers. Today, many people don’t know how to turn off all of their car lights, including white running lights and the dome light that comes on when a door is opened. Although website directions suggest learning how to do these things prior to visiting or asking any of the employees, they still provide a battery boost to about ten cars per night.

He also notes that many people don’t realize they can still visit Bengies in the fall.

“We’re not a summer-only attraction anymore because in-car heaters are available to keep patrons warm during those chilly nights,” D. said.

The theater resulted from a partnership of Jack, Hank, and Paul Vogel. Jack was the sole architect for the project and the Vogel Building Company, with Hank at the helm, did the actual construction. When Bengies was constructed, drive-in parking was usually one row of cars and one of driveway. Bengies was built with two rows of cars and one driveway. (Architectural engineer Jack K. Vogal designed and built many drive-ins, including the first one in South America, the Auto-Cine Drive-In in Lima, Peru, around 1954.)

Within the following few years, “no one knew how to build them anymore,” Vogel said. However, they could retrieve the Vogel plans for signage, the screen, and even the parking lot to see how it was done. Those plans now reside in the Library of Congress and are available for future builders.

According to Vogel, the CinemaScope screen measures 120 ft by 52 ft (6,240 sq. ft.) and is 30 ft off the ground. It is the largest screen of any theatre in the United States. The 16.5-acre waterfront lot has 11.5 acres dedicated to the theater. When it opened, it had a capacity of 1,000 cars.

Although the lot wasn’t designed for pickup trucks and SUVs, with judicious parking, it can hold 700 vehicles.

Vogel is at the theatre every night and enjoys any Alfred Hitchcock movie, particularly “The Man Who Knew Too Much.” However, he also favors films that evoke the sound of joy. “I love comedies,” he added. “I love hearing people laugh. And, the best part of owning the theater is every night at sunset. It’s just awesome. Show start is the best.”

TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME DRIVE-IN VISITORS:

Please arrive as close to the box office opening time as possible.
Purchase your tickets online.
Bengies starts each evening by playing the National Anthem. It is a long-time tradition started by Paul Vogel, and is taken very seriously by staff and patrons alike.
Only Visa and MasterCard are taken at the snack bar. If you plan to purchase an outside food and beverage permit, bring cash to purchase it at the box office.
Please know how to turn your vehicle’s white lights out while your vehicle is moving. All white lights must be out or covered before we redeem your online tickets, even if it is not yet dark. White lights affect the image quality on the screen.
Please keep your vehicle’s hatch level with the top of your vehicle. Field attendants have twine you can use to tie your hatch down.
Small vehicles must park next to a white pole. Large vehicles must park next to a yellow-striped pole or a yellow and blue-striped pole.
You may not run your vehicle’s engine during the screenings. Carbon monoxide is poison.
A parent must accompany children to the playground.
Bring chairs and blankets to sit outside of your vehicle.
Bengies offers a large selection of souvenirs, including wearables, cups and mugs, and bumper stickers.
Bengies has a Reading Rewards Program for all elementary or middle school students, including homeschoolers from K to 8th grade.

Upcoming Events at Bengies

Trunk or Treat

Friday, October 25, 2025

Get your costumes ready for Bengie’s 7th Annual Trunk or Treat! Enjoy candy, contests, and classic Halloween fun, plus a double feature under the stars!

Schedule of Fun:

3:00 PM: Box Office Opens (Arrive early!)
3:45 PM: Trunk or Treat Begins
6:00 PM: Halloween performance by Whitemarsh Ballet Academy (and you can learn the dances!)
6:35 PM: Costume Parade (streamed live on the big screen!)
7:00 PM: Hotel Transylvania (PG)
9:00 PM: Corpse Bride (PG)

Special Guests: The Chesapeake Ghostbusters will be on-site for spooky photo ops!

Want to show off your creativity? Decorate your trunk and, if you’re feeling competitive, register for the Best Trunk Contest. Find important info about that here.

Don’t wait! Purchase tickets and get all the details at bengies.ticketspice.com/trunk-or-treat-7.

Wicked Double Feature at Bengie’s Drive-In!

November 21–23

Something wicked this way comes! ✨ Don’t miss Bengie’s Wicked Double Feature Weekend, featuring both Wicked: Part One and Wicked: For Good back-to-back on the biggest screen in town. Grab your friends, your broomsticks, and your snacks for an unforgettable night under the stars. Wicked: For Good will also be played November 28 to 30 along with a mystery movie that will be announced at a later date.

Check the website, bengies.com, for movies, showtimes, regulations, and procedures.

Bengies Drive-In, 3417 Eastern Boulevard | 410-687-5627