Military Bases Host Outdoor Movies for Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines

Military theaters have been part of life on U.S. bases since the earliest days of film. At Camp Anaconda in Balad, Iraq, a now-famous incident unfolded when the recording of the national anthem malfunctioned before a screening: more than 1,000 servicemembers stood at attention, someone began to sing, the entire audience joined in, and then sat down to watch Superman 3.

Movies on military bases are managed by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation branch. Films are distributed through two chains — an Army and Air Force Exchange Service system, and a separate Navy and Marine system — and typically lag civilian release by about a month. Admission runs a couple of dollars. Every major installation once had multiple theaters; today fewer remain, but the tradition — including playing the national anthem before each screening — endures.