Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

Prompted by a couple of responses to the page added to the site yesterday, it'd be interesting to read about anyone's memories of attending drive-in movies, whether in the US, Canada or elsewhere

RJ
http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/drive-in.htm
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[stuchamp]

We had 3 Drive-In's in our area. The Starlite, Skyvue, & Hillcrest. There were probably a dozen more within an hour ride. Drive-In's consisted of a large screen, ticket office, and a snack bar with restrooms. There was usually a playground area for kids in front of the screen and benches for those who didn't want to sit in their cars. Also high fences usually surrounded all or most of the parking area. Just couldn't have those non-payers trying to see or sneaking in.

Cars were parked on mounds so that the front of the car was elevated toward the screen so you could see over the car ahead of you. Speakers hung on junction box posts and you could hang the speaker itself on your door glass. Most cars parked forward but some, usually station wagons or pickup trucks backed in so the patrons could sit on the tailgates or lawn chairs. Tall vehicles had to park near the rear.

The hazards of driving were forgetting to remove the speaker which could result in a broken window, dents, and the speaker pulled loose from the post. If the latter happened, you just turned in the broken speaker at the ticket booth on your way out. Some drive-in's the parking was extremely close and the raised mounds made for some interesting maneuvers. Driving without lights or just parking lights didn't help when leaving early. You always had to be alert for the stray kid or dog running around.

At times during the season there would be "Car Load Night" where you could load your car with as many people as possible and pay one dollar for the whole load. Of course on regular nights you had the same thing happening with people hiding in the trunk so they could get in free.
Most nights had 2 or 3 features with some weekends being "dusk to dawn" viewing. There were intermissions in-between shows and they showed cartoons and clips telling you about all the food and treats at the snack bar. Some of those clips bring back the best memories like the dancing hot dog.

If the film or projector broke the parking area would erupt with honking horns and flashing headlights. Then you always had the clowns walking by the projector room and making hand animals and such that would silhouette on the screen. I think I was one of those clowns as a youngster! lol

People always seemed to have their favorite sections to park. Families with kids seemed to park up front near the playground. People who liked to eat and those who needed restroom breaks parked near the snack bar or in the center area. The ones who wanted to party parked toward the back and the last row was for the young people or adults who wanted to partake in other types of fun besides movie watching. Things could get real interesting in that back row!
All the 'cool' cars and trucks were in the back!

Holidays usually had special events such as the "4th of July" where carnival games were setup before the movies began. They had games for kids like sack races and prizes were given out. Fireworks were shot off after the first movie.

Sadly, most of the theaters were closed in the 80's I believe. A large grocery store now sits where the Starlite was located. The Skyvue has returned to being a corn field. I haven't been by the old Hillcrest site in years but I think there is a body shop on the property now.

The first drive-in movie that I remember seeing was Elvis Presley in "Loving You" back in the 50's. We went to drive-in movies all thru the late 50's, 60's, and 70's with 1984 being my last time. In some areas of the country the Drive-In theaters are slowly making a comeback!

The old Starlite. Across the road was Tunis Speedway, a 3/8 mile dirt race track. The speedway ran on Sunday nights, not a good time to be at the drive-in with all the noise.


http://www.driveintheater.com/index.htm
http://www.nostalgia-unlimited.com/
http://www.pinballrebel.com/drive/speakers/speakers.htm

[Rick]

Great read stuchamp, thanks for popping your memories on here. What I'll probably do is compile the recollections that'll hopefully get added in here, and add them to the main site, so that they don't disappear several pages deep within the forum

RJ
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[Fluffle-Valve]

Shame us brits never had the drive-in movie's.

I think I would have like to go to one. Only ever seen them in the movies...
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Series 3 1972 LWB Truck Cab Pick Up. My daily drive.

[Mog]

I can remember seeing Dr. Zivargo at the Coober Pedy drive in, in the late 60's. They only had big loudspeakers at the front. Also went to the drive in at Andamooka Opal Fields and Mildura. Took a girl to the Mildura drive in, after about 15 mins. she said lets go back to your caravan. When we got there she had changed her mind......Women are very good at changing their mind at the last minute . I must admit, if some give a promise they will stick with it !!!

[bob2]

When drive in movies are mentioned Happy Days always comes to mind, really liked watching that when I was a kid!!!

[roverdriver]

Panel vans were a popular conveyance with young people in the 1960's and 70's. One great advantage was that a double bed mattress would fit neatly on the floor of the van. These vehicles would then park wrong-way-round at the Drive-In, with the tailgate open, and the incumbents relaxing on the mattress to watch the film.

One of the most enjoyable Drive-In experiences that I have had was in 1976 at Perigian Beach in Queensland. A National Vintage Car Rally was taking place, and the organisors created a temporary Drive-In at the sports ground. The outside temperature was nice and warm, so windows were down and the one loudspeaker served us for sound Every night for a week, we were treated to a range of historic motoring films like 'The Fast Lady'. On the first night, parked in our Model A Ford, with the children sitting in the back, there was a tap on the car, and the Vintagent alongside passed us a box of chocolates for us to take one each and pass them on. That started a very pleasant sharing of nibbles and confectionery, being passed from car to car, that took place at each session.
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