Have you ever gone to a Drive-in movie?

Question

What was it like?

Answer 1

Back in the early 60's, my folks would take the three kids (aged 3-5, dressed in pajamas!) to a drive-in (all I remember was that the feature film starred "Yogi Bear"). We all had to squeeze in the front of the big ol' Buick hardtop in order to see! During intermission, we kids were allowed to go to the bathroom and get a snack on our own and explore the grounds (can you imagine doing such in today's sad times?).

When I was a teen in the 70's, my buddies talked me into hiding in the trunk of their car, so that we could "sneak" me into the drive-in (it was $2/person; back then, that was a lot of money, considering that gas was 50 cents a gallon!!!). Even with the trunk lid slightly ajar, I'll admit that I was scared to death!

Occasionally, an usher would walk around and remind folks to turn off their headlights, or lower their radios, or stop smoking joints, but, generally speaking, the audience was well-behaved, and a great time was had by all!

The "worst" part was when a great film caused traffic jams in and out of the drive-in parking lot, and leaving a popular film was always a matter of patience with the ushers directing traffic, poorly!

The drive-in was a great way to see a flick on a clear, warm, summer night. We were free to talk (and other stuff!) all you wanted without fear of disturbing anyone else! And, since it was outdoors and exposed to the public, the vast majority of films were family fare (people weren't concerned about ratings back then, because profanity, nudity, and violence were very rare, and folks knew just by the title and/or actors whether the film was suitable or not).

Today, between road ragers racing through drive-in parking lots, and stereo-blasting jerks annoying everyone within a five city-block radius, I doubt that today's drive-ins would have the same appeal as they did in their heyday.

Would I give up my modern video equipment, HD wide-screen stereo TV, satellite feed, and bad, overplayed movies, for the grand old days of the drive-in phenomenon? (do you really need me to give you the answer?) :)

P.S. Thanks for the trip down Memory Lane!

Answer 2

Yes, We have went alot. There is a town about 30 or 40 minutes from where I live that still has a drive in that is open. I LOVE going, the only downfall is driving back home so late at night. They show new release movies, the same ones that are in normal theaters and they show 2 at a time. The cost is sooo reasonable. You only have to pay for the adults and kids over 13. The younger kids are free. They have a concession stand where everything is very reasonably priced ( much cheaper than normal theaters ) and everything tastes really good. And of course you can bring in all your own food and drinks. It is very popular and it is usually packed. There is another one still open that is about 40 minutes farther away from the above mentioned one, but we don't go to that one much because the drive is just too far. It's really fun and the kids LOVE it. It is very family oriented. :-)

Answer 3

First off, you deserve a star for asking this question...

I know some drive-ins are still in operation, but it's so sad that mine was probably the last generation to be able to enjoy them in their heyday. It really did lend a whole different vibe to the movie-going experience.

For many of us who didn't live in places like Florida or California, going to the drive-in was a summer event. Films were almost always shown as double features, and particularly in the 70s and 80s those films were often in the horror/grindhouse/exploitation genres.

You drove up to the box office and paid your admission (or hid in the trunk of the car if you didn't have the $), and then you staked out your spot and parked. Speakers were attached to stands next to your parking space, and you'd pull those inside the car, hanging them off your partially rolled-up window.

Once it got dark enough, the first movie would begin. Surprisingly, the crowd at the drive-ins weren't as noisy as you might expect. In fact, my recollection is that they were far more polite than most theater-goers today.

Anyway... between films was intermission. That's when they'd play all those old dancing hot dog ads, etc. on the movie screen while patrons made their way to the concession stand to get refreshments. My clearest memory of drive-in movie food was the foil-wrapped cheeseburgers. They were always dry and tough, and the cheese was bright orange and sorta waxy. Mmmm-MMM!

A lot of people wouldn't stay for the second feature because it often didn't get started until around midnight and ran into the early hours of the morning.

My first drive-in movie experience? Double feature of JAWS and ORCA!
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Answer 4

I remember the Starlite Drive In, Belmont, CA. in the late 40's. My mom and dad would pack me and my younger brother into the car and off to the movies we went. Back then they charged by the car, no matter how many people were in it. My mom and dad were in the front and my brother in the back trying to see around the middle post in the windshield. I can remember seeing "Bambi", "The Song Of The South" and Pecos Bill".
By the mid 50's, when I was a teenager we would go out on double dates to the drive in, the "Passion pit", and usually make out and not see any of the movie.
We still have a couple in the area. They have gone high tech now. No more of the speakers that you drag inside of the car. They have a wire that you clip onto the car antenna and you listen through your car radio.
Thanks for the memories!

Answer 5

When they first started they were great for family viewing---
it worked like this---you drove your automobile up to the
Entrance and bought your ticket ( $2.00 on up depending
on the movie and of course the Year and the economy
of the times)
Your passengers might be only your date (or your wife)
or it might be your family---of course you had to have
a sedan or any enclosed car in case of light rains---
heavy rains you got a refund---

The parking lots had posts on the Driver's side with
the sound box ----the cars were spaced appropriately
so everyone could see the Giant Screen---of course
the Drive-in was enclosed with a fence---cars driving
by could see the top of the screen but of course
they couldn't stop.

The movies originally were the same that you would
see in a regular house---and Popcorn and Candy
and sometimes snack foods were avilable in a
booth ---one of the occupants of your car had to serve
as a go-fer !

One nice feature was the fact that you could engage
in conversation if you liked---if you were alone with
your date---you could you could embrace or lightly
smooch or whatever during the dull scenes
-no ushers but there were patrols to
keep things in hand.

All in all the Drive-ins were enjoyable and reasonably
priced so they were especially good for families---
I saw the demise of one the last ones in Southern
California --this was around the year 2002--and I felt sad to see it go---

Thank you for your question---you brought back some
pleasant memories !

Answer 6

When I was a teen in the early 80's the drive in was a place to party. We'd all park by one another and it was a social event. On my first date my date took me to the drive in to see Urban Cowboy. Later I moved into a house across the street from the drive in and it had a speaker hooked up to the drive in just outside the front door. HHAHHA. In the summer we would sit outside turn up the speaker and watch the movies for free. Oh the good ole days. =]

Answer 7

Yes I have as a teen. Great place to party but a crappy place to see a movie. Sound was not that good either. Out here in Los Angeles ( about a 15 minute drive from L.A that is ) there is still one.

Answer 8

Yes, the town where I went to high school had a drive-in movie theater. It's pretty cool, but you want to make sure you have a clean windshield or else you might have to sit outside the car to see the movie.

Answer 9

Went all the time as a child, we still have one and we try to go once a year. It's the best you can relax and bring your own snacks, it's just a whole different experience than the movie theater, good for dates, lots of good memories there!

Answer 10

Yeah, they are tons of fun and usually 3 movies are shown. Plus they have a snack bar! It's kinda like a camp out in your car for half the night.