A Night At The Movies
I've heard that drive-in theaters are a disappearing piece of Americana, that there aren't as many around as there used to be. If that's true, then I'm very lucky to have one close by. It's the same old corny, three-screen drive-in where I watched The Shaggy Dog and Escape From Witch Mountain with my family some thirty years ago. It's where I saw countless movies with my friends during high school. My brother would hide in the trunk to get in free. I even went there with a boy once and had no idea what was playing. Ah, good times.
I took my sons to that same drive-in theater last night on a whim. "Boys, get your shoes on. If we hurry, we can get a good spot." An hour before the movie the place was already starting to fill up. I gave the man at the gate 14 bucks and found a parking spot. Some people behind us played their radio loudly for everyone to enjoy. People set out folding chairs, and a few rows down somebody barbecued steaks. A nearby house had chairs perched on the roof so the occupants could watch for free. The boys cleaned the windshield while I ran next door to the supermarket for snacks.
Shrek The Third came on at dusk, when there was just enough sunlight left to make the screen hard to see. It got dark before we knew it and we settled in for the movie. The plot wasn't great. The same old thing - they had to stop evil Prince Charming from taking over the kingdom. But the jokes made it the funniest Shrek yet, IMO.
Next came Pirates Of The Carribean: At World's End. I always enjoy swash-buckling and martial arts movies. They get me hyped up and in the mood for action. For just a little while I feel like anything is possible. It was a pretty good movie, similar to the first two Pirates.
I drove home with my little one asleep in the back seat, and a head full of memories and hopes. Good stuff. Oh, and cheese puffs all over the floor. I'll worry about that in the morning.
23 words of wisdom and smart remarks:
I am so jealous! Our drive in was torn down years ago. I loved playing at the playground before the movie started, bringing our own fresh popcorn, and not ever seeing the movie! Not to mention double features...sigh... You are so blessed.
I love the drive in. Believe it or not there are three left here in Kansas City. I won't go into detail, but let's just say I had many firsts at the drive in!
Man, we used to go to the drive in all the time when I was little. My brother and I would go in our pajamas and my mom would pack lots of snacks. It was so much fun!
We have a drive in right down the road from me! they still show movies too....
The last time I went to the Drive In Six Pack was playing with Kenny Rodgers ... I need to go again!
I used to go a lot as a kid. My brother still goes. Funny: I haven't looked any up here in Philly. That would be a fun family entertainment. I could bring all my son's buddies.
Tracey - welcome! It is kinda neat how they have a playground, isn't it? I saw some boys playing baseball, a little too close to the cars, in my opinion - eeek!
Spongy - oh, now you've gone and made me all curious about the details. It's probably best that I don't know. ;)
Beth - it's getting warm enough to go. Do you ever take your boys there?
Jo - that must have been a while ago!
Ms. Enemy - I don't know how old your son is, but at the one by me, kids 9 and under get in free. The people next to us brought an army of little girls in a van.
Was watching an episode of American Dad just recently and the sub-plot was based on the death of the drive-in-movie. And how everything today is TV, TV, TV. Having been raised by the latter I can't help but agree, although the environment you took your sons into to watch Pirates of the Carribean is something they absolutely need to see; people interacting the way their generation may never get to.
Orhan - sad but true, that way of interacting is disappearing. In fact, the drive-in has its own unique culture. It's like a big neighborhood party. All types of people are very tolerant and nice to each other, at least for a few hours. I'm glad my boys can see that.
We used to go all the time as a kid to. Now where I live there are two left but they are an hours drive each way in the opposite directions.
i remember my parents taking me to see Conan the Barbaraianat a Drive-In in Jersey. You're right, those are great memories....
Great blog! I will be back for more!!
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Wow, that brings back memories. The Twin Valley Drive In Theatre, spent many a night there, sometimes watching the other people was more fun than watching the movie. They disappeared when I was about 13, I guess. I didn't know they were still around.
Anne, I dated my husband at the drive-in. We even got stuck there when the car wouldn't start. There are no more drive-ins here in NYC. But let me ask you, they charge $14.00 for the carload? And they showed 2 films, Shreck the Third and Pirates of the Caribbean? That's pretty good! Ah, for the good ol' days...
Edge of the World? Is this the same production company that brought us Star Wars: Backstroke of the West? (It's "At World's End"). It was alright. Too long though.
I should open a drive-in. I don't think there's a single one on the east coast.
Bardouble - those things are fun, aren't they? Too bad they're so far from you.
Kiyotoe - I used to love all those Conan movies. I never would have thought in a million years that Schwarzenegger would become a governor.
Mike M - thanks. You've been here before and said pretty much the same thing, so I guess you weren't B.S.'ing.
Just Me - there are still a few around.
Teach - the price was $7 each for me and my teenage son, and my 7 year old was free. It was only $5 last year. Still better than regular theatres. Plus you get to bring in your own snacks so that saves a ton of money.
Woozie - At World's End, you say? I knew it was something to that effect. (Thanks, I'll have to correct that.)
Yep, Woozie's Drive-In. That might not be a bad idea. But then again, what do I know? Maybe you can test the market by hauling your mom's TV outside and charging people to watch it. Heh heh.
Aaah, memories ... falling asleep in the car during the movie, wondering why that van ahead of us is bouncing up and down, getting woken up with my girlfriend by the drive-in dudes ...
Hey Anne,
I've been jonesin' to go to a drive in for awhile now.
There's one on Van Buren that we always pass on the way to the mountains. Is this the one you went to? Or is this top secret information?
Your post has helped me to take stronger measures to get there.
Thanks.
Dorky Dad - yeah, good times. Lol.
Anabel - I don't know where you live exactly, but I imagine you can search Google for the closest drive-in or call Information. You should go - it's fun.
I'm not sure if we're thinking of the same place. Where the heck are you? I'm in Southern California, but I was under the impression you lived near San Francisco. Please e-mail me and I'll tell you all about my local drive-in. I don't like to give out too much identifying information on my blog in case some nut might read it, you know?
I remember those days too, not the movies but going there and getting in the back seat, lol
Gardener greg - you didn't watch the movie? You sexy beast, you! ;)
I liked the other two Shrek movies this one I hope I get to see.
You're definitely lucky to still have a drive in theater, they're all gone around my area. :^( I can remember some steamy nights in the car, but I'll keep that to myself!
SJ - it's very funny. Which language are they shown in, where you are? Translation can make a difference in how funny the jokes are.
Badside - isn't it a shame that they're rare now? Did you always live where you do now? So there were drive-ins there before and they shut down?
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