"A Nat King Cole song of the era proclaimed that at the drive-in
“you’ll see more kisses in the car than on the screen,” and often kissing was just the beginning of the
festivities. By the mid-‘50s the adults had caught on and drive-ins were condemned as “passion pits” by
America’s clergy."--From Palo Alto History
When we were kids, we loved to go to the drive-in theater to watch the epic movies in California and Florida. A playground gave us a chance to swing and slide before it got dark and we returned to the car to watch the movie. With tubs of popcorn, wearing flannel nightgowns, and tucked up with our pillows and blankets, we watched until we were too sleepy to see the end.
So when I had kids of my own, I wanted them to enjoy the experience too. With our silly standard poodle, we went to a drive-in and had a blast. The idea of eating anything they wanted that we had brought with us, wearing pajamas, bundled in blankets and resting against pillows was a lot of fun.
It's too bad that very few drive-ins exist any longer.
I was reading a romance book that had been written about 20 years ago, that talked of romance at the drive-in. I thought about including a drive-in scene in my current book, but alas, there are none within three hours drive from their location. Sooo, no drive-in.
I was reading an article that spoke of how so many have never even seen a drive-in theater. The one we have locally is now a flea market downtown. But when I've gone to it, I think of what it had once been with it's huge movie theater screen, sign post that at one time would have announced the features playing, and ticket booth. I'm afraid like men washing windows on your automobiles or filling the gas tank is a bygone era...so are drive-in theaters. :)
If you've ever been to a drive-in theater, what was your favorite thing about them???
Terry
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male."
www.terryspear.com
I remember going to the drive-in when I was little. Like you, I still remember dressing in jammies and carrying pillows and blankets to our old station wagon.
They opened a new drive-in (with two screens) near us a few years ago, so they still exist. ;)
Oh, how neat, Natasha!!! You're the 2nd one that's said a new one has opened, which is so neat. One's a flea market here now, and another was torn down. They were so much fun. A different era then!
My parents took the kids to the drive-in all the time. We also had a station wagon, wore our pjs and took pillows. I don't recall ever seeing the end of a movie (as a kid). The last drive-in in our town closed about 25 yrs ago. I used to go with my best friend when we just wanted to see a moving and hang out. The last movie we saw was Disney's Cinderella. It doesn't matter that I was considered an adult at the time, some movies are just magical and should be seen at the drive-in, the same way I viewed it the very first time and learning my father's favorite character was Gus Gus. I still don't know why they closed it because it was always crowded. But I guess another shopping center and neighborhood had to be built. I wish they would have just relocated.
I loved your story, Amy. It's so sad that so many have been shut down. Malls and stuff can open anywhere. But drive-ins are an icon. :( Thanks for sharing!
I love drive-ins and have gone to many in my life.
There were the ones in Ohio when I was a teenager. Those were filled with hot, sweaty memories of back seat groping. I learned a lot of things at the drive-in there.
Then when I was a young mother in the Las Vegas area, drive-ins were the thing because it were inexpensive and the kids were either asleep or intrigued with the movie and didn't pay attention much to their parents.
By the time those kids were older, we decided to make it a fun time and went with other families. Two families would take a pickup truck which would get decked out with blankets and pillows and everything to make it comfortable. One was for parents and one for the kids. We always had such great times with our friends there.
Our last one closed about 4 years ago and we all went one last time. The kids were older as we were and we practically cried with the nostalgia of the situation.
Still, if I really wanted a drive-in in one of my stories, I would make a way for it to happen. After all, we do write fiction.
Great post!
Lynn
Ohmigosh, Lynn, you've had a lot of wonderful experiences at the drive ins. How sad yours finally bit the dust too. I so agree about making it happen at the drive-in! I mean in a fictional story of course. LOL I'm not sure I'll get one into this story...but another....maybe!!! We'll have to see.
Great pictures, Terry. There is a drive in about 30 minutes from where I am in the summer. My kids went a couple times as teens with a new driver's license. I fear Netflix, if nothing else, will doom them. But they are an excellent plot point, I guess if you're in the right locale.
I've never been to a drive-in. Yikes! I think I missed out on something fun. :)