The Drive-In isn't as dead as once thought

Wild Root · 09-27-2004, 03:58 PM

Well, that's cool! But over here, they can't wait to tear them down! They become swap meets and places where gangbangers hang out. So, it's not a place to take your family any more. Most of the great drive-in's have been taken down.

Let's hope it catches on over here! Before they take all the old ones down.

Root.

Michaelson · 09-27-2004, 04:03 PM

Fortunately, they never did really die out over here. Almost all of the drive in's (including the one I grew up going to in the 50's and 60's) have been refurbished, and occasionally have cruise ins with classic cars, as well as hotrods, and continue to show current movies. It's just refreshing to see a brand new one under construction, and I mean in a BIG way. They've already built a HUGE two story concessions building that they'll also project to the 3 huge screens from, which are also already standing and ready for business. Graders were flying around all last week, and I saw the surveyed areas for each parking location post. Good thing too, as my Plymouth's radio doesn't work. If I had to depend on the sound being conveyed from the booth to me by radio, I guess I'd have to learn how to read lips!

Regards. Michaelson

Wild Root · 09-27-2004, 04:29 PM

Right on! I wish something would happen like that over here. I think it could be a good thing for every one. Well, take a look at this photo I found. Cool old Drive in.

Root.

Michaelson · 09-27-2004, 04:36 PM

Looks like the one outside my hometown....The Scioto Breeze!
You may enjoy looking this website over:

http://www.driveintheater.com/index.htm

Regards. Michaelson

Wild Root · 09-27-2004, 04:42 PM

Hey, I know it's small but look at the first car on the left! That's a 1946 -48 Plymouth p-15! Just like mine! I wish this was a biger photo!

Root.

Michaelson · 09-27-2004, 04:45 PM

Sure is. Has the same 'outline' as my P20! Just as an 'aside', they have closed several drive-ins in Tennessee (as the list proves on the website), and I was able to pick up one of the speakers from the last drive-in closed in Memphis at an antique store this summer. I'm trying to figure out how to get inside the dang thing to I can re-wire it to play my CD player though and hang it in the Plymouth for some good old 'Doo Wap' while cruising. Regards. Michaelson

Dalexs · 09-27-2004, 07:49 PM

I know back where my folks live, on Cape Cod, there is a drive in that opens for the summer and is still packed every night of the week. I love going there when I visit. Especially because they still run those old snack bar ads! classics!

They even give you the choice of the old window speakers or you can use your radio.

Michaelson · 11-08-2004, 02:19 PM

Well, just to update, the Montana drive-in opened semi-officially this past weekend. I found out about it literally at the last minute and had something else planned that evening, but my eldest daughter went, and she said that but for a couple lens switch problems, it was a LOT of fun. They've got two of the 3 screens up and running, and the third due to be ready in a week or so. They haven't made any big official opening yet, as they still have the exits to finish, so everyone is using the same road to enter AND exit...if they got slammed, the traffic jam would be terrible. So, they're up and running! Regards. Michaelson

Jake · 11-10-2004, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wild Root
Right on! I wish something would happen like that over here. I think it could be a good thing for every one. Well, take a look at this photo I found. Cool old Drive in.

Root.

Root, That drive-in was located in Menonomie Falls, WI less than 10 miles from where I grew up. I remember going there as a kid. Thanks for the picture.....Jake

Retro Grouch · 11-10-2004, 02:19 PM

I miss the drive-ins.

When I was a kid, we used to pack up the '69 Ford wagon with sodas and grocery bags of popcorn. The back seat was always full of "popcornivores".

Our drive-ins even had playgrounds under the screen. Am I dating myself?

Great link, Michaelson. I still like the old consession adds.

Looks like all the drive-ins I grew up in are closed.

Belknap Drive-in, Fort Worth, TX
Cherry Lane Twin Drive-in, Fort Worth, TX
Cowtown Drive-in, Fort Worth, TX
Meadowbrook Drive-in, Fort Worth, TX
Southside Twin Drive-in, Fort Worth, TX

Tom

Andykev · 11-10-2004, 02:56 PM

Most of the drive in 's in the Bay Area are long gone. Hilltop drive in is now Hilltop mall with major retailers and housing. The San Pablo drive in is now a major supermarket. The math is simple: real estate prices have literally caused the extinction of the drive in.

We have one nearby, by the local ariport and industrial section. The Solano drive in. It shows movies on weekends, and is flea market during the days.

jamespowers · 11-12-2004, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wild Root
Hey, I know it's small but look at the first car on the left! That's a 1946 -48 Plymouth p-15! Just like mine! I wish this was a biger photo!

I don't think you want to see a bigger photo. That back window looks pretty steamed up.

You wouldn't want to be shocked. LOL

Regards to all,

J

Strider · 11-12-2004, 09:33 PM

Here (San Diego, CA), we have a few drive-ins that get just as much traffic, if not more than, the local multi-plex movie theatres. I much prefer them to multi-plex theatres, because in the comfort of a vehicle, you can't be disturbed by someone talking, or adding their own commentary to the movie as it's playing. I just hope the drive-in phenomenon would pick up in popularity.

I think the world would be a better place if every city had a few drive-ins in them.

Regards,

Strider

09-27-2004, 03:58 PM	#1
Wild Root Gone Home Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Monrovia California. Posts: 5,590	Well, that's cool! But over here, they can't wait to tear them down! They become swap meets and places where gangbangers hang out. So, it's not a place to take your family any more. Most of the great drive-in's have been taken down. Let's hope it catches on over here! Before they take all the old ones down. Root. __________________ Wrong is wrong even if every one says it's right. Right is right even if every one else says it's wrong. -Hugh Beaumont

09-27-2004, 04:03 PM	#2
Michaelson One Too Many Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,775	Fortunately, they never did really die out over here. Almost all of the drive in's (including the one I grew up going to in the 50's and 60's) have been refurbished, and occasionally have cruise ins with classic cars, as well as hotrods, and continue to show current movies. It's just refreshing to see a brand new one under construction, and I mean in a BIG way. They've already built a HUGE two story concessions building that they'll also project to the 3 huge screens from, which are also already standing and ready for business. Graders were flying around all last week, and I saw the surveyed areas for each parking location post. Good thing too, as my Plymouth's radio doesn't work. If I had to depend on the sound being conveyed from the booth to me by radio, I guess I'd have to learn how to read lips! Regards. Michaelson __________________ "...remember to read chapters 4 and 5...."

09-27-2004, 04:36 PM	#4
Michaelson One Too Many Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,775	Looks like the one outside my hometown....The Scioto Breeze! You may enjoy looking this website over: http://www.driveintheater.com/index.htm Regards. Michaelson __________________ "...remember to read chapters 4 and 5...." Last edited by Michaelson : 09-27-2004 at 04:39 PM.

09-27-2004, 04:45 PM	#6
Michaelson One Too Many Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,775	Sure is. Has the same 'outline' as my P20! Just as an 'aside', they have closed several drive-ins in Tennessee (as the list proves on the website), and I was able to pick up one of the speakers from the last drive-in closed in Memphis at an antique store this summer. I'm trying to figure out how to get inside the dang thing to I can re-wire it to play my CD player though and hang it in the Plymouth for some good old 'Doo Wap' while cruising. Regards. Michaelson __________________ "...remember to read chapters 4 and 5...."

11-08-2004, 02:19 PM	#8
Michaelson One Too Many Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,775	Well, just to update, the Montana drive-in opened semi-officially this past weekend. I found out about it literally at the last minute and had something else planned that evening, but my eldest daughter went, and she said that but for a couple lens switch problems, it was a LOT of fun. They've got two of the 3 screens up and running, and the third due to be ready in a week or so. They haven't made any big official opening yet, as they still have the exits to finish, so everyone is using the same road to enter AND exit...if they got slammed, the traffic jam would be terrible. So, they're up and running! Regards. Michaelson __________________ "...remember to read chapters 4 and 5...." Last edited by Michaelson : 11-08-2004 at 02:22 PM.

09-27-2004, 07:49 PM	#7
Dalexs Practically Family Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Just 'nath of Baston Posts: 567	I know back where my folks live, on Cape Cod, there is a drive in that opens for the summer and is still packed every night of the week. I love going there when I visit. Especially because they still run those old snack bar ads! classics! They even give you the choice of the old window speakers or you can use your radio.

11-10-2004, 02:19 PM	#10
Retro Grouch One of the Regulars Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 202	I miss the drive-ins. When I was a kid, we used to pack up the '69 Ford wagon with sodas and grocery bags of popcorn. The back seat was always full of "popcornivores". Our drive-ins even had playgrounds under the screen. Am I dating myself? Great link, Michaelson. I still like the old consession adds. Looks like all the drive-ins I grew up in are closed. Belknap Drive-in, Fort Worth, TX Cherry Lane Twin Drive-in, Fort Worth, TX Cowtown Drive-in, Fort Worth, TX Meadowbrook Drive-in, Fort Worth, TX Southside Twin Drive-in, Fort Worth, TX Tom Last edited by Retro Grouch : 01-10-2005 at 12:49 PM.

11-10-2004, 02:56 PM	#11
Andykev Bartender Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SF Bay Area - East Bay Posts: 3,268	"Hey, quit stepping on the brake pedal!" Most of the drive in 's in the Bay Area are long gone. Hilltop drive in is now Hilltop mall with major retailers and housing. The San Pablo drive in is now a major supermarket. The math is simple: real estate prices have literally caused the extinction of the drive in. We have one nearby, by the local ariport and industrial section. The Solano drive in. It shows movies on weekends, and is flea market during the days. __________________ "Wadda ya hear, wadda ya say?"

11-12-2004, 09:33 PM	#13
Strider One of the Regulars Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: . Posts: 256	Here (San Diego, CA), we have a few drive-ins that get just as much traffic, if not more than, the local multi-plex movie theatres. I much prefer them to multi-plex theatres, because in the comfort of a vehicle, you can't be disturbed by someone talking, or adding their own commentary to the movie as it's playing. I just hope the drive-in phenomenon would pick up in popularity. I think the world would be a better place if every city had a few drive-ins in them. Regards, Strider __________________ I need another drink. I need a lot of life insurance. I need a vacation. And all I've got is a coat, a hat, and a gun!

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