Whatever happened to Drive In theatres, I can remember in my childhood my parents used to take us to the Drive In for dinner and movies, this was a real treat for us kids and there were four Drive in Theatre's near where we lived today we only have one drive in theatre and it doesn't even seem to be popular anymore...I used to think on a hot night there was nothing like going to the Drive In and even sitting out on a rug on the ground watching a good movie, does anyone still go to drive ins or are they nearly all gone now...
[question posted by lilaclady]
responses and comments:
Why, did they eliminate the drive inns? It seems that they were cheaper and easier to run? I dont think I have ever known the reason why. I loved them. I miss them.Didnt have to buy refreshments if you wanted to bring your own....those were the days...! [eaforeman6]
Thank you for that, hey maybe they will make a big come back...happy [lilaclady]
They were fun. I have no idea why they went out of vogue.. or whatever. I think you can still find one some places... there used to be one near where I used to live, but it turned into a junk yard.. and then after that it was cleared out and was bought up for a strip mall to go in there. [OreoCookie3]
I haven't seen one in years. I remember the "shell" of one that was seen just off the highway once in a town blinkI once passed through. They dies out I guess. It's just sad to think that they have all gone now. They looked so much more fun than a regular theatre in the summer time. Too bad that it's no longer an option.thumbdown I do actually remember once hearing about one somewhere. It was about ten years ago or so. Somebody told me about it. I didn't see it myself, just read their post. I think it would be really fun to go to one. happy [MH4444]
Around here money is the big issue. On the same space they use of a drive in they can build a movie theatre with 10 or more theaters inside. That will bring in more money. Or the land is just worth more. But I used to love the drive ins. When my children were little that was the only way we coild afford to go out. [Barbietre]
I have wondered about the same thing. I'm not old enough to remember when drive in theatres were overly popular, but I do remember one that we had in Owensound, near the cottage that we had when i was a child. It was a really neat place, and we got to see a lot of great movies there. [danishcanadian]
hi lilacady. How you been? Check this out. This drive in still is alive. They tried to close it down a whole bunch of times,but it stays afloat. I thought you might like to see it. www.bengies.com They have been around forever. We still go when we can. My dad use to take my mom in the sixties and then they took my brother a I and now we take our kids COOL RIGHT. Historical. [kenniem]
Once a year our old car club has a drive in movie at our fair grounds....they show the movie and you tune into a certain channel on the radio for the sound. I know up in the twin cities they still have two regular old fashioned drive in movies...I still remember when I was a kid every year for several years my parents would take us to the drive in movie for my birthday.....we saw Bambi every years! They were good times...especially when we were teens. After prom they would have dusk to dawn movies....but most of the time just double features! [jillhill]
We went to see the new Batman movie at the drive-in theater this summer. We had to drive an hour away to get to it. It was worth it though. We had a lot of fun. We used to go to drive-ins all the time when I was a kid too. I remember seeing Gremlins and then falling asleep before the second movie came on. happy [moneyandgc]
We have a couple of drive ins around us and we do try to get to at least one a summer you never know when those last few are going to close down too. I loved drive ins as a kid although I never liked having to clean the popcorn off the floors in the morning for my parents that was always a deal when we went to the drive in the kids had to clean the mess in the car from the treats. Oh the good ole days [teetee195]
Where we live we actually have 2 Drive-Ins very close to us. We go every weekend when it is open and take our kids and some of their friends at times. We go more to the one that you pay per car load, can fit quite a few in a van! We do up popcorn, grab some chips and pop and we are sit to go. We take the van seats out and sit them in front and the older kids sit there. We are right in the front of course. A nice night for the whole family! I have heard before that they have died down alot, so far we are lucky as both are still here. [Ithink]
They have one still working in San Antonia but others i'm sure are gone..many because of gangs attacking other people and or robbing them while they watched movies..stealing and breaking the speakers which costs to keep replacing.. sad since i loved them and had alot of fun times as a youngster and a teenager... [Rosekitty]
I am not sure what has happened to all the drive in theaters but I have heard a lot about them from my parents,when they were younger and people used to go on dates to drive in theaters,I do not think I have ever actually seen a drive in theater but they do sound awesome,and they should open more drive in theaters because they sound like an awesome experience,and a good way to go on a romantic date with the one that you love. [hellcowboy]
Hi lilaclady, Years ago it was quite popular in America but we never had anything like that here in the UK, I suppose they stop it because of crime wave, its not safe today as it was in the old days, sad really. Tamara [tamarafireheart]
We still have a few great ones here in Ohio. Its such a great time. I can remember many nights spent at the drive-in as a child and I now continue the tradition with my own family. I hope everyone can get out there and enjoy them before they are all gone. [ThirdMillion]
There is a drive in down the street from me. I love to go there and watch movies! It's so great to have the peace and quiet in my car so I can actually hear the movie and not the people whispering behind me in the regular theaters. The drive in is pretty popular in Ft. Lauderdale it's location (The Swap Shop) is also a big tourist attraction. [trudyanndac]
Hi lila, Oh, yes I do remember going to the drive in movies with the family. Sometimes me and my brother would go in our pj's! There was one left in a few towns over from where I live but it has been gone for years now. I used to love to go and sit in the car. It was so much fun! I don't know why they did away with them. It was kind of annoying with the speakers because half of them never worked and sometimes you would get a really big car in front of you and you couldn't see the screen and it was always so noisy, but there was just something so fun about going to the drive in movies. Oh, how I wish I could do that again! Another fond memory now long gone! Thanks for helping me remember lila! [Opal26]
They have all but disappeared. They have foound they can make a lot more money by charging for each seat, even for young ones. And when going into a building you certainly can not bring your own drinks and food. We do now have a drive in about 30 minutes from our home. They do like they use to, kind of. Babies get in free up to age 3. And younger people to age 9 or 11 pay $3 and everyone above that age is $5. The sounds are run through your own radio in you vehicle. So having a nice sound system helps. Use to there was these box metal speakers we put on the window of our vehicles. And we can take what we want in the form of food and drinks. And still buy from their concession if we choose to. Which we always do, lol. There is nothing like cinema hot popcorn. We take lawn chairs and blankets for added comfort. We love the drive in. [moondancer]
Oh yes how I remember so well. I grew up in a setting where we did always have enough to eat and a roof over our head but there where never extras. I went to school and when I got to where I wanted/needed spending money I had to work for every cent, which I have always been grateful for. My friends were good people but they never had extra cash any more than I did. My two most popular things to do was bowling and the drive in theatres. I can remember saving up my babysitting money or other money I earned and I looked forward to when one of my friends got permission to uae the family car to go to a drive in. I didn't even have a licence till I was over 20. There were times when there was 5 or 6 of us wanting to go but not everyone had the cash to go. Two or three of the skinny kids would hide in the trunk till we got accross the pay booth. I always paid and I was never one of the skinny ones probably because there was always awesome food served there as well as the best popcorn in the world, but you look back on this now. Too funny. Thank You for this post, does it ever bring back a blast from my past. [Grandmaof2]
I can remember Dad and Mom taking us to the drive in theater and it was a lot of fun. Mom would bring things to snack on in and a big blanket. There is one drive in theater where I live and it is not in town. I think the days of the drive in theater are a thing of the past almost. If you think about it you can watch a movie on the television or rent a tape and be in the comfort of your own home. [sunshinelady]
It certainly looks like they're all gone for real here in Trinidad too. The first one from years ago is now a shopping mall and the second one, out in the country, is still hanging on but you don't hear much about it except by seeing ads in the papers. The latest in Trinidad is two Movietowns but you need to have extra cash to go to them. They are expensive and the food offered is also top priced especially the one in town. [Bluepatch]
I saw drive in theatres only in movies. We don't have these types of theatres in my country. We never had. It would have been a wonderful experience because the weather really permits to have drive in theatre here. [ronaldinu]
I agree with you my first date was at a drive (with my big brother in the backseat) anyway our drivein was in ocala an is still there but its n ot very busy after I got married my hubby an I would take the kids but there was hardly anyone there you would think that would be a grat place to meet up with your friends or great family nite out [enola1692]
We had a drive though in a town near us until this last summer when a tornado ripped through the movie screen and they could not afford to replace it so we no longer have a drive in theater within driving distance. I have only been to a drive in theater once I went to see Cars and Pirates of the Caribbean part 2. [luvstochat]
We used to have over half a dozen drive-ins in this city but they're all gone. I remember the excitement of packing up the car, putting the kids in their pj's and packing blankets and pillows for them so they can sleep, having a bag of snacks (because the snack bar prices were too steep), a large bottle of soda for hubby and a small can of creme soda for me. I remember hubby fidgeting with the speaker to get it hooked on the window just right and then he would spend the first fifteen minutes or so, adjusting the volume.... ok, so that part of it used to drive me nuts LOL! We used to love the dusk to dawn matinee because we got to watch four movies for the same regular price. For us it was a cheap, fun night out that allowed us to take the kids along. [HomeFlower]
We dont have one here but I like the idea of drive in theaters. Just relaxing and watching a movie with your family is fun. I hope I could still experience that concept. [WATARIKENJI]
i remember going to some. at least we have the memories of things like that. i'm sure in some places they may have, but where i grew up all the Drive-In's were closed by the time i went into intermediate school. they probably closed down because of the costs of just running the place and the lack of customers. and with the economy now days here, people going to the regular movies are down. i haven't been to a movie since Wall-E. i mostly wait for things to come out to DVD because you spend just about the same amount anyway. prices are ridiculous. also i've heard those 'movie in the park' things are getting popular for family events. those are normally free though and can probably be more fun. [emarie]
We still have at least one drive-in theater in our area. There might be two... Our church folks often gets together to go to the drive-in in the summer and have a great time. [kenzie45230]
That's "get together" not "gets." [em[happy [kenzie45230]
I know what you mean there is only that I know of that is even remotely close to us and it's been awhile so I don't know it if is still even there. It's ashame because my kids are going to grow up without even knowing what a drive in theatre is. [christylynn]
With the introduction of Videos and now the DVD's home moveis were the way to go, far cheaper. Why go out when you can have the Movies at home. HICCUP/ [hiccup]
I grew up in Winnipeg and we had three drive ins, maybe four, I can't quite remember. We, as teenagers, went to the drive ins a lot. Of course we went without our parents and we used to party and drink while watching the movies with our friends. We were under age and now that I think about it, I sure am glad my kids didn't do that. By the time my kids were old enough I don't think there were many drive ins left. I think there is still one left that is open, today, but I agree with you, I don't think it is very popular. When my kids were young my husband and I would take them with us to see movies at a drive in, on long weekends because then they showed two movies for the price of one. Also back then they charged per car and not per person, so we would pack the kids into the back seat with their pajamas on and with pillows and blankets. We didn't need a babysitter this way and so it made it easier on our pocket books. I now live in Calgary and there isn't any drive ins open here. I kind of miss them and wish there was one because if there was I would definitly go. [chrislotz]
i have recently dicovered a drive in theatre near my place.about 45 minute drive away,here on the central coast of n.s.w.i recently took my children to see a coulple of movies there,as they have never been to see a movie before at a drive in theatre,and they had a ball.i remember as a child going all the time to see the drive in movies and having so much fun.we are going to go there in the summer months as i believe every one gets their barbies and deck chairs out and sit in front of the cars.sounds great.cheers sue [suehan1]
I think there is still one in my town but I never go so I don't know if it's still open, the building is there though I watched it in the movies, couples going to the drive in it's romantic maybe one day in summer I would ask hubby to take me there for my birthday [LittleMel]
lol my parents take me forcefully to drive in sometimes!! [deadlier]
I miss the drive-in experience. We have one here about 45 mins away but even now, its not the same atmosphere known from nostalgia. One movie that would have been close would be Grindhouse. I wish I would have seen that at the drive-in. That would have been so fun. [surfrider]
We have one very much alive and kicking in Cennai India.It is a fad here as it came just ten years back. [balasri]
I miss them, too! The last movie I saw at one was Rambo! LOL The one in my hometown has been made into a tractor place, a craft store, and something else I can't remember. One of the screens is still up! [littlebeansprout]
Yes it seemed that nearly every decent sized town in Australia has a Drive In Theatre when I was growing up. I can recall still being able to go to them in the early/mid-1970's, groups of friends jam packed into a car like sardines. Also when I was younger my parents would take us to the Drive In. Many of the younger children would be dressed in the same fashion. Nothing fancy at all but we would be in our pyjamas ready for bed as soon as we got home. My mother would take along some snacks and drinks for us but on special occassions we woukd be allowed t buy an ice cream from the snack bar. A few months ago I read an article which said there were now less than 20 Drive In theatres still operating in Australia. The article also said that many of those which are still operational are doing quite well. The reason many of them closed was because the land became very valuable and so the owners cashed in. The Drive In Theatres were often situated near the town boundary but as towns developed and expanded, houses started to encroach or surround the drive ins. So many of the owners opted to take the large amount of money being offered by the developers. Another huge reason for the downturn of customers at the Drive In was the videos coming onto the scene. People could join one of the video clubs, rent a movie and have a get together with their friends for a fraction of the cost of going out to the drive in theatre. I do think however that the younger generation have missed out on a lot by never seeing a movie at a Drive In theatre. [oldboy46]
Hello lilaclady its been awhile,yes I live about 5 miles from a drive-in theatre and we go there quit often when it is opened,I would rather go there instead of a walk-in. I really hope they dont become a thing of the past because I do enjoy it.The one right here is always busy so maybe it will stay opened for some time to come.You have a great night. [bfarrier1]
You know the sad thing is.... Winnipeg had the last Canadian standing drive in till last summer when it closed down. I wanted to go so bad but when I moved here I did not have a car, or a boy friend to take me. I started dating this guy just a month after it closed and he keeps telling me how he wish we could have gone since we both LOVE watching movies together. [keelymcilwain]
I've never been to a drive in movie. We have one in the suburbs around where I live. Tons of people I know have gone but I haven't. They are only open in the summer and play double features on weekends. [Monkeyrose]
I know where there is one. I only remember going once when I was a kid. It was fun. [howellslj]
I think most of the, here have become victims of redevelopement, with the rising land values in all the cities.The've been turned into housing estates. [missbdoll]
I had seen drive in theatres in the movie Grease. I never seen a drive in Theatres before here in our country How i wish it will come back and wish to experience watching movie for free. [grecychunny26]
Oh they weren't free infactome people would hide in the boot of the car so they didn't have to pay... [lilaclady]