Do Call It a Comeback
An article on CNN.com [that is no longer available] brought back a flood of great memories. When I was a kid, mom [and sometimes dad] used to load my brother and sisters up in the car and off to the drive-in we’d go.It wasn’t unusual for us to make a stop at a little stand that sold the best popcorn and candy. The place was hardly bigger than a phone booth. [What’s that? You’ve never seen a drive-in or a phone booth?] That little shop was where I first experienced flavored salts for popcorn. Celery salt was my favorite. Sounds pretty mundane now, but back in the 60’s that was a big deal.
We’d get to the movies early so we could go down to the playground [all drive-ins had a playground consisting of some swings, teeter-toters and that octagon shaped thing that you’d push around as fast as possible with the hope of getting someone dizzy]. Parents would just send their kids down to the playground without supervision. It was a different time then. We’d head back to the car before the movie started. Usually my sisters and brother would be pretty tired and fall asleep before the second movie. Me, I was there until the end.
When I was old enough to drive, drive-ins were still popular. I loved the fact that you could always count on at least a double feature and sometimes you’d get real lucky and there’d be a marathon of sorts. Usually it was monster movies [who doesn’t like those?] or comedies, or even a mismash of genres. I hit the drive-ins [we had two in our town] almost weekly and since we lived in Florida at this point, we could go year round.
It’s said that video killed the radio star. I don’t know about that, but I do know that video killed the drive-in theater. According to some reports, drive-ins have been making a comeback the last few years. I hope that’s true because, man, I miss those days.
Every year in summer they’re building a temporary drive-in here in Brussels. They show american blockbusters from the year before.
great pic master Craig! Thanks for sharing!
Oscar
There is actually a Drive In down the street from me thats still open!
Saint Jaymez
Oct 17, 2008, 4:11pm, crowmagnumman wrote:
That’s an awesome picture Craig. I remember seeing that one in a book a long time ago.
There’s a drive-in in my town, and it’s pretty popular.
You’re lucky to have one in your town. I hope that it is very popular!
Oct 18, 2008, 4:02am, SheriffFreddyHeflin wrote:
I hope drive-in’s make a comeback. Growing up, all I heard were stories of them from my parents and other family members. I would have loved the drive-in movie experience.
+++++
You would have loved it. No doubt about that!