America, bring back the Drive-In movie theatres!

It's Saturday night and you are about to go drop $50 for a movie night at your local theatre. You have four little children and don't want the added cost of a babysitter. You remember in your youth, your parents loaded you up in the back of the station wagon with sleeping bags and pillows.

Drive-in movies playing double features were so worth the money. You got all the kids there watching a movie and having the ability to fall asleep in comfort while you and the husband held hands and cuddled during the second film.

The drive in movie theatres fell out of fashion in the early 60's in the US and then had a small surge again in the late 70's. Now you are lucky if you can find one within an hour's drive. It's a shame.

Would you like to see more Drive-ins? Or are you happy with just the boring old movie theatre?

Comments: 11

Paula Love Jul 7, 2007, 2:12pm UTC

we actually have two within 20 minutes of us. We really don't go anymore though as it gets to be so packed with the underage partiers and you cannot really enjoy the movie due to all of the commotion the teens are creating. We'll just stick to going to the local blockbuster or hollywood video and renting a few movies for the weekend.

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Stacey "Yeah, I Said It" H. Jul 7, 2007, 2:14pm UTC

We still have one here in Atlanta, the Starlight Drive-In Theatre on Moreland Avenue and we go any chance we get! They have a monster movie marathon, it's just like the old days! The only difference is that instead of those crappy speakers that hung on to the side of your window, you now tune your AM radio to a specific frequency. It's economical, as you pointed out, and the experience is far better than one can have in a traditional movie theatre. Plus, you can go in your PJ's if you wanted to! Bring back the drive-ins!

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Marsha L. Jul 7, 2007, 2:16pm UTC

Wow - drive-in theaters! I remember them back when I was a kid. My parents use to pack food and juices and my two sisters, brother and me in their buick and take us to the movies. Wow! such memories. Here in San Bernardino County, California, there's only a few drive-in theaters. I prefer drive-ins as opposed to theaters!

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Rob Appell Jul 7, 2007, 2:20pm UTC

I have a Drive-In theater 10 minutes down the highway...and in all my life living here; I've never gone to it...and they show triple features! It doesn't matter what venue the motion pictures play in. If they don't hold my interest; I'll fall asleep 10 minutes after the movie starts no matter where I'm watching it.

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John Coonen Jul 7, 2007, 2:29pm UTC

Jamie, Good call. I vote "aye." Problem is, the market says "nay."

Bowling allies and community service groups are going by the wayside too, as we continue to go into cocoon mode here in the USA.

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♥ Di ☮ ~ extreme spitfire! Jul 7, 2007, 2:45pm UTC

We have one 5 minutes down the road from us. It doubles as one of the largest flea markets in New England. My Mom brought me there growing up and I've been bringing my now 16 year old son since he was a toddler. The last time we went was 3 weekends ago to see the new Fantastic Four movie and Ocean's 13. I feel very lucky to have one so close by. :-)

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Carmen Y. Jul 7, 2007, 3:29pm UTC

Yes, I have drive-in movies myself. We always looked forward to the drive-in every summer. I think the last time I went as an adult was in 1986.

I remember every summer when my mom would fix a big batch of popcorn, make some sandwiches and we would all head out to the nearest drive-in. My sister and I would go to the swings, then my dad would come over and get us when the movie was ready to start. Then my sis and I would get into our PJ's and watch the movies on the big screen. So much fun!

When my son was small I would take him to the drive-in (but he doesn't remember it). Oh, well!

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Heather - child of God, C. Jul 7, 2007, 3:35pm UTC

I remember drive ins in the 50's when I went as a child. In the late 80's -90's we had one near us in Pa and it was the best time with the kids!!

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jacqueline fischer f. Jul 7, 2007, 4:20pm UTC

i still love drive ins, luckily theres still one within an hours drive from my home.

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Jennifer G. Jul 7, 2007, 10:47pm UTC

I would love it if they brought Drive-In Theaters back! They were so much fun!

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America, bring back the Drive-In movie theatres!

Comments: 11

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