Saturday, June 26, 2010

Romance at the Drive-Ins???






"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

16 comments:

Terry Spear said...

I'm off to work, hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday!!!

Ana Morgan said...

I remember seeing M*A*S*H at the Oceanside, CA drive-in four nights in a row. It was riotous, with so much anti-Vietnam War sentiment.
Ana Morgan

Terry Spear said...

How interesting, Ana! I saw so many of the epic movies at the drive-ins that I used to think if I saw a lion roaring in the beginning, gladiators would appear. :)

We watched Grease more recently and it seemed appropriate!

Lorrri said...

I loved the commercials for refreshments - dancing hothots that jumped into buns, walking softdrink cups. The big clock that counted down to show time- too funny. Thanks for sparking a memory.

Sheila Tenold said...

Terry, I guess I'm dating myself, but I remember spotlights on cars.
During intermission at the drive-in you would "chase" other spotlights on the dark screen, darting here and there. I recall my dad letting me use the passenger side one. Yeah, we had double spotlights. How cool is that!
After 14 years our local drive-in reopened. Toy Story 3 is playing tonight. I'll pop corn, grab a cooler for drinks and my DH and I will join other famiies for a cheap night at the movies.

Jill James said...

When I was a teenager we still had a drive-in in our town. I remember when it was carload night and you crammed as many people as possible into one car for $3.00 at the movies. We all had to chip in our change for the admission and gas. LOL

JACLYN DI BONA said...

Hi, Terry,

When I was a senior in high school, I went with my boyfriend to a drive in. We were snuggling in the front seat, when a loud tap on the window made us jump.

With a shake of his finger, my father's grinning face greeted us and and his loud voice echoed, "move over." You're here to watch a movie. We never went to a drive in again.

It's uncanny how parents always know where you are.

JACLYN

Terry Spear said...

Sheila, how fun! That's super neat that they've reopened yours! I wish they'd do that here. :) Have fun at the drive-ins! And give your DH a hug for me!

Jill, that sounds like fun! Someone told me they sneaked in more kids into the trunk of the car because it was a fee for each. :)

LOL, you poor thing, Jaclyn! Scarred for life. Or...ahem, maybe saved from a fate worse than death. LOL :) Thanks for sharing! I think I would have been like you--never going again for fear my dad would catch me at it again!

Terry Spear said...

Lorri, I missed you! I remember the hot dogs. I was trying to think if they used to have the Pink Panther cartoons, but that might have been later. :) I'd forgotten about the big clock. We would play on the playground until it got dark for the movies. And then curl up underneath the window in the backseat to watch the movie!

Mona Risk said...

Terry, you brought back fond memories. LOL Drive-ins were such fun. My sister was dating the owner's son and we ended up having free passes. We were there every week.

Hey, Jaclyn, I thought you were a perfectly respectable lady. Snugling in the car at the drive-in. Tsik, tsik, lady!!

Terry Spear said...

Wow, Mona, that's too cool. Except you all had to be on your best behavior if the owner was watching out, right??? :)

Josie said...

I fondly remember the drive-in movies as a kid. Usually the movies we saw were family friendly or truly scary.

Terry Spear said...

Ohmigosh, Joanne, I never thought of watching a scary movie at the drive-in! That would be really scary!

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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.
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