The Ten Commandments. The Bridge Over The River Kwai. I Want to Live. Ben Hur. Some Like It Hot. Spartacus.
Know that they have in common? I saw them at a drive-in movie, with my parents. Of course, that drive-in, like most of the drive-ins around the US is long gone. (So is the Indian reservation that was about 1/2 mile away on Sunrise Highway.) I took my older children to drive-ins- but that drive-in closed when the local sheriff killed its owner. Not the typical way these relics have disappeared.
The drive-in theater opened in New Jersey (Pennsauken) 80 years ago- June 1933. They reached their heyday when the movies listed above were playing- with about 4000 of them across the USA. (That meant that 1/3 of the movie theaters were drive-ins.) Now, they are literally decimated- only 357 survive. (There are 9 in Virginia! And, one of them grosses a whopping $ 460K a year…)
Most of the drive-ins disappeared because the value of the land makes using it to show movies at night (which means they make money on weekends and some summer weekday nights) not a very profitable proposition. Which is why most of the locations are in rural areas, where the price of land has not exploded.
But, now there is a new threat. The end of 35 mm film. That’s right, movies are now digital. And, this could be the real death knell for the drive-in movie theater. Because it is going to cost each of the 357 theaters about $ 140K to update. (Outside projectors need to generate more light to reach their screens than do conventional indoor theaters.) And, that surround sound? Not going to happen at the drive-in, either.
Let’s assume they can hold 300 cars- and sell out each weekend. That means they need to raise their prices $ 2- just to buy the digital projectors. (You should know that these theaters make their money from concessions- the candy, pop, and ice cream that we buy. (And, since it is a drive in, it’s a lot harder for the owners to stop us from bringing our own food to the venue.) And, if it rains? No sale.
Take your kids before it’s too late.
I have only been to one drive-in one time and I was in my twenties. I found it rather boring, but I grew up watching those movies you mentioned in theaters on Saturday afternoons. I remember that the 10 Commandments came around every year and it was so long they had an intermission both for food breaks and stretch breaks. And the theater was a real theater with a stage and everything.
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I enjoyed the fact that I could walk around at the theater. And, get a better choice of junk food (ice cream, cotton candy, etc.) than I could at the regular movies. Now, I go to movie theaters that serve sandwiches, coffee, etc., so I don’t miss the food. But, if I were going with little kids- having a playground and places for them to move around is a tremendous plus, Ann.
I could only go to a drive-in cinema when visiting The States. I did it when I was 10 and I can still remember the movie vividly; it was A Shot In The Dark. I completely loved it.
Yes, they seemed to have been an American innovation (sic). One that I personally will miss when they do disappear. Glad you had a chance to sample them, Gustavo!
I thought the title was talking about me, Roy. All I can say (besides sharing this on social media) is that – our local discount movie theatre had to find ways to raise money because of the need to get digital equipment. I fear you are right, Roy.
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I hadn’t thought of the discount movie houses, Alana! Thanks for reminding me that it’s not just the drive-ins that need to modernize their equipment.
This is really sad. I mean really, really sad. I have never been to one but there are a few in SC. MUST go soon with the kids.
Yes, you should Alessa! But bring lots of money if you bring the kids- the food is very inviting!
Oh, this makes me sad. The high cost of progress in the movies, I guess. When we were in college, we saw a lot of drive-in movies in Arkansas, sitting on top of our old car to catch the evening breeze. It was fun and a special time.
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Me, too, Amy… Of course, living in a city makes finding those outdoor delights a little tougher (since the price of the land is so dear)…
Maybe I’ll have to travel to your neck of the woods to find a bunch..
Oh my gosh, that would be such a shame. I went to the drive in with my mom all the time. I loved drive-in movies because my brother and I could fall asleep in the back seat. We always got to eat junk. And it was one of those things that was fun that we got to do with our mom.
I saw E.T. at the drive thru. It was awesome. My brother fell in love with Reese Pieces that night. The drive ins near me are all closed now. I wish they were still open because I think my little ones would love it.
Really hope that some of them are able to make the leap to the new equipment, but with a price like that it will probably be quite a stretch. Thanks for sharing Roy.
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Your second and third sentences are EXACTLY my memory, Gen!
I hope they survive, as well. Of course, that means we have to frequent them!
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This is such an American thing to do! It can’t disappear, can it? I will always remember the drive-in in Grease. I have never been to one but totally must go next time I am in the States.
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Ah, yes, Muriel. There’s yet another reason for you to take that journey across the pond!
Thanks for the visit and comment.
It is a very American thing to do, but will it last? http://t.co/RvUhc3PkgA via @Adjuvancy
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We have a drive in about 40 minutes from us and I haven’t been to it yet. There was just an article in our local paper about this particular drive in and how they considered closing its doors because of the cost of going digital. I believe they are staying open and now I feel more of an urgency to go.
Yes, Suerae- you should. To insure it survives- and to obtain the experience for yourself!
Thank you for the walk down memory lane. I remember drive ins.
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And, why do you not visit them now? (Bet your kids would love them, too!)
If i recall properly, there is one pretty close to your neck of the woods?
80 y old- Last Legs? http://t.co/26wId55Ivo
80 y old- Last Legs? http://t.co/EkicfCBblH via @Adjuvancy
I remember going to the drive in when I was a kid. I’d get to be in my PJs in the car with blankets. I saw E.T., Grease, and a few more. It was a huge treat. One of my artist friends has a “drive in” style movie in his back yard through the summers on Friday nights. I plan on doing that next summer on Saturday nights for the neighbors…at least once a month. It’s a fun thing, one of the many fun things our younger generation is going to miss out on.
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Yes, Lisa, that must have been cute and fun.
Our “town” has “outdoor” movies every Saturday night (not in the rain)… And, the next “town” over has then once a month. Even the US government has done some on the mall…
But, that’s not quite the same experience.
This is a story that made the news on this side of the pond Roy.
They never took off over here, so always seen as classic ‘American’ – I agree that if people haven’t gone, they should, because although the odd one or two will go digital, they will be effectively museum pieces rather than the real thing – shame, but that’s progress, eh?
Cheers,
Gordon
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So sorry that you never had the opportunity to partake, Gordon!
I have many, many fond memories. (OK- let’s make this clear- as a child, as a teen, and as a parent…)