6/22/08

US thing I have always wanted to do

Ever since I fell in love with 'Grease' I have always wanted to see a movie in my car at a Drive-In movie theatre. We only ever got to see it in the movies and it seemed like such a cool thing to be able to do!

We just do not have the weather in the UK for such a thing and it has always seemed like such a fun thing to do. The Hubster thinks there is still one open in OK somewhere and we know there is not too far away in Texas. So maybe one day I will get to achieve this ambition.

Have any of you ever done this and if so, what did you think, I would love to hear firsthand experiences?

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, Sarah, I think the drive in movies are pretty cool. How funny, we drove by one (I think it is the only one left around here) yesterday on the way home from the outing. The boys have never been to one and we are planning on taking them one day soon. It has been a long time since I have gone to a drive in but I know that I did enjoy it.

Chellie said...

I think there is still one in Guthrie, but maybe it's gone now too. I haven't been since I was a child so I can't say that I really remember the experience. It's too bad that they are becoming obsolete. Some things in the past were just cool!

A Novelist said...

I've only been to a few drive-in movies growing up and it was when I was in high school. Many of the drive-in theatres had closed down, except for one in my hometown, which was recently demolished 5 years ago to build a shopping mall.

Anyway, people at my school mainly went to the drive-in to meet with friends. Once the movie started, we'd sit for a moment, trying to hear the sound as we sat with a row of other cars in front of us. It wasn't state of the art sound and picture, but it was a fun experience. After a little bit, we'd get out of the car and go to the concession stand, ordering popcorn and coke while gossiping with friends.

That's really the only thing I can truly remember about the drive-in movie; gossiping with my friends. Nobody really remained in their cars unless they wanted to "make-out." Needless to say, I was always at the concession stand. LOL.

Linda Jennings said...

Absolutely, I remember Saturday night was "date night" at the drive-in. There was not a lot of movie-watching going on! The windows were too steamy! (I hope my daughters don't find this comment!!) Our local drive-in theater disappeared years ago, in the late 1970's or early 1980's. The comfort of an air conditioned theater and not having to fight mosquitoes took over!

Pam said...

Oh girl, you must try the drive-in!

We grew up going to drive-ins. On the fourth of July, they would have fireworks shows, and everyone went there to see the display. This was before the city started organizing their own shows. There was always a few swing sets up by the snack bar where the kids would go play until it got dark enough for the movie to start. Usually it was a triple feature with the main movie playing second. Some folks would bring their lawn chairs and stake out two parking spots, which was annoying if the place was busy. Oh, and woe to the person who left early and drove through with their lights on ... they would get angry honks from all the other cars. Same would happen if the film broke and it took too long to get it back up and running.

Mom would bring a big bag of buttered popcorn and we'd bring our pillows, because inevitably we'd be asleep before the third movie was over. I can still remember being carried into the house by my dad after falling asleep in the car at the drive-in.

Later on, the drive-in was date night and mom wouldn't let us go alone with a boy -- maybe if another couple was going. But what you did was go in a car full of your girlfriends to the drive-in and then meet up with the boys there. Usually the boys tried to sneak someone in via the trunk just to save a few dollars of admission, or maybe just to get by with it. And who knew what the movie was at that point because the night just turned into a make-out session! Mostly innocent making out anyway! But you better be able to name the movies by the time you got home and was grilled by mom about the evening's events!

There is still one open down here by us called the Winchester. It has a neon cowboy on the sign and he waves at you to come in and watch the movies.

Christy said...

Hi,
Nice blog! There is still a drive in here in Tennessee. It is not too far from my house. I haven't gone yet but I know you get to see 2 movies. Cool!!
I loved Grease too. I wanted to be Rizzo and all of my friends wanted to be Sandy.hehe
Christy

Mary (Bookfan) said...

The first drive-in movie I saw was Goldfinger. I was in my early teens. Then I remember going to see Aliens with my husband when we were newlyweds. I did NOT enjoy the movie but I DID enjoy the company ;~)

Rhea said...

I don't remember ever doing this, but it would be fun to experience once!! I agree.

Veronica said...

There are a few of them around here--you're always welcome to come to Ohio! :) Yes, I grew up going to the Drive-ins and have always loved it. I especially loved not being stuck in the house when my kids were tiny because I could just take them along in the car. Plus, we could take our own snacks and not pay a fortune at the concession stand. Hope you go soon and have a blast!

Snippety Gibbet said...

I went to the drive in as a little kid and through my teen years. Of course, in my teen years, on dates, we fogged up the car windows too bad to actually see what was on the movie screen.

Melessa Gregg said...

There two that my husband, kids, and I still go to frequently: One in Oklahoma City (not our favorite) and one in Chickasha that we adore. I also think the one in Guthrie is still open and I know there was one for sale a few years ago in Weatherford. Once we had kids, we preferred the drive-in to the regular theatre because we could confine the kids so that they didn't disturb the other people at the movie. They are all old enough now for the regular theatre, but we still go to the drive-in at least twice each summer.

Unknown said...

Well it sounds like I need to do this sometime - Pam we may have to go when we visit you, separate cars mind you!

Thanks for all your lovely tales of the drive-in and I thought you were all such 'good girls'! ;-)

The Diva said...

We have one in Guthrie. It isn't gone. There's also one in south OKC, I think. You should definitely go. It's an experience. You should also walk to the concession stand and get a large popcorn and some cokes.~~Dee

Anonymous said...

Melessa is correct -- there are still drive-ins in Oklahoma. I googled for "Oklahoma drive in movie" and here's a site that lists various locations, including Weatherford:

http://www.driveinmovie.com/OK.htm

Good luck - keep us posted on the experience!

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

I'd LOVE to go to a Drive In movie too!! Let us know if you get to one!

Victoria xx

dabrah said...

I used to live in Georgetown, Guyana, many many years ago, and there was a drive-in movie there that we went to regularly. While you were waiting to go into the drive-in, you could watch the end of the previous movie. There was a snack bar there, and you could buy the usual fizzy drink, but no potato chips, they only had plantain chips. It was a lot more fun and nicer than going to the regular movies.