(Image courtesy of Google.com/doodle.)
This June is jumping with many themes, so of course I have no ‘proper’ focus for this month’s collection of posts. The first drive-in theater opened on the sixth of June in 1933 and that turned my focus to memories of the drive-in we used to go to when I was a child.
The space is gone now, of course. Replaced by a 12-screen theater on one side, a series of small shops on the other. What made it fun on ‘Friday Film night’ was the routine involved before getting there. PJ’s were the attire, complete with sweatshirt and blankets. Snacks were picked up at the ‘milk barn’ in town – pretzels, two candy bars and two favorite sodas. Dinner consisted of the chicken-box dinner complete with ‘spork’ – the greatest invention for small hands trying to keep the dinner mess contained to the box.
The spot paid for, speakers secured in the window, new friends were made at the swing set until the movie began. I can’t name any of the films I’ve seen there now. I can’t think of a time of remaining inside a drive-in lately (they are getting to be harder to find). Driving by the drive-ins provided a moment of ‘guess the film’ at night – the reader board hard to read at freeway speeds. Otherwise, it is almost a lost art. I’m sure enjoying a movie in a theater will be next (I’ve yet to go where a cell phone hadn’t rang, or someone wasn’t talking/texting/twittering during a key scene).
What fond theater memories do you have?
Tommia's Tablet 
In answer to your question about the fun at drive-in theaters. As high school students we would pile into the car that one with a family rich enough to buy a car for someone old enough to drive and have a blast. Later going there on dates with my to-be-husband, and later still with the children. It was a wonderful way to spend an evening. Twentynine Palms still has a drive-in theater, but now I have no one to go with me.
Sadly due to strict parents who thought drive-ins were for necking only, I never actually made it to one before they were gone. But I can totally relate to the trying to see the movie at speed on the highway. I thought they were cool forbidden places full of mystery and fun.
It’s wonderful how some new beginnings can be made at the theater (family, memories). I suppose if one were bold enough, one could find a theater still standing, and then hopefully some friends up for a fun adventure! Dare to try that or not….