Blog 711 – 08.03.2017
The Vanishing Drive-in Movies

Many people living in or near the larger cities in the United States no longer have a drive-in movie theater within driving distance. The first drive-in movie opened in New Jersey in 1933. I was born mid twentieth century and drive-in movies were an important part of my childhood and coming of age. As a child I played on the playground just below the screen till it got dark enough for the movie to start. And later as a teen participated in more serious play with my girl friend who later became my first wife. The rock anthem of a few years later always comes to mind, Night Moves, and especially the line: “Working on mysteries without any clues, working on those night moves.”

Drive-in movies are the subject of many wonderful memories for many of us fortunate enough to have frequented them. Why, some of us even saw a movie while not otherwise engaged in “submarine races” ourselves or watching others so occupied. It was the teenaged dream date, your best girl or guy and a burger, fries, and a Coke or the ever favorite movie treats popcorn and candy. Add to that lots of hugging, kissing, and exploration and oh my what could be more perfect. Even long into adulthood and long after the children are grown with popcorn eaters of their own, dinner and a movie always brings back sweet memories of drive-in movie dates.

The drive-in movie theaters may be vanishing across the United States and the world but their legacy remains in our hearts. I have been fortunate this last year living and working in South Central Wisconsin to be near the Richland Center Starlight 14 Drive-In Theater. Movies play Friday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day, two feature films beginning at dark and it is hard for an older guy to stay awake for that second feature with out napping through the first. Most often I just stay for the first one,  being a lifelong kid at heart. The Starlite 14 Drive-In opened in 1952 just two years after I came to America and she was packed last Friday night.

Someone has said movies are what books were to previous generations. I still love a good book and many great movies are made from great books. Here’s to reading in the dark and in a parked car if at all possible.

Your friend, fellow traveler,
and drive-in movie enthusiast,
David White