SIMPLE SCENES: Seeing a drive-in movie

There’s nothing like a cool night, a warm date, and a cold drink at a drive-in movie.

It’s sad to read that this sunset entertainment is declining. In the 1960s, there were about 4,000 nationwide. Today, there are reportedly fewer than 200.

Drive-ins were places that welcomed children — many had playgrounds — several teenagers piled into one car, young romantics, and older people who enjoyed an open-air event.

At our neighborhood drive-in, they sold admission tickets “by the carload.” For $5, teens could bring in as many bodies as they could squeeze into a vehicle. This made the kid who owned a pickup truck a really popular guy.

But some teen couples — and young adults, too — didn’t want company. They wanted darkness and privacy, and they didn’t even care if the car speaker worked.

What about the movies? My favorite drive-in carried mostly older films and ran them as multiple features. These started around sundown and stayed onscreen until past midnight.

One evening near Halloween was really special. They showed a triple horror feature of The Birds, King Kong, and Dracula.

They called it “The Birds, The Ape, and the Guy with the Cape.”

Would you like to write the story of your life, your experiences, and your dreams? Here is a memoir company you might want to use: MEMORYGRAM.

Rix Quinn

Website |  + postsBio

Rix Quinn is a former magazine publisher who works as an independent biographer and broadcaster.

• Rix Quinn

  SIMPLE SCENES: Stock show
• Rix Quinn

  SIMPLE SCENES: Snake story
• Rix Quinn

  QUINN MINUTE: Multi-talented
• Rix Quinn

  QUINN MINUTE: Why I carry a business card