Drive in movie theater
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NCL4701
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There are still a few around here. The Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre and Eden Drive In Twin are still operating so far as I know.
We have been to the Brightleaf in Mount Airy several times. We’d take our son and usually a friend or two of his, park the truck backwards in the stall, and sit in camp chairs in the back of the truck to watch the movie. They shut down a while ago; I think around 2010. It was a fun outing when the weather cooperated.
We have been to the Brightleaf in Mount Airy several times. We’d take our son and usually a friend or two of his, park the truck backwards in the stall, and sit in camp chairs in the back of the truck to watch the movie. They shut down a while ago; I think around 2010. It was a fun outing when the weather cooperated.
ken erickson
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This thread is a blast in the past for me! Thanks!
My dad was a police officer on the Menomonee Falls Wi police department back in the day. The two outdoor theaters encouraged off duty officers to bring their families and watch movies by giving free passes to be on hand to keep the peace if necessary.
The two theaters where the Starlite and the Victory. Notice the alternate spelling of theatre that the Starlite used.
Lots of good memories sitting in the back of a 58 Buick Special watching movies, trying to hear the dialog out of the speaker, and falling asleep to B movies!
My dad was a police officer on the Menomonee Falls Wi police department back in the day. The two outdoor theaters encouraged off duty officers to bring their families and watch movies by giving free passes to be on hand to keep the peace if necessary.
The two theaters where the Starlite and the Victory. Notice the alternate spelling of theatre that the Starlite used.
Lots of good memories sitting in the back of a 58 Buick Special watching movies, trying to hear the dialog out of the speaker, and falling asleep to B movies!
Pretty cool. We had the 'Chief Drive-In' in Austin, Tx. where I grew up. Opened in 1947, closed in 1973. It would park 815 cars. Watched many a movie there and had some wonderful dates and have fond memories of a simpler time.
These days of Political Correctness/Woke....I'm sure the theater would have to change its name, so as not to 'offend' some snowflakes.
fried1765
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Yup.....
Same here....less than a mile away, and still going strong......Summer only.
I worked there Summers 1957 -1961
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One of the best places to go for make out sessions as a teenager. 
And of course trying to sneak some friends in while they where in the trunk. Had three in the area where I grew up. South Twin, Ronnie’s, and 66 park in. All closed in the early 80’s.. Those where the days !!
And of course trying to sneak some friends in while they where in the trunk. Had three in the area where I grew up. South Twin, Ronnie’s, and 66 park in. All closed in the early 80’s.. Those where the days !!RCW
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Yep, we had two nearby and 5-6 in the region. All but one gone.
One left was recently sold. About 45 minutes from our current location.
I think asking price was $300k, which isn’t bad considering the amount of land alone.
Couple folks thought I should consider it but I can’t stay up until dark most of the summer….
One left was recently sold. About 45 minutes from our current location.
I think asking price was $300k, which isn’t bad considering the amount of land alone.
Couple folks thought I should consider it but I can’t stay up until dark most of the summer….
The “Galaxy” is still in business on I-45 southeast of Dallas near Ennis, Tx.
Attending college at SFA, Nacogdoches in 1967-68 we’d drive down to Apple Springs, Tx to get to the closest beer …(back when ”dry” counties were more common in Texas)… we’d get a couple cases and drive back to ‘doches to pack as many guys as possible into the trunk to get into the theatre.
Parents got my 2nd semester grades and yanked me out of SFA .. back home to Houston….and, being on scholastic-probation….entered San Jacinto Jr. College to get my grade-points back up so I could enroll at U of H…if didn’t get drafted in the meantime…
Attending college at SFA, Nacogdoches in 1967-68 we’d drive down to Apple Springs, Tx to get to the closest beer …(back when ”dry” counties were more common in Texas)… we’d get a couple cases and drive back to ‘doches to pack as many guys as possible into the trunk to get into the theatre.
Parents got my 2nd semester grades and yanked me out of SFA .. back home to Houston….and, being on scholastic-probation….entered San Jacinto Jr. College to get my grade-points back up so I could enroll at U of H…if didn’t get drafted in the meantime…
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OH MAN, talk about flash backs,,, sometimes we would ride out bikes the the drive in and got in free, use to sit right up front and turn the speakers up full blast so we could hear, That one closed back inthe 70s and then it was sold and they built condos on it. Another one closed they turned in to a ford dealer and another in to a Sunday flea market. I dont know if life was simpler back then, or maybe we were just young and care free
Yep, we had two nearby and 5-6 in the region. All but one gone.
One left was recently sold. About 45 minutes from our current location.
I think asking price was $300k, which isn’t bad considering the amount of land alone.
Couple folks thought I should consider it but I can’t stay up until dark most of the summer….
Unadilla ? I live about 3 miles from there, go a couple times a year with the kids and grand kids. Mark
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The one that I used to frequent was on Rt 9 in Livingston NJ. It was a state auto inspection station by day and a drive-in at night. The inspection station operated all year round, and the theater only from late spring to mid-fall.
We had two close by a long time ago, the Midway Drive-In between Goshen and Elkhart on US33, and the Starlite on old US20 at the west county line road. The Midway was torn down and a Sam's Club went in, the Starlite became a Wal-Mart.
Lots of memories of times at the Midway! My old '59 Buick had a BIG back seat.
Lots of memories of times at the Midway! My old '59 Buick had a BIG back seat.
Yep Nacogdoches County didn't go 'wet' until 1971 (and then only part of the county).The “Galaxy” is still in business on I-45 southeast of Dallas near Ennis, Tx.
Attending college at SFA, Nacogdoches in 1967-68 we’d drive down to Apple Springs, Tx to get to the closest beer …(back when ”dry” counties were more common in Texas)… we’d get a couple cases and drive back to ‘doches to pack as many guys as possible into the trunk to get into the theatre.
Parents got my 2nd semester grades and yanked me out of SFA .. back home to Houston….and, being on scholastic-probation….entered San Jacinto Jr. College to get my grade-points back up so I could enroll at U of H…if didn’t get drafted in the meantime…
Neighboring Angelina County (Lufkin) not until 2006.
Until then....there were big drive-thru liquor stores at the River Bridge (county line) where all the folks from Angelina County would go.
Apple Springs would have been a pretty good drive....back then.
RCW
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Bmyers
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The first movie I went to was at a drive-in and it was to see the movie Tank.
Sadly, that drive-in has long been torn down. I believe Litchfield still has drive-in theater.
Sadly, that drive-in has long been torn down. I believe Litchfield still has drive-in theater.
We just moved to Southington, CT - about 11 miles from our old house. This drive-in:
is less than 2 miles from the house. The town purchased the property years ago and operates it.
I remember spending time here as a kid many years ago.
is less than 2 miles from the house. The town purchased the property years ago and operates it.
I remember spending time here as a kid many years ago.
Yep…. and driving the old beater-Ford my college-buddy had required us to purchase 3 or 4 quarts of “bulk oil” (8-cents each) at the gas station to make the trip without the oil light coming-on.