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Thursday, May 28, 2009

If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays - Drive-In Movie Theaters

Come join me for a very special edition of If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays! We'll be taking time out to share some memories. We'll Blog Back Time with possible ways to right past wrongs or about how times have changed. We'll share childhood memories, school/work memories, family and friend memories.
Today's topic is: Drive-In Movie Theaters
When I was a kid in the 60's and a teen in the 70's the Drive-In movies were the place to be to save a few bucks and see several movies. And when I was younger, it was my first experience in staying up past bedtime.
We had a Drive-In near our house, the 41 Twin Drive-In, in Franklin, WI, which later expanded to 4 screens. (They had 2 entrances, this was the South Entrance.) The first movies I saw were 101 Dalmations (1961) (which for some reason I always remembered as 1001) and Swiss Family Robinson (1960). Of course we went in my Dad's huge station wagon (with the wood on the side of course) and we wore our jammies. My parents were frugal and brought us treats so we wouldn't ask for the nasty snack bar stuff, but we still asked. They still said no. Lol! The lines to use the Ladies Room were forever for a kid. Photo from the 41 Twin Drive-In Snack Bar.
Later on in my teens I used to drive my friends to the shows on the weekends. When I turned 18 (18 was the legal drinking age back then) we would smuggle a case of Bohemian Club beer which cost us a whole $3.99. FOR THE CASE! It was nasty stuff, but surprisingly better than Hamm's or Old Milwaukee. And besides, we felt all cool because of the name. In the summer we'd go to the drive-in nearly every day. We never snuck anyone in the trunk, but we did sneak in beer and munchies. Our neighbor down the street was one of the money takers when you drove in and he was charged with using a flashlight to find hiden beer and people. I always looked too goody-two-shoes for him to even suspect. He would always do a cursory wave of his flashlight and let me pass. I wasn't at all friends with him, it's just that he never suspected I would have beer hiden.

The drive-in would have annual scary movie fests and, annual Russ Meyer Film Festivals. I would always make sure I'd go back to see the Russ Meyer's Film Fests more than once. And oddly enough, not for the obvious reason. REALLY! (I didn't know I was a lesbian at the time.) I watched them for the pure enjoyment of how ridiculous they were. And the plots were ridiculous! I would watch them and laugh my ass off. Movies like Wild Gals of the Naked West (1962), Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965), Vixen! (1968), Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls (1970), Supervixens (1975), and of course Beneath The Valley Of The Ultra-Vixens (1979). Back then people thought they were dirty movies. I don't recall any nudity. I do recall that all the women were busty, VERY busty and basically dressed like Daisy Duke all the time.

I did manage to take my kids to the same drive-in in 2001 when they were ages 4 and 6. We watched Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001). That was the main movie, no one seems to recall the other movie, though I do recall the kids fell asleep shortly after the movie started.

The 41 Twin Drive-In is no more. Several years ago it was torn down and replaced by an office building. Sad to see it go. It was such good times.

So, what's your 'Drive-In Movie Theater story? Come on! I'm sure if you're my age or older, or even a bit younger, I'm sure you have your drive-in tales. Now it's your turn. Please post your Drive-In Movie Theater Memory on your blog. Then come back to Lola's Diner and leave the actual post link here. Please grab the html code for If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays! Badge HERE. Please note these links are STRICTLY for If I Could Blog Back Time Thursdays! participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH MR. LINKY LATELY THAT APPEAR NOT TO HAVE BEEN RESOLVED.
PLEASE POST A LINK TO YOUR "DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATER MEMORY" IN THE COMMENTS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE AWARE OF YOUR PARTICIPATION. THANK YOU!


Lola's Diner
©2008-2009

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Another great Thursday blog idea, thank you so much for doing this. I have a blast going down memory lane...

http://shaunispeaks.blogspot.com/

I am Harriet said...

I blogged back time with who else...Sonny and Cher hour! Woohoo!

Auntie E said...

I remember going to the Drive-In while in College. We would go, but rarely watched the show,LOL. That about All I remember of them. A Great social Hangout.

Anonymous said...

First time joining and I LOVE this question!!
Mine's posted HERE

 
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