The Drive-In Movie: A Kinky Family Institution Celebrates 75 Years

The Drive-In movie, 75 years old this summer, has had a lot of different identities. In its heyday in the 1950s, the 4,000 theaters across the States served the parents of the baby boom generation as a place to watch a flick – or a double-bill – without the expense of a babysitter.

For $1 per car, my parents would load me and my brother into the back seat with blankets, pillows, favorite stuffed animals and a full picnic. As we fought over our salami-on-bagel sandwiches, we could be quieted with promises of a trip during intermission to the concession stand – the real source of the Drive-Ins’ profits. No other patron was bothered by our whining or when my mother reached over the back seat to slap us.

We’d arrive early, especially if the Drive-In had a playground, and await twilight, when the movies could start. Those tacky rectangular speakers would hook over my dad’s window and we’d struggle to hear the soundtrack. I remember with pleasure when the season was extended by the addition of individual heaters for the cars, so I was horrified to read in Wikipedia of the problems when some theaters stepped up the technology by installing “underground ducts.” “[D]ue to their frequency of becoming homes for rodents, many people actually ended up with a car full of mice instead.”

But it was in the 1960s, when boomers were teenagers, that we really got our money’s-worth out of the Drive-Ins. Known then as “passion pits,” Drive-Ins were the perfect date destination. Thinking back, the whole experience was quite kinky. The public/private boundary was blurred as we sat within our Studebaker or Dodge Dart, necking hungrily. We ignored the families all around us as we sank deep in the seats which, thankfully, were not encumbered by bucket seats or floor gearshifts (which were generally on the steering column then).

Often we were double-dating, so the Drive-Ins introduced us to exhibitionism and voyeurism too. Sometimes I’d be fighting off the unwelcome hands of a date I didn’t fancy, while my girlfriend was loudly sucking face in the front seat with some guy. As the edgy director John Waters said on a BBC report (which you can view here) about the 75th anniversary, “It was the only place you could drink and have sex.”

Today there are only 400 Drive-Ins left and they’re struggling. They are property-hungry, they can only operate in decent weather and after sunset, and new media have delivered many movie options to the public. Most Drive-Ins have Flea Markets, Swap Meets or golf ranges during the daylight, but that doesn’t ensure their financial viability. Apparently, though, boomer nostalgia is fueling a bit of a come-back. It’s not just a flash from the past though. The increased comfort of our cars; the freedom to smoke, burp, chatter or moan; and our renewed passions combine to make it once again the perfect boomer date place.

Here’s an evocative 10-minute montage of Drive-In Intermission Films. Watch a few illuminating minutes of it for a window on the social messages being pushed during the 50s and 60s: from cold war patriotism to urgings that you go to church and the PTA to proper drive-in etiquette.

 

Comments

[Lynda]

Growing up in New York City I didn't get much opportunity to use drive-ins as a teen. But I do remember going with the family a couple of times. They were fun then too! LOL

With all the smoking bans in place now, I would think they'd make a come-back, at least among the smoking crowd who could then eat, drink AND smoke all at the same time if we wanted to. Of course, then some rabid anti-smoker would be 6 rows in front claiming to be ill-affected by that one car's smoke escaping through the cracked windows.

I really do miss the years I was growing up when people live and let live and everyone was healthier than they are today with all their precautions....buts that's a whole other blog entry I should consider.

Thanks for the fun reminders here!!

[Mary Eileen Williams]

Thanks for reminding me of those steamy, sweaty passion pits of old. Although I was (of course) always lady like, I did my share of kissing in the car.
The young folk of today have to make do with making out in Megaplexes. Pale by comparison--and another generational blessing for the boomers!

[Gema Gray]

Great post Katz.

As a native Brit, I can tell you that the drive-in is a singularly iconic American symbol. It was one of the "odd" American institutions that would be commented on as we watched US movies and TV shows.

The passion-mobile however, is a different matter. I can tell you that that particular teen custom is alive and well across the Atlantic.

As a linguistic footnote, I must say that I prefer the British "snogging" to the more accurately descriptive US "sucking face". :-)

[Bake My Fish]

Nice post on the Drive-ins.

I have fond memories of those days gone by, including smuggling my girlfriend's best friend in the trunk of my car, so she could join us free of charge, while 5th Dimension was playing on the radio . . . "Hurry down to a stone cold picnic."

Drive-ins were the best.