# is there a drive-in movie near you? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 10, 2008, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998 "2008-07-10T16:49:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/41 "2008-07-11T03:33:29Z")
[QUOTE=Shagnasty] The drive-in business model doesn’t seem to be dead at all but there aren’t many new ones opening up. I have never figured out their contracts with the studios. The must be unique because their ticket prices are way below that of regular theaters if you have more than two people in the car and the rest of their business like concessions is cheaper as well. [/QUOTE] I always :dubious: when I hear the old, “poor us, we give all our money to the studios and only profit from snacks” bit, for several reasons. 1. In the small town where I grew up, movies were still $3.75 into the late 90s/early 2000s when I know they were $8+ in bigger cities. 2. Matinees are still considerably cheaper almost everywhere. Are they losing money on matinees? Doubt it. 3. AMC, one of the biggest if not the biggest theatre chain lets you bring your own food in now. 4. Drive-ins, obviously. I don’t know all the details, but anybody in the movie industry will tell you there is something very funny about how money flows around that business. I’ve heard from several sources that **NO** movie makes a net profit on paper. It might be a joke but I’ve heard a few Hollywood types say that _Titanic_ “lost money”. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/42 "2008-07-11T04:41:49Z")
Closest to me is the [Rodeo Triplex Drive-In](http://www.rodeodrivein.com/), which is about a 15 mile drive. Mostly first run movies, just in the summer. It also hosts a swap meet on Sundays. It has been open since 1946. When I was a kid (in Kentucky in the 70’s) we had a drive-in right next to our neighborhood - so the kids would go in and turn the speakers up so that we could hear the movies outside the fence. The more adventurous would sneak in during the movie and hit up the snack bar. It mostly showed first run movies, and some soft-core 70’s porn (such as _The Cheerleaders_). When those would play, many of the males in the neighborhood (of all ages) would find a need to walk their dogs, and gather on the street to watch the movie. When I moved to a small town in North Carolina the drive-in there showed nothing but hard-core porn. We used to drive up a small dirt road to watch for free after football games. Both of these drive-in’s have long since gone away. The KY one was turned into a housing development, and the NC one became a truck company depot. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/43 "2008-07-11T06:17:39Z")
I saw “Cars” a couple years ago at a Drive-In. It was a strangely appropriate setting for that movie. Supposedly, there’s another one also reasonably close by. ---
**Author:** ![dbuzman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de0a6/32.png) [@dbuzman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dbuzman)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/44 "2008-07-11T07:10:58Z")
Yes, it’s another [Sunset drive in](http://www.waterforddrivein.com/) about 20 miles from my house. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/45 "2008-07-11T07:17:04Z")
I am possibly literally half the world away from one. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/46 "2008-07-11T07:49:30Z")
Makes me feel guilty (cause I haven’t been to one in ages) but I live in the Hudson Valley halfway between Albany and NYC and we still have **two** drive-ins close by! About ten years or so ago we still had a third! ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/47 "2008-07-11T07:54:40Z")
The only one left here in Baltimore is the [Bengies Drive In](http://www.bengies.com/). It’s a great place. Just one screen, but they run triple features every night. The admission is less than the multiplex, you can bring in any food you like (no alcohol or grilling) for a reasonable $7 per car charge. We (me, wife, 2 kids, 14 and 3) saw Kung Fu Panda there just last week, and we had a good time, although we did learn that Jimmy (3) is still a little too young for a movie. The snack bar has an incredible variety of food, jalapeño poppers, hamburgers, pizza (damn good pizza, for a drive in), nachos, chicken strips and popcorn, and the whole place is run by an old time showman named Dee Vogel, who gets on the speakers and makes the whole experience much better. He shills a lot for what they are selling (and I don’t blame him, I know the movie business, and I know Dee, his profit is a shoestring, I honestly believe he does it for the love of drive-ins, he could make way more money in another profession), but he also lets patrons know if there is a little scene at the end of the movie and provides fascinating trivia, all the while keeping the experience a good one, i.e. reminding people not to turn on headlights until they are on their way out, keeping kids off the swings when the move is running, that kind of thing. I like the Bengies. ---
**Author:** ![Bean\_Counter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/db5fbb/32.png) [@Bean\_Counter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bean_Counter)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/48 "2008-07-11T16:31:40Z")
I married into the family that runs the [Skyview](http://www.skyview-drive-in.com) in Belleville, IL (St. Louis metro-area). Two screens, double feature. The cross-section of customers is quite diverse. People-watching while waiting for the movies to start is quite entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/49 "2008-07-11T19:51:59Z")
I’ve never been there myself, but the [Route 66 Drive In](http://www.route66-drivein.com/) is here in town. ---
**Author:** ![bubastis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d07c76/32.png) [@bubastis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bubastis)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/50 "2008-07-11T20:01:14Z")
Never been to one, they dont exist in Ireland… whats the deal with the sound? Does everyone get a little speaker for in their car, or is it full theatre surround sound? If it is just a little speaker, then do you guys listen to these movies in (gulp) Mono? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/51 "2008-07-11T20:07:15Z")
[QUOTE=bubastis] Never been to one, they dont exist in Ireland… whats the deal with the sound? Does everyone get a little speaker for in their car, or is it full theatre surround sound? If it is just a little speaker, then do you guys listen to these movies in (gulp) Mono? [/QUOTE] They use to be tinny little speakers you took from a small pedestal and place on your dash or hooked to the window. Now they usually broadcast on an FM & AM radio station so you can hear in on your car radio. Of course if you happen to be in your wife’s minivan and she forgot to mention her battery is weak, this can lead to some additional fun, like your car not starting when it is time to leave. ---
**Author:** ![Bean\_Counter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/db5fbb/32.png) [@Bean\_Counter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bean_Counter)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/52 "2008-07-11T20:10:25Z")
[QUOTE=bubastis] Never been to one, they dont exist in Ireland… whats the deal with the sound? Does everyone get a little speaker for in their car, or is it full theatre surround sound? If it is just a little speaker, then do you guys listen to these movies in (gulp) Mono? [/QUOTE] The drive-in my in-laws own broadcast the sound from the film in Dolby stereo in the FM band. They have two low-power transmitters that the sound is fed through on an open FM frequency (which is hard to come by these days). Patrons can listen through their car stereos or, if the weather is nice, they sit in chairs in front of their cars and listen with portable radios or headsets. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/53 "2008-07-11T20:15:12Z")
[QUOTE=gravitycrash] Ah, drive-ins, memories of lame attempts at kissing or coping a feel. Good times and good memories. [/QUOTE] Amateurs. We went to the drive-in to screw. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2008, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/54 "2008-07-11T23:21:17Z")
[QUOTE=bubastis] Never been to one, they dont exist in Ireland… whats the deal with the sound? Does everyone get a little speaker for in their car, or is it full theatre surround sound? If it is just a little speaker, then do you guys listen to these movies in (gulp) Mono? [/QUOTE] As mentioned, it comes on a radio frequency so the sound is as good as your car stereo system is. It sounds great in mine. You can bring any other radio or portable stereo that you want if you want to move around. The one I go to is usually so packed that you don’t need anything if you want to sit outside. A few hundred vehicles tuned into the same station in the immediate vicinity fills the whole area with the movie broadcast. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2008, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/55 "2008-07-12T01:00:40Z")
Yep! Wes-Mer Drive In 2090 West Highway 83, Mercedes, TX It’s like five minutes from home, and a total dump. A good place to see a new movie when you have a two-year-old and no babysitter, but apart from that… Just stay away from the rear rows, unless you’re looking to buy some crappy weed. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2008, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/56 "2008-07-12T01:47:34Z")
[QUOTE=Thudlow Boink] I’ve never been there myself, but the [Route 66 Drive In](http://www.route66-drivein.com/) is here in town. [/QUOTE] Do you have a car? I think it is your duty to check it out and report back. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2008, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/57 "2008-07-12T02:08:04Z")
We have the Summer Quartet in Memphis but I haven’t been there in years. I saw Star Wars there as a kid but I don’t remember much, being distracted by “10” playing on the other side of the lot. Crazy kid, more interested in a cornrowed Bo Derek than Star Wars! ---
**Author:** ![meenie7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7993a0/32.png) [@meenie7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/meenie7)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2008, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/58 "2008-07-12T03:23:18Z")
Yep! We have the [Pleasant Valley Drive-In](http://www.pleasantvalleydrivein.com) about 15-20 mins from here. I would go all the time, but they’re only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday and I work nights and have Tuesday and Wednesday off each week instead of the normal weekend, so I can’t go. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2008, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/59 "2008-07-12T03:39:57Z")
[QUOTE=Little Nemo] I knew there were two still operating in my area: one in Hyde Park and one in Warwick. A quick Google Map search showed two others I was unaware of (including the Poughkeepsie one that What Exit visited). [/QUOTE] Howdy neighbor! If you’re near Warwick, there’s also the [Fair Oaks Drive-In](http://www.fairoaksdrivein.info/schedule/) (I’m about ten minutes away). Seven bucks, double feature, and ridiculously good (and cheap) motz sticks. Every time we’ve been there are a host of classic cars people bring. Great times! ---
**Author:** ![sangfroid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@sangfroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sangfroid)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2008, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998/60 "2008-07-12T03:48:05Z")
[QUOTE=bouv] Yup-a-roonie. The [Sunset Drive-In](http://www.sunsetdrivein.com/) (complete with 1998-era Angelfire website,) is only about a five minute drive…ten if there’s traffic. They have four screens, each is a double feature, and obviously you can move to a new screen for the second show if you don’t want to see what’s on the screen you already watched. It’s really cool because they don’t care if you bring outside food. We’ll pack a small grill and cook up our own burgers and steaks, and bring some beer. [/QUOTE] Aww… **bouv** beat me to it! Sunset in Colchester is way cool. It’s too bad these things are going the way of the dino. I have many fond memories of drive-in movies over the years. _::sighs::_ Enjoy 'em while you can, folks! Oh, and **Hi!** , bouv. Nice to see another Vermonter on the board. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-drive-in-movie-near-you/455998.md?page=4)