# When was the last time you went to a drive-in theater? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 4, 2007, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504 "2007-07-04T15:39:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/41 "2007-07-05T10:19:02Z")
(This will only make sense to people who grew up in St. Louis a couple of decades ago) Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-bababa-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-babababa Wehrenberg…WEHRENBURG THEATERRRRRS bababababa WEHNRENBURG THEATERRRRRRS!!! I’m thinking it was… **Porky’s**. ---
**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 5, 2007, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/42 "2007-07-05T12:26:11Z")
[QUOTE=Kalhoun] > [@Musicat](#): > > I believe they were playing a Doris Day and Rock Hudson movie. I’m pretty sure that was “Pillow Talk.” [/quote] Or _Lover Come Back,_ or _Send Me No Flowers._ Doris was the perpetually distressed virgin and Rock, everywoman’s heartthrob. If only they knew. ---
**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 5, 2007, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/43 "2007-07-05T12:43:41Z")
The last drive in I went to was in 1991 and was the final\* regular commercial Drive-in movie in New Jersey, [where it all began](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drive-in_theater#History). It was the Hazlet Drive-In and they had a double feature. I took my Fiancée and my Brother and a good friend were in the car next to us. The movies were “[Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102005/)” and “[Terminator 2: Judgment Day](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103064/)”. There is now a 12 theater Multiplex and a Price Club on the site of this lost treasure. It is a nice theater at least with comfortable seats. I do miss the drive-ins, I think it is a shame that my kids may never go to one. Jim - The next night, I understand they had a free showing of two movies they showed when they first opened in 1956. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/44 "2007-07-05T13:16:52Z")
I think the last one I went to was the Redwood in Salt Lake City, too (thanks, **silenus** – i wouldn’t have remembered the name), back in 1986 or 1987. But there’s one here in Massachusetts in Mendon that we discovered not too long ago, and MilliCal really wants to go. ---
**Author:** ![Suse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Suse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suse)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/45 "2007-07-05T13:21:49Z")
[QUOTE=Lok] It is over 50 miles between those 2 drive-ins. Guess that makes you somewhere in or near New Haven. You must really miss Ridgeway, that would have made 3 easily reached drive-ins. [/QUOTE] I do miss the Ridgeway and it was where we went the most. The owner seemed to show the family-oriented movies more often there, probably because it was in town. Now I just miss having a choice in movies; more often than not both drive-ins in my area are showing the same thing. I just get to choose which direction I want to drive that night. I’m not far from New Haven but over the line, in the _Most Affordable County in the Nation_ according to some magazine that I can’t recall. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/46 "2007-07-05T13:25:06Z")
Golly, it must have been **The Golden Voyage Of Sinbad**. This thread was starting to depress me, until I searched for local drive-ins, there are still several! I’m going to [The Aut-O-Rama](http://www.autoramadrivein.com/rules.php) this weekend! ---
**Author:** ![scotandrsn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a4c791/32.png) [@scotandrsn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotandrsn)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/47 "2007-07-05T14:22:01Z")
Just a few weeks ago. Spiderman 3, at the Vineland Drive-in, in City of Industry. Some people pull their SUVs in the other way, so the kids can sprawl out on blankets in the rear of the truck, while watching the screen. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/48 "2007-07-05T16:44:07Z")
I liked that drive-in, **Fear Itself**. I haven’t been there since I was in high school, though. I think the last one I went to was somewhere in RI. The last movies I can remember seeing at a drive-in were Twister, The Phantom and Independence Day. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/49 "2007-07-05T18:06:25Z")
The original _Halloween_, not on first run but circa 1980. They got the order of the reels mixed up, which really spoiled things. Lots of honking from me and other patrons until they fixed it. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/50 "2007-07-05T18:09:23Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] I went to a drive-in last night for the first time in about 15 years. Yes, they still exist, and it was just as much fun as it always was. It was the [Milford Drive-In Theater](http://www.milforddrivein.com/), in Milford, New Hampshire [/QUOTE] Nine years ago, and it was the Milford Drive-In Theater. Milford, MA, that is. I’m pretty sure it’s still there. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/51 "2007-07-05T18:18:46Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] Nine years ago, and it was the Milford Drive-In Theater. Milford, MA, that is. I’m pretty sure it’s still there. [/QUOTE] I live right next to Milford, MA and they don’t have one there. The one I mentioned in Mendon is very close though and is probably the one you are thinking of. ---
**Author:** ![ASAKMOTSD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@ASAKMOTSD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASAKMOTSD)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2007, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/52 "2007-07-05T18:29:49Z")
1980 - [The Nude Bomb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081249/) - I have been told it was not a very good movie, so I did not miss much. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2007, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/53 "2007-07-06T14:38:05Z")
Summer 1979. Starlite Drive-in Elizabethtown Kentucky. Double feature of [_Silver Streak_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075223/) and _Star Wars_. I was 8 years old, and just back from a three year stretch in Germany (_West_ Germany in them thar days), where the closest anyone of my acquaintance had gotten to seeing _Star Wars_ was the Holiday Special. I had _Star Wars_ posters on my bedroom wall, _Star Wars_ bedsheets, _Star Wars_ curtains, _Star Wars_ pajamas, _Star Wars_ action figures, and _The Star Wars Storybook_. Never seen it, though. My parents loaded my sisters and me into our new van and headed out at sundown, fending off all questions of where we were going with the terse reply “outer space.” Never been to a drive in before or since. But that evening was magical. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2007, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/54 "2007-07-06T15:02:29Z")
[QUOTE=Shagnasty] I live right next to Milford, MA and they don’t have one there. The one I mentioned in Mendon is very close though and is probably the one you are thinking of. [/QUOTE] You’re right, Mendon. There’s another one around there somewhere too. In fact I think there are 4 or 5 in that general area. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2007, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/55 "2007-07-06T15:07:23Z")
I was a kid, maybe 8 or 9 years old, and it was to see Gremlins. I’m surprised at **WhyNot** who is the same age as me, and hasn’t been to one. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2007, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/56 "2007-07-06T15:09:00Z")
[QUOTE=Jahdra] Where did you see it? I saw the same double feature, in the same order, at the Skyview Drive In in Santa Cruz, CA in 1995 or 96. I so wanted to leave and watch Apollo 13 later, but the woman I was with insisted on staying and watching both movies to the bitter end. She had amazingly bad taste in movies, come to think of it. That was the last time I let her pick the movie. [/QUOTE] That’s so weird…I saw it in Wheeling, Illinois, at the Twin Drive-In. Maybe movies used to get packaged as double-features…it is a good way for the producers of a bomb to get people to see it, because they always seem to show the bad movie first! The only other time I remember going to a drive-in was at the same theater, and I saw _Ishtar_ and _Peggy Sue Got Married_…in that order. _Peggy Sue_ wasn’t exactly high art, but it sure was a hell of a lot better than _Ishtar_…or _Waterworld_, for that matter! ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2007, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/57 "2007-07-06T15:18:42Z")
I just went to go check out the local drive-ins. There are two, and I’d be interested in seeing them. Both are double-headers, and one is showing Rattatouille and the other is showing Transformers. Which is cool, except the other one they’re showing is… Evan Almighty. :smack: :smack: I don’t want to see that movie! ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2007, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/58 "2007-07-06T15:51:58Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] Which is cool, except the other one they’re showing is… Evan Almighty. :smack: :smack: [/QUOTE] Eww! When we went to see Titanic (eww enough), it was preceded by… Air Bud. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2007, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/59 "2007-07-06T16:55:10Z")
[QUOTE=Musicat] There still is a small drivein theater nearby, the [Skyway,](http://www.moviesbystarlight.com/drivein-list/open-driveins/skyway/fishcreek.htm) that gets a surprisingly large crowd in the summer from tourists. They have been in operation for over 57 years. [/QUOTE] There is (or was) a spot on County A where you got an OK view of the screen. And since audio is broadcast on (low power) FM, one could theoretically watch a movie from the road. Never did, but did see/hear snippets, and heard a lot more (driving from work in Fish Creek to home in Sister Bay) I haven’t seen a movie there since 1988, but my sister saw one last year. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2007, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504/60 "2007-07-06T16:59:51Z")
Gladiator and…i think gone in 60 seconds double feature. I fell asleep. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-you-went-to-a-drive-in-theater/410504.md?page=4)