P.W.   31 October 2010

This post is to draw your attention to the bottom of this page - I found some Emails I received LAST CENTURY -

interesting reading - also is the entrants in the MEMORIES Competition... well worth another read......

P.W. 6 September  2010

This month, I would like to show you a couple of EMails I received recently.

You guys have one of the worst websites I have ever seen.
Ryan
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Hi Ryan,
Thanks for the informative critique -
Were you not able to find out what is on ?
What other problems do you see ?
I have had about a dozen people over the years comment in a similar fashion,
some offering to build a wiz bang solution, some for free, others for a fee.
The trouble is, they all have vastly different ideas, and don't understand the complexity of programming movies.
Also, it must be updated by me (sometimes 2 or 3 times a week).
So, if you have anything to add, feel free - I may put this up on the 'Projection Room Ramblings' page
for everyone to comment - could be informative. (your identity removed)
Paul
*************

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P.W. 3 August 2010

Its time to discuss our recent trip to Perth.

With the looming phasing out of 35mm film, I thought it time to
visit the Galaxy Drive-In Theatre, just north of Perth.
The owner/operator was very pleased to show us his operation, including his new
digital projection system. They have not run film now for about 8 months.
Important to being able to use Digital Projection, is the size of the screen.
The average full size Cinema screen is approx. 15 mtr. wide. 
Now, if you double the size of the screen (30mtr), you actually have 4 times the picture area.
Not only is the available light from the projector spread out over 4 times the area, (some computer talk now),
 the pixels that make up the picture are spread further apart.
Have you ever looked very closely at a computer screen ?
 
So, use a brighter lamp in the projector, and use higher resolution images.
Brighter lamps cause another problem – it gets harder to produce black (Contrast Ratio).
The powerful lamps ‘punch’ through the dark areas, so they look grey.
The current resolution in use in digital cinemas is 2000 horizontal lines (2K).
There is a new development in projectors – 4K. This will be available later this year,
but at this stage, they will not be as bright as the current 2K machines.
Another limitation is the amount of data storage needed. Now, compared to DVD movies in your home,
(approx. 4Gb of data), the current 2K system file size for 1 movie is approx. 300Gb.
I assume that 4K file size will be approx 1Tb.

OK, there's a lot more to it, but I'm getting off the subject – Drive-In’s.
As I said, the average Cinema screen in 15 mtr. The Galaxy Drive-In is a smaller Drive-In,
with a screen approx. 28 mtr wide. At Dromana (and the other Victorian Drive-Ins),
 our screens are all approx. 35mtr wide. So, you can see from the above discussion,
we have some very big problems to solve. I have used Digital Projection before at
Dromana – The Olympic Opening Ceremony, and later, the Commonwealth Games
Opening Ceremony. The projector used in the latter was 2 generations newer,
and much more efficient. For those interested, first time, we used 2 * 5000 ansi lumen
 projectors stacked (to give more light), then the next time, 1 * 12000 ansi lumen projector. 
Much better results (more efficient - 3 years newer).  The projector I saw at the Galaxy Drive-In is 32000 ansi lumen. 
Significantly brighter (more efficient, 7 years newer). But its not all good news. The Human Eye does not
register light intensity in a linear manner – its more like sound, where
you double the power to get a small increase in volume.

OK, the verdict…..
I was not happy with the result. The projector had given trouble that day,
and the lamp needed replacing. I suspect that the new lamp was not adjusted properly.
The result on the screen (to a Projectionist and Photographer),
was not what I would be happy with ( and the screen is smaller than Dromana).
That’s not saying it was not acceptable. I have watched movies in many cinemas,
and been surprised at how poor the image was, but to the average movie goer, it was acceptable.

And that’s my last point -
Are the producers of films relying on the publics ability to accept new technology at the expense of  quality ?
I have noticed for the last 3 years (OK, heres my conspiracy theory !), the image quality on 35mm film has reduced –
not all the time, but a very significant number of prints have been less distinct.
The focus (or fuzziness), depth of field, the ability to clearly see strands of hair,
the colour and sharpness. Its all a nebulous feeling when you watch a movie –
but I think the general public have been conditioned to accept less. 
And in accepting digital projection, and us exhibitors accepting it, the film companies
will save a LOT OF MONEY.
Ok, we will also save a lot of resources and pollution in the production of film.

Were off to the Australian International Movie Convention later this month.
I am sure that Digital Projection implementation will be the HOT topic.
Looking forward to seeing 6 or 7 new films, 300 trailers, hours of speeches,
and a good catch up with lots of exhibitors from around Australia and
New Zealand ( and the odd movie star).
Wish us luck – it’s a hard job, but somebodies gotto do it !
Ill keep my Twitter Stream up to date with the movies and other exciting news,
so follow us - @dromana3drivein

 

P.W.  22 May 2010

Well, Its done !
Its now in the hands of the Victorian Government –
Heritage Victoria want to list the Dromana Drive-In as being historically significant to
the state of Victoria. The exact wording is:

 “The Dromana Drive-In is of historical significance to the state of Victoria.
Why is it Significant?
The Dromana Drive-In is of historical significance as a rare example of an open air cinema
of the 1960’s and illustrates an important phase in the history of cinema in Victoria.”
Quote from the Statement of Cultural Heritage Significance.    

This has been in the process for about 12 months now, and we are
down to a number of weeks before my objection is heard. I don’t want it to be listed
for a number of reasons. Everyone will think financial – and yes, of course. 
But its also to do with the Government basically saying I must keep doing this –
or if I can't, someone else will.
It’s a slap in the face to have Government making decisions about our future,
we (my Family) have built & run the show for the last 48 years. I have been
involved for 36 years, owner for 21.

Coming very soon, Digital Projection – big cost, very nervous.
We have our 50^th Birthday coming up soon – big party planned.
We have NO plans to close the Drive-In in the foreseeable future,
but to be told that its got to continue for the good
of Victoria – well, I thought we had long passed ‘1984’ ! (Google it !)

I wonder what thoughts you have ?  I would love to hear from you.
I will put them up on this page. 

By the way, I am looking for photos of derelict Drive-In’s – I have a
couple, but need more. I want to show them what happens when the passion is
lost, or indeed, when the patrons stop going.

Please give me some feedback – lets get this page moving !

By the way, check us out on TWITTER - follow   @dromana3drivein

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P.W.   1 April 2010

Lots happening on the Cinema front - I recently attended the Independent
Cinema Association of Australia conference held in Melbourne. It was a very
business like 3 days, plenty of previews of upcoming titles, lots of talk
about new developments in the industry and how we can use the internet more
effectively.
I recognise that the traditional methods of advertising are changing
rapidly, and to keep up to date - I must harness the expanding medium of
the internet. You will notice on our website that we are advertising a
Smart Phone optimised web page - simpler layout, pertinent information up
front etc. If you have an IPhone or Blackberry type phone, try
http://drivein.net.au/moviessp.htm
One of the presenters suggested we find one of our regular patrons -
someone who has a burning passion for the Drive-In, and would be interested
in helping with all things Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, discussion forum
etc. in return for seeing the Drive-In continue to succeed (and a regular
invite to see the movies !). I receive some offers of help with my website
from time to time - I wonder if the website could benefit with a re-vamp,
or if it does the job....? But, I am really interested in expanding into
the Smart Phone territory, social networking etc. So, if you think you fit
the bill, give me an Email, and we can have a chat !

Another HOT topic in the industry - Of particular interest to all Cinema
owners in Australia - 35mm film is on the way out ! Over 100 years of
using basically the same media and mechanical projectors. Now the digital
projectors have developed to the stage of competing with 35mm - especially
on the smaller cinema screens. The Drive-In's still need the largest
available digital projectors.... BIG $$$. So, what benefit to the movie
goer ? - Well, the purists will speak no scratches, more even illumination,
no difference between the first and 2000th screening and other things that
99% of people would not notice. What for the Cinema operator - Less time
preparing shows, less cost in freight, alternative content (live concerts
etc). The big difference is for the film companies - large savings on the
cost of duplicating film prints.
Consequently, to help get the ball rolling, 3D movies have been a big
enticement for cinemas to spend the money in converting. I personally dont
believe that the 3D concept is the Golden Egg. Its been done a couple of
times before - anyhow, Im getting too involved - Suffice to say, there is a
lot of pressure to convert - and its probably a 3 year
countdown. Unfortunately, there will be some cinemas that just cant afford
to convert - we will see a number of curtains close for the last time.

Change is afoot, the industry has battled Radio, TV, Colour TV, Video,
Video Hire, DVD, Pay TV, Home Theatre,  HD TV, 3D TV
and a huge range of competing entertainment options with Pubs,
Sports, Pokies etc. It will be an interesting next 5
years - jump back on for the ride !

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Now some comments that people sent in some years ago !

See the dates - before we were 3 screen and Shels Diner ....

These comments had been lost on the previous website - lucky I found them....

Date: 28 Nov 99 18:25:38 PST
Dear Paul,
Great web site. I especially enjoyed the photos of various drive-ins.
Is the shot you have as the Surfers Paradise Drive-In in fact, the Southport
Drive-In? (which, to further confuse things, was at Labrador). It was a sad
day when it closed down.
I almost got locked in the Southport Drive-In one night when my motorbike
refused to start after the show was over - my girlfriend had to go running
aver and tell the guy not to lock the gates yet. An acquaintance told me he
once severely lacerated his toe there when he accidentally put his foot in the
ashtray of his car (he wasn't watching the film at the time). Also, in the
1970s, some teenagers were killed on the road outside after they'd hidden in
the boot of a car to get in free and the car was rear-ended while they were
waiting to turn in.
There used to be several drive-ins around the Gold Coast - Southport,
Burleigh, Tweed - now there's only Beenleigh and every time my wife and I go
there, we're worried it'll be the last. The industrial estates are closing in
around the place and we keep expecting to hear that they're selling it.
Fingers crossed it'll be around for a lot longer.

All the best with the Dromana!

Duncan
Gold Coast

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09/11/1999
Dear Dromana Webmaster,
I just think your site is great. You have a great collection of
pictures. I am creating a website for the owner of my local drive-in
here in Maryland USA. I was wondering if it would be possible to add a
link to your really cool site on ours. I would appreciate any
consideration you would give to allow this. Thanks in advance.
Have a great day!
Rob

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Dear Paul,
I finally got to the drive-in last Friday night, it was unberlevable great and i had a blast with my partner, because of the great stereo in the car i found it better than the going to the movies and Cheaper. Keep up the good work and i hope to see you again soon, pray for some good fine nights like last Friday night.

Donna \\\\|////
\ 0 0 /
---------------------o00o-(_)-o00o---------------------
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7/10/99
>Dear Paul,
>Well I am impressed by the web page and the emails I receive every week, only thing the web page majorly needs updating, and on time and the emils  want to be sent a little earlier than Friday afternoon as it becomes to late to try and plan you night, especially when you have an 1 hour and 1/2 drive to get there. What time does the double feature normally start.
> Can't wait untill I get the chance to see a movie at your drive in.
>Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!
> Donna

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6/10/99
>Hi Paul,
>I enjoy coming to the Dromana Drive In. The kids think it's great too!
>A friend of mine told me about this site and I thought this was a
>fabulous idea. I'll visit regularly and now be able to check out what's
>showing.
>Please enter me on your mailing list.........
>Regards,
>Neal
>*******************************************************************

1/10/99
>Hey there,
>What a great page. It's good to know that there is someone else out
>there who loves this industry as much as I do.
>I am a former projectionist who started at a Drive In in Canberra.. The
>Starlight ..... Those were the good old days of carbon arcs and reel
>changes every 17 or 18 minutes.. Canberra, being as cold as it is, meant
>that we had to have in car heaters on the hook below the speaker to keep
>attendances up in the Winter months. I have some old photographs
>somewhere so I'll dig them up and email you again .. good luck Paul
>Garry

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17/09/1999
Thank you for keeping Dromana open .Do you have any idea how
much it means to many of the disabled -
Thank you again IAN

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15/9/1999
HELLO DROMANA ,
I AM ALWAYS EXCITED TO SEE WHAT PLAYING AT YOUR THEATRE ,
SORRY I CAN'T GET DOWN THERE FOR A FEW YEARS BUT I WILL !! THIS MAY SOUND
DUMB BUT WHAT ARE YOUR SEASON TIME, IN WISCONSIN,
U S A IT STARTS ABOUT LATE APRIL- EARLY OCTOBER
AND A FEW OF THE PLACES STILL HAVE SPEAKERS IN
THE FRONT ROWS FOR OLD TIME STAKE BUT THEY ALL
USED THE FM-AM BANDS WHICH MEANS PEOPLE USE
BLOOMBOXES TO ON WARM NIGHTS AND THEY ARE 20 FT.
AWAY . ALL WELL THANKS FOR ALL THE UPDATES THEY ARE
ALWAYS NEAT TO CHECK OUT!!!!! DENNIS
Mr. D.D.

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9/9/1999
Hi Paul,
I just had a look at your page and found it looks really good now.
We love coming to the drive-ins. The kids think its fun, and it certainly
brings back some great memories of when I was a teenager!!
We have the dromana drive in sticker, but the other day I saw a sticker that
said
"I did it at the Dromana drive-in's". Where do you get that one from?????
Haven't seen that one before.
Got to get one, after all one of my kids were conceived at the drive ins!!
Well not yours but one in Oakleigh but that is all now housing!
anyway keep up the great work.

Ms. F.F. and family.
ps maybe you could have somewhere where people could leave their memories
about the drive ins on your page ? Like the first time they ever went to one,
what movies they can remember seeing etc.? what sort of car they drove then.
etc., etc.??

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13/9/1999
Mr. J.W.  (supplied pictures which I will place on the OTHER LINKS page )

PS Both the Grove Drive in and the Westline Drive in are now closed. The
Grove went in 1986 and the Westline followed it in 1996. At the time, the
Westline had the largest screen in Australia and an almighty 500 ft throw.
Both had 550 car capacities.
 

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16/8/1999
Dear Paul,
    I have a hobby of exploring old drive-ins'which I thought might interest you.I have just spent a weekend in Sydney and did some exploring with an old street directory I had.As I was pushed for time I only had time To explore 3 abandoned ones and the Bass Hill one which is still operating.Unfortunately progress has taken over with only1left of the ones I looked that still resembled a drive-in.It was the old Warriewood Skyline in Macpherson Street,Warriewood.The screen was still standing and the projection room had been converted into an office while out the back the old cafeteria was a shop for organic fruit and vegies,it still had some old playground equipment and an old carousel which my daughter had a play on.The grounds themselves had big potted palm trees in front of the screen.
    There was also an old dumped car and motorcycle just to add to the atmosphere.I have taken a photo which is still in the camera and would be glad to show you when I get it developed.Would you be interested in seeing it?The other two I looked for was one in Frenchs Forrest Road in Frenchs Forrest which is now a business park with new factories and a new street called Skyline Drive which I thought was a nice touch,but definitely no remnants of an old drive-in.
    The last one I looked at was the Liverpool(Casula) drive-in which is now unfortunately a new housing estate.I have also done some exploring in South Africa earlier this year which once had a thriving drive-in industry and in fact still does to a certain extent.Most of their abandoned drive-ins are still there and look like they could be started back up in a short time although some of the local population has taken to squatting in the old buildings.I hope this letter is of some interest to you and I look forward to some correspondence in the future.
Mr. C.S.

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8/8/1999
Thanks. We came last night to see Sally Marshall. Just as well you
only had it as a one nighter as it was pretty drawn out!!! Still, our 9
year old daughter said she liked the end because it was so unexpected.
We are looking forward to Tarzan and Toy Story. We'll be down to see
those when they come on.
You seem to have had quite a few in, especially to the later shows.
Great.
Love, Kate.

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MEMORIES...

And now some more archive - our Memories Competition......

MEMORIES COMPETITION WINNERS

FIRST PLACE WINNER  

Congratulations Kevin and Mary on winning the trip to the Australian International Movie Convention 2003, August.  It was such a hard decision, so many reasons for each to be the best.  We finally decided Kevin’s was the one – It touches everyones visit to the Drive-In – The number of times I have had desperate people asking for a can of fly spray & a torch !

Funny Happening at the Drive-In.

1977 / 78 at Northland Drive-in, Preston. Victoria.

            My very good mate ‘Mick’ was the first in a bunch of us to get his driver’s license and Mick bought himself a ‘hot’ Monaro. ( Poo brown colour with two black stripes ) Now that one of us had not only a license but also a car of his own, we could actually head off to the drive-in without any parental supervision… It was probably a Saturday night because the Drive-in was chocka block, don’t ask me to remember what the movie was but I am sure it would have been sort of action flick. Two boys in the front, two boys in the back, windows down, speaker hanging off the door, it was so cool!! We had this thought that we were the coolest and everybody just had to be looking at these four cool guys in this very cool car! I was sitting in the front passenger seat, Mick in the drivers seat ( well it was his car ) I was sitting back in the grouse bucket seat with my left hand sitting on top of the roof ever so cool!

Mick saw it exactly the same time as I did, a huge spider the size of a small dinner plate began walking slowly down the middle of the windscreen, at exactly the same time Mick and I both screamed and scrambled out of the car. I hit the deck and then our two mates in the back seat, not knowing what the commotion was began to scramble out of the back seat, with two buckets seats, and being a two door car it was commotion and chaos to the extreme. When all four of us were out of the car and trying desperately to gather our breath we explained to the other two what happened. As you can imagine with cars all around us and behind us we were getting a raz from the crowd. From that point it only got worse, the spider was standing at the top end of the bonnet ( best place to watch the movie I suppose ). Mick grabbed his steering lock and went to shoo the spider off the bonnet. The spider moved all right, it sped off on its eight hairy legs, ran back up the windscreen across the top of the can because both doors were still open, the spider ran straight into the car! The four big brave boys all insisted that someone other than himself, should be responsible for getting in the car and getting the spider out. We stood around pointing fingers at each other, it must have been a very amusing sight for all of the other people around us, and didn’t they let us know. I told Mick that there is no way that I was going to get in the car, I thanked him for the lift to the drive-in and told him that I was walking home. Mick eventually decided that it was his car and apart from leaving it there until the morning, when there would be enough light to see any creepy crawlies, he had to get in there and squash the sucker. Mick went in head first crushing anything that looked like a spider, drinks and chips and crap went everywhere, Mick jumped out again as quickly as he went in.

When the movie finished, the boys convinced me that it was in my best interest to ‘stick together’ so we all gingerly got in the car and Mick drove us home. Mick cleaned his car the next morning and never found any trace of the spider, dead or alive.

Story by Kevin – West Coburg Boys. 

RUNNER UP

Oh Omar!

            My fondest and possibly earliest recollection of the ‘drive-in’ experience is from 1965. It was there and then that I learned the extraordinary artistic vision and mastery of the of the large screen motion picture medium.

            I grew up in Huntingdale, a long way from Hollywood, but exactly half way between the Clayton Twin and Oakleigh Twin Drive-ins. In those days, ( if not still ) for families as well as young love birds the drive-in was THE place to be. I was the youngest of three children, with brothers way too cool to go out with folks anymore.

            Mum, Dad and I had quite a ritual to follow on these exciting social outings. We would try to get there early to grab a spot somewhere in the middle, not too close to the screen but strategically positioned near the loo’s for mum’s sake. We’d place the speaker carefully through the back seat window, and stuff a towel around the gaps to stop the drafts. Sometimes I even had a hot water bottle! We’d always have a couple of cloths to wipe the fogged up windows too. My memory must be fogged up as well, because when I reminisce it always seems to be Winter!

            Mum would take along sandwiches and a thermos to keep the “expense” down. But at interval, we always indulged in the best banana fritters I’ve ever tasted.

            Here I was wearing my flannelette P-J’s, Chenille dressing gown and fluffy slippers. ‘De-Rigeur’ for the sixties child! It was mandatory for all Dads to take their kids to play on the swings and slides under the giant screen. Then there simultaneous squeals of excitement, when suddenly the lights would dim and we would all have to grab hold of the correct hand and find the correct car in the dark, before the movie began!

            Indelibly etched in my memory, is the hypnotic melody of, ‘Lara’s Theme’ transporting me to another world. Hardly a kids movie I know, but I suppose it was expected I would curl up with my blanket and pillow and fall asleep pretty quickly. But no, I remember so vividly the exquisite, romantic isolation of the country house. The agony and despair of separation, as the sleigh crossed the stark plains of ice and snow. The disturbing glimpses o violence and revolution, offset by the haunting beauty of Julie Christie, and the exotically handsome masculinity of Omar Sharif.

             At the tender age of five, I fell in love with ‘Dr. Zhivago’ at the Oakleigh Twin drive-in.

Signed – Yearning for Yuri !  aka. Lyn of Mt. Eliza.

RUNNER UP

Drive-in Memory.

            “Shhh! What’s that noise?” I said to my husband of not more than twenty four hours. “It’s nothing” he assured me, “ it’s just the cows mooing in the paddock next door.”

Well you’ve guessed it we were at the Dromana Drive-in on our honeymoon just the two of us and our four legged companions on the other side of the fence.

Where most people opt for a honeymoon in a hot romantic tropical location, we decided to go to the Dromana Drive-in on a cool November evening with a brisk westerly breeze blowing which would bring any newly weds closer together.

The night was progressing well until a strange scratching sound was heard at the side of the car, as the sound was coming from my husband’s side he nervously investigated by attentively opening the door to reveal a hungry little fox. “How cute, give him some of your snacks from the cafeteria” I said.

Over the next forty-five minutes my husband and I and our new found friend  enjoyed the movie, the snacks and the new found companionship. As quick as the fox appeared he was gone into the night leaving my husband and I alone once more to do what newly weds do!

Here we are approaching our 16^th Wedding Anniversary reminiscing on this evening and the countless other expeditions to the Drive-in with normal array of mishaps, like flat batteries, hoping into the wrong car, torrential down pours etc etc etc, but overall the Drive-in experiences are unforgettable.

Liz and Rod.- Rosebud.

RUNNER UP

Astromech droid – A Space Adventure.

            A long time ago in a drive-in far far away a sad adventure took place. It was Christmas 1977 and Australia was awaiting the arrival of  Star Wars the movie. My brother Steve was obsessed with all the hype. All he wanted for Christmas was Star Wars figurines. I was nine and only received five dollars to do my Christmas family shopping.  I desperately wanted to buy Steve a figurine but at three dollars fifty each it was like a hundred dollars to me. I set my mind to saving doing odd jobs and finally bought him R2D2. He was thrilled and took it everywhere with him, even on holidays to the drive-in to see Star Wars. Excited, Steve wouldn’t even play on the swings in case the movie started early. We sat on the door side, windows down, aeroguard on, our Coke and Twisties and of course R2D2 resting on the car roof. It was brilliant. It wasn’t until we got home that Steve realized he’d left R2D2 on the roof of the car at the drive-in. He was devastated, I was also very upset and R2D2 remains to this day lost at Merimbula Drive-in.

By Jeanette  – Langwarrin. 

The rest of the entries are all so good – I only wish that they all could have won !

Thank you all for your Memories – I hope you can all come soon to Dromana and Make another Memory !

Untittled.

            I grew up in rural Victoria where the only entertainment was the drive-in. Set off to the edge of town at the trotting track loomed this ominous screen which was to be my window to the world of make believe. I remember fondly my first visit…

            After negotiating the long queue and the car search, Dad jostled the car for position, no small feat without power steering. With the seats of the old Maza wagon folded down and decked out with an array of bedding, we were set. My mouth dropped open with awe as an image appeared on the huge screen, the speakers jammed into the windows as the noise crackled through the car. It poured with rain, the windows fogged up, the demister didn’t work, the aroma of hot chips remained in the wagon for weeks and the battery went flat. My brother went to sleep. Mum and Dad argued and cursed the experience while I sat in silence, my head cocked, wide-eyed, oblivious to my immediate surroundings, captivated and spellbound by the world of make-believe.

We didn’t visit the drive-in as a family again, but twenty two years later, I’m still as excited and captivated by a visit to the drive-in.

Signed – Simple Pleasures of Narre Warren South.

My Special Drive-in Memory. 

            We had a happy childhood. Money was always tight so it was a very special treat for us to go out to the old Oakleigh Twin. In fact it was such a special treat we only ever went once.

            On evening we set out in Dad’s Viva all rugged up in our pyjamas, snacks on board for an exciting night to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

We were to be on our best behavior or else, was the warning from our father. We were snuggled in our back seat, having a great time. Who would have thought that one little word from my brother and a tiny punch in the arm to him would be enough for Dad to remove the speaker from the window and for us to drive home. We were gob smacked; it certainly had a very dramatic effect on my brother and myself as we were growing up.

As a supporting mum money is of an essence, and we do not go out much. The Dromana Drive-in is an affordable night out and when we go I always remember with fondness that outing to the Oakleigh Twin many years before.

Story By Bronwyn  of Tyabb.

My Disturbing Drive-in Night.

            I had a most mortifying experience at the Croydon Drive-in ( now gone but not forgotten ). It was the early seventies, I had just began my working life and was eager to start a life of going out, meeting boys and experiencing life. However, this was a difficult feat, for you see, my father was Italian and he was so strict then, I still cannot believe I ever got out of that household sane!

As you can imagine my upbringing was very sheltered, to say the least!

One occasion, a young man ( the son of a family friend )who by the way was not Italian, rang me and asked me for a date. I was very excited, this was one guy that I really got along with well, and he was not someone that my parents had decided would be nice for me to meet.

I was taken aback when my father agreed to our outing which was to see a movie at our local drive-in. Greg drove all the way from the city to the then ‘Countryside ‘of Croydon. When he arrived at my home however, my father had a surprise in store for us both, not only was I going to the drive-in but so was my younger brother and my mother! I try not to remember the rest of the evening, except to say, Greg was a complete gentleman ( well he had no choice ), we were all embarrassed, my mother in particular ( although she went along with my fathers orders,  suppose she had her reasons ).

Things did change eventually for the better in our family, and although I never did see Greg again, I did get my “freedom” and went on to do the things I wanted, without worrying about whether I am allowed to or not.

I did have some wonderful times at Drive-ins when I was a child, later as a young adult and now with my own family, however when I think of that one bad outing I break out in a sweat!

By Penny of Croydon North.

Untittled.

            I’ve been thinking about this for quite a few weeks and although I used to frequent the Croydon Drive-in the one memory that keeps on rearing it’s ugly head is the following :-

It didn’t matter if it was a Friday or Saturday night but the coolest thing to do before hitting the local nightclub was to start the night off with a visit to the drive-in. We would travel in the biggest car that anyone had- in this case a Holden Torana. You could comfortably fit four in the back and at a pinch an extra passenger in the front. We would then stop before we got to the turn into the gates and “rearrange” the seating – one on the floor in the back under a blanket and another across the back seat under a pile of clothes. The two smallest were jammed in the boot- unfortunately I was usually one of the two in the boot as I was pretty small. The gate attendant always looked a little confused when we left again with a car full of people when he / she was sure that there were only two on the way in!

They were fabulous times- ahh the freedom of youth!

Story by Rebecca.

Untittled.

 Many years ago, when I was a teenager, in the days of a single screen at Dromana Drive-in, my mother took myself and three girlfriends to see a movie in our new Chrysler with super doper electric windows. Of course this was in the time when you hung one of those monstrous, ugly, grey speakers from your car window. Well, you guessed it; the wonderful new invention of electric windows let us down. We couldn’t make them open and had to call for assistance, that being to cut the cord off the speaker, and leave the hideous looking thing hanging from the window.

Unfortunately, being Easter, we couldn’t have the window looked at and had to suffer the embarrassment of many car horns and lots of strange looks for several days. I was humiliated, being a teenager, and I think the experience has scarred me for life. (Joking – but it is an experience I will never forget.)

Sandy – Yallambie.

Untittled.

As you know I live here on Vancouver Island BC, Canada. We did have a few drive-ins here on the island but you couldn’t see it half the time for the dampness in the evening air would fog up your windows, as we sort of live in a bit of a rain forest here in this part of Canada. But “no worries mate”  as I have a model 1952 drive-in heater sitting out in my old truck. It was made by the drive-in theatre-mfg. Co. of Kansas City and works on 208 volts / 850 watts with the fan on high. You just plugged it in, hung up your speaker and that was more than enough to keep your windows from fogging up if the movie wasn’t as hot as the “shela” was.

So ask me again what my best drive-in memories.. ohh yeah… later that year we even got married ( 12 years now!) and she still has that old 1950 Fargo pick truck out in the yard… and the heater still works! Now, the kids use it to keep their big red play house warm… where does the time go by ?  It’s a shame but most of Canada’s drive-ins are gone. I saw the last show that was held for the Redcliff  Aberta theatre this past fall and it too will be missed greatly. Here, they just can’t compete with DVD’s and twenty four hour megaplex chains.!

Ian - Canada.

Untittled.

            My name is John. I arrived in 1952 from Scotland and married a young lass from Queensland in 1953. It was a long time until we had a car and my first part-time job was as a cook at the Toorak Drive-in. I stayed for many years and that was my first taste of the drive-inns. We had six children, so we didn’t go out very much except to the drive-in and we had a wonderful time with the kids in their pyjamas. Now, fifty years on, my own children take their kids every second week. Not only do they enjoy it, but it is a lot cheaper and mostly they get two films. My job in Scotland was  film projectionist so it must be in my blood. When the relatives come out, it’s the first port of call ! 

John. Dromana.

Untittled.

When my brother, sister and I were much younger, Mum and Dad used to take us to the Metro Twin-Drive-in on the corner of Wellington & Blackburn Roads in Clayton. As kids ( I think I must have been about ten years old ) we saw all the Disney family movies out there – “Babes in Toyland”, the original, “Parent Trap”, “the Castaways”and a host of others.

            Later, when I had my OWN drivers license, we used to do the rounds of the various Drive-ins around the Eastern Suburbs. Wantirna, Rowville, Clayton, Oakleigh, Croydon… A group of about twenty of us would all park in a single row and sit on car rugs or camp chairs, generally hooning about. It’s surprising that we were never thrown out of any of them.

            Around 1977 or so, I took a young lady out to a show at Wantirna. I was pretty keen on her and would do anything for her. That was the night I had my first…. Wait for it…. Cigarette! It is a habit that I wasn’t able to break until going “cold turkey” in 1990 when the price was just about to hit two dollars for a pack of 25’s. Unfortunately, CeeJay and I got on so well that our relationship became more of a “brother / sister” thing. Dóh! Just what I didn’t want at that time.

            A year or so later, I was with some mates in Longford (Gippsland ) on a “Blokey” weekend away. We went into Sale on the Saturday for some supplies. While we were there I met YL on the CB radio. The boys had such wide eyed expressions that night when I rocked up to the Sale Drive-in with “Wendy” in the passenger seat to see “Black September”(I think ). Unfortunately, that relationship lasted about seven months.  The traveling from Melbourne to Sale EVERY weekend just became too much.

            About 1980, a girlfriend ( who later became my wife ) and I went to Swan Hill for a long weekend away. The local drive-in, which was a fair way out of town, was showing, “the Fog” staring a young Jamie Lee Curtis. Little did we realise tat there was going to be a fairly heavy fog descending on the region that night ! We had borrowed a Pop Top camper trailer for the weekend. It had turned out to be a very cuddly night, mainly because Maggie was that frightened, what with having seen the film, driving back in the fog and then only having the canvas sides of the Poptop to shield us from the bogey men outside!!!!!!!

Keith – Now an Old Guy!

Untittled.

            My favorite memory of the Dromana Drive-In was from when I was 18 or 19. I was driving 1977 XC Falcon Panel van at the time when the Drive-In offered a “Dusk to Dawn” show at twenty dollars per car load. As my car had bucket seats there was only myself and a friend in the front of the car, but unknown to the ticket sellers, I had about eight people stacked up in the back. After getting inside, we hooked up with 2 or 3 other cars, emptied out the back of the van. The other cars carried eskys and chairs as well as people. The night was fantastic, everyone enjoyed the movies, all five of them! I also enjoyed the bands that played on occasion. We have full intention of trying to conceive our next child at your 40^th Anniversary bash too!

Phill of Safety Beach.

***** Well Phill  – We are all waiting to hear the result ????? *****

Drive-In Memories!

            My best memories of the drive-in is all of them ! Every time I go there, there is fantastic movies,  it’s a great price, yummy food, wonderful service, a fun playground, good parking and the most important thing of all, friendly people! There’s always someone to help you if you need it.

You always have a nice time at the drive-in. Everyone is caring, friendly, helpful, lovely, wonderful, fantastic, funny and sweet. I have so much fun at the drive-in. I wish I can be at the drive-in FOREVER ! I LOVE IT !

Name withheld.

Untittled.

            My memory would be going to the drive-ins with a friend of mine in a nice yellow and black original V8 351 Ford.  I was looking around and we were getting eyes from everywhere, they were all watching us cruise into the drive-in one Dusk to Dawn night.

After finding a good parking spot we set ourselves up, reached a decision with food and we were right to watch the pictures ‘til dawn without being disturbed. We watched them and enjoyed them tremendously!

We decided to fill the car up with water as with a four cam Ford the radiators hot all the time. We warmed the car up by cruising around the drive-inns saying goodbye as we all departed. We were last to leave, arrived at the front gates and guess what happened! We ran out of petrol. So I jumped in the back seat got a few hours sleep, woke up and walked to the nearest service station with my jerry can, filled it up with ten dollars petrol. Walked back to the car, filled the air filter with some petrol and the rest went in the tank. Started the car and home we went. I had time for a quick shower and get ready for work. What a night Dusk to Dawn !

 Jeanette of Rosebud South.

My Short Story!

            Recalling my many varied Drive-in experiences there is one that definitely stands out in my memory. It happened many years ago on a hot summer’s night. After a refreshing day at the beach, my parents decided to take my brother and myself to the Drive-in for a treat. At this point I must let the readers into a small secret. My father had the rather unendearing habit of undoing his belt after a large meal.  We all certainly enjoyed pigging out on the usual chips, hamburgers, malted milks, etc. While my fathers stomach swelled uncomfortably suddenly the inevitable happened. Some time later mother nature called and to the horror of my family Dad stood up outside the car with his shorts on the ground around his ankles. Needless to say he was lit up like a Christmas tree from numerous car headlight accompanied by honking horns and wolf whistles. The embarrassment of us all was etched into our minds as a permanent fixture. It was a long time before we could mention the word drive-in without everyone dissolving into loud guffaws of laughter except of course my father who took many years to live down the experience !

D & K  - Rosebud

Drive_In Memories Competition.

My best memory of a “drive-in” show

Was on a Saturday night, our whole family would go

To the “Croydon”drive-in, back in the “1970’s”time

In our “FX” Holden , we wait in the line.

We’d pay the entry and then we’d go

To somewhere near the middle row

Dad and Mum fumbled with the speaker in the dark

While us kids ran to the swings at the park.

Before the movie, we went to the shop

To buy icecreams, drinks and lollypops

Throughout the movie there were toilet stops

As well as more food from the drive-in shop.

I remember sneaking around the “panel vans”

With their tinted windows and beer cans

The usually were young fellas out for the night

Looking for girls or even a fight!

We usually only stayed for one movie show

Dad and Mum then decided it was time to go

Enough money spent on food and drink

And three very tired out kids I think!

I cannot remember watching too much of the show

But the “drive-in” movies was really the place to go

The playground, the food, the revved up cars

It certainly beat the cinemas by far!!!!

By Those were the days! – Lynette.  Frankston.

Memories!

I have so many wonderful memories and stories, but where do I start ? When I started dating my hubby, he and I used to go to the drive-ins every weekend ! Yeah, and you think to watch the movies! We never did see the first movie, I think we only managed to catch part of the second features. We used to go in his panel van and of course it used to get a bit of a good rocking motion going… if you know what I mean. One night after a night of frenzy passion, we get out to stretch the old legs and find the car has moved just slightly, but beside us is a group of guys in deck chairs and they start cheering us. Well years later we are at a party chatting to friends of ours about our old days at the drive-ins and my friends husband starts to tell us about this couple in a panel van that was next to him and his mates one night. Yep, you guessed it, he was talking about my hubby and I!!! He even described the van down to the last detail. We still to this day joke about it and have all gone with our own kids back to the drive-in’s to watch the movies now !!!

PART.2. – My husband and I used to spend nearly every weekend at the drive-ins with friends. It was a weekly outing. We would go to the old Oakleigh Drive-ins and bring out the bbq and deck chairs. Anyway, I can sort of say my first born child was very likely conceived at the drive-ins! We kept going to the drive-ins and one day when I was heavily pregnant and waddling out of the car to go to the restaurant, a group of teenage girls who had just gotten out of a panel van were walking past staring at me, I guess shocked to see a young ( well I was only 17 ) and very pregnant person there. I turned to them and said, “See what happens when you have sex at the drive-ins!”

They were speechless. I just laughed and walked away. Well anyway the day I got out of hospital after having my son, my hubby, myself, some friends and baby all went back to the drive-in’s. We joked that we had to bring him to his rightful place…. Yeah and I did see that group of teenage girls again, except this time they came over to gush at the baby in the pram I was pushing!!!!!! When my next child was born, ( no not conceived at the drive-in this time ) as a sort of traditional thing we brought her to the drive-in’s on the night I got out of hospital. Our kids have grown up going to the drive-in’s and love it. Now days they like to take a two man tent and sleep in it watching the movies. My son got a swag for his 16^th birthday and said, “Cool, now I can use this at the drive-ins!”

By Fiona.

Scab’s Alley: Coburg Drive-In 1975.

            Speeding through childhood in Melbourne’s northern suburbs of the sixties the drive-in loomed large. When the sun went down the lights went up in Essendon, Maribynong, Reservoir, Northland, Altona, Laverton, Coburg and beyond, usually with an Elvis movie. The advised Against column in the Advocate became my guide. The Sandringham Drive-in was my mecca. The R-Certificate let horror and sexploitation explode in Oz. The best place to catch it for a thirteen year old was Scab’s Alley. One frosty Friday evening we met in Fawkner, jumped on our push bikes and rode south. A pubescent posse out for kicks. Over an hour later we found ourselves flopping down on the dewy lawn bordering the Coburg Drive-in playground. With all nearby speakers set to stun we settled in for the mind-blowing experience of FLESH GORDON. It had only seemed like yesterday when we’d been watching bona fide FLASH GORDON serials at the Progress Theatre ( it was), but this was something else. Look out, there’s penisaurus”!.... What sort of robot is that ? … It’s a what machine???”

The drive-in will never die. Long live the Drive-in!

By  Michael. Vic. 3071.

Memories.

            I have only been to the drive-in a handful of times in my life. All good experiences, except for one…..

I was about five years old ( 1978 ). Mum, Dad and I went to see a movie at the Rowville Drive-in on Stud Road. ( I think it was that one… if not it was Croydon.) Being five years old, I went along in the usual garb- pyjamas, a dressing gown and slippers. We got there about fifteen minutes before the start of the movie. I was very bored and noticed a playground under the screen and was not going to stop complaining until dad took me down there. Sure enough, for some peace and quiet, dad relented. I went on a few things and then dad said we had to go back, so I managed to talk him into letting me go down the slide first. I came off the slide and landed on my back in the mud, but as it was dark, so dad didn’t notice. We got back to the car and I got in. It was then that we all realized I hadn’t landed in mud… I had landed in dog poo! It was now not only on my dressing gown, and slippers, but also the back seat of the car. We spent the next ten minutes putting my dressing gown and slippers in the boot, cleaning me up and wiping the car seat – thank heavens for vinyl ! This is one of my clearest memories of childhood and my definitive memory of going to the drive-in !

By Bunny / Caroline. Pt. Leo.
 

Untittled.

            Every Friday night my husband took my mother, our two children and myself to the Moorabbin Drive-in. We always bought the fish dinner with the most wonderful tartare sauce.  On the particular night we parked our car then realized cars were pulling in both sides of us then backing out again. It happened so many times my husband decided he had better get out and investigate. It seems we had driven over some cow dung which was plastered all over our hot exhaust pipe. The smell was unbelievable ! It was either go home or keep the windows up. We decided we enjoyed our pictures too much to go home, so we stayed.

As we had a prime position cars kept pulling into the empty spaces then as the others had done quickly backed out again. I’m afraid we didn’t see much that night, our entertainment was hilarious laughter all evening as cars kept coming and going.

This all happened over forty years ago and we were very sorry to see the drive-ins closing. Our grand-daughter and her family live in Mornington and enjoy their nights out at Dromana. So the family tradition is still being carried on ! (Without the cows I hope ! )

Dorothy. Langwarrin.

Memories.

            I would like to share this drive-in memory that happened to me twenty years ago at the Dandenong Drive-in. As you are aware, you drive-in guru’s hold your all night movie marathons whether they are themed or otherwise. Well some mates and I, as was our want decided to attend an all night horror movie marathon, probably at the last minute. These nights were usually on a Sunday night with about five or so films showing. I think the trick was to remember what happened in the first movie after seeing the last one. We jumped in the old HQ Holden and saddled off o the drive-in at Dandenong.  Well it must have been during the second movie when I needed to visit the little boys room. While heading back to the car I decided that a little scare tactic was needed to put the wind up the fellows that I left in the car. I bobbed down and circled the few rows separating my mates from myself and crept up behind the car and waited until an appropriate scary moment in the film, slid up beside the car and quickly ripped the door open yelling, “BOO!” at the top of my voice and started to actually get in the car as well. Guess what, it was the wrong car!! During my maneuvering to scare the pants off my fellow movie goers I had missed my car and chose one a few cars across that was the same make and model as my own. In the dark I had picked the wrong car entirely. This car contained three people in the front, two guys with a chick in the middle. The girl had a cigarette between her fingers about to take a drag when I made myself known. Her reaction was to scream the loudest, “Shiiiiiiiit !”while burying her head between her legs trying to hide. Meanwhile my fellow passengers in my own car had heard the ruckus and immediately started doing summersaults in my car laughing the hardest they have ever had. My most embarrassing moment. Luckily the two blokes in the victims car saw the funny side and we had a laugh at the next interval. I don’t think we stopped laughing for the rest of the night making it the most memorable drive-in moment ever! I have told this story many times over the years and it still seems like yesterday.

By Phil. Longwarry, Vic.

Hot Horror!

            When I was 18 I was a member of McGregor Rovers and we met on Friday nights. We occasionally went to the drive-in for our night’s activity.

One Friday night we went to the Sandringham drive-in. Being a very warm, humid night we had the windows of the car down and, at the time, I was going out with one of the Rovers so we were alone in our car.

We decided to see ‘The Exorcist’. We took three cars and we all parked alongside each other. David and I went in his car. On one side there was Peter and Mark, and on the other was Andrew, Bev and Sharon. Horror movies really scared me and I think the guys were quite aware of that.

Part way through the movie Mark very quietly crept out of his car, and at an appropriate part of the movie, bashed on the roof of our car – I jumped out of my skin.

Further into the movie, just to make things more thrilling, Mark and Peter decided to throw a wet chamois at me through my open window. Consequently I screamed and decided to wind up my window. I survived!

Untitled.

            Drive-ins were a family affair, kids in their jammies. You came early, when it was still light to have a meal before the pictures started. Meals were served with cutlery and crockery, which you left, by the base of the speaker. People were honest; no one ever drove off with them. The same as foxtails on radio aerials, they were never pinched either.

There were special weeknights, where it cost so much per carload, instead of per person. Some young guys would arrive with so many crammed into the car, one wonder how they managed to drive safely there. When you paid per person, some would have a couple of guys in the boot, to avoid paying.

The first time I went with a guy, I dashed to the toilet at interval and, when I came out the picture had started and the lights were off. I’d only met him the night before, I hadn’t taken any notice of what make or colour of car I was in. So rather than go around peering in all the cars, I just went home. The poor guy probably still thinks I walked out on him, sorry mate it was me not you!

By Judy of Seaford.

Have a Nice Day!

            I have a lot of fond memories of the drive-in. When I was 8 years old my family lived in Highett. We were two blocks from the back of Sandringham Drive-in Theatre, which was in Tulip St. I have three older brothers, who like most average male children that have a 40 foot poplar tree in their backyard decided it needed a cubby. Luckily for me, they made a fantastic sturdy, treehouse about 25 ft. up. Being the brilliant planner they were, they realized the potential for viewing the drive-in from our treehouse. We were quite poor and I had yet to see a drive-in movie. The screen was very visible from were we were and with a bit of electrical wizardry my brother hooked up a radio which we could sometimes receive the soundtrack from the movie as well. I will never forget the excitement of the first time I saw a movie, at night on a huge screen while sitting in our treehouse. I must admit, it was many years later before I realized why my eldest brother ( 17 ) thought the movie we watched was so funny. The movie was Cheech and Chong’s , “Up in Smoke”!

By Joy of Parkdale.

Untitled.

My Dad was jack of all trades, the one ticket he held was a projectionist’s license. He used to be the projectionist at the Dromana Picture Theatre. On Saturday’s we were allowed to go with him to the pictures, and while he showed the picture we were able to look under the seats for lost money. Times changed and the drive-in theatre was born and my dad helped build the Oakleigh, Clayton Twin and Toorak Drive-ins. Once again we were able to go to the pictures, usually on a Saturday when dad was working. We would get there earlier than most people as he had to set up the film in the projection box and we were lucky as we were allowed in to look around.

We would buy our fish and chips and then we had to park the car in line with the projection box as that was the best spot to watch the film.

In later years my boyfriend and now my husband would do the same thing. Get there early to miss the line of traffic and take our fish and chips to eat along with the good old cane basket that held the thermos of coffee. We then did the same thing with our children. It’s lovely to see the drive-in coming back; it was great family entertainment.

Story by Lynn.

Untitled.

            These memories are as told to me by my father. I’ve always found amusement in them, so I thought I’d share them with others…

1975, a ‘peaceful’ night at the drive-in. Sitting in the car, listening to the radio watching “ Arachnephobia” with my six foot, built like a tank friend, when all of a sudden, disaster struck. A ‘giant’ spider crawled down from the window in front of my mate, the next thing I know he’s jumped over the top of me ( in the passenger seat ) and passed straight through the open window. Mind you this ‘giant’ spider was probably the equivalent size of a five-cent piece, but hey, I suppose we all get a little bit scared and jump through car windows sometimes.

This same six-foot friend, while at the drive-in to see, “The Exorcist” this time, set out on a mission to get popcorn without missing any part of the movie. This came to a crumbling halt when he opened the door of an unsuspecting girl in a car similar to his own. There was popcorn, coke and girly screams everywhere. Maybe it’s just the drive-in that does it to you.

By Kylie of Mornington.

Untitled.

            In the mid seventies at the corner of Wellington and Blackburn Roads the Clayton drive-in operated with two big screens. You could see the pictures from the road but the best spot was to perch in the trees opposite where the Monash University had some residences. Being 15 year old boys our particular interest was in the R film nights when bare flesh could be seen... about as much as you see on SBS today in a world movie but in those days pretty graphic.

One night by arrangement we all rode our marlin bar pushbikes to our favourite tree and climbed into the branches some higher than others. The movie was pretty hot and even though there was a slight drizzle we remained in our treetop positions not wishing to miss out. Suddenly just when the action really hotted up on the screen I could hear from above the sound of crashing branches and then without a human sound a body crashed passed to the ground. We all clambered down and found one of the boys had lost his grip on the tree and had broken his arm. Explaining how this happened to his mum and dad was fantastic and finally we all agreed on a bike crash even thought there was no damage to his bike. Unfortunately his lack of tree grip was due to gripping another branch but not one of the tree type.

Funny enough the next time there was a sex movie night there was a car parked at the emergency gate watching but obviously without sound. We recognized this car to be our friends dad so it just goes to show that some things are hereditary.

Story by Bill.

 My Best Memory of The Drive-In.

            The best memory of the drive-in was the time that my mother went on a date with her boyfriend. Keep in mind that she is a well-educated and mature woman. We had only been living in Australia for about a year. The movie was about to begin and her boyfriend turned to her and asked if she would like to sit in the back. She replied,” No. I would like to sit up front with you.”

 Story by Joey.

Untitled.

             It was about 1978ish??? And Orca had just been released, we hadn’t been able to afford an outing for ages and we were to go to the drive-in as a special treat – the whole family ( 2 adults 4 kids ) packed into a combi van to go to the drive-in at East Davenport in Tasmania. Just to get in the gate, us kids were under strict instructions not to move as we were huddled under the make shift beds in the back of the combi, in order not to have to pay to get in ( I daresay this used to be a common happening ) I think we waited under the blankets while the old combi was in the entrance line for hours – although it was probably just a few minutes. By the time we got parked all four of us kids were really hot and thirsty and probably very grumpy. Our parents decided to send my oldest brother who would have been about twelve and myself ( oldest daughter I was probably 7 or 8 at the time ) over to the cafeteria to get some of those fantastic choc top ice-creams – which used to be the best thing about going to the drive-in! It took forever to walk there and we waited patiently in the line foe the ice-creams, I remember thinking that they cost a fortune. We had to carry three back each to the combi plus a drink each for our parents. So there we were carrying an armful each  - trying to find the combi in the dark when all of a sudden there was this really loud screaming, crashing and more screaming! We both dropped all the ice-creams and drinks, spilling them all over us. And we started screaming ( probably louder than the other screams ). Our parents eventually came running and calmed us down, but only to explain that it was the beginning of the movie ( Orca the killer whale made quite an impression in the opening credits!!) They were very upset about the wasted ice-creams and drinks and we were so embarrassed at being frightened by the movie,  especially my older brother who to this day will still not admit that it ever happened… We didn’t get any other icecreams or drinks that night and to this day I still get the goosebumps when I think of Orca  ( probably wasn’t a good movie choice for a young family when you think about it now ).

Story by Julie.

Racing - Special memory!

             My name is Katrina. I am 29 years of age. I have the most amazing memories of the drive-in theatre from my childhood. From the time I was 7 years old, until I was eleven, my father was a Projectionist with Eastside and Elwick Drive-In’s in Hobart.

I used to love Saturday mornings when I could go to work with him whilst  he checked everything for the evening shows. One of the first things he would do was to go and make sure all the speakers that you hung off the car windows were working. People would report them to the office the night before if they didn’t work and they had a list of the ones to be fixed. I have to say though this was probably one of the least favourite things to do because I remember a lot of times they didn’t work and my dad would unscrew the front of them and out would fall the hugest huntsman spider. Dad used to tell me they sat on the magnet insider the speaker to keep warm! Uggh!

I also used to love the time of day when the manager would arrive and let me eat all the broken choc tops that I could! Funny how they don’t seem half as big now as they were then.  We were also allowed to have all the drinks, chips and chocolates we could eat. It was great to mix all the different fizzy cordials together then drink them!

Do you remember the movie, “Cat’s in Space” ? I must have been 10 when that was shown in Hobart. The cars went from the drive-in all the way down the highway into the city, which was 15 minutes from the theatre. That movie was very popular!

I also remember when dad would be getting the reels ready for that night and I would tell him I needed to go to the toilet. He would give me the keys and I would not only go to the toilet but let myself into all the other rooms for a sticky beak, very spooky when no one was about.

Elwick Drive-In is now home to Elwick racecourse and before I moved to Victoria I would often sit in the grandstand and daydream about myself being there when I was little. The actual building that housed the cafeteria, projection room, etc. is now home to 30 horses who are trained by a close friend of mine. Some of the original rooms are still there but are utilized for storage now, the old toilet sign still hangs on the wall out the back.

Well I know I have surpassed well over 200 words and I’m sure I could write well over a million on all the things I used to get up to out there! Very fond memories I will keep with me forever.

Untitled.

            This story takes place some time around 1970, when my family stayed at Dromana for a summer holiday and is part of our family folklore. I was about 11 and my sister was 9… Times were very different then… We went to see a film at the Dromana Drive-in about a man who was being chased around the USA, “End Game” I think it was called. Odd film actually, but one scene stays in my mind. In the desert our hero sees a motor bike coming over a hill out of the sunset so details are not clear. As the bike approaches, the details become clearer and we see it is being ridden by a female, but as it gets closer, it becomes obvious that this lady is completely naked. Oh dear! Here we are stuck at the drive-in and you can’t turn it off and you can’t change channels. Remotes weren’t even invented then. My parents in the front seat are almost choking with this embarrassing situation, I am cringing, but my 9 year old sister in the back seat knows exactly how to handle it. She asks…”Mum, is that a Honda she’s riding?”

Story by Ian.

Memories.

            I remember as little girl in about 1965 going to the drive-in at Mildura. People used to come around to the cars and clean the windshields. We used to go early so we could play on the swings and have some tea. My brothers and I used to go in our pajamas and we would take blankets and pillows in the back of the station wagon in case we got tired. My dad was a local doctor and it was one place he could go and have a night out without telephone calls. I have just recently taken my children to the drive in for the first time and they enjoyed it so much they are nagging me to take them back. Good old Memories…

Story by Jenny of Chelsea.

Drive-In Experience.

In the early eighties I was at the East-Davenport Drive-in, Tasmania one night and it was fairly windy but the show still went on. Anyway there is a caravan park nearby and next day I read in the paper the storm and wind had blown over caravans and caused a lot of damage. Can’t remember the movie but it was a good night. I don’t think the drive-in is still at East Davenport.

Story by Bill.

Wake-up Little Margy!

            The Everly Brothers got it slightly wrong with Suzy. Hi, my name is Margy and I have very fond memories ( now ) of the Dromana Drive-in. Although at the time I was quite embarrassed. It wasn’t all that long ago, my husband ( boyfriend at the time ) decided it would be a great idea to go to the drive-in. There was a Dusk to Dawn on and most of the movies I liked. But the last one of the evening, I think it was “Universal Soldier” didn’t really appeal to me. But my boyfriend, Andrew, was looking forward to that one the most. So off we went. It was really busy. Anyway I’m usually quite the night owl, but on this particular night I was wilting fast and so when it got to the final movie I nodded off nearly straight away. In the back of my mind I assumed it was safe to fall asleep because Andrew would stay awake for the movie HE wanted to watch. Next thing, “Knock…Knock…Knock…” on the window. I didn’t know where I was or what was going on  ( I’ve always been a heavy sleeper ) when I finally realized what was going on the knock which had moved to Andrew’s window, he’d come to and I hear, “Thanks Mate!” To my amazement the whole drive-in was desolate and pitch black. We were so embarrassed we drove out quickly, but then laughed

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