The drive-in was first invented in Camden, NJ in 1933, just down the road from where I live now. Though the drive-in flourished in the 1950's with America's new addiction to the car and its first taste of disposable income, it has been in decline ever since the 1970's. There remains but one drive-in in the entire state of New Jersey, The Delsea Drive-In down in Vineland, about a 45 minute drive away.
I try to make it there at least once every summer. As I've mentioned before, I love movies, and love the drive-in even more. When I drove across America in 2007, I went to as many as I could, and wrote about my experience at the Getty Drive-In in Michigan.
I love the atmosphere of kids playing in the waning light, the smell of the snackbar wafting over everything, watching a movie from the comfort of my own car, and just getting to experience a slice of Americana... I generally don't care what the drive-in is playing. I'm in no matter what.
But last night was a special night:
The chance to see such a classic of American cinema, the original summer blockbuster, at a drive-in?! It doesn't get better than that.
Oh wait, you mean the Delsea Drive-In does a double feature every night, and the second movie was Transformers: Age of Extinction?!
I was in heaven last night.
Brian, Alicia, Stevie and I arrived around 7:30, over an hour before sunset, and had dinner at the snackbar which has a surprisingly good selection. We then played cards in the back of our car while waiting for the sun to set.
I had never actually seen Jaws in its entirety, and seeing it at a drive-in lived up to all my expectations. One of the highlights of my summer so far.
Transformers... not so much. I love big dumb explosion movies, but this one was pushing it even for me. Save yourself the time and money and see something else.
Want to experience the drive-in yourself? Check out the website www.driveintheater.com for a list of active drive-ins in your state.
I try to make it there at least once every summer. As I've mentioned before, I love movies, and love the drive-in even more. When I drove across America in 2007, I went to as many as I could, and wrote about my experience at the Getty Drive-In in Michigan.
I love the atmosphere of kids playing in the waning light, the smell of the snackbar wafting over everything, watching a movie from the comfort of my own car, and just getting to experience a slice of Americana... I generally don't care what the drive-in is playing. I'm in no matter what.
But last night was a special night:
The chance to see such a classic of American cinema, the original summer blockbuster, at a drive-in?! It doesn't get better than that.
Oh wait, you mean the Delsea Drive-In does a double feature every night, and the second movie was Transformers: Age of Extinction?!
I was in heaven last night.
Brian, Alicia, Stevie and I arrived around 7:30, over an hour before sunset, and had dinner at the snackbar which has a surprisingly good selection. We then played cards in the back of our car while waiting for the sun to set.
I had never actually seen Jaws in its entirety, and seeing it at a drive-in lived up to all my expectations. One of the highlights of my summer so far.
Transformers... not so much. I love big dumb explosion movies, but this one was pushing it even for me. Save yourself the time and money and see something else.
Want to experience the drive-in yourself? Check out the website www.driveintheater.com for a list of active drive-ins in your state.
"Son of Explosion Man" is playing there next week.
ReplyDeleteAnd after that will be "I Was a Teenage Explosion Man."
DeleteScott, your mention of a Michigan drive in made me check out that post. I didn't know you had a whole other blog. My son is currently talking about travelling across the country and reading your exploits has actually made me a bit calmer. Really well written and enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteHi Kim, thanks for checking out the other blog. It's a little boring by today's blog standards but I did try to write each entry as well as possible. Glad you enjoyed it. If you ever have any questions about driving cross country don't hesitate to ask. It was the trip of a lifetime and one I would definitely recommend.
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