8mm Forum: Drive-in information from Florida wanted.

This is topic Drive-in information from Florida wanted. in forum General Yak at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on March 01, 2007, 03:52 AM:

Hi Florida locals, Paul etc

I am interested to know if you have been to the Swap Shop drive-in theatre in Ft Lauderdale. It has 14 screens, the world's largest and on google earth they look spread all over the swap meet site with some even painted on the large walls.

What is the place like? Is it busy at night during the drive-in movies? Are the screens and fields large or small? How does it differ from regular drive-ins? Is it ramped like a regular drive-in field or just flat?

As you may know we run the Lunar 3 screen drive-in here in Melbourne and whilst I have visited the US several times, I have not seen this theatre.

I would love to know if you have seen it and what you think.

Thanks, David

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on March 01, 2007, 08:23 AM:

Hi David,
Well I am embarassed to say that this is the first I have heard of this Drive-in [Embarrassed]

. However, since Ft. Lauderdale is only a 3 hour drive from here, I will try to check it out on my next trip over to the beach and report back. In general, the drive-in theaters in the USA have now stabilized in numbers, after many closings, and seem to be holding their own, some are doing very well. To our British friends, who may never have seen one, there is nothing like watching a movie out in a beautiful country setting on a summers eve under the stars.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on March 01, 2007, 08:40 PM:

The very first movie I ever saw was "You only live twice" at a drive-in way upstate in New York when I was about five. My parents were concerned that I'd be bothered by Mr. Bond's romantic escapades, but apparently the only real concern I had was why they dropped that nice car in the water with the helicopter.

(Liked cars, still do!)

Years and years later I learned that you never really apreciate how filthy your windshield is until the moment you start watching a movie through it!

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on March 02, 2007, 08:54 AM:

My favourite Drive-In is the 'Port' Drive-in in Pennsylvania. Set in stunning rolling hills between Williamsport and Jersey Shore, I spent many great summer evenings there in the 60's enjoying some really great movies. There's just something really special about the drive-in experience which cannot be duplicated in an indoor theater, it's just more of a carefree atmosphere. Happily this great drive in is still in operation.

Posted by John Cook (Member # 203) on March 14, 2007, 08:52 PM:

Land barons bought out and closed our last remaining Drive-In here in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area a few months back. We drove by the site last weekend and the screen has already been torn down.

The last owners of the theater who know wished they had purchased the property outright instead of leasing the propery said they're in search of a new home and may open up a twin screen theater in the area in time for a 2008 summer season. I hope they have the will and the way to make good on those comments.

My family was saddened and disappointed at the finality of the view from our truck outside of the former Drive-In theater site last weekend.

Congrats to you for having such an awesome facility so close...

Regards, John

Posted by Chip Gelmini (Member # 44) on March 16, 2007, 03:52 PM:

"THE DRIVE IN BLUES"

This was a PBS documentary shown quite some time ago on the hsitory of the drive in movie theater. It will probably be hard to find by now, but should not be missed.

CG

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