Drive In Theaters

The fabulous fifties; when gas was less than a quarter a gallon, milk was 92 cents, and a postage stamp cost 3 cents. Drive Ins' were popping up all over the country, almost 8,000 of them at peak. It was family fun and our family participated.

I remember when the children would be loaded into the car, us kids sliding into the back seat like sardines in a can. Mom would have the baby in her lap, and a toddler would be snuggled up in the back seat shelf. We were all excited but it had nothing to do with the movie. We were kids, we lived in the moment and this presented an opportunity for fun, adventure and some good snacks. We went to the Cranston Drive In and admission was a palsy $2.00 a carload. Mom had dressed the youngest in their pajamas. Dad would drive in the vast parking lot and find the best spot; front and center for the early arrivals. He would park the car on a small incline with the nose of the car pointing up and grab a speaker from the pole, placing it inside the window.  After fidgeting with the dial we would hear some music before the movie began.The tinny, static sound that would come out seemed like magic to us.

We always arrived early to get a good seat and get our play time in. Upon arrival we would bound from the car and head for the swings, see-saw and mini playground in front of the big screen. We spent our energy running, riding and laughing until the light took it's last breath. The movie couldn't start until dark and when the night shade was pulled down the flood lights over the screen would blink sending us children scrambling back to the car. The youngest would flip and flop until they found a comfortable position and fast fall asleep. I was the eldest and I would go out and sit on the hood, sometimes laying my head down so I could look up the star studded sky. It was never about the movies. I would watch all the cars with their hoods poised in mid air. I would watch children hanging out of the windows. I would glimpse girls resting their heads on the shoulders of their dates. The cars were big; 57 Chevys, Buick's, Ford convertibles and more. The girls wore pony tails and poodle skirts, the guys had gold chains around their necks and their hair greased back. I dreamed of when I would be sitting next to someone, basking in his adoration, wearing his school ring, swooning at his words.The movie would come on although I don't remember much of what I saw, except maybe Ben Hur with a cast of thousands.It fascinated me to see men and women of a different era. I marveled at their prowess and admired the ladies flowing garments.

No drive in experience is possible without the intermission and the brighter than bright pictures of the food at the concession stand flashing on the screen. There were hotdogs, fully loaded, hamburgers, greasy, delicious French fries served in a cardboard boat, and soft drinks, hot cocoa and colas. Those of who were still awake anticipated our booty with salivating mouths. The air was permeated with the smell of fried food, and did I mention clam rolls. Yes, in R.I. clam rolls were as common as hotdogs. 

After the intermission the night darkened and the sand man visited the last of us hold outs. It was in a semi stupor I would hear the final music and the discordant notes of speakers being placed back on the poles, engines starting up, and feel the car lining up in a que to exit the show. Upon arriving home I would be awakened to help bring in the sleepy heads and place them in their waiting beds. All was right with the world, with our little world, and the Drive In Theaters were just another part of the 50's to be treasured.

 

When the intermission would come on the big screen they would show delicious, artery clogging food in full color that would make you salivate. Besides the usual popcorn there were fully loaded hot dogs, hamburgers, hot chocolate, ice cream, candy and greasy delicious French fries served in cardboard containers. The soda pop and goodies would be packed into a gray carton and we would sit in the car and enjoy the feast. All the fried, delicious smelling food would permeate the air while we watched the big screen tempt the hold backs counting down the minutes till the feature presentation would show.