Drive in Movie

[dawgs47]

As a suprise for my girlfriend, I want to take her to a drive in movie. I live about a 1/2 hour outside NYC in a small town in NJ. As far as I can tell, there are no longer any drive in movie theaters in the entire state. I was wondering in any people from PA close to the NJ border that know where a drive in is located. Or maybe one near westchester NY. I have no idea where to even began to look for a place. any help would be awesome.

[Momjeans]

there is one down here in delaware. it is in felton, de. not really close but the only one i know of.
http://www.driveinmovie.com/DE/DiamondState/

[100 Grand]

Here ya go! (http://www.driveinmovie.com/mainmenu.htm) :D

[dawgs47]

Thank you both so much. I think I am going to try
Tri-States Drive-in Theater in PA

Its 1.5 hours from my house, but even the Drive In movie's in PA are starting to close pretty quickly. If we do not go soon we may never get to see one. Oh well, thanks again

[Sinn Fein]

One of my "things to do if I ever won the lottery" is to open a drive-in theater. I really think the demand is there. Especially with the whole "fast and the furious" teen crowd we have today. Also, alot of older folks who haven't been to a drivein in years would be into it. With the luxury appointments of some of today's cars/SUVs there isn't a better place to watch a flick than your own vehicle.

Damn I really want to go to a drive-in now.

[PyThomas]

Me and my fiancee did the drive-in experience last year. The movie (Enough) was so-so, but we loved the experience and have been looking for the right opportunity to go back. The closest operating drive-in in the DFW area is the Brazos in Granbury, some 20 miles down US 377 from Fort Worth. They've got a website (http://www.thebrazos.com) as well.

Some advantages to drive-ins:

1) Usually it's so much a carload (at The Brazos it's $15), so pile is as many friends as you can for greater savings.

2) Easier to sneak in your own snacks.

3) The sound is provided by radio frequency, so how grandiose a stereo experience you get depends on what kind of sound system you're packin' in yer car.

4) You get a bit more privacy (especially in a 4x4 or SUV) so the time-honored tradition of groping your date at the drive-in is alive and well. :bigok

[Butternuts]

greatest drive in memory. My uncle had a 55 chevy pick up he would back it in the spot and we would put lounge chairs in the back,,, it was the shit..... I still remember covering my face when we saw "JAWS" at Atco theater in South Jersey.

nothing like a maneating shark on a 100x75 screen in 1978. Scared the living shit out of me.

[dawgs47]

I have a chevy blazer with a really nice sound system. It should be a kick ass drive in experience. I am sure it will be a one time thing, but I hope it becomes a memorable experience.

I would love to hit the lotto and open up a Drive in. I think it would make a mint. How much do you think it would cost? Its basially a parking lot, screen and projector. I think the new generation (14-20) would enjoy it because underage drinking at bars has become harder from what I have seen and if nothing else, it is a social place to go and drink. Maybe smoke a quick joint.

[Ballbuster1]

Originally posted by Butternuts
greatest drive in memory. My uncle had a 55 chevy pick up he would back it in the spot and we would put lounge chairs in the back,,, it was the shit..... I still remember covering my face when we saw "JAWS" at Atco theater in South Jersey.


I saw "Texas Chainsaw Masacre" at the Atco!
Boy , they were great f-ing times!

[Daydreams33]

I've never been there, but there's also this one:

http://webusers.warwick.net/~u1006131/driveinmovie/playing.htm (Drive In)

[dawgs47]

I must have missed over this one, and it is actually closer to my house! Thanks a lot. I should be going in 2 weekends, so I will let everyone know how it went. I think I am going to try and see the new matrix there.

[Momjeans]

i was inspired by your idea and we loaded up and headed to felton, de last night. we saw the matrix and malibu's most wanted. the movies were ok but, being there was soo fun. we brought a cooler of beer, bought nachos. popcorn and french fries.(i read that the only thing that keeps these theater's going is concession sales.) It was really fun, thank you for the idea guys!

[PyThomas]

I think the big reason that the number of drive-in's are dwindling is that, from a business standpoint, they're not financially feasible anymore. They can only be operated at night, thus there's only one or two showings of the movie, and unless you have a lot the size of a small airport, you can only fit in maybe 100 cars per screen. By comparison, the newer conventional theaters can show a film 6-7 times a day and the largest auditoriums they have can hold 300 people. Sentimental value and nostalgia can only get you so far.

In my opinion, what these drive-ins need to do in order to survive in today's world is diversify themselves. Put up some little diversions on the side that people can pay for, like an arcade, miniature golf or a swimming pool. During the day, host flea markets or swap meets. Put up a small stage in front of the screen, so that you can hold concerts or plays there in the daytime. Have special film-type nights, like "50s B-Movie of the Week" or "Classic Musical Night" - or, hell, play "Rocky Horror Picture Show" at midnight. A more expensive option - but it might get more people in - is to get one of them fancy digital projectors. When I was at the Depeche Mode concert in 2001 (at an outdoor amphitheater), it looked like they were using a digital projector onstage because the video footage was very crisp and colorful, so DLP can definitely work outdoors.

[Daydreams33]

Okay, so I'm thinking of going this weekend. I live in NYC, so I'd like to go to one close to here, but if its too far of a ride, I'm not against getting a hotel room. Anyone have any suggestions, I know I reccomeneded a place, but I've never been there, so I'm open to ideas. Thanks.