So I heard movie attendence has been in decline for 3 years now, taking a dive. And...I got to thinking about going to the movies when I was a kid. We'd go to the "Manos" for saturday mattinees. The "Princess" closed down when I was about 7 or so, so we only had one theator left. The next town had two. Bigger ones then ours. As I remember, it's been torn down for years, the box office was under an overhang and we'd line up around the block and wait for it to open. Then you'd walk into the lobby, get some popcorn or something for minimal bucks and find a seat. No cup holders. There was a balcony and a mens' and womens' smoking lounge you'd go through to get to the lavs. The screen was hung over a real hardwood stage with curtains. There was a live show, a magician or clown, or something. The manager would come out and give a little intro speech. A contest everyweek..."Look under your seat to see if you've won!"... Sometimes a collection would be taken for a noble cause. Then a newsreel, a cliffhanger seris, some cartoons, coming attractions, then the feature. Maybe The H-Man. Sometimes two features. Afterwards we'd hit Islaly's for ice cream and wait for someone to pick us up at the redlight. It does seem that the Lone Ranger appeared in person one time...but I could be wrong..wishfull thinking maybe.
I almost never go to movie theaters anymore, people talk thru movies thinking they're in their living room watching a DVD. Or else I'm sitting behind some extra tall person & can't see, despite stadium seating. that really sucks when there's subtitles, some of the best movies are not the American trash we get now. but as a kid, we had FREE saturday morning matinees for kids at our local cinema so our moms could shop I guess. There must've been some payoff for the moms to drop us off, but I just liked the black licorice and getting to see a free movie. Matt, Saturday Night Fever was 5.50 in the 70's ??? !!! ??? guess you lived in the big city, huh? I don't remember any movies then being over $3. but the new Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is going for $14 here at the Imax. Unbelievable (the prices that is). I miss the old classic theaters...but now a lot of them have been refurbished for music and such....so I'd rather go see live music than a movie....
There's nothing like a drive-in movie place.....I would sit in the back seat of my parents mustang in my pajamas and blanket and pillow and could watch the movie......the speakers kinda sucked, tho. It didn't matter if someone was in the next car talking thru the movie, you just turned up the speakers
oh ,the drive ins!! I almost forgot them. those were great. Mom would dress us in our jammies ... we went to see Gone with the Wind and Fantastic Voyage at the drive in. and mom could smoke her cigarettes, well back then I guess you could in some regular theaters too.
I had The Fox Theatre, The Lowe's Grand, and The Rialto. They burned the Lowe's Grand but they saved The Fox and The Rialto. But they don't have anything I can go to. (Expensive Broadway Shows, Summer movies, Concerts etc)
Oh ho! The drive-ins! They used to be about 10 miles apart. I can remember at least 5 in my area, one with double screens. Then they fell one by one. Only one left there. Where I am now there was at least 4, none now. Well there is one but I can't remember where it is. When we were in our teens we'd take a "Tapper Keg" and sit on the hood of the car and drink that sucker.
I only go to the movies every now and again when the kids REALLY want to see something on the big screen. Last time we went it cost us over $100! Needless to say I'm not doin' that again any time soon. I really miss drive-ins though. I did the whole jammies pillow thing when I was a kid with my parents and when I got older it was a blast to be able to drink beers on the hood of the car while watchin' the show. Man I miss that. I think there might be a drive-in 'round here still....have to go check it out.
I found a website that shows the drive-in theatres that are still around by state, along with a list of the ones that are no longer with us.. http://www.driveintheater.com/drivlist.htm I wish the kids today could experience drive-ins, the experience beats the over-priced, cramped movie theatres today.
Cool site Hippycarly... Found a couple I remember from back in the daze that are now gone. They're missing at least opne though...can't remember the name.
