"Cars" Under the Stars

This past weekend, while Dorene was in Chicago visiting Diane, I took the kids to see the new Pixar movie, "Cars." To make it a little more fun, I took them to see it at the drive-in theatre in Plymouth, which is one of several in Indiana but one of only a few left nationwide.

This is a very family-friendly place. They search your car prior to entering for any alcoholic beverages. I have no problem submitting to that kind of search. Also, you have to pay $5.00 if you bring in outside food. The reason is that these theatres are strictly mom and pop operations and the vast majority of their revenue is based on concessions. So, if no one gets anything there to eat, they'll lose money. Also, to get in, it costs $7.00 per adult and $4.00 per kid, and that's for a double feature. So, the money is not rolling in with ticket sales.

We decided to help them out and get all our snacks at their concession stand. This is not your typical snack counter. They have the usual popcorn and stuff, but also burgers, brats, dogs, pizza, chicken tenders, cheese sticks and much more. They urge you to come early, which they claim is to get a good spot to see the screen, but it's actually so you'll also have dinner there.

They also have a playground, so the kids were very much entertained prior to the start of the movie, which got going around 9:15 p.m. (daylight savings time kinda reeks havoc on drive-ins). Prior to the start of the movie, they show theatre ads from the 50's and 60's, urging you to go to the snack bar, which is kinda cool. The one modern day touch is you no longer hear the movie from speakers attached to a pole that you place by your window. All the sound comes through your FM radio.

Back when I lived in Pixley, California, I went to the drive-in on occasion with my brother Stu and his wife Joyce. The one theatre we would go to was the Sequoia Auto Drive-in, which, if it still actually open, I'd be very surprised. It was a dump of rather epic proportions . . .but it was cheap. They charged by the carload, which I think at the time was $5.00. This was for a TRIPLE FEATURE. Of course, not a triple feature of first run movies. The first time I went there we saw the scintillating triple bill of "Love at First Bite," "Harper Valley PTA," and "Ffolkes." This was not the most family-friendly place. In fact, Stu would not let me go the snack bar by myself. But, for the money, definitely a bargain.

As for the movie "Cars," the kids enjoyed it, and I really enjoyed it. Not quite on par with "Finding Nemo" and "The Incredibles," but still top-notch entertainment. We didn't stay for the 2nd feature that night, which was "The Shaggy Dog." It wasn't starting until 11:30 p.m., which is just a little too late.

As for the drive-in, the kids absolutely loved it, so we'll be back. I enjoyed it too, brought back memories of the triple features at the Sequoia Auto. But at least at this place, when the kids get older, I think I'll be able to let them visit the snack bar without armed escort.