A night at the drive-in

Last week I showed you the back of the screen at Bass Hill Drive-In . And as I promised our son we'd go to the drive-in, last night was the night. We saw the 3rd instalment of Pirates of the Caribbean. The first part was much too long, but the action got going in the second half. Intermission was a chance to stock up with more junk food at the snack bar....mmmmmm choc-top ice creams!
Some things don't change either...little kids still get taken to the drive-in dressed in their pyjamas, dressing gown and slippers. And some people park their station wagons backwards, open the back and lie down to watch the movie.

Bass Hill Drive-In

Have you ever been to a Drive-In theatre? Along with ten-pin bowling alleys and courtyard motels, they were an iconic part of 1950s and 60s culture, imported from the US.

I used to love going when I was a kid. Usually there would be a small playground under the screen where kids could play. Many would arrive dressed in their pyjamas, so if they went to sleep in the car they could get put straight into bed when the family got home.

The people who live here must feel like they are there every night! Bass hill is a twin screen theatre, so there is another screen, showing a different movie at the other end of the lot. You just park your car in the direction of the movie you want to see. It was closed when I went past, but here's some great pics.

You can check here to see what' s showing tonight.

To read all about Australian drive-ins, have a look at this website, starting with Bass Hill, one of only two left open in Sydney. And here's a doco, American Drive-In Movie Memories.

And here's one on the history of the drive-in theatre.