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The trio is complete...Ronald Reagan, Ray Charles, and Marlon Brando.

"Apocolypse Now" will never be looked at in the same way again.

"What are they gonna say about him? What are they gonna say? That he was a kind man? That he was a wise man? That he had plans? That he had wisdom? Bullsh*t man!"

Dennis Hopper character in Apocalypse Now

It's one of my favourite movies, but the worst to watch at half three in the morning!

I have friends who actually saw it at a DRIVE-IN when it was first released !

Redux is even more grueling in the wee hours !

Ronald Reagan, Ray Charles, and Marlon Brando - a trio?

They don't look like a set to me. Talia, explain!

Woah, slow down there, drive-ins actually exist? I thought they were just made up by movie writers! Do they still exist? Are they anything like the one in "Grease"? TELL ME MORE!!!!!!!!!

Emer-

My son and I go to the drive-in frequently. Last week we went to see 'Around the World in 80 Days'. We like Jackie Chan, but the movie was LAME. They usually show two or three movies in a row, but he runs out of gas around midnight. You never have to ask when the movie starts, it's always sunset.
The original theatre had one large screen. There is no way to make money like that anymore. The lot has been broken up into nine screens set up in a radial fashion. The best 'modern' innovation is the sound system. It used to consist of a cheesy speaker that dangled inside your car window. Now each movie has its soundtrack broadcast on a separate FM station, so the sound is as good as your radio (mostly better than the cheesy speakers- which are still there!)
They have playgrounds right in front of the screens, so the kids can play while their parents watch the movie with the kids in sight. Another good thing for some is that you can bring lawn chairs and smoke (whatever) and talk during the movie without bothering anyone.

One funny note. There used to be a sign that read:

'CLEAN RESTROOMS'
'FRESH POPCORN'
'CHILDREN AT PLAY'
'PLEASE DRIVE SLOWLY'


Some of the letters blew away ages ago. Now it reads:

'CLEAN
POPCORN'
'CHILDREN
DRIVE SLOW'


Enough already...


Jack

Emer,

Back in the 50's and 60's drive-ins were as numerous as toadstools after a summer rain. You could bring your own food or buy it there. They were often called 'passion pits' by concerned parents, afraid that their daughters would...well, you know. Today, unfortunately, the picture quality is usually poor, but we still go , maybe out of loyalty.

john

As to Marlon Brando, Rodney Dangerfield said it best in the movie Back to School, "Pound for pound, one of our best actors."



Post Edited (07-02-04 20:33)

To my knowledge there are no drive-ins left in California. Kind of sad really. It was fun to watch a movie, and as Jack explains it was often a family excursion.

Les

There are no more drive-ins on Long Island, the last one closed about 7 years ago.

It's economics mostly....the land and house prices are at the point of absurdity, and the more crowded it gets, the more prices go up. It's become less appealing and more expensive....go figure !

I think there are a few here and there. [www.driveintheater.com]

I remember the playgrounds- our parents would take us already in pajamas. That way, we'd be (they hoped) asleep by the time The French Connection started.

pam

Wow yes, I remember wearing pajamas !

>They were often called 'passion pits' by concerned parents ...

Ah, brings back fond memories. Her father's old 49 Ford; steamy windows; speaker turned down too low to hear the movie; intense leg, neck and stomach cramps from holding the wrong position too long.

he truly did it his way! He was the best actor since Gable in my opinion!!!!! II loved his work.
I didnot know the man!