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At the Drive-in Part 2: The Later Years

Published on 09/24/2025
By: Desk
15
1156
Trivia
5
The first Memphis drive-in movie theater opened in April 1940. The last closed on May, 18 2025. That's a lot of movies and even more memories. Yours truly landed in Memphis in 1974 to attend what is now known as the University of Memphis, but it took 21 years and thousands of trips past the Summer Drive-In before my family became part of its history.
1. Trace and I loaded up my Caravan and her husband's truck with kids and coolers, old quilts and lawn chairs. And enough snacks to sustain a wagon train along the entirety of the Oregon Trail. We set up camp next to each other and kicked back to watch the hot new Disney release, "Pocahantas." Did you ever take your kids to a drive-movie when they were young?

Trace and I loaded up my Caravan and her husband's truck with kids and coolers, old quilts and lawn chairs. And enough snacks to sustain a wagon train along the entirety of the Oregon Trail. We set up camp next to each other and kicked back to watch the hot new Disney release,
2. The kids loved the first movie and the novelty. About midway through the second film which featured Chevy Chase and Johnathan Taylor Thomas (6-year-old DeeDee's first crush) in one of the worst family films ever produced, soon to be three Dexter decided he wanted a visit with every family on the lot. DeeDee began advocating a move to the other screen which was showing Batman. Did you ever find yourself watching the movie on the other screen at the drive-in?

The kids loved the first movie and the novelty. About midway through the second film which featured Chevy Chase and Johnathan Taylor Thomas (6-year-old DeeDee's first crush) in one of the worst family films ever produced, soon to be three Dexter decided he wanted a visit with every family on the lot. DeeDee began advocating a move to the other screen which was showing Batman. Did you ever find yourself watching the movie on the other screen at the drive-in?
3. Time Warp Drive-In was a monthly throwback night curated around different themes. It was more than just a night at the movies. It was an event. Sometimes including live music or other enticements. If you were going to go to a throwback night, what genre would you most like to see?

Time Warp Drive-In was a monthly throwback night curated around different themes. It was more than just a night at the movies. It was an event. Sometimes including live music or other enticements. If you were going to go to a throwback night, what genre would you most like to see?
4. Shortly after I retired, DeeDee suggested a mother-daughter night at the drive-in. Starting with my high school boyfriend who nixed "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," those who know and love me well tend to censor my film viewing. So, it was a surprise that my daughter suggested we go for a night of thrills and chills at the October 2017 Time Warp event. Enjoyed "Jaws" and "Psycho." The original "Halloween" not so much. Still a shockingly good time was had by all. Have you ever been surprised that you enjoyed a movie you really had no interest in seeing?

Shortly after I retired, DeeDee suggested a mother-daughter night at the drive-in. Starting with my high school boyfriend who nixed
5. Since the Summer Drive-in closed in May, I have been re-visiting the films I saw on those whopping five visits to the drive-in. "Island of the Blue Dolphins" was found only on an archival internet site. Woody Allen's "Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex but were Afraid "to ask is available only with a paid subscription- and it can stay there. So is cult favorite "Barbarella," but it will eventually show up- probably on TCM- and I am a patient woman. And am wondering, if it were possible for all of our little community to get together for a night at the drive-in, which set of films would you most like to see showing?

Since the Summer Drive-in closed in May, I have been re-visiting the films I saw on those whopping five visits to the drive-in.
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