Drive-Ins: They Rise Again
image courtesy of foxbusiness.com
BY SOFIE MRAZ ‘23
As COVID-19 gained momentum in the beginning of March, stores, restaurants, and cities began to close down under temporary lockdown, creating a new sense of isolation. The summer that many hoped would consist of spending time with friends, eating out at restaurants, or enjoying crowded beach days became facetime, takeout, and staggered groups. Indeed, the inability to go out and enjoy a normal summer resulted in what felt like an endless wave of boredom. Moreover, the lockdown restrictions forced many small businesses to close their doors for good. Nevertheless, some businesses have stayed afloat by making necessary changes to fit this new norm. Safety protocols have been prioritized when negotiating a balance between allowing customers in stores and maintaining social distance. Whether these safety adjustments mean outdoor seating or in-store customer restrictions, these small innovations have proved incredibly beneficial. As everything closed down, people searched for substitutes for their favorite activities and many businesses followed through with creative alternatives with one of the most popular of these being the return of drive-in movie theatres.
Drive-in theatres were incredibly popular in the late 1950s and 1960s, with drive-ins attracting teens and young adults. The most popular movies played back then were horror, including The Texas ChainSaw Massacre and Night Of The Living Dead. However, the drive-in model lost momentum in the 1970s, as the movie selection shifted from Hollywood pictures to exploration, and the business almost effectively ended shortly after when home video became available to the public. But with the pandemic forcing all indoor theatres to shut down for a few months, multiple theaters converted their parking lots into drive-in theatres in order to stay in business. Although finding official drive-in theatres remains difficult, with only 4 destinations in Massachusetts, the response to the return of drive-ins has been overwhelmingly positive as many have found drive-in theatres more fun than regular theatres. The retro setting, feeling nostalgic for some and new to others, has been especially popular and successful in retaining the older feel while adapting for the times. The snacks have generally stayed the same as they were in the 60’s, ranging from different candy, drinks, and of course multiple options for popcorn. However, these snacks remain hit or miss, and sometimes the lines are just too long, but the genre of horror movies has evolved into a broader selection. Genres change every night, spanning from old romantic classics to new action releases. Playing two movies a night, the drive-in movie theatres usually play movies geared towards kids first, followed by a more mature movie selection being shown later in the evening. Since the 60s, the drive-in has evolved to appeal to everyone. While Covid-19 has unfortunately prevented activities many had looked forward to, some of their creative substitutes have revitalized retro settings for the better.