I felt as though we were in an old movie. The line of cars crept closer to the ticket booth, and I almost wished we had someone hidden under the doona in the back. On the other side of the fence people were moving between cars with bags of mixed lollies and popcorn, laughing and chatting as they turned their cars into beds. I had forgotten how exciting the movies could be.
Apparently drive-in movies are dead. The
Yatala Twin Drive-In Theatre is making a stand. And it seems to be working. As they say on their website, "As long as there are sunsets and stars at night, there will always be drive-in movies".
Situated within easy reach of the city, the Yatala drive-in is an attractive alternative to regular cinemas. They are open seven nights a week and offer twin screenings of current films for $16 per person (or $13 for one). So for almost the price of a regular movie ticket you get four films to choose from in a night. But the films are secondary to the actual experience.
From lining up, to hanging the battered old vintage speaker from your window, the drive-in reconnects us to the joys of movie going. There is nothing quite like getting up from your cosy spot under the blankets to stroll over to the lolly bar with friends shouting orders, or back seat make-outs by the glow of the big screen. There's a reason your parents still talk about the drive-in.
The Yatala Twin Drive-In Theatre is on Jacobs Well Road,
Stapylton. Take the Yatala North exit off the Pacific Motorway. Screenings start around 7 but get there early for a good spot as it fills up quickly, especially on a Saturday night.
