I went to the drive-in movies recently — the first time in approximately 60 years — to one of the last complexes of its type in Australia. The Yatala Drive-In is approximately 34 minutes by car (40.0 kilometres) south of Brisbane, Queensland, but is actually classified as being situated in the Gold Coast.
Imagine that, 60 years, and goodness gracious, did it bring back some memories; some good, some not so good.
Flashback: Capalaba Drive-In, 1959; the movie was Fantasia. Here, I must ask, did anyone else suffer lifelong terror nightmares because of this movie? Did you see the Sorcerer and the mops coming to get you as you slept and did you feel a tad betrayed by Mickey Mouse?
No? Umm … That’s what all my family and friends say. I can hear my five older siblings sniggering as they read this. Rude!
Brisbane’s first drive-in was the Capalaba, which opened in 1955. The Boondall Drive-In opened on February 8, 1956, at the time it had the largest screen in Australia. Kids were well catered for with a merry-go-round, miniature Cobb & Co coach and Shetland ponies to ride (at least according to an article in the Brisbane Telegraph, February 6, 1956).
The Yatala Drive-In is the Gold Coast’s last open-air drive-in theatre in an area that in earlier times would have had more than 20 drive-in theatres. Formerly the Beenleigh Drive-In, it opened on October 27, 1974, and in 2000 the theatre was renamed Yatala Twin Drive-In when a second screen was added. A third screen was added in 2013.
Am I permitted to say it was sort of the same but different? Thank goodness Fantasia wasn’t showing.
As a youngster I remember the initial excitement of any drive-in movie night was having your bath; getting in your pyjamas, dressing gown and slippers; grabbing all the pillows and blankets you could carry and then piling into the back seat of the car. Going out in your pyjamas broke all the rules, which added to the silliness and fun.
There always seemed to be a huge line-up once we arrived, which was absolute torture because we could see the playground and the ponies waiting for us. There was always a man with a torch waving at Dad to show him the way and where to park. A temperamental gear box, excited kids and a judgement call on that small mound of dirt must have made finding the ‘sweet spot’ difficult. The trick too was to park as close as possible to the speakers on the stand because they had to reach the car window and balance precariously. We always applauded Dad’s efforts even if there were a few ‘begin-agains’ as we called them.
We constantly aimed to arrive early, 6pm-ish, but obviously so did all the other families. We were a family of six kids so we were our own ‘gang’; the older kids obviously looking after the younger ones, including me. At the playground, I truly don’t know how they managed it but, even being last on the long queue, be damned if we were suddenly and inexplicably shot up to ‘next in line’. Don’t ask, don’t tell.
All too soon it was time to return to the car and climb into the back seat, the blow softened by finding out Mum and Dad had bought all manner of lollies and ice creams not normally permitted. Sometimes we had dinner before leaving home, other times we were allowed hot dogs and chips with huge dollops of tomato sauce; yummo! Naturally, on such nights, eating outside the car was obligatory.
As mentioned earlier, my very last childhood drive-in visit was to see Disney’s Fantasia. The very last scene I remember was ‘The Broom Scene’, the Sorcerer’s Apprentice ‘unpleasantness’ when all the mops come alive and try to drown everyone. Quite the skirmish! Apparently not even Mum could calm me — I was seven years old and terrified. To this very day I cannot watch that film. Way to ruin a family night out!
I thoroughly enjoyed my latest drive-in adventure, but no more speakers on stands, open air playgrounds, pony rides or kids in pyjamas. Now, you tune-in on radio, bring your own outdoor folding chairs (your choice), dress up in film appropriate costumes (your choice) and buy your food from the replica 1950s diner.
As I say, it’s the same but different. I’m simply thrilled that such an iconic ‘mainstay’ bastion from the 1950s can still be enjoyed in 2019. Just don’t ask me to forgive Mickey Mouse, because, well … some things never change.
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