Yesterday afternoon and evening was a very Ellis family moment…being the car buffs and retro enthusiasts that we are, my dad, my brother, Jeremy, his wife, Erin, my boyfriend, Patrick and myself made what I would deem a pilgrimage to the Dallas Motor Vu drive-in to see American Graffiti and Grease. My dad drove his little ‘29 Model A, and Jeremy drove his latest toy.  After Mapquesting the trip, we drove all 77.15 miles from Eugene to Dallas along old Highway 99.  Patrick really didn’t have much experience riding in the Model A, but I had, so I rode the trip in the rumble seat, while Patrick took the front seat by my dad where there was less wind.  Even with my hairclip, the wind whipped my face and a tangled mess ensued. (I don’t use scarves, since they always blow off) But thankfully I remembered my hairbrush and at every stop, I brushed it out.

Once we arrived, we were the third and fourth cars in line and took the opportunity to take car pictures in front of the sign.  The Dallas opens its gate at 7 pm, so for this night, that was roughly an hour before the movie would start.  Other cars began to crawl into the line, and we talked with other patrons.

The lot began to fill up as the evening grew darker, and while the cruise in was to be the next night, we figured some other vintage car owners who were in our same situation (unable to come that night) would show up, but they didn’t, and we ended up being the only old cars there, which my brother said was okay, since “It was neat being the center of attention.”  Before the show started, we went to the Snack Bar where we purchased the usual drive-in treats (I’ll admit, I was disappointed, my corn dog was soggy, my Coke was flat, and I didn’t much care for the popcorn – a very far cry from the quality at the 99W). We also took opportunities at taking pictures (more available on my Flickr) and chatting with other folks, and much car talk was exchanged.  But darkness crept upon us, and before we knew it, it was showtime…

When I lived in Tigard, my mom and I enjoyed weekends at the Newburg 99W drive-in.  I loved every second of it, aside from the entire experience, the 99W went all out.  Once the sun set, the owner would announce a hardy welcome, birthdays of patrons (which gave an opportunity to honk horns and flash headlights), followed by a vintage reel of the “Star Spangled Banner” (another time to honk and flash headlights) and then a reel about the decline of drive-ins.  It showed various abandoned drive-ins followed by a bold “CLOSED”.  At the end it read, “America used to have 4,063 drive-ins – Only about 400 survive today” and thanked us for coming to this one.  No such experience existed at the Dallas Motor Vu.  The first thing that came up on the giant screen was an ad for Olay body wash, then the previews.  No announcement, no “Star Spangled Banner” – nothing.  I was sorely disappointed.  I guess one could say I was spoiled, but I didn’t think so.  Intermission came after American Graffiti, and like many others, I dashed to the bathroom.  Upon returning, I noticed no intermission reels, my mind and mouth worked at the same time, “This drive-in sucks” (okay that was a little harsh).  The 99W intermission is filled with great old intermission reels! But after a few more minutes, some did crop up, thankfully!

Oregon has only four surviving drive-ins (Dallas Motor Vu, Milton-Freewater, La Grande and the Newberg 99W), and I see them as a true American icon.  A reminder of a time that in reality was quite complicated, but at the drive-in, it is easy to forget about the red scare and the cult of domesticity, especially while watching flicks that offer up the rose tinted version we all like to remember and look upon with nostalgia.

In the 1950s, the drive-in was a place for teenagers to escape from the clutches of their parents.  Drive-ins experienced a downfall in the late 1960s, and were often resorted to XXX cinemas by the 1970s, but today, the drive-in is making a comeback, and it is now a place to bring the family.  There are more pick ups and hatch back cars where families fold down backseats and pack in the pillows.  Radio stations have replaced the iconic speakers (due to theft) but still, the experience is the same.  So, if you have a drive-in close to you, please attend it.  Click here to find a drive-in close to you.