Drive-In Picture Show

Growing Up in Dublin, Texas

As I mentioned in Part I, my Brother Kenneth had Black 40 Ford Sedan, although I am sure I rode in it more than once, I remember one time in particular, the Drive-in trip, Dublin had a Drive-In back in the late fifties, and it also had a Championship Rodeo at one time too, more on that another time. I remember riding in the back seat, and Ralph was on the passenger side up front, as Kenneth was in control of his car. I remember it taking a corner as we drove past the football field, and I slid from one side of the seat to the other, it was a happy feeling.

The Drive-In was on the highway 6 going north towards Deleon, just on the edge of town. After waiting in line to pay, I we drove toward the back of the Drive-In and then Ken positioned the car on one of the built up mounds next to the speakers which you could hang from the car door window. Not satisfied with the position he drove over the mounds until we were a couple of rows closer and then we all could see the screen better. Now settled in, it was time to go to the snack bar.

The Snack bar was a small building located about three quarters of the way back as it also contained the movie projector. The projection started as we were coming out ot the snack bar and walking by the couple of picnic tables which sit out in front of it. I remember looking up and following the light to the huge screen. After getting back into the car, I stood behind and between the two front seat backs eating from a bag of popcorn, watching the screen and listening to the hollowed sound coming from the small speaker hanging on the window of Ken’s door, and my brothers commenting on the movie.

I do not remember what the movie was about but after the movie all the lights came on and we made our way out the opposite side from where we came in. As we drove onto Highway 6, I remember looking at the front of the Drive-In, it was all lit up, showing off the billboard with Movie names and times and above it all, in huge letters “Dublin Drive-In”.

The Drive-In is no longer in use. A skeleton of the frame which held its proud name still remains, and from the road one can see the snack bar projection building still there. On the mounds where we and others once enjoyed the Movies in the great outdoors, are junked cars and piles of wood and other miscellaneous piles of junk.

It makes me a bit sad to see it like this.

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© 2006 Texas Tortilla Factory – Mike Vauthier

Tuesday, August 29, 2006