A Night Out.
In the 1950′s, there was very little entertainment in the home of newly married couples and especially the ones with small children. It was not feasible for them to hire a babysitter for a night out since the family income was limited to one paycheck. It was more or less accepted that the mother would keep the home-fires burning and to care for the children while the husband earned their daily bread.
Television was in its infancy and was cost prohibitive for most young couples. There was, however, a source of entertainment available to them that would not break the bank. This was the local Drive-In Theater.
Most of these theaters would set aside one night as family night with an admission of $1.00 per car load. It was not unusual for two families to pool their resources, pack a picnic supper, and load the children into an available Station Wagon for a double-feature at the Starlite Drive In.
Most drive-ins included a play area, with swings, rocking horses, etc, just in front of the huge screen and well away from the roads that led to the elevated ramps. The families usually arrived early and while the mother fixed the sandwiches and drinks, the fathers supervised the children in the play area.
The theater provided music for the early-birds and announced over the speakers placed on posts beside the cars, just how much time was left before the movies would begin. This gave everyone time to play, eat their supper and prepare the beds in back for the youngest children without missing any of the action.
As a general rule, the program began with a Pathe Newsreel, followed by brief bits of coming attractions, a cartoon and, of course, chapter 6 of “Jungle Jim and the Headhunters.”
The tired children were asleep by the time the feature movie began. This was usually a drama followed by either a Western or another Action picture. Is there anywhere today that two families can enjoy more that two hours of entertainment for a total of $1.00?
Alas, Television and the invention and popularity of computers put an end to the Drive-In Theaters. If anyone today is interested in viewing the latest product from Hollywood, they are required to; – hire a babysitter @ 5.00 + per hour; drive to one of the Malls with Multi-Theaters; stand in line 30/40 minutes, pay as much as $40.00 – $50.00 admission; and are still not able to take advantage of the play area swings.
You decide: Have we really “come a long way, baby?”
Demijon
Some of us can revive the good old days, in our minds, at least. Dj.
