Seeing a movie in a theater can be miserable these days.

Texting.

Talking.

Smoking.

It’s nearly impossible to freely smoke or send a text message to a friend during a movie without being bothered. Some get upset over this and even tell you to stop smoking or to put your phone away. The nerve! That’s when I tell them exactly WHERE they can GO!

And then an usher usually escorts me out.

In any case, there is a place you can go, long forgotten by most moviegoers, in which you can do all of these things and more. Heck, you can bring a pizza, adult beverages and your own smoke of choice. Here you can watch a movie in a comfortable setting and enjoy the freedom to do whatever the hell you want.

It’s called… the Drive-In.

At their height in the 1960s, there were nearly 5,000 Drive-In theater screens. Now, they number less than 500 in the United States with most having been converted into weekend swap meets or used car lots. This radical 90% drop in screens since the 1960s almost killed the industry. Somehow the habit of taking the family to the Drive-In was weaned out of most of the culture. The joy of seeing a film outdoors while sitting comfortably in a car may be lost on a generation of moviegoers. Teenagers who once dry humped for the first time at a Drive-In, are now relegated to sending dirty pics and texts without the luxury of private time. Today’s young teens are missing out on a critical life experience and must resort to “technology” to get their first sexual thrills rather than actual touching.

Luckily, ambitious film festivals in New York, Austin, Dallas and Las Vegas, among others, have supported alternative screenings at makeshift Drive-Ins. Their mission is to reintroduce the wonderful experience associated with seeing a film under the stars in a car. And now, Drive-Ins all over the country are enjoying a rebirth.

One of the most useful web sites dedicated to information about these lost treasures is Drive-In Movie which lists addresses and information by state for each screen. Interestingly, there are more screens in the southern U.S. than any other part of the country where many Drive-Ins never really left.

In the Los Angeles area, my favorite is the Pacific Vineland Drive-In in the City of Industry probably because it’s one of the few left in town. The Vineland may be a bit rundown, but that only adds character. One thing you must know is that on Fridays and Saturdays, the Vineland is packed with cars winding around the block before the boxoffice opens. The Vineland features four screens and each screen shows two movies – one film plays at dusk, the second film plays, and then the first film plays a second time. If you switch screens, you can potentially see three films in one night. The cost is only $8.00 for adults and kids under 12 are free.

There is no right way to enjoy it, but I do have some tips to ensure you have the ultimate Drive-In experience:

1. Park wisely.

When entering the Drive-In, it helps to keep the lights off so as not to disturb those setting in to watch the flick. If you plan to stay in your vehicle during the show, be sure to park on the slope facing upward for the best view. If you choose to sit outside, get those sports chairs with drink holders – a cooler also makes a great footstool. And don’t forget, parking is always free.

2. Build an outdoor theater.

Modern Drive-Ins transmit sound via FM radio, so you hear the film through your car stereo, so crank it up. If you go with a group, one way to really maximize sound is to get their early enough and get three spots – park two cars on the outer spaces leaving the center space empty. Then set up chairs in that center space like an outdoor theater. With the car windows rolled down on the sides facing the chairs, it’s like experiencing a film in 9.1 sound!

3. BYO… Whatever!

I generally bring my own treats and a cooler filled with beer. I pop my own corn then warm it up in a metal bowl wrapped in aluminum foil placed near the engine for about 10 minutes. The result is warm and buttery popcorn that is much cheaper than the soggy theater-bought stuff. Your engine can also be used to heat up anything from pizza to nacho cheese. (Bring an oven mitt and be careful. Reheat times may vary based on whether you have a 4, 6 or 8-cynlinder vehicle, so test this out.) In addition to warm snacks, you can also smoke outdoors.

4. Bad can be good.

There are movies that we all know are bad, but in this setting, they can become like an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Bad movies and B-movies have always prevailed at the Drive-In where it’s fun to mock the film and loudly express your inner monologue. One of my favorite Drive-In memories is seeing the Fast and the Furious 2, which is a campy movie about car about racing… but I saw it while I was sitting at the wheel of my car which only added to the fun. A bad movie at the Drive-In always equals a great time. And even better, you can text during the show.

Ultimately, a good Drive-In experience is like tailgating with movies – where hanging out with friends is more important than the film itself.

Words by Chris Gore

Pictures by Dustin Downing

Vineland Drive-In

Drive-In Movie Theater Listings by State