Feb 13, 2023·edited Feb 13, 2023Liked by Justin Deming
I grew up in the drive-in era, so I went to a lot of them as a kid. Usually in my pajamas. With popcorn my Mom had made. And the horrible speakers you hung from your window. They mostly died off by my 20s.
The giant metal spiders would scare a few people away, I imagine. 🤣
I was lucky to grow up in an area that still had a few drive-ins. My parents used to take my brother and me from time to time. I still remember packing up our snacks and sleeping bags...oh, the good old days!
My dad always picked horror or science fiction films for us to watch. War of the Worlds, The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Thing, The Crypt, Creature from the Black Lagoon...... We kids covered our eyes and STILL had nightmares for weeks.
Thanks so much, Scott! It’s a shame that drive-ins are almost a thing of the past at this point. How cool that you once went on your motorcycle. What type of bike do you (or did you) have?
It was during my younger days when I took motorcycle trips with my high school friend. I did just publish the story. https://scottocamb.substack.com/p/the-drive-in . Have a look if you are up to it.
This was such a fun story Justin! We went to drive-in movies many times as kids, and I also went many times as a teen with my girlfriends. Some of those dates were so bad I was wishing for a giant monster to end the misery! 😜 Great stuff as always!!!
Thank you, Uncle Scott! I really appreciate it. We used to go to the drive-in theater in Rome a bit, but for the life of me I can’t remember its name. Ha! This spider could have bailed you out! 🤣
A fun story, Justin! Like a true horror movie, they didn't make it out alive 😅 I'm not sure I've ever been to a drive-in that I remember. I love the aesthetic, but the experience never appealed to me. I'm spoiled with at home viewing.
Haha, thanks Brian. I ran out of words and needed a quick ending! I put the spider to work. 🤣 I completely understand where you’re coming from. To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I’ve set foot in a movie theater.
Ah, I'm of the age where drive-in movies were common and always filled with pajama-clad kiddos, like me. I'm so grateful for those memories, and it was sad to witness their era decline.
However, during 2020, our town brought back drive-in movies! A huge screen set up in the large parking lot of our small sports arena. Families here loved it, and were very grateful to our Mayor and the Town Council.
Submitting to contest is always a roll of the dice (or die), and it's wonderful that you did! Wow, 48 hours is not much time to pull something together. Good on you!
I have a longer piece as well, and I hope you give it a read:
It is sad that drive-ins have “died out” over the years. It’s really neat to hear about your town, though! I have two drive-ins in a thirty mile radius of where I live, but we haven’t brought the kids yet. Maybe this summer. 😊
Yeah, I hear you in regards to submitting to contests! I don’t hold my breath, but I do enjoy the process and the end result - a “finished” draft of a story! Substack is the perfect home for many of those types of stories - the rejected ones that still deserve to see the light of day.
Thank you for sharing your story! The title looks familiar...I want to say I read that one and enjoyed it! But I will double check later. 😃
Your action prose is so much fun! Have you seen the documentary Watch Under the Stars on HBO? It’s a great look at the modern state of American drive-ins from a French perspective.
That was a good story. I like a good creature feature too but have never seen one at a drive-in theater. I was only to one twice but can't remember what I saw there. Your story made me think of "Earth Vs. The Spider and Doc Octopus on Spider-Man rolled into one lol.
Thanks, Pennie! I’m in the same boat as you. I honestly can’t remember what I saw at the drive-in as a kid. I believe I watched one of the newer Star Trek movies most recently, but that was probably a solid decade ago. Yikes!
I have two drive-in memories. The first I was very small, in my pajamas, eating McDonald's in the back of my parents' station wagon. The movie was Bambi. The second was a date with my then boyfriend now husband. We went to a drive-in that we actually live very close to now in Milford, New Hampshire. We watched Dr. Dolittle with Eddie Murphy. 😂 It was a double feature, and the second film was the movie AI, which we did not stay for. I remember the experience being incredibly lo def.
I love that you remember the movies so vividly, ha! For the life of me I can’t remember any of the movies I watched at the drive-in as a kid. Maybe the Brave Little Toaster? Page Master? I really don’t know.
Haha! Sounds like a memorable date. The drive-in experience can vary depending on a lot of factors. For example, swatting at mosquitoes for two hours makes for a horrible time, and it’s even worse if your car battery dies. 🤣
Man! That was some vicious spider! You made it really clear in my mind -- I could see it, and didn't want to! Great sound effects, Justin. Those poor kids. Yes, I remember going to the Drive -In as a kid with my folks -- bringing pillows and blankets. Mama always packed a picnic dinner. The two of us kids fell asleep in the back seat - mostly because they never chose movies we liked. Still , it was an adventure. Thanks for the memory!
Thanks, Sharron! I have no idea why the spider made an appearance, or where on earth it came from, but I suppose that’s how it goes sometimes as a writer, ha! I appreciate your kind words.
Thanks so much for sharing. I remember doing the same as a kid with my parents and brother. He and I used to fall asleep before the second movie. The drive-in we went to normally played a “family” movie first. Oh, the memories!
I grew up in the drive-in era, so I went to a lot of them as a kid. Usually in my pajamas. With popcorn my Mom had made. And the horrible speakers you hung from your window. They mostly died off by my 20s.
Fortunately, there were no giant metal spiders. 🤣
The giant metal spiders would scare a few people away, I imagine. 🤣
I was lucky to grow up in an area that still had a few drive-ins. My parents used to take my brother and me from time to time. I still remember packing up our snacks and sleeping bags...oh, the good old days!
Check out Scott Ocamb at the Drive In this week. He nailed it.
Will do! Just subscribed to his newsletter. 😊
My dad always picked horror or science fiction films for us to watch. War of the Worlds, The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Thing, The Crypt, Creature from the Black Lagoon...... We kids covered our eyes and STILL had nightmares for weeks.
Good story. I loved this line:
"The two scream-sang the joyous, melodic tune as the wind whipped through the old Subaru Outback."
I have fond memories of drive in movies from when was a kid in the 70's. I even went once on my motorcycle.
Thanks so much, Scott! It’s a shame that drive-ins are almost a thing of the past at this point. How cool that you once went on your motorcycle. What type of bike do you (or did you) have?
It was during my younger days when I took motorcycle trips with my high school friend. I did just publish the story. https://scottocamb.substack.com/p/the-drive-in . Have a look if you are up to it.
I absolutely loved it, Scott. Thank you for sharing. I just subscribed to your newsletter!
I remember that story, Scott.
This was such a fun story Justin! We went to drive-in movies many times as kids, and I also went many times as a teen with my girlfriends. Some of those dates were so bad I was wishing for a giant monster to end the misery! 😜 Great stuff as always!!!
Thank you, Uncle Scott! I really appreciate it. We used to go to the drive-in theater in Rome a bit, but for the life of me I can’t remember its name. Ha! This spider could have bailed you out! 🤣
Yes...THOSE dates. Most boys who went to drive-ins were not there for the film... I remember.
A fun story, Justin! Like a true horror movie, they didn't make it out alive 😅 I'm not sure I've ever been to a drive-in that I remember. I love the aesthetic, but the experience never appealed to me. I'm spoiled with at home viewing.
Haha, thanks Brian. I ran out of words and needed a quick ending! I put the spider to work. 🤣 I completely understand where you’re coming from. To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I’ve set foot in a movie theater.
Ah, I'm of the age where drive-in movies were common and always filled with pajama-clad kiddos, like me. I'm so grateful for those memories, and it was sad to witness their era decline.
However, during 2020, our town brought back drive-in movies! A huge screen set up in the large parking lot of our small sports arena. Families here loved it, and were very grateful to our Mayor and the Town Council.
Submitting to contest is always a roll of the dice (or die), and it's wonderful that you did! Wow, 48 hours is not much time to pull something together. Good on you!
I have a longer piece as well, and I hope you give it a read:
https://jenisecook.substack.com/p/the-lottery-ticket
It is sad that drive-ins have “died out” over the years. It’s really neat to hear about your town, though! I have two drive-ins in a thirty mile radius of where I live, but we haven’t brought the kids yet. Maybe this summer. 😊
Yeah, I hear you in regards to submitting to contests! I don’t hold my breath, but I do enjoy the process and the end result - a “finished” draft of a story! Substack is the perfect home for many of those types of stories - the rejected ones that still deserve to see the light of day.
Thank you for sharing your story! The title looks familiar...I want to say I read that one and enjoyed it! But I will double check later. 😃
Thank you for reading and commenting, Jenise!
Your action prose is so much fun! Have you seen the documentary Watch Under the Stars on HBO? It’s a great look at the modern state of American drive-ins from a French perspective.
Thank you so much, Geoffrey! When writing action scenes I try to drive them forward quickly, but perhaps even more so in this piece.
Hmm...nope, I’ve never heard of it, but now I’m intrigued to check it out. Thanks for sharing!
Congratulations! Scary stories are one of my favorite types of fiction. Felt a few Stephen King vibes as I read.
Thanks, Amie! I’m enjoying the genre more as I get older. I appreciate you reading my stab at it!
That was a good story. I like a good creature feature too but have never seen one at a drive-in theater. I was only to one twice but can't remember what I saw there. Your story made me think of "Earth Vs. The Spider and Doc Octopus on Spider-Man rolled into one lol.
Thanks, Pennie! I’m in the same boat as you. I honestly can’t remember what I saw at the drive-in as a kid. I believe I watched one of the newer Star Trek movies most recently, but that was probably a solid decade ago. Yikes!
I’m happy you liked the story! 😀
I have two drive-in memories. The first I was very small, in my pajamas, eating McDonald's in the back of my parents' station wagon. The movie was Bambi. The second was a date with my then boyfriend now husband. We went to a drive-in that we actually live very close to now in Milford, New Hampshire. We watched Dr. Dolittle with Eddie Murphy. 😂 It was a double feature, and the second film was the movie AI, which we did not stay for. I remember the experience being incredibly lo def.
The movie, not the date. 🤣
I love that you remember the movies so vividly, ha! For the life of me I can’t remember any of the movies I watched at the drive-in as a kid. Maybe the Brave Little Toaster? Page Master? I really don’t know.
Haha! Sounds like a memorable date. The drive-in experience can vary depending on a lot of factors. For example, swatting at mosquitoes for two hours makes for a horrible time, and it’s even worse if your car battery dies. 🤣
Man! That was some vicious spider! You made it really clear in my mind -- I could see it, and didn't want to! Great sound effects, Justin. Those poor kids. Yes, I remember going to the Drive -In as a kid with my folks -- bringing pillows and blankets. Mama always packed a picnic dinner. The two of us kids fell asleep in the back seat - mostly because they never chose movies we liked. Still , it was an adventure. Thanks for the memory!
Thanks, Sharron! I have no idea why the spider made an appearance, or where on earth it came from, but I suppose that’s how it goes sometimes as a writer, ha! I appreciate your kind words.
Thanks so much for sharing. I remember doing the same as a kid with my parents and brother. He and I used to fall asleep before the second movie. The drive-in we went to normally played a “family” movie first. Oh, the memories!