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 Phil74Camper
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| posted on September 9th, 2008 at 08:54 AM |
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Perth Drive-In cinema
Is there anyone here from Perth?
Sydney once had 14 drive-in cinemas in the 1970s, but between 1984 and 1987, all but two of them closed down and were redeveloped into housing or
industrial estates. Only Blacktown and Bass Hill survived, and both were converted to twin screens. Sadly, Bass Hill closed late last year, and is
currently rotting while a new housing development awaits approval. The GU Blacktown Twin is now Sydney's only drive-in.
Mellbourne is doing a bit better; they have a triple-screen drive-in at Coburg, and another in Dandenong. There is also a twin-screen drive-in at
Dromana. Melbourne got Australia's first drive-in in 1954 and once had as many as 20 at one time.
As far as I know, Brisbane only has one existing drive-in, at Yatala. Canberra once had two, but both are gone now. I think all of Adelaide's
drive-ins are closed, too.
I wasn't sure about Perth (it's a bit far away), but I was browsing Google Earth the other day and found a drive-in at Kingsley. Has anyone been
there lately? What is its history?
Tell us about your old local drive-in !
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LukeV85
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| posted on September 9th, 2008 at 09:58 AM |
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on the subject of old drive ins there is a petition going around to save Bass Hill Drive In from demolition by Bankstown council. Please click on the
link and sign up.
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-bass-hill-drive-in/sign.html
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squizy
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| posted on September 9th, 2008 at 11:27 AM |
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I used to go to Dundas and Chullora Drive-In's when I was little. I'd have my shower, get my PJ's on, and nine times out of ten fall asleep in the
back whilst things like Logan's Run were on. I think there was a North Ryde one too wasn't there? Erina used to have one before Erina Fair went in.
Heddon Gretta up Newcastle way is still operational.
It's such a pity all of these places have closed up. I think we all pine for that nostalgia in a way, Drive-In's, Diners, and cruising.
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HotRodMatt
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| posted on September 9th, 2008 at 01:09 PM |
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All that remains of the old Starline (then Skyline, then Greater Union) at Kingswood, NSW.
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Phil74Camper
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| posted on September 9th, 2008 at 01:46 PM |
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I love drive-ins (hence my post), there was just something so special about mixing cars, movies and a night out. Yes I must get up to Heddon Greta
during the school holidays. Did you know it was originally open from 1966 to 1984, then it closed and lay rotting for 12 years? It was purchased and
re-opened in 1996. What a wonderful achievement. Pay it a visit! The website is http://www.drive-in.com.au/
The Sydney drive-ins, and their years of operation, are as follows (in order of opening):
Frenchs Forest (the first one to open) - 23 October 1956 to 1984 (Hoyts Skyline)
Chullora Metro Twin - 24 October 1956 to 1978 (MGM - the first Sydney drive-in to close)
Dundas - 24 October 1956 to 1988 (Hoyts Skyline)
Bass Hill - 1956 to 2007 (Hoyts Skyline - converted from single to twin-screen in 1988)
North Ryde - 1956 to 1986 (Hoyts Skyline)
Caringbah - 1956 to 1988 (Hoyts Skyline)
Matraville - 1956 to 1984 (Originally the independent 'Matraville Star Drive-In' - joined the Hoyts Skyline chain in 1970)
Fairfield - 1964 to 1984 (Originally the independent 'Fairfield El Rancho' - joined the Hoyts Skyline chain in 1969)
Blacktown - 1964 to present (Hoyts Skyline - now Greater Union - converted to twin screen in 1984)
Liverpool (Casula) - 1967 to 1985 (Hoyts Skyline)
Penrith - 1967 to 1986 (Hoyts Skyline)
Campbelltown (Narellan) - 1969 to 1984 - remained an independent operation called the 'Gayline Drive-in'
Warriewood - 1971 to 1985 (Hoyts Skyline)
Parklea - 1977 to 1985 (Hoyts Skyline)
1984-85 was a killer for drive-ins, thanks to home VCRs and RBTs. All of the closed drive-ins have been built over and redeveloped, EXCEPT for
Penrith. Amazingly, the site still exists mostly as it was, even though its been closed for more than 20 years. It could be converted back into a
drive-in without too much work:
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HotRodMatt
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| posted on September 9th, 2008 at 02:26 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by Phil74CamperEXCEPT for Penrith. Amazingly, the site still exists mostly as it was, even though its been closed for more than 20 years.
It could be converted back into a drive-in without too much work:
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Must have been a while since you've seen it. I drive thru it at least once a week.
The building were torn down a few years ago. The mounds have been considerably flattened. As you can see in the pics above and below.
The one above looks across where the concession/projection building used to be, the one below looks down toward where the screen used to be.
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roundtoit
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| posted on September 9th, 2008 at 04:04 PM |
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Drive in
Yes there is still one drivein left in Perth. It is run by a family, i think they proberly own the land?? Would be worth a fortune, building blocks in
that suburb, if you could find one would be $350 - $400. Good value though to go, sometimes they charge $10 a car, good in a kombi!!! Used to love the
'drives' when i was a lad.
Hurry up and wait
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Phil74Camper
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| posted on September 9th, 2008 at 05:17 PM |
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Yes Matt, I drove out to Penrith to have a look last Xmas holidays, so it's been eight months now. This is what it looked like then (that's my Kombi
on the ramp).
The foundations of the ticket booths were still there. The two rows of concrete plinths for the screen frame were still there (in the long grass). The
rows, at least towards the front, still had their shape and some tarmac on them. Shame the kiosk/projector booth was a hole in the ground!
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Phil74Camper
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| posted on September 9th, 2008 at 05:28 PM |
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This is what the mighty Chullora Metro Twin looked like in the good old days. Looking east. That's the Hume Hwy on the left, with Waterloo Rd and the
Drive-in, and Roberts Rd and the Enfield rail yards beyond. It closed in 1978 and today the Big W Chullora Marketplace is on the site.
Chullora was the largest drive-in the southern hemisphere for a few years (until an even bigger MGM twin was built in Clayton, Melbourne), and it took
more money than any other drive-in in the whole world. By staggering the start times, they could get six film sessions, and 3,900 cars, through in one
night. They often had police controlling traffic into and out of the drive-in. On a good night they could sell 1,600 kg of hot chips (!)
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darren-h
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| posted on September 9th, 2008 at 08:47 PM |
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Yes it was an eye opener, i remember us queuing up to get in, as a kid it seemed larger than life!!
67' deluxe
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vwkg
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| posted on September 9th, 2008 at 09:02 PM |
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Only been to a drive in once in my life. Was great fun.
Wasn't in a dub at the time. Would love to go to another.
Bring Back The Drive In!
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squizy
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| posted on September 9th, 2008 at 09:06 PM |
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Yeah Chullora was great. If you didn't like the movie you were watching, you could look through your rear window and watch (without sound) the movie
behind you.
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Phil74Camper
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| posted on September 9th, 2008 at 09:24 PM |
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Absolutely right. Especially when your folks took you to a G-Rated Disney film, and a 'grown-ups' film was playing on the other screen. Which you
could see (but not hear) by looking out the back window.
Such as:
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LukeV85
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| posted on September 10th, 2008 at 12:47 PM |
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Are there any drive ins that have closed, but are still pretty much intact? Rex Bartel, Westview P/L lay in ruins for a while but not to sure weather
its gone now.
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Phil74Camper
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| posted on September 10th, 2008 at 01:14 PM |
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Hi Luke, most of the old drive-ins closed in the 1980s, and most of them i've tried to find have been bulldozed for new housing, or a shopping
centre, or industrial units. That's been the case in Sydney - you wouldn't know most of them were ever there. Penrith, as seen above, is the only
long dead Sydney drive-in that looks anything like what it did, but all the gear is long gone. Bass Hill closed last year, and nothing has happened
there yet - everything is still in place - but it is slated for demolition and more houses.
I'm going to start threads for each capital city and look for them. I started the Brisbane thread last night - check that one out. I found two dead
drive-ins in the Brisbane-Tweed area that closed many years ago but are still there. There are also dead drive-ins in Mackay, and Cairns, that have
not been bulldozed yet.
I'll get to the other capital cities in turn - Adelaide is next. Stay tuned...
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debiasi4
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| posted on September 10th, 2008 at 04:50 PM |
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still one in adelaide at gepps cross
adam
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Phil74Camper
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| posted on September 11th, 2008 at 11:46 AM |
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Hi Adam, yes I've started another post for Adelaide Drive-ins.
Amazingly, Perth was second only to Melbourne in the number of drive-ins it once had. From my 1982 travel map, Perth had no less than 17 drive-ins,
three more than Sydney, with only a quarter of the population.
Like the other cities, sadly most of them are gone. The sole surviving Perth Drive-in (pictured at the top) is the Kingsley Galaxy. Its website is http://www.galaxydrivein.com.au/
The dead Perth drive-ins, with no trace remaining today, were:
* Armadale - now houses. With subdivision, impossible to tell now where the drive-in was.
* Balga (Westminster) - bulldozed for the Reid Hwy crossover at Waneroo Rd.
* Belmont - now houses, on riverside land completely rebuilt since the drive-in days.
* Bentley - either houses or commercial land on the triangular block between Manning Rd, Leach Hwy & Albany Hwy.
* Forrestfield - now high-density houses on a block bisected by Albizia Close.
* Gwelup - now houses beside the Mitchell Freeway.
* Hilton Park - now houses, slightly newer than those around them.
* Melville - now houses. No sign of where the drive-in once was.
* Maddington - A newly subdivided block, with only a few houses on it at the moment.
* Midland - now the site of the Swan District Hospital.
* Morley - part of the Westfield Galleria shopping centre.
* Riverton - houses close to the Riverton Forum shopping centre. Even the golf course is gone.
* Woodlands - now the site of the Sizzler / GU Cinema complex.
There are three more dead Perth drive-ins, but this time there is still something to see.
* Beechboro - now the site of the Bolters House church. A portion of the old drive-in ramps still exist at the back of the property.
* Floreat Park - the shape of the drive-in still exists, but all the equipment and fittings are gone.
* Claremont - the shape of the drive-in still exists, but again everything else is gone.
OK first, here is Beechboro:
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Phil74Camper
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| posted on September 11th, 2008 at 11:52 AM |
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This is Floreat Park. I wonder how many Perth people know about this one? It would be a great place to hold summertime 'movies under the stars',
with a blanket to sit on, an esky with nibblies and wine/beer, and a lovely girl to keep you company. All they would need is a temporary screen, and a
mobile projection/sound unit.
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Phil74Camper
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| posted on September 11th, 2008 at 11:57 AM |
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And this is Claremont. This one looks like it has been forgotten altogther. I wonder if mosquitos might have been a problem in summer, seeing as backs
onto a lake?
OK Perth people, have you been to any of these drive-ins?
Are you going to have a VW run to the Galaxy at Kingsley?
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AnnaBee
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| posted on September 11th, 2008 at 12:09 PM |
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I've never been to a drive in cinema, but have always thought they look very cool.
This might sound like a silly question, but how does the sound work? Does it come from big speakers (which would surely have to be pretty loud in a
space big enough for lots of cars to park up) or are you given something to put in your car?
Now that I read my question it seems silly, because they didn't have little wireless speakers in the era where drive ins were really popular... but
hey, I've asked silly questions before, what's one more!
Embarking on a Beetle flavoured adventure!
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greasykitchen
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| posted on September 11th, 2008 at 01:31 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by AnnaBee
I've never been to a drive in cinema, but have always thought they look very cool.
This might sound like a silly question, but how does the sound work? Does it come from big speakers (which would surely have to be pretty loud in a
space big enough for lots of cars to park up) or are you given something to put in your car?
Now that I read my question it seems silly, because they didn't have little wireless speakers in the era where drive ins were really popular... but
hey, I've asked silly questions before, what's one more!
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Each parking spot had a short pole with a small speaker attached which you could remove and clip on to the car window. It may have become more
technologically advanced in later years.
Slightly off topic, but I remember seeing a documentary on America in the 1950s where driven by the growing car and drive in culture they had drive in
churches. You could pull up and listen to a service/sermon from the comfort of your Chev! Only in America...
'76 Golf
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Phil74Camper
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| posted on September 11th, 2008 at 01:36 PM |
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Hi Anna, no it's not a silly question at all. It's just a sad reflection on the fact that nearly all the old drive-ins have closed, and a new
generation of car and movie enthusiasts have missed out on the experience. Going to your local shoe-box multi-plex doesn't have the same
atmosphere!
The drive-in ramps, as you can see from the photos, are spaced out from the screen in larger and larger semi-circles. This is so that the nose (or the
tail, if you park backwards) always point at the screen. In addition, each row has an up-slope, so that when you park, the nose of your car points
into the air, straight at the screen. Like a row of terraces. These sloped, curved rows are called the 'ramps', and are visible from the air. You
can see my Kombi parked on one of the old ramps in the shot of Penrith, above. You get to see over the cars in front of you, and the cars behind can
see over you.
In the old days, there was a white metal post concreted into the ramp, every two car-spaces along each row. In other words, two cars could park
between the two posts. Each post would have two speakers hanging off it (one for each car either side of the post), attached to the post (and wired
back to the projection building) by an electric cord. The speaker was a tinny, mono speaker mounted in a curvy, retro-looking metal (weatherproof)
box. The only control was a volume knob. The speaker box had a hook on the back. When you pulled up and parked beside the speaker post, you wound your
window down, reached out and unhooked the speaker from the post, and hooked it over the top of your door window glass. Music and cinema ads would be
playing before the show started, as you arrived at sunset and the movies didn't start until it was properly dark. Pretty lousy sound, but it had
character! The difficulty for drive-ins was that people would often drive off after the show without putting the speaker back, ripping it off. It was
the projectionist's job to repair the speakers and cords when they started work early the next day - a continual job in the busy years.
In the late 1970s many drive-ins upgraded to an AM radio 'Cine-Fi' sound system. Usually this was done on every second row, or in different setions
of the drive-in, with the old speakers remaining in the rest. 'Cine-Fi' still involved a cord you had to unhook from the post, but instead of a
heavy, tinny speaker box, it had a metal clip on the end. You attached it to your radio aerial, and tuned your car radio to a certain AM frequency.
Still mono, but at least the sound was as good as your car's radio allowed.
Nowadays there is nothing to attach. Instead, drive-ins have their own low-power FM radio broadcast system. You pull up on the ramp, and tune your FM
radio to the local frequency. Twin screen drive-ins would have a different frequency for each screen. The broadcast is in FM stereo, so if you have a
mega car stereo then you'll have proper theatre-style sound.
If you live in Sydney, you should make a point of going to Blacktown Drive-In one evening once you have your Beetle. You'll love it.
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Canni.
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| posted on September 11th, 2008 at 02:13 PM |
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Here's some pics I found from the viewing of herbie a few years back 
(this is from the Dromana drive in VIC) poles are still there for the speakers but they only use FM transmission.. .I think the Dandenong one still
uses the clip on to the window speakers!
Heidi - 1960 White Beetle
'65 Kiwi Ghia
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AnnaBee
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| posted on September 11th, 2008 at 03:36 PM |
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Oh those pics are brilliant, I'd love to have been there!
Thanks for the sound explanations, it all makes sense now
Definitely have to go to the Blacktown one, it's nice to add achievable things to the wish list!
Drive in church?! That's hilarious, like you say, only in America...
Embarking on a Beetle flavoured adventure!
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greasykitchen
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| posted on September 11th, 2008 at 04:37 PM |
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Drive in church
Just did a quick Ewe T'youb search and found this. Only in America.
'76 Golf
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Phil74Camper
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| posted on September 12th, 2008 at 07:32 AM |
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Yes we had a similar run in Sydney when the Lindsay Lohan Herbie movie came out. It was a combined Flat 4 / Club Veedub run, so we had over 100 VWs
turn up. We cruised from Liverpool to the Bass Hill Drive-in, which, sadly, closed last year.
Are there any Perth people out there who can tell us more about the drive-ins there?
I'll start another thread for Melbourne drive-ins, as soon I get my info sorted out...
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Warrenm
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| posted on September 12th, 2008 at 03:03 PM |
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The first drive-in in Perth was the Highway in Albany H'way Bentley.
Went straight from work in Perth CBD for first night. You saw one movie and then you left and next lot came in.
This changed when they had some competition.
There were 22 in Perth at one stage
Skyline Floreat.
Lakeway Claremont
Galaxy Greenwood -still going I think
Eastway Belmont
Daleline Armadale
Metro Innaloo
Panorama Roleystone -on side of hill-about 50 cars max
Riverline Riverton
Twilight Maddington
Waverley Beckenham
Glenway Balga
Marmion Sorrento
Odin Gwelup
Aceway Morley
Beechline Beechboro
Darlington Darlington
Swanway Midland
Wirrina Morley
Avonway Northam close country- many country towns had drive ins
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