Blog Entry 67 of 108
Charmaine in the city
I've called the Denver area home for more than two
decades now. But this urban/mountain city is still full of surprises. I'll be posting my adventures here, as I explore local eateries, shops and sharing birthday and vacation photos. And once in a while, I'll throw in a music, movie or food review. I hope to keep this blog interactive, so don't be shy to suggest places I should visit. And check it out: I'm on
Brendan's List. Rock on!
"Stranded at the drive-in ... "
by:
Charmaine Robledo/YourHub.com
Contributed by:
Charmaine Robledo/YourHub.com
Article Contributed on: 8/20/2007 2:46:57 PM
" ... branded a fool. What will they say, Monday at school?"
OK, so I had to quote a line from
Grease mainly because that film (to me) helped to illustrate the popularity of drive-ins back in the 1950s. There's that one scene where Sandy and Danny are sitting in his car, trying to watch the film and he makes a pass at her. I can distinctly remember seeing the animated concession snacks dancing across the screen as Danny croons about his broken heart.
Well, I guess
Grease wasn't the best example of the drive-in. What would be another?
American Graffiti? The point being, drive-in theaters are beginning to decline, mostly limited to nostalgic display in retro films. In Colorado, there are about 11 drive-in movie theaters still in operation, according to
The Denver Post.
Last week, I read with great heartache that the
Cinderella Twin Drive-in Theatre on Hampden Avenue and Santa Fe Drive might be closing down to make way for a new condominium.
Read the
Rocky Mountain News article.
Read
The Denver Post article.
I had passed by that drive-in for many years, and always wanted to go there and watch a movie. It's sad that this theater is essentially the last bastion of a once-thriving retail area, known as
Cinderella City. When I was younger, my family and I would travel to Cinderella City and I remember riding the huge carousel. As the mall began to deteriorate because of competition around the Denver area, the era of mixed-use residential and retail began to take over. We see it everywhere: Belmar, Olde Town Arvada, the Alexan City Center and I can't deny that I don't enjoy those places, or that they haven't revitalized the cities they are in.
But now the Cinderella Twin Drive-in is going to be torn down. A place I consider to be a historical landmark. A place that has been in existence for more than 30 years. A place that many families around the area have a lot of memories of.
I couldn't well go on without having an experience like that for myself. So
Damon and I saw a double feature the night of Aug. 18. The gray skies hinted rain, but didn't sprinkle until late evening. We saw
The Simpsons Movie and
Transformers. There also was a late showing for
Hot Rod, but Damon and I already got our fill of films for that night.
Although we showed up about 45 minutes before the show, we still had to wait in a long line of cars. The place was packed! It could be because the theater now only operates on the weekends, or else people sensed the end was near, so they had to come out for the last hurrah.
I have to say, being at a drive-in was way better than an indoor theater. I could relax in our car, not have to deal with any noisy moviegoers, eat and not have to worry (too much) about making a mess and best of all, the price was great for two movies: $9 per person.
The end seems inevitable for the Cinderella Drive-in, but residents could still have their say at city council meetings through Aug. 29.
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Got some good memories about the Cinderella Twin Drive-in Theatre? Post your comments below or
post a story on YourHub.com.