131 DRIVE IN THEATER, Plainwell Michigan USA

Another clip from my Public Access series OUTDOOR MOOVIES. This Plainwell, Michigan site reminds me of a childhood incident that I experienced. When I was 9 or 10 years old, on the way up north or returning back to Lansing, my mom, older brother, and I stopped by a BIG BOY Restaurant that just happened to sit next door to what appeared to be an abandoned drive in theater. I was permitted, after begging, to quickly check it out. I litterally got chills up and down my spine as I passed by the ticket booth. The lot was completely filled with old automobiles. Each vehicle was parked on the ramps, facing the screen. Someone had taken the time to put the in car speakers onto all the nearby windows. I'm not sure if this was an active salvage yard or simply a junk yard full of abandoned cars and trucks. Whatever it was, it was extreamly weird and as I made my way around the boarded up snack bar and hurried back to my family, these images were burned into my brain and later was the genesis of my curiosity that eventually led me to documenting these sites. When we found the 131, which had been turned into a salvage yard, it was a "must shoot"! No poles or speakers, but as you'll see, some cars are facing the screen. We applaud the owner of PERKS AUTO for keeping so much of the historic structures in tact. perhaps someday the 131 could spring back to life. It wouldn't be the first time. COMMENTS welcome, as always. Thank you for viewing ! By the way, a friend of mine has taken on the task of documenting EVERY single drive in that ever existed in the great state of Michigan. For an overview, type into search: michigan's forgotten drive in theaters Then, check out www.michigandriveins.com.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• 131
• drive
• in
• theater
• plainwell
• michigan
• theaters
• classic
• cars
• automobiles
• abandoned
• outdoor
• movies

[mrsmaryrobinson]

i remember going here when i was little



[RQVOutdoorMoovies]

@mrsmaryrobinson Thank you for the memory. It's nice when we can drive by a site and remember what was once there, but even nicer when the screen tower or snack bar is still there.

[JohnMGilbert]

Is it still there? I have a portable projection booth in a trailer. I could run one last movie on the screen!

[RQVOutdoorMoovies]

@JohnMGilbert Sounds fun! I heard of one drive in theater, perhaps on Route 66, that had been abandoned and then for years been an auto salvage yard. Someone bolught it, spruced it up and reoperned it as a drive in. In Plymouth Ohio, there is currently a former drive in that is now an auto salvage yard. THAT ONE could be converted back! If you get to run your movie, let me know!

[LOKISlog7]

Thats just sad..... Dont you just wish some people could invest into opening a modern Drive-In with that old time feel. Its a part of Americana that should be saved.

[RQVOutdoorMoovies]

@LOKISlog7 What gets me is all the golf ranges. They are everywhere. Apartment buildings. Strip malls. Industrial parks. Box stores. Storage facilities. No, people with money don't seem to see the potential of opening a new drive in or reopening a shuttered one. I'm afraid the upcoming switch from 35mm film to digital is going to make it more challenging to run such an establishment. Godspeed to all who try.

[RQVOutdoorMoovies]

Thank you for the 1,820 views. This was certainly one of the most visually stunning sites we visited.

[RQVOutdoorMoovies]

1,643 views! Thanks!

[M78drivein]

@RQVOutdoorMoovies Check your email, I think I've found your Big Boy/drive-in.

[RQVOutdoorMoovies]

@M78drivein Can't fill in too many blanks. We did go up north alot, Galord might've been it, just gotta fiond a BIG BOY where szomeone remembers. Thanks for trying to figure it out. We also used to go to Warren now and then. Do I remember one just off US27 North, right by the highway?