By PAMELA KREST

July 11, 2010 5:25 AM | Link to this

Soutland 75 was still open hahah that was many many moons ago. Pam

By rm miamisburg

July 11, 2010 11:37 AM | Link to this

Pam, that was a long time ago. Southland 75 went out of Biz early 1982/83 time frame. Miamisburg had the Miami Cruise- In, until 1978 time frame. Great place to take a date. OR if you wanted, walk along the Path on the Levy and watch the movie for free. A gas station is sitting where Miami use to be. As for Southland 75 Drive in. The Southland Plaza shopper center is there now. From what I recall the land owner was being taxed to death on the prop. Last time I went to a Drive -In was Melody-49 near Brookville. However I may have been in the same parking lot with Eric. I saw Days Of Thunder back in August of 1990 at Belmont. Great to hear all you had to do with the radio was to go to Fm XYZ and tune in the movie.

By LOYD WRIGHT

July 13, 2010 4:47 AM | Link to this

IT WAS RIGHT AFTER I WAS MARRIED WAS 53 YEARS AGO ABOUT 59 YERS AT LEAST TO THEOLD NEW MOON UN ROUTE 68

By confusedshus

July 13, 2010 7:36 AM | Link to this

I’ve been twice this summer to the holiday theater just outside of Hamilton… what a great experience for the whole family! I recommend it to anyone! Double features for about $10 for an adult and 5 for kids… what a deal!

By Scott

July 13, 2010 7:46 AM | Link to this

We ususally go at least once a year. Problem is the drive ins that are left are dumps. I don’t think the owners ever put any money into upkeep

By Lesley

July 13, 2010 8:39 AM | Link to this

It was in the 70’s. My parents to us to the old Captain Kidd on David Road to see Godzilla VS Megalon. I remember it was fun. Wish they would bring them back and make them family affordable.

By Squeaky

July 13, 2010 9:08 AM | Link to this

“Deliverance” was playing and I was probably too young to be seeing that. I left before it was over and I never went to a drive-in movie again.

By me

July 13, 2010 9:12 AM | Link to this

Usually go 2-3 times a year with the kids and they bring some friends along. Skyborn & Auto-Vue in Sidney. The kids LOVE it and look forward to it every year. FYI - Southland in Miamisburg area didn’t close until mid to late 80’s. I know because we’d go there in high school (meaning we drove there) and I graduated in 1988. We weren’t driving in 82/83.

By Dayton Medic

July 13, 2010 9:18 AM | Link to this

We went this spring to a drive in up in Springfield. I was amazed at how clean the restrooms and concession area was. As long as there are drive-ins I will continue to go several times each year. I miss the old Belmont Auto drive in. We used to go there when I was in High school back in the early 70’s. Even earlier when we were kids, mom used to pop popcorn and pack a cooler with cool aide as we could barely afford to go to the drive in.

By me

July 13, 2010 9:30 AM | Link to this

Two weeks ago to see Airbender. I love Drive-Ins! Try to go at least once a month during the summer!

By Dirtbag

July 13, 2010 9:35 AM | Link to this

Mccooks

By catlove

July 13, 2010 9:50 AM | Link to this

about 20 years we all went to see a james bond flick. would go again if i didn’t have to waste my battery for sound.

By theshawn

July 13, 2010 9:53 AM | Link to this

Many great memories at the Captain Kidd on David Rd. as a teenager and young adult. Wish it was still around. Southland 75 was nice, but the Kidd was it. The Belmont had it’s moments too. If they still existed I would go occasionally for sure.

By msfj_1

July 13, 2010 9:54 AM | Link to this

We went to the Melody about 2 weeks to see Toy Story 2 and Karate Kid, and enjoyed it. As long as drive-in are around my family will be going. To me it is more economical than going to the movies. You can take your own snacks for the kids and lawn chairs and just sit back and have a good time. The only issue was the restrooms and no speakers for the car. I don’t like running car battery that long of a time.

By null

July 13, 2010 10:22 AM | Link to this

I love going to the drive in, we go every summer of course we have to drive since the closest one is on Miller Lane, they need to bring them back, great family fun and just relaxing to watch a movie outside!!!!

By MC

July 13, 2010 11:00 AM | Link to this

We went to the drive-in three weeks ago to see Toy Story 3. It was my family’s first time going to one. They had such a good time. It is nice being able to bring your own snacks and drinks. Theater prices are out of control. The children enjoyed the freedom of being able to move about without disrupting others. We will definitely be making the drive-in a regular family outing.

By rm miamisburg

July 13, 2010 11:18 AM | Link to this

@ME, I broke my hand in the parking lot of CUBS Food at Southland Shopping Center in June 1988. So the Drive In was lONG gone by then. It was taken down at least by 1983. I knew the manager of SL75 for years. He lived on Holly Hill off 11th street. Mr Lamdbert.. DUH. SO don’t give me that YOU drove to watch movies at SL75 in 88. Why don’t you call the Masbg/WC news and ask for Steve and see if he can help you with digging out the papers showing when SL75 went down. I’ve been in Msbg way longer then you been alive, , used to work at SL75 as a Ramp Boy in the 60’s. Trust me I remember these things well. lol

By rm miamisburg

July 13, 2010 11:38 AM | Link to this

@Me, Just off the phone with a buddy who works at Cubs Food SL 75. He said they open in the Fall of 1987 so You could not have seen a movie at Sl 75 in late 1980’s . So that means Sl 75 had to have closed mid 80’s at the latest. I say 1983 to 85 time frame. As it took time to build the many stores in the shopping center. With Cub Foods opening in the Fall of 87, oops for your time frame.

By Phil

July 13, 2010 11:58 AM | Link to this

I go to all 3 drive-in’s still open (Dixie, Melody 49, Skyborn) The new FM boardcast makes the sound quality excellent. Plus where else can you go see a movie and fire up a doobie, and sip your beer during a new release? Drive-in’s are AWESOME!

By NoHoliday

July 13, 2010 12:11 PM | Link to this

The Holiday Auto Theatre is terrible. The people that run the place are rude. Read through the list of rules on their website and you will see what I mean. They charge a fee if you want to bring your own food. How ridiculous is that?

By noHoliday

July 13, 2010 12:12 PM | Link to this

The Holiday Auto Theatre charges a fee for outside food. The place is run by jerks. I recommend that everyone stay away.

By luvvvv drive ins!!

July 13, 2010 12:13 PM | Link to this

I take my kids almost every weekend during the summer. It is our family night. We get food to take with us, a portable radio - so we dont kill the truck battery, and sometimes a few friends. I love the drive in and hope the one on Dixie stays open because its the only one we go to and my kids are 13 & 15 and we have been going every summer for about 4 years now if not longer. I totally support local drive ins - the movie theatres are way to expensive for a single mom!!!!

By jax

July 13, 2010 12:55 PM | Link to this

I just saw the last Shrek a few weeks ago. Its cheaper and I can smoke so I go to the drive in instead of inside.

By NYC8487

July 13, 2010 2:16 PM | Link to this

Used to go to Miller’s Grove when I was little in the back of a fake wood sided impala station wagon - saw Jungle Book! Take my kids all the time to Melody 49. Sometimes I watch the movie on one screen and the kids watch the movie on the other screen. Take your own food, kick off your shoes - GOOD TIMES!

By Amy

July 13, 2010 2:35 PM | Link to this

We go to the Holiday Auto Theatre in Hamilton about once a month. The kids love it, and so do we. We pay $8 for each adult and $5 for each kid and always take our own snacks and pay a $5 fee to bring in our own food! It’s an all around great family activity. At least 2 movies are always shown and they are open all year long!

By Mom

July 13, 2010 3:16 PM | Link to this

This last week end we went to Skyborn to see Toy Story 3 and Eclipse. It was great. Met other friends there. Took our snacks can cooler and sat in chairs and a truck bed. Good Time.

By Mom

July 13, 2010 3:17 PM | Link to this

This last week end we went to Skyborn to see Toy Story 3 and Eclipse. It was great. Met other friends there. Took our snacks can cooler and sat in chairs and a truck bed. Good Time.

By Ann

July 13, 2010 3:18 PM | Link to this

Last time we went to a drive-in was on our honeymoon in Harmony, OH twentyfive year ago.

By Jilly

July 13, 2010 3:44 PM | Link to this

We try to go several times a year w/ the kids. I love being able to see a first run double feature for alot less than the theater. Plus you can take your own snacks & just relax. My kids think its a hoot being able to wear their pjs there.

By Moviegoer

July 13, 2010 4:11 PM | Link to this

We go about 5 times a summer. You cant beat it! The melody 49 is where we go, great staff, great concession. Kids wear pj’s, we bring folding chairs. We normally bring a nack or two and the kids are only a dollar a piece. You also can get 3 movies since they have 2 screens, one devoted to kids and one to adults, so 4 features a night. We switch screens as soon as the kids fall asleep. If you havent been in a while…you need to go!

By Mike

July 13, 2010 4:14 PM | Link to this

I’ve always know about Holiday Theatre b/c I lived close by. We were with our neighbors daughter the other day (she’s 12) and we went by there and she had absolutely no idea what the hell a drive-in theatre even was. Found it kind of funny, but also reminds me I am unfortunately getting older.

By bill

July 13, 2010 4:20 PM | Link to this

anybody remember the name of the drive-in that was where the meijer is by wright state? Last time I went there was in 1991, and I can’t for the life of me remember the name of the place…

By Jenet

July 13, 2010 7:28 PM | Link to this

Star Wars at Southland 75…what a great time..I had about 6 little boys with me!!!

By Kevin Fodor

July 13, 2010 8:40 PM | Link to this

It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a drive-in theater. But, what I remember the most about them were the “tags” on the ends of movie commercials on radio that would say, “Now playing at the Southland 75, the Dixie Twin, The Melody 49 and the Park Layne Drive In Theater.”

By Zach

July 13, 2010 9:24 PM | Link to this

I went about every Wednesday last summer at Starlight near Celina.

By me

July 13, 2010 9:41 PM | Link to this

rm miamisburg - chill dude. It’s really not a big deal but I did say mid to late 80’s. Since I graduated from WC in 88 and we went with friends when we could actually drive, means it was at least 1985-1986 (the years my friends & I started driving) the last time we went there. That might have been the last year they were open though. But the fact that you actually called friends to try to confirm things is kind of funny - and wierd/sad. So, going with your fall 1987 cub foods opening…if it closed in 1985 or 1986, a fall 87 opening for strip mall is quite feasible. And I didn’t have to call anyone to figure that out.

By me

July 13, 2010 10:01 PM | Link to this

rm miamisburg - I re-read my orginal post. I never said I went in 1988. I said I graduated in 1988. I said they closed in mid to late 88’s. Mid means middle. that would be 1985. Late would 1989 at the latest. I said I graduated in 1988. So that eliminates 1989. That kind of narrows it down to 1985-1988 right?. I didn’t give a specific date - it wasn’t that important to me. But if you say Cub foods openend in 1987 well then, Ok. Drive-in closed in 1985-1986 time frame then. I could call my friends that I went to the movies with for their opinion or call my friends that used to work at Malibu Grand Prix (not really relevant but it was in the area). Not that any of that really matters. I was simply posting how often we still go, how much fun it was an offered some insight to the fact that Southland was open beyond 82/83. It really wasn’t a big deal to anyone except you who is the self-appointed historian of all things Miamisburg. But before you spend a lot of time clearing up someone’s post I suggest you actually READ the post first. Would have saved you some minutes on the old cell phone. Now though that I have the oracle of da’Burg’s attention, I can’t wait for you call Steve or Mr. Lambert to get an exact date when Southland 75 shut down. C’mon RM Miamisburg…tell us, we can’t wait!!!!!

By TS

July 13, 2010 11:20 PM | Link to this

Southland 75 was open the summer of 85,that was the year I got my drivers license, and I took a date to see “Fright Night”. They tore it down after that summer and built the Hills department store where Hobby Lobby is now

By Laura

July 14, 2010 12:46 AM | Link to this

I go to Skyborne all the time. We love it and much prefer it over an indoor one. We love to go with a bunch of friends and family.

By oldtimer

July 14, 2010 8:35 AM | Link to this

When I was a teenager nobody went to the drive-ins to see the movie.

By PAMELA

July 14, 2010 9:27 AM | Link to this

Maybe I am asking a very silly question, but how would the Holiday Auto Theatre know if you brought in your own food to munch on?? Do they check your car for non snack bar food?

By bill in centerville

July 14, 2010 10:22 AM | Link to this

1974

By April

July 14, 2010 11:03 AM | Link to this

We go at least once a year. Usually go to a “kids” movie since it is something we all can enjoy. Saw the new Shrek movie early this summer. My husband and I did the math. It would have been $40 just for tickets had we seen this in a theatre. For less than $20, we saw TWO first run movies (we stayed for IRON MAN II), brought our own snacks, let the kids run around and play at the drive in. I don’t know why more families don’t do this. It was great fun and great savings!

By Ron Hubers

July 14, 2010 11:08 AM | Link to this

We’ve been to Skyborn twice in the last month. Fantastic place, I hope they stay open forever! Last time prior to that was when I was still living in California, 16-17 years ago. Not nearly as nice a place as Skyborn!

By Jen

July 14, 2010 11:16 AM | Link to this

We went to Dixie last summer to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. We usually go at least once a summer. Dixie is pretty run down and I don’t recommend going on a weekend. The crowd noise (screaming, horns,and once even a gun shot) can be overwhelming. Melody 49 is nicer if you don’t mind the drive. When I was a kid we went to the drive-in on Valley Street (name?) and the Captain Kidd. I love the drive-in atmosphere. :)

By RLF

July 14, 2010 11:40 AM | Link to this

The last time for me was in the early eighties.My girlfriend and I would go there to have some “alone time”.Don’t remember the movies!

By Michael

July 14, 2010 11:52 AM | Link to this

Can’t remember what we saw, but it was a couple years ago at Skyborn

By StayAway

July 14, 2010 11:53 AM | Link to this

The Holiday Auto Theatre will know if you have food. They look all through your car when you check-in and they even smell around. If they see you eating food during the movie, they will come to your car and ask to see your pass.

By Matt

July 14, 2010 12:05 PM | Link to this

I’ve been to the dixie once this year. We usually try to go once a month. Drive-ins are a great experience when people are courteous and obey the rules. Dayton is lucky to have more than most cities.

By RudeHoliday

July 14, 2010 12:08 PM | Link to this

I used to love drive-ins. But the Holiday Auto Theater in Hamilton really is one of the worst. The last time I was there, they restarted the clock that was counting down to the second movie. I asked the owner why, and he said that they hadn’t sold enough food, so they were making people wait. When I told him that I didn’t think it was appropriate to keep people waiting, he was very rude. He said something like “If you don’t like how I run things, get out.” I haven’t been back since, and I tell everyone I know to stay away. Maybe I’ll try it again when he passes away and there is a new owner.