Page 5 - Spring 2025
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One Final Tribute, Bob Fields, continued . . .
The Drive-In Date Night in Denver
The outgoing, family-oriented car culture society The air hung heavily with the scent of popcorn and
that thrived during the 1950s spawned an explosion exhaust fumes as Bob pulled their beat-up Ford into
of Drive-In theatres across the United States. A car- the designated spot. Ever the planner, Janice had
happy generation of patrons sought outdoor movies prepped the night for their drive-in date. A wicker
to enjoy their favorite pastimes with their families in basket overflowing with buttery popcorn, a thermos
the comfort of their cars. The Drive-In also became the filled with steaming hot chocolate, and a well-worn
go-to place for Friday or Saturday night dates. That’s blanket lay on the backseat.
how I remember the Borderland Drive-In Theater that
opened on North Road in 1949 with a capacity of The giant screen, a white rectangle against the
400 cars, its giant screen flickering to life against the inky black canvas of the night, flickered to life with
inky black canvas of the night, the scent of popcorn previews. Bob fumbled with the speaker, finally
and exhaust fumes hanging heavy in the air, and the coaxing a crackle of sound. Janice giggled, a sound
crackle of the speaker adding to the excitement. that danced with the chirping crickets as he adjusted
the volume.
Teenagers everywhere were particularly fond of drive-
in theaters. Part of the fun was seeing how many It was a memory they’d revisit, a
people could squeeze into a car trunk to lower the
admission price while making sure they had heaping reminder of the night the drive-
bags of popcorn to fulfill their mid-movie munchies. in brought them a little closer
Kids in Houlton used the drive-in to escape their under a sky full of stars.
parents while simultaneously seeking privacy and
having a romantic evening. Parents didn’t enjoy the The movie, a classic John Wayne Western Janice had
idea of their children having the ability to drive on a been raving about, started with a burst of music. Bob
date and have an adventurous experience. As many settled back; the worn leather of the seats familiar
parents worried about teens and cars, it also served beneath him. He stole a glance at Janice, moonlight
as a way for kids to come of age into young adults as illuminating the soft curve of her cheek. Her eyes were
they gained independence. The Borderland theater glued to the screen, a smile playing on her lips.
and Drive-Ins across America became a sought-after
weekend destination and an icon of the 1950s youth As the film unfolded, Bob found himself not just
culture. engrossed in the story, but in the unique atmosphere
of the drive-in. The laughter of families from
Years later, when my family lived in Denver, Janice and I neighboring cars, the occasional honk of approval for
saw an ad for an old-time movie coming to the drive-in a particularly funny scene, all contributed to a sense of
in Aurora. We decided to relive the experience of our shared experience. It felt intimate, like they were part
youth. I wrote a story about it for the Rocky Mountain of a secret society, sharing the movie with others in the
News. I can’t recall if it was printed, but it would be cool darkness.
to let you look at it.
During a particularly sappy scene, Janice reached for
Bob’s hand. Their fingers intertwined, silent language
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