Announcer: VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM... [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] Huell: HELLO, EVERYBODY.

I'M HUELL HOWSER, GETTIN' READY FOR AN ADVENTURE BECAUSE WE'RE GONNA BE SPENDING THE EVENING IN AN HONEST-TO-GOODNESS AMERICAN ICON.

IT'S BEEN PART OF THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE SINCE IT WAS BORN BACK IN 1933.

NOW, OVER THE YEARS, IT'S HAD ITS UPS AND ITS DOWNS, ITS GOOD TIMES AND ITS BAD TIMES, BUT IT'S A SURVIVOR, AND TODAY, NOT ONLY IS IT ALIVE, BUT IN MANY PLACES, IT'S ALIVE AND WELL.

I'M TALKING, OF COURSE, ABOUT THE AMERICAN DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATER, AND RIGHT NOW, WE'RE IN MONTCLAIR AT THE MISSION TIKI DRIVE-IN THEATER, AND TO GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY ON THIS IS FRANK HUTTINGER, WHOSE WIFE'S FAMILY HAS BEEN A PART OF THIS SINCE IT WAS ORIGINALLY HERE, AND WE ARE STANDING ON HALLOWED HISTORIC GROUND RIGHT HERE, AREN'T WE, FRANK?

Frank: THANK YOU, HUELL.

THIS IS OUR 50th ANNIVERSARY HERE AT THE MISSION TIKI.

IT USED TO BE THE MISSION THEATER.

IT'S ON MISSION BOULEVARD IN MONTCLAIR.

ORIGINALLY, IT HAD A HUGE SCREEN RIGHT THERE, WHERE IT ISN'T ANY MORE, AND NOW-- Huell: RIGHT HERE?

>> IT WAS A BIG SCREEN.

100 FEET BY 40 FEET.

Huell: I'VE SEEN PICTURES OF IT, AND THAT SCREEN WENT IN IN 19-- Frank: 56.

Huell: AND WHEN IT WENT UP IN '56, THERE WASN'T MUCH ELSE OUT HERE, WAS THERE?

>> THIS WAS ORANGE GROVES OUT HERE, AND THAT WAS A 2,000-CAR MOVIE PALACE AT THE TIME, BUILT IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE SUBURBS OF LOS ANGELES.

Huell: NOW THIS WAS A BIG DEAL WHEN IT OPENED UP, BUT IN THOSE DAYS, IN THE FIFTIES AND SIXTIES, THERE WERE DRIVE-INS GOING IN ALL OVER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, WEREN'T THERE?

>> OH, THERE WERE BIG COMPANIES THAT BUILT DRIVE-INS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THERE ARE PROBABLY 4,000 SOME DRIVE-INS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

WE'RE DOWN TO ABOUT 600 NOW.

Huell: YEAH, AND THEY REACHED THEIR PEAK IN, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

THEY--THEY STARTED REALLY GOING STRONG IN THE FIFTIES AND SIXTIES AND SEVENTIES.

>> '68, '70, THEY CRESTED OUT, AND THE AUDIENCE STOPPED COMING.

THE BABY BOOM GOT OLDER.

Huell: YEAH.

>> AND, UH, THE SHOPPING CENTERS CAME IN, AND THE MULTIPLEXES IN THE SHOPPING CENTERS WENT IN, AND FOLKS LOST THE DRIVE-IN HABIT, BUT THEY'RE COMING BACK.

Huell: WELL, THIS ONE IS COMING BACK FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

DURING THE DAY, 4 DAYS A WEEK, THIS WHOLE AREA RIGHT HERE IS--YOU GOT A SWAP MEET GOING ON.

>> THIS IS AN OPEN-AIR MARKET MANY DAYS OF THE WEEK, AND PEOPLE COME HERE BY TRUCK AND BY CAR AND BY BUS, AND THEY JUST FILL THIS PLACE WITH FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND ALL KINDS OF MERCHANDISE, AND THEN WE HAVE TO TAKE IT ALL OUT BEFORE SHOWTIME.

Huell: AND SHOWTIME--THE ORIGINAL SCREEN IS GONE.

THERE'S ONE THERE.

YOU GOT ANOTHER ONE OVER HERE, AND YOU GOT 2 MORE.

THIS IS A HUGE AREA HERE.

>> WELL, THIS IS A 4-SCREEN MULTIPLEX DRIVE-IN, AND THAT'S-- Huell: HOW MUCH ACREAGE ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

>> WELL, THE TOTAL PROPERTY'S 27 ACRES.

Huell: MM-HMM.

>> AND ABOUT 24 OF IT'S THE THEATER.

Huell: AND HOW MANY DRIVE-INS ARE LEFT HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA?

NOT--YOU CAN COUNT THEM ON YOUR HAND, CAN'T YOU?

>> WELL, 2 HANDS.

YEAH.

THERE ARE NOT THAT MANY, AND WE HAVE 4 OF THEM WITH THIS COMPANY.

Huell: AND YOUR COMPANY, YOUR WIFE'S COMPANY ORIGINALLY HAD HOW MANY?

>> WE HAD 40 THEATERS ALL TOLD, ALL DRIVE-INS AT THE HEYDAY OF THE BUSINESS.

Huell: ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

>> WELL, MOSTLY IN THE WESTERN STATES.

Huell: YEAH, WELL, THE WESTERN STATES--THIS WAS DRIVE-IN COUNTRY OUT HERE IN CALIFORNIA.

>> WELL, YOU COULD RUN A DRIVE-IN IN THE WESTERN STATES FOR THE MOST PART ALL YEAR LONG--365 DAYS A YEAR.

Huell: GOOD WEATHER.

>> RIGHT.

WE DON'T HAVE TO RUN A SEASONAL BUSINESS.

Huell: WELL, WE'RE EXCITED BECAUSE WE'RE GONNA BE HERE.

IT'S JUST NOW GETTIN' DUSK, BUT YOU SAY THAT PEOPLE ARE ALREADY LININ' UP OUT AT THE--OUT AT THE FRONT TO GET IN 'CAUSE EVERYBODY WANTS TO GET A GOOD PARKING SPOT.

>> WELL, THE REALLY DEVOTED, REGULAR CUSTOMERS, THEY GET HERE EARLY, AND THEY SPEND THEIR TIME WAITING IN LINE A LITTLE LONGER.

THEN THEY GET THE BEST PARKING SPOTS.

Huell: WELL, WE'RE GONNA HAVE A GOOD TIME TONIGHT.

WE'RE GONNA SEE A COUPLE OF DOUBLE FEATURES AND MEET A LOT OF NICE PEOPLE, AND WE'RE GONNA GET TO SEE HOW THE PROJECTORS WORK, AND WE'RE GONNA GO TO THE CONCESSION STAND, AND WE'RE GONNA DO ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO AT A DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATER.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT IT RIGHT HERE.

THERE'S THE SCREEN RIGHT NOW.

THE MISSION TIKI DRIVE-IN THEATER HERE IN MONTCLAIR.

THIS IS WHERE WE'RE GONNA BE SPENDING THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS.

OK, IT'S 6:45.

THEY DON'T EVEN START SELLING TICKETS AND LETTING PEOPLE IN UNTIL 7:30, BUT LOOK WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE.

WE'VE GOT A LINE, 2 LINES OF CARS ALREADY WAITING HERE.

YOU'RE FIRST IN LINE.

>> YEAH.

WE CAME AT 6:15, YOU KNOW.

Huell: WHY ARE YOU HERE SO EARLY?

>> OH, WE DON'T WANT TO MISS THE MIAMI VICE PREMIER, YOU KNOW.

Huell: OH, SO YOU'RE HERE FOR A PARTICULAR MOVIE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: NOW, ARE YOU A REGULAR HERE AT THE MISSION TIKI?

>> OH, YES.

WE'VE BEEN HERE ABOUT EVERY WEEK, YOU KNOW.

Huell: REALLY?

SO IS IT SOMETHING THAT THE FAMILY LIKES TO DO TOGETHER?

>> OH, YEAH.

THEY LOVE IT.

THEY LOVE IT.

MY KIDS, THEY LOVE IT, REALLY.

Huell: YEAH, WHAT IS IT ABOUT IT?

JUST BEING OUT AT A DRIVE-IN?

>> WELL, IT'S FUN.

YOU KNOW, YOU SIT OUTSIDE OF THE CAR, YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING IN THERE, YOU KNOW?

A LITTLE FRESH AIR, YOU KNOW?

Huell: AND IT--AND YOU'VE BEEN PARKED HERE SINCE 6:15.

>> I CAN STAY 3 HOURS, YOU KNOW?

NO PROBLEM.

Huell: JUST TO BE FIRST IN LINE.

>> I LOVE RELAXING IN HERE, TALKING TO MY FAMILY, YOU KNOW?

HAVING FUN.

WE HAVE DINNER, YOU KNOW?

THAT'S IT.

Huell: ALL RIGHT, HERE'S THE FIRST CAR IN THE SECOND LINE HERE.

WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING HERE SO EARLY?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'VE BEEN COMING HERE FOR A WHILE, YOU KIND OF TEND TO BE A REGULAR, SEE?

AND YOU WANT THAT GOOD SPOT.

AND IT'S A GREAT MOVIE, SO A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH, YOU KNOW?

YOU'RE HERE.

YOU WANT TO GET THE GOOD SPOT, AND YOU-- Huell: ANTICIPATION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: NOW, WHAT'S A GOOD SPOT?

RIGHT, CENTER, FRONT ROW?

>> IT DEPENDS ON VEHICLES AND PERSONAL CHOICE.

IF YOU'VE BEEN COMING HERE FOR A WHILE, WHAT ANGLE AND WHAT YOU WANT AND HOW--HOW CLOSE YOUR VISION, YOU KNOW?

I WEAR GLASSES, SO I GET A LITTLE CLOSER.

SECOND, RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE TO ME ABOVE, LEANING BACK IS MY FAVORITE SPOT.

Huell: HOW OFTEN ARE YOU HERE?

>> WE COME HERE AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK.

NOW THAT IT'S YEAR-ROUND.

IT USED TO NOT BE.

TWICE A WEEK TO 3 TIMES.

MY WIFE AND THE KIDS LOVE IT, SO WE--WE REALLY COME HERE A LOT.

Huell: DOES THE TRAIN BOTHER YOU WHEN IT GOES BY DURING THE MOVIE?

>> WELL, IF YOU-- >> ONLY WHEN WE'RE IN NUMBER ONE.

>> IF YOU'RE IN NUMBER ONE, YOU GET, UH...YOU GET A LITTLE BIT OF A...A TURNOFF, BUT YOU DON'T PAY NO ATTENTION 'CAUSE IT COMES OUT OF YOUR OWN CAR, SEE?

Huell: THE SOUND DOES?

>> YEAH, SO IT'S NOT LIKE WHEN YOU USED TO PUT THE OLD-FASHIONED THING.

Huell: YEAH.

>> IT'S COMING OUT OF YOUR AUTOMOBILE, AND AS GOOD AS YOUR SOUND SYSTEM IS, AS GOOD AS THE THEATER-- Huell: YOU'RE A HARDCORE DRIVE-IN, AREN'T YOU?

>> I'M PRETTY GOOD ABOUT IT, YEAH.

[LAUGHING] Huell: WE FOUND ANOTHER DRIVE-IN TRADITION.

LOOK AT THIS.

SHE'S WEARING HER PAJAMA BOTTOMS, HER YOUNGER SISTER IS WEARING HER TINKER BELL PAJAMAS, AND HER BROTHER IS WEARING HIS... >> BATMAN PAJAMAS.

Huell: BATMAN PAJAMAS.

AND THIS IS ALL PART OF WHAT MOM USED TO DO WHEN SHE WENT TO THE DRIVE-IN.

RIGHT, MOM?

>> YES, WE LOVE IT.

WE LOVED IT.

ALWAYS CAME IN OUR PAJAMAS, BROUGHT OUR PILLOWS, SAT IN THE BACK OF A PICKUP TRUCK.

WE DON'T HAVE A PICKUP TRUCK, BUT... Huell: YEAH, BUT THE TRADITION IS CONTINUING.

>> YES.

Huell: AND WHY DO THE KIDS LIKE TO WEAR THEIR--WHAT WAS IT ABOUT WEARING YOUR PAJAMAS THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN WHEN YOU WENT TO THE DRIVE-IN?

>> IT'S JUST CASUAL, AND YOU COULD JUST LAY AROUND AND HAVE FUN.

Huell: AND ISN'T IT FUN THAT YOUR KIDS ARE DOING IT NOW?

>> YES, VERY MUCH.

Huell: AND NOW IT'S TIME TO TALK ABOUT THIS WHOLE TIKI THEME.

WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT, FRANK?

>> WELL, WHEN WE DECIDED TO REMODEL THIS THEATER, WE WANTED TO GIVE IT A THEME, AND TIKI WAS COMING BACK, AND PEOPLE WERE PAYING ATTENTION, AND WE SAID, "LET'S GO WITH THIS THING."

Huell: SO THIS IS KIND OF A WAY TO GIVE IT A NEW LIFE, A NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

IT'S NO LONGER THE MISSION DRIVE-IN.

IT'S THE TIKI MISSION DRIVE-IN.

>> RIGHT, AND THIS IS TIKI DIABLO, OUR DESIGNER.

Huell: HI, TIKI.

>> NICE TO MEET YOU, HUELL.

Huell: SO YOU DID ALL OF THIS?

>> YES, I DID.

Huell: SO WHAT WAS THE IDEA?

THEY JUST TOLD YOU TO TIKI THE PLACE UP?

>> THEY JUST SAID, "HERE'S A BLANK CANVAS, AND, UH, MAKE IT TIKI," SO I TRIED TO DO SOMETHING THAT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS ALWAYS HERE, BUT WOULD STILL BE TIKI NOW, AND A MODERN INTERPRETATION.

Huell: BECAUSE WHEN YOU STARTED ON THIS, THIS WAS JUST A PLAIN OLD TICKET BOOTH HERE.

>> IT WAS A PLYWOOD BOX PRETTY MUCH.

Huell: YEAH.

NOW LOOK OVER HERE.

THIS IS ANOTHER THING YOU'VE DONE OVER HERE.

YOU'VE GOT A WHOLE TIKI THEME GOIN' ON OVER HERE IN THE GARDEN, TOO.

>> YEAH, WE CALL THIS OUR MOAI GARDEN, OR OUR EASTER ISLE GARDEN.

Huell: UH-HUH.

>> AND IT'S JUST SOMETHING TO LOOK AT TO FILL THE DEAD SPACE, GIVE THE LITTLE KIDS SOMETHING TO LAUGH ABOUT AND POKE AT, AND IT ALSO JUST MAKES IT INTERESTING.

Huell: WELL, THIS HAS GOTTA BE A LOT OF FUN FOR YOU AS AN ARTIST TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

THERE ARE THE SCREENS OFF IN THE DISTANCE.

YOU'RE KIND OF DRESSIN' UP WHAT WOULD JUST NORMALLY BE A BLACK ASPHALT PARKING LOT HERE.

>> TO ME, IT'S A DREAM JOB.

THEY TELL ME, "HEY, DO SOMETHING HERE," AND I'M LIKE, "OK," AND THEN WE LET OUR IMAGINATION RUN WILD AND HERE WE GO, YOU KNOW?

2 MONTHS LATER, HERE'S A EASTER ISLE GARDEN.

Huell: AND THIS IS JUST ANOTHER WAY TO GET PEOPLE INTO THE DRIVE-IN.

>> WELL, THIS WAS OUR IDEA OF A REALLY NICE WAY TO GREET OUR CUSTOMERS AND GIVE THEM SOMETHING THAT WAS SPECIAL, THAT THEY'D PROBABLY NEVER SEEN BEFORE, AND IT'S A TREAT.

DANNY'S DONE A WONDERFUL JOB.

Huell: WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT'S THE TIKI OR WHAT MOVIES THEY'RE PLAYING TONIGHT, BUT SOMETHING'S WORKIN' BECAUSE YOU'RE GETTIN' A LONG LINE RIGHT OVER THERE OF PEOPLE WAITIN' TO COME IN.

>> WELL, THE EARLY BIRDS HAVE ARRIVED.

IT'S ONLY ABOUT 7:00, AND THE BOX OFFICE DOESN'T OPEN UNTIL TILL 7:30, AND THESE PEOPLE WANT THE BEST PARKING SPOTS.

Huell: THEY'RE HARDCORE.

WE'VE BEEN TALKIN' WITH 'EM.

>> THEY'RE OUR REGULARS.

Huell: OK, IT'S 7:30, AND HERE COMES THE FIRST CAR.

GIVE US A WAVE.

THEY WERE FIRST IN LINE.

HOWDY!

HAVE FUN!

[LAUGHING] BOY, THEY'RE STREAMIN' IN.

LOOK AT THIS.

HAVE FUN!

BE CAREFUL!

THEY'RE STREAMIN' IN, AND, LOOK, THEY'VE GOT ALL THESE SPACES TO CHOOSE FROM.

IT'S EMPTY NOW, BUT I HAVE A FEELING IT'S GONNA FILL UP REAL FAST.

OK, WE'RE GOIN' IN IN OUR OWN CAR, AND WE CAN EITHER GO AND LOOK AT THIS SCREEN.

THIS SEEMS TO BE PRETTY POPULAR.

CARS ARE ALREADY LINI'' UP HERE.

OR WE CAN GO DOWN HERE AND SEE THIS SCREEN, OR WE CAN GO OVER HERE AND SEE THIS SCREEN, OR WE CAN GO OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE OVER THERE, LOOKIN' RIGHT INTO THE SETTING SUN, AND LOOK AT SCREEN NUMBER 4.

WHEN YOU COME IN HERE, YOU HAVE LOTS OF CHOICES.

THERE ARE LOTS OF DIFFERENT MOVIES SHOWIN'.

AND HERE'S THE CONCESSION STAND, THE SNACK BAR, RIGHT IN FRONT OF US.

WOW.

ACTUALLY, I'M LOST.

WHERE ARE WE GOIN'?

OH, BOY.

NOW, YOU ALL LOOK LIKE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOIN' OVER HERE.

WHAT HAVE WE GOT GOIN' OVER HERE?

LOOK AT THIS.

>> AN AIR MATTRESS.

WE GOT AN AIR MATTRESS RIGHT HERE.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS.

WE'VE GOT AN AIR MATTRESS, PILLOWS.

>> FOLDING CHAIRS.

Huell: FOLDING CHAIRS.

WHERE'S THE BARBECUE GRILL?

>> OH, I KNOW.

WE FORGOT.

Huell: SO YOU ALL DO THIS HOW OFTEN?

>> NOT TOO OFTEN.

WE LIVE DOWN THE STREET, ACTUALLY, IN WALKING DISTANCE, SO... Huell: WOW.

THIS IS SO COOL.

YOU'RE LOADED FOR BEAR HERE.

>> HOW YOU DOIN'?

NICE TO SEE YOU.

REALLY NICE TO SEE YOU.

Huell: SO THIS IS LIKE...THIS IS LIKE BECOMING A FAMILY TRADITION, ISN'T IT?

>> IT IS.

Huell: WHAT IS SO COOL--WHAT DO YOU THINK IS SO COOL ABOUT DOI'' THIS?

>> JUST BEING OUTSIDE IN THE OPEN, IN THE AIR, AND IT'S NOT TOO GOOD OF WEATHER, BUT IT'S BEAUTIFUL OUTSIDE.

Huell: YEAH.

SO WHAT'S THE DEAL?

DO YOU ALL ALL GET UP HERE ON THIS--HERE, GET UP THERE.

LET ME SEE WHAT GOES ON HERE.

>> OK. MY BROTHER'S GONNA SIT IN THE CHAIR.

Huell: AND YOU GET UP ON THE MATTRESS?

>> YEP.

WE JUST HAVE TO PROP THE PILLOWS.

Huell: AND WATCH THE MOVIE.

>> YEP, WE'RE ALL GOOD TO GO.

[LAUGHING] Huell: THEY'RE SETTIN' UP THE CHAIRS.

YOU GOT THE WHOLE ROUTINE.

OH, LOOK!

AND SHE'S ALREADY ASLEEP, AND THE MOVIE HADN'T EVEN STARTED.

>> RIGHT, BUT SHE'LL BE UP 'CAUSE SHE'LL BE GETTIN' THE POPCORN PRETTY SOON.

Huell: WELL, THIS IS PART OF THE NICE THING ABOUT COMIN' TO THE DRIVE-IN, THOUGH.

IF THE KIDS GO TO SLEEP, THAT'S OK. >> RIGHT, YEAH.

I FORGOT THE PAJAMAS TODAY.

EVERY TIME, I BRING THE PAJAMAS FOR...I DO THAT AND TAKE IT HOME, IT'S SLEEPING.

Huell: PUT ON THE PAJAMAS?

>> RIGHT.

Huell: THEY'RE READY TO SLEEP ALREADY.

>> RIGHT.

Huell: WOW.

NOW WHEN DID YOU ALL START DOIN' THIS AS A FAMILY TOGETHER?

>> UH, WELL, WHEN WE HAD THE KIDS, ACTUALLY.

WE COULDN'T TAKE THEM TO THE THEATER ANYMORE, SO...THEY WERE MAKIN' A LOT OF NOISE AND CRYING, SO WE TOOK 'EM HERE, AND WE HAVE A GOOD TIME.

Huell: YEAH, BUT THIS IS GREAT.

THIS IS WONDERFUL.

>> YEAH.

Huell: I HAD FORGOTTEN HOW MUCH FUN IT IS TO COME TO THE DRIVE-IN.

>> RIGHT.

>> YEAH.

>> THE FIRST TIME WHEN WE COME, WE DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S WORKING, AND HOW WILL WE GO TO LISTEN THE...YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I REMEMBER WHEN... Huell: YOU HAD THE SPEAKERS.

>> RIGHT, AND HOW WE GO TO LISTEN?

AND, WELL, WE LISTEN VERY GOOD, BUT WE LISTEN FOR THE OTHER CAR.

WE DON'T KNOW.

Huell: OH, YOU DON'T EVEN LISTEN FROM YOUR OWN CAR?

>> WELL, WE DIDN'T BEFORE UNTIL WE FIGURED IT OUT.

Huell: OH, IT WAS ON YOUR RADIO.

>> YEAH.

Huell: [LAUGHING] WELL, IT'S ALL A LEARNING CURVE, ISN'T IT?

>> RIGHT.

Huell: WOW, LET'S GET A SHOT OF ALL OF YOU.

GIVE US A WAVE.

>> BYE!

Huell: WE GOT A WAVE FROM THE TWO ADULTS.

THE TWO CHILDREN ARE BUSY, ONE WITH HIS BOTTLE AND ONE SOUND ASLEEP.

[LAUGHING] LOOK AT THIS.

WE HAD TO COME BACK AND GET A SHOT OF THIS.

THIS IS...LOOK AT THIS.

>> YOU CAN'T DO THIS IN A THEATER.

Huell: NO, THIS IS GREAT.

I BET YOU DON'T MAKE IT THROUGH THE WHOLE MOVIE.

>> NO, I'LL TAKE A NAP.

A REAL GOOD NAP.

I NEED ONE.

[LAUGHING] Huell: WE'RE STANDIN' HERE WITH A PIECE OF HISTORY.

AND, TERI, YOUR FAMILY HAS BEEN OWNIN' THESE DRIVE-INS FOR A LONG TIME.

YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS, DON'T YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS THE INFAMOUS DRIVE-IN SPEAKER.

Huell: AND IT WAS INFAMOUS 'CAUSE THIS IS THE KIND OF SPEAKER WE HAD, YOU KNOW, AT THE DRIVE-IN BACK IN TENNESSEE.

VERY TINNY, AS FAR AS THE SOUND GOES.

THERE'S JUST ONE BUTTON THERE TO ADJUST, AND IT WASN'T REALLY--AND PEOPLE USED TO DRIVE OFF WITH 'EM STILL HOOKED ONTO THE CAR.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S WHAT REALLY MADE THEM INFAMOUS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THIS COULD DO SOME DAMAGE.

THIS IS A FAIRLY STRONG CABLE, AND THIS HOOKS ON THE WINDOW.

Huell: UH-HUH.

>> JUST LIKE.

REMEMBER THE OLD CAR TRAYS IN THE DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS?

Huell: YEAH.

AND HERE'S YOUR LITTLE--THIS WAS THE LITTLE KNOB.

THIS WAS THE ONLY CONTROL YOU HAD.

>> AND PEOPLE WOULD LEAVE THEM HOOKED IN THE WINDOW.

THEY WOULD COMPLETELY FORGET ABOUT THEM, DRIVE OFF, AND EITHER LOSE THE WINDOW, OR TAKE HOME A SOUVENIR FROM THE DRIVE-IN.

Huell: THIS IS AMAZING.

Announcer: DON'T LET THIS... [GLASS BREAKING] HAPPEN TO YOUR CAR.

BE SURE TO REMOVE THE SPEAKER BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

Huell: AND THIS SHOWS HOW LONG IT'S BEEN SINCE I'VE BEEN TO A DRIVE-IN BECAUSE THESE ARE OUTDATED NOW.

YOU TUNE IN TO YOUR CAR RADIO TO LISTEN TO THE MOVIE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

IT IS--COMES IN ON FM RADIO, AND IT SOUNDS AS GOOD AS YOUR CAR STEREO, AND YOU HAVE FABULOUS SOUND NOW.

Huell: BUT, YOU KNOW, IN A FUNNY KIND OF WAY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE IN A DRIVE-IN TO HEAR IT ON ANYTHING BUT THIS 'CAUSE I'VE NEVER HEARD IT, YOU KNOW, WELL BEFORE.

>> WELL, THEN YOU HAVE TO COME TO THE DRIVE-IN TO EXPERIENCE IT.

NOW, ONE THING THAT'S PART OF THE HISTORY OF THE MISSION TIKI IS THESE SPEAKERS WERE ACTUALLY MANUFACTURED AT THIS LOCATION.

Huell: YOU'RE KIDDING?

>> AND THERE IS A BUILDING BEHIND US THAT'S OVER HERE CALLED THE BEVELITE BUILDING, AND IT WAS THE BEVELITE CORPORATION THAT MADE THESE SPEAKERS.

THIS IS THE SPECIAL BEVELITE MATERIAL.

NOW, GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT IT IS.

IT COULD BE ASBESTOS.

YOU KNOW, I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT IT IS.

IT'S NOT METAL.

Huell: WELL, THEY WERE STURDY.

[CLANGING] >> BUT IT ALMOST IS A CERAMIC WITH METAL IN IT.

Huell: THESE SHOULD.

THIS SHOULD BE IN THE SMITHSONIAN.

>> AND THIS SAYS "PACIFIC," SO THIS IS A SPEAKER FROM PACIFIC THEATERS.

Huell: THIS SHOULD BE IN THE SMITHSONIAN.

>> OH, THERE--THERE PROBABLY ARE.

[LAUGHING] >> NOW, HUELL, THIS IS OUR NUMBER 3 SCREEN, AND, TONIGHT, WE'RE OPENING MIAMI VICE, SO THAT--IT'S GONNA BE VERY CROWDED THERE.

Huell: SO YOU'RE RUNNIN' FIRST-RUN, TRIPLE-A, GOOD MOVIES HERE.

>> NO, THIS IS NOT SECOND-RATE CINEMA.

THIS IS THE SAME MOVIES YOU SEE IN ANY THEATER IN THE COUNTRY, DAY AND DATE, FIRST DAY.

Huell: BECAUSE, PARDON ME, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT I DON'T REMEMBER SEEING VERY MANY FIRST- RUN MOVIES GOING TO MY LITTLE DRIVE-IN BACK IN TENNESSEE.

THESE WERE LIKE THE MONSTER FROM THE DEEP AND BEACH BLANKET BINGO GOES BANANAS.

I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW WHATALL I WAS WATCHIN', BUT... Teri: NO, THAT WAS TRUE.

THEY WOULD SHOW MOVIES ABOUT 4 WEEKS INTO THE RUN.

THEY WOULD HAVE SPECIAL "B" SECOND FEATURES--THE B-MOVIES, AND THAT'S WHAT YOU USED TO SEE IN THE DRIVE-IN.

LOTS OF A.I.P.

PICTURES, LOTS OF ROGER CORMAN, UH, SAM ARKOFF TYPE OF MOVIES.

Announcer: THE SHOCKING STORY OF BOY-CRAZY GIRLS.

Second announcer: THOUSANDS OF YOUNG GIRLS ARE BECOMING TEENAGE DOLLS... >> AAH!

Huell: WERE THESE MOVIES MADE JUST FOR THE DRIVE-INS?

Frank: WELL, THE DRIVE-INS COULDN'T PLAY THE FIRST-RUN FEATURES IN THE BEGINNING.

THEY WOULD GET THEM LATE, SO MOVIE COMPANIES STARTED MAKING MOVIES SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT MARKET, THE DRIVE-IN THEATER, SO IT BUILT ITS OWN CULT FOLLOWING AROUND THOSE KINDS OF FILMS.

Huell: BUT NOW, YOU'RE SHOWING--YOU CAN SEE THE SAME MOVIES IN THE DRIVE-IN THAT YOU CAN SEE IN THE THEATERS, AND AT A CHEAPER PRICE.

>> AND IT'S A DOUBLE FEATURE, SO YOU-- Huell: A DOUBLE FEATURE?

>> YOU SEE 2 NEW PICTURES FOR THE PRICE OF ONE.

Huell: ON EACH SCREEN?

>> YOU GOT IT.

Announcer: THE SHOW STARTS IN 10 MINUTES.

[MUSIC PLAYING] GOLDEN PURE CREAMERY BUTTER-- RICH, FLAVORFUL, SATISFYING.

THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES FOR THE FINEST BUTTERED POPCORN, AND THAT'S WHAT WE USE.

SEE FOR YOURSELF WHY THERE'S NO SHOWTIME TREAT TO EQUAL THE CRISP, DELICIOUS FLAVOR OF HOT POPCORN THAT'S BATHED IN REAL MELTED BUTTER.

IT'S AT THE CONCESSION STAND NOW.

Huell: OH, MY GOSH!

THE MOVIE HASN'T EVEN STARTED YET, AND LOOK AT THE LINE HERE AT THE SNACK BAR, OR IS IT THE CONCESSION STAND?

WHICH IS IT?

>> IT'S DEFINITELY THE SNACK BAR.

Huell: THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.

>> IT HAS TO BE MORE RELAXED, UM, LESS STRUCTURED.

WE HAVE A...WE HAVE A GREAT CROWD OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO EAT HOT DOGS, NACHOS, POPCORN, SODAS, CANDY.

Huell: ALL THE GOOD STUFF.

Frank: YOU BET.

Huell: AND THIS IS PART OF THE DRIVE-IN TRADITION AS WELL, ISN'T IT?

Teri: OH, ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: HOW DID THAT ALL GET STARTED THAT YOU PIG OUT AT THE DRIVE-IN?

>> WELL, THINK OF IT.

WHEN YOU GO HOME AND YOU SIT IN FRONT OF THE TV, YOU ALWAYS PIG OUT.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING ABOUT PEOPLE SITTING IN FRONT OF ANYTHING WANT TO EAT, AND THE NICE THING ABOUT THE DRIVE-IN IS WE HAVE THIS GREAT CONCESSION STAND, MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE THAN A NORMAL WALK-IN THEATER, BUT PEOPLE ARE ALSO WELCOME TO BRING IN THEIR OWN FOOD AND DRINK IN COOLERS.

Huell: AND THAT WAY, YOU CAN SPILL IT IN THE CAR.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SPILL IT IN THE CAR.

BE SURE TO BRING PLENTY OF TOWELS.

Huell: THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

>> IT'S FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT, HUELL, AND WHEN YOU HAVE A DOUBLE FEATURE, AND YOU'RE HERE FOR 4 OR 5 HOURS, WELL, WE PROVIDE ALL THE REFRESHMENTS AND EVERYTHING THAT THE FAMILY WOULD WANT FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

Announcer: WE'VE GOT DELICIOUS SANDWICHES WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS, AND YOUR OTHER DINNER FAVORITES, PLUS WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DRINK, HOT OR COLD.

COME EARLY BEFORE THE SHOW STARTS, OR EAT WHILE YOU'RE BEING ENTERTAINED, OR AT INTERMISSION TIME.

SO WHY FUSS?

GIVE YOUR FAMILY A TASTY DINNER AT THIS DRIVE-IN.

Huell: NOW, THIS TAKES ME BACK.

THIS IS THE REAL THING RIGHT HERE.

GOURMET DRIVE-IN FOOD AT ITS BEST.

>> WHY, IT'S A MEAL IN ITSELF.

Huell: [LAUGHING] I DON'T REMEMBER PEOPLE SITTING OUTSIDE THE CAR AS MUCH WHEN I WENT TO THE DRIVE-IN.

>> NO.

PEOPLE USED TO STAY IN THEIR CAR IN THE OLD DAYS OF THE DRIVE-IN.

TODAY, THE PEOPLE BEHIND US HAVE THE PERFECT SETUP.

THEY HAVE THE COOLER, THE LAWN CHAIRS.

THEY HAVE LAWN CHAIRS FOR THEIR KIDS.

Huell: WELL, WHY DIDN'T WE THINK OF THIS?

>> WE STAYED IN THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE LITTLE SPEAKER.

THE LITTLE SPEAKER ATTACHED TO YOUR WINDOW, AND YOU SAT IN THE CAR.

WE NEVER THOUGHT OF GETTING OUT.

IT WAS--THE KIDS WERE IN THE BACK OF THE STATION WAGON, AND THE PARENTS WERE IN THE FRONT, AND I REMEMBER IT WELL, BUT THIS IS JUST SO GREAT BECAUSE YOU'RE OUTSIDE.

Huell: NOW IT'S TIME TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT WE'VE KIND OF AVOIDED UP TO THIS POINT.

BUT DOES THE EXPRESSION "PASSION PIT" MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU?

>> [LAUGHING] THE DRIVE-IN IS A TRULY FREE PLACE.

YOU CAN DRINK, YOU CAN SMOKE, YOU CAN SIT OUTSIDE, YOU CAN SIT INSIDE... Huell: WITH YOUR DATE.

>> YOU CAN BRING CHILDREN, YOU CAN BRING BABIES.

Huell: YES, AND YOU CAN BRING YOUR DATE.

>> UH...UH...YES.

Huell: 'CAUSE IT WAS A HOT PLACE TO TAKE YOUR DATE.

IT WAS A PLACE TO GO MAKE OUT.

>> IT'S STILL A PLACE TO MAKE OUT.

IT'S TOTALLY A PLACE TO MAKE OUT BECAUSE YOU HAVE PRIVACY.

YOU HAVE THE LITTLE WORLD THAT YOU BRING WITH YOU.

Huell: BUT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE WATCHIN' THE MOVIE, EXCEPT THAT WAS KIND OF THE EXCUSE YOU WERE AT THE DRIVE-IN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU WERE AT THE DRIVE-IN, AND GOING TO THE MOVIES MEANS SITTING WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE IN A LIBRARY-LIKE SETTING.

Huell: IN THE THEATER.

>> GOING TO A DRIVE-IN MEANS CREATING YOUR OWN LITTLE WORLD AND HAVING THE FREEDOM TO DO PRETTY MUCH WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

Huell: SITTIN' KIND OF LIKE THIS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

JUST, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER, AND THERE YOU ARE IN THE PRIVACY OF YOUR OWN CAR WITH NO ONE ELSE AROUND.

Huell: NOW THIS IS EXCITING.

WE HAVE COME TO THE PROJECTION BOOTH FOR ALL 4 SCREENS.

THEY'RE ALL GOIN' AT THE SAME TIME.

YOUR NAME, SIR, IS... >> DOUG.

Huell: DOUG, AND YOU ARE A THIRD-GENERATION PROJECTIONIST.

>> YEP.

MY GRANDFATHER DID IT, MY DAD DID IT.

MY, ACTUALLY, DAD DID IT UNTIL THE DAY HE DIED.

Huell: SO YOU DIDN'T REALLY HAVE ANY CHOICE.

YOU PROBABLY WENT WITH YOUR DAD WHEN WE WAS DOIN'... >> ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: SO IT JUST GOT IN YOUR BLOOD.

WELL, TELL US WHAT WE'RE LOOKIN' AT HERE.

WHICH--WHICH MOVIE IS THIS?

>> THIS IS PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN.

Huell: AND HOW LONG...?

>> THAT, RIGHT THERE, IS ABOUT 12,000 FEET OF FILM.

IT'S 2... ABOUT 2 HOURS AND 40 MINUTES' WORTH OF FILM.

Huell: SO IT'S ALL ON ONE SPOOL.

>> CORRECT.

Huell: IT DIDN'T USED TO BE THAT WAY, DID IT?

>> IT USED TO BE REEL TO REEL.

IT WAS 2,000-FOOT REELS, UM, ABOUT THIS BIG.

I ACTUALLY HAVE ONE OVER HERE I CAN SHOW YOU.

Huell: WOW.

>> AND IT USED TO BE 2 PROJECTORS THAT YOU SHOWED ONE REEL HERE, AND YOU SWITCHED OVER TO THE OTHER PROJECTOR.

Huell: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS?

>> I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 26 YEARS.

Huell: ALL RIGHT, NOW, THIS IS A FIRST-RUN MOVIE, PIRATES IS.

>> CORRECT.

Huell: YOU'VE PROBABLY SHOWN A LOT OF BAD MOVIES IN YOUR DAY AT THE DRIVE-IN, HAVEN'T YOU?

>> I'VE SHOWN A FEW Huell: [LAUGHING] ALL THOSE TYPICAL "B" AND "C" DRIVE-IN MOVIES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: SO THIS IS REFRESHING TO BE BACK TO THE FIRST-RUN, CLASSY MOVIES AGAIN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: THIS IS LIKE WE'RE IN THE INNER SANCTUM.

>> THIS IS PRETTY MUCH WHERE IT ALL HAPPENS.

IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE THIS, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE THE DRIVE-IN.

Huell: REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DRIVE-IN MOVIE SOCIETY.

WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT?

>> WE'RE JUST A GROUP OF FANS, DRIVE-IN FANS, WHO WANTED TO PUT THE WORD OUT THAT THE DRIVE-INS ARE STILL AROUND.

Huell: A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT.

>> WE FOUND THAT OUT.

YEAH, WE DID.

WE MET ON THE INTERNET.

WE HAD OUR FIRST MEETING AT THIS DRIVE-IN, AND, UH, WE DECIDED TO MAKE IT A MISSION, A GOAL OF OURS, TO PUT THE WORD OUT.

Huell: JUST TURN PEOPLE ON TO THE DRIVE-IN.

AND I'VE HEARD THAT THEY HAVE--YOU SAID THERE WAS HEARSE... >> YEAH.

Huell: CAR COLLECTING CLUB OUT HERE LAST WEEKEND?

>> YEAH.

ACTUALLY, IT WAS ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THE SAME NIGHT THAT THE MOVIE CARS OPENED.

THEY GOT 2 BIG CAR CLUBS OUT HERE, AND THEN ON ANOTHER SCREEN, THEY WERE SHOWING A HORROR MOVIE, THERE WAS A HEARSE COLLECTORS CLUB OUT THERE.

Huell: SO YOU'RE BRINGING NEW CONVERTS INTO THE DRIVE-IN.

>> WELL, WE'D LIKE TO THINK SO, YEAH.

WE PUT THE WORD OUT.

WE GET A LOT OF E-MAILS.

WE GET 'EM FROM DIFFERENT WEB SITES, TELLING US THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON DOWN HERE, AND... Huell: AND ARE THESE OLDER PEOPLE WHO ARE REMINISCING?

ARE THEY YOUNGER PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DRIVE-IN EXPERIENCE IS ABOUT?

>> IT'S BOTH.

>> IT'S A PRETTY GOOD MIX OF BOTH, AND, IN FACT, ACTUALLY, WE SET UP A TABLE IN THE SNACK BAR, AND PEOPLE THAT WALKED BY THAT ARE HERE AT THIS DRIVE-IN DON'T KNOW THAT THERE ARE OTHER DRIVE-INS AROUND, SO WE SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE OTHER DRIVE-INS THAT ARE AROUND HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

>> AND WHY DO YOU THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU SPREAD THE WORD?

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE DRIVE-IN EXPERIENCE HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA?

>> OH, THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF OUR POP CULTURE, THE CALIFORNIA EXPERIENCE, GROWING UP IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

YOU WENT AS A KID.

YOU WENT WITH YOUR FAMILY TO GO SEE THE MOVIES, YOU KNOW.

YOU TOOK A CARLOAD OF PEOPLE, AND YOU SPENT THE NIGHT AT THE DRIVE-IN, UH, AND THEY'RE NOT AROUND ANYMORE.

THEY'RE DYING OFF, AND THEY HAVE BEEN DYING OFF, AND SO, PEOPLE LIKE THE OWNERS OF THIS DRIVE-IN ARE KEEPING IT ALIVE, AND WE WANTED TO HELP THEM DO THAT.

Huell: YEAH.

>> AND TO KIND OF POINT OUT HOW MUCH OF A FAMILY ORIENTED EXPERIENCE IT'S BECOME, I'D SAY IN THE LAST 2 OR 3 YEARS.

PEOPLE DON'T REALLY REALIZE THAT.

THEY THINK MAYBE MOST OF THE DRIVE-INS ARE RUNDOWN, THEY'RE SCARY PLACES TO BE OR SOMETHING.

AND IT'S, AS YOU CAN SEE, THAT'S NOT THE REALITY AT ALL.

THERE ARE FAMILIES OUT HERE, HAVING A GREAT TIME AND NOT SPENDING A FORTUNE TO DO IT.

Huell: WE ALMOST LOST 'EM, BUT THE DRIVE-IN IS BACK.

Teri: WELL, THE DRIVE-IN SHOULD NEVER HAVE GONE AWAY, AND, TRUTHFULLY, THE DRIVE-IN IS ONE OF THE MOST PLEASANT PLACES TO TAKE YOUR FAMILY.

Huell: ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW IS A WHOLE NEW GENERATION OF PEOPLE, WHO ARE BRINGING THEIR KIDS, THEY'RE HAVING A WONDERFUL DRIVE-IN EXPERIENCE, AND IT IS BY THE FACT THAT IT'S A WONDERFUL PLACE TO GO TO.

IT'S CLEAN, IT'S SAFE, AND IT'S FUN.

Huell: BUT THIS ONE, RIGHT HERE, ALMOST DISAPPEARED.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

BECAUSE IT FELL INTO DISREPAIR AND NEGLECT, AND WHEN THAT HAPPENED, PEOPLE STOPPED COMING, BUT THE MINUTE THAT WE PUT IN SOME LOVE AND SOME CREATIVITY AND SOME CARING INTO THIS DRIVE-IN, IT IMMEDIATELY SPRANG BACK.

Huell: IT'S JUST BEEN WAITING TO COME BACK, HASN'T IT?

>> OH, WE LOVE IT.

THIS FAMILY BUSINESS, IT'S A WHOLE NEW MARKET, IT'S A WHOLE NEW EXPERIENCE FOR SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY.

Huell: YEAH, AND IT'S BACK.

Teri: YES, AND IT'S WONDERFULLY BACK AND GROWING.

Huell: IT'S LIKE TIME HAS STOOD STILL.

IT'S LIKE I'M BACK, RIGHT NOW, STANDING HERE, RELIVING ALL THOSE MEMORIES THAT I HAD SO MANY YEARS AGO.

>> IT'S A WONDERFUL FEELING, ISN'T IT?

AND IT'S A WONDERFUL THING TO PASS ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION BECAUSE, UNFORTUNATELY, FOR SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDER THE AGE 30, THEY HAVE NO MEMORIES OF THE DRIVE-IN.

THERE WAS A WHOLE LOST PERIOD OF TIME, BUT THAT NOW IS BACK, AND, UH...AND EVERYONE IS REALLY ENJOYING IT.

Huell: WELL, THE SOUND IS BETTER, THE PICTURE IS BRIGHTER, THE CONFIGURATIONS HAVE CHANGED A LITTLE BIT, BUT THE QUINTESSENTIAL DRIVE-IN EXPERIENCE IS STILL AS PURE AS IT EVER WAS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S MOVIES UNDER THE STARS, AND YOU CAN'T GET BETTER THAN THAT.

>> [SPEAKING PIDGIN DIALECT] [NATIVES MOAN AND MUTTER] >> JACK, THE COMPASS.

THAT'S ALL I NEED.

ELIZABETH IS IN DANGER.

WE WERE ARRESTED FOR TRYING TO HELP YOU.

SHE FACES THE GALLOWS!

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] >> [SPEAKING PIDGIN DIALECT] >> [SHOUTING] >> SAVE ME.

>> JACK, WHAT DID YOU TELL THEM?

[CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org-- ] Announcer: VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM...