  Magic_mushroom Member Username: Magic_mushroom Post Number: 3 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 24.220.197.208 |
I read not too long ago on the Water Winter Wonderland website that rumor has it this may be the last season at Dearborn's Ford-Wyoming Drive-In if business does not pick up this year. Anyone heard this? Any good memories/stories from this historic place or any other Detroit area drive-in? Hopefully this place can continue to stay open maybe just on a summer season only. | ||
Czar Member Username: Czar Post Number: 2995 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 72.49.166.173 |
I vividly remember my parents taking the family to a double feature of Westworld/Soylent Green on a humid night. | ||
East_detroit Member Username: East_detroit Post Number: 557 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 69.212.169.194 |
We should all go as much as possible, then. I know I will. Or... I could blame them and go to AMC Theatres in my Honda and stop at Walmart on the way home. | ||
Superaygun Member Username: Superaygun Post Number: 312 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 68.42.181.134 |
NOOOO!!! i LOVE that drive-in! i go several times a year year-round. the guy who does the recordings for showtimes cracks me up; when Gangs Of New York was there i remember he had a little trouble with a certain star's name: "In Theater Number Two: Gangs Of New York, starring...[confused pause]L-Len-ar-do DiCrap-rio." LOL! most of my memories there are fairly recent as i didn't start going to that theater until my teens; before then my only drive-in experiences had all taken place as a little kid at the Bel Air. i think the last thing i ever saw there was the remake of The Fly in '86. must have been right before it closed... i will cry if the Ford-Wy shuts its gates. my summers will suffer! | ||
Islandman Member Username: Islandman Post Number: 119 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 68.42.171.59 |
I did the quintessential making out back in high school there (87). You have now put it on my to do list to make out there at least twice this summer. My love life thanks you. | ||
Superaygun Member Username: Superaygun Post Number: 315 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 68.42.181.134 |
best double feature ever advertised there: The Passion Of The Christ and My Baby's Daddy. i believe at some point they had it teamed up with Dawn Of The Dead as well. | ||
Gumby Member Username: Gumby Post Number: 1016 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.60.143.186 |
that is friggen hiarious SRG. I would love to see pictures of the marquee with those double features. | ||
Superaygun Member Username: Superaygun Post Number: 317 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 68.42.181.134 |
i know--i totally should have gone by and taken some. i do remember calling back a couple times just to hear the announcement again. | ||
Hooha Member Username: Hooha Post Number: 97 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.81.52.28 |
It was only a matter of time before something like this happened. With drive-ins at the Silverdome and Compuware Arena, I didn't think there was enough demand to keep that place open. I'll have to drag some people there this summer. | ||
Magic_mushroom Member Username: Magic_mushroom Post Number: 4 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 24.220.197.208 |
The Silverdome and Compuware Arena drive-in's are the Walmart of the drive-in's. Let's get out and support our classic locations that have been open for 50+ years (eventhough they may be owned by major theatre chains)! I'm not saying it's bad to have new drive-in's. It's just like Hooha said. There are too many in one area. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 2126 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 69.47.100.44 |
This is a REAL drive-in with real history as an authentic movie venue. Those other places are Johnny Come Latelies! You bet your sweet bottom dollar I'll be down there again this summer to support this place. I still remember making out at the ol' Grand River Drive-In back in the day. Movie? What movie?? | ||
Spitty Member Username: Spitty Post Number: 448 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 136.1.1.101 |
I saw Wedding Crashers there last summer on a Thursday night (which is family night). I'd never been there as a kid, but I had a great time. Brought my girlfriend, some beer and pretzels and everything was cool (except the long walk to the bathroom). I'll have to go back on a night where I'm awake enough to watch both movies. I hope they can stay open. maybe they should advertise, since a lot of people I talk to don't know that they show first-run movies, or how to get to Ford and Wyoming. | ||
Detroit1969 Member Username: Detroit1969 Post Number: 29 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 70.236.165.47 |
SRG: You're right, they do run into some trouble with the names. I think I met that guy at the ticket booth, because when I went to see "Transporter 2" the guy who took my money gave me tickets for "Transponder 2." That was a laugh. I'll say this: If you're going to the drive-in, see a high-key movie like a comedy or something. Unless it's a completely clear night, there's so much ambient light now that when you go see something that has lots of eerie, mood-making darkness half the picture is grayed-out by the light pollution. | ||
Ed_golick Member Username: Ed_golick Post Number: 237 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.238.170.38 |
INTERMISSION http://www.filmack.com/qttrail ers/hi-classiclobbyA.htm | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 3026 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.79.81.13 |
Loved seeing the "only real" James Bond, (Sean Connery) movies as well as Viva Las Vegas there. | ||
Hooha Member Username: Hooha Post Number: 98 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.81.52.28 |
I second the light pollution comment. I made the mistake of seeing "Van Helsing" there a couple years ago, a movie in which pretty much every sequence happens at night, or in some dark castle. Couldn't see very much until it was completely dark outside. | ||
Superaygun Member Username: Superaygun Post Number: 323 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 68.42.181.134 |
yeah, Det1969, Transponder 2 was total Di-Craprio. :P hee! if i'm not mistaken there's a car dealership or some other well-lit business close by; i'm sure that contributes to the light pollution problem. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 3481 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 67.160.138.107 |
FORD-WYOMING DRIVE-IN THEATER. Built: 1950. This lot has always been known as "AN OZONER." 1981. Bought by Wayne Amusements who advertised a playground and boat rides. 1990. 5 screens. 1991. 8 screens. 1992. Back to 5 screens. 10400 Ford Road Dearborn, Michigan 48126 Phone 313-846-6910. Great memories. And don't forget to rehang the door speakers. jjaba, Wyoming Ave. bopper. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 369 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 69.242.223.42 |
So, when did it go to nine screens? | ||
Detroit1969 Member Username: Detroit1969 Post Number: 32 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 70.238.41.59 |
Going into a bit of deep history, back in the 1920s, the Ford-Wyoming site was occupied by J.S. Haggerty Brick Manufacturing Plant No. 2. Eight steam-dry kilns, brick machines, and a massive coal pile to stoke the place. There also was a big pond my dad remembers as being soaked with polluted water in the 1940s. |
