Remember the days of the drive-in
“Smoke if you wish”, “Dress as you please”, “Anything that goes, goes to Southline Drive In”. These were some of the slogans aimed to highlight the benefits of watching a movie in your car
“Smoke if you wish”, “Dress as you please”, “Anything that goes, goes to Southline Drive In”. These were some of the slogans aimed to highlight the benefits of watching a movie in your car.
Southline Drive In Theatre opened in 1957, in Fairy Meadow, north of Balgownie Road. It had an 80ft buffet, a supervised children’s playground and giant 100ft screen. Sound was delivered via speakers hung from the window of each car.
On opening night, for the price of 5 shillings, patrons were treated to a screening of, Picnic starring William Holden and Kim Novak, as well as CinemaScope shorts and a Cinesound Newsreel.
Despite the popularity of television at the time, the Drive In operated for 26 years, closing in 1984 with a double bill of Octopussy and Flying High II. The site is now part of a light industrial estate.
In 1995, Robert Parkinson published his book, Gauffered Velour, about the cinema and motion picture exhibition in the Illawarra. To read it or access his research papers, pay the Local Studies team a visit.
The Local Studies Collection is at Wollongong City Library, 41 Burelli Street.
Make memories at Sunset Cinema
Wollongong Botanic Garden’s Fig Lawn is hosting Sunset Cinema screenings until March 28. BYO camp chairs, tickets at sunsetcinema.com.au
