Abandoned Drive-In Theater | New England

[@edwardbernard9207]

This drive- in was owned by my uncle Wilfred (and aunt Amelia). I worked there in most of my teenage years, as did many family members. Until its later years, it was a family theater with double features and cartoons. The movies changed on Sundays and Wednesdays so you could go twice a week. It was common for popular movies to sell out and cars would be lined along Route 146 to watch from the road. Before the individual speakers were installed there were two large speakers on top of the screen. With certain wind conditions you could actually hear the dialogue a mile away. If there were problems with sound, my uncle would sometimes climb that scary ladder to do the repairs. A big reason for its demise was the pressure put on movie distributors by indoor movie theater owners to limit top movies to outdoor theaters, the reason being they were open all year and were the bread and butter of the movie industry. That meant drive- ins got second rate films or top films after their run indoors. (Mosquitoes were also a factor : ). Also many indoor venues were industry franchises making it almost impossible for the smaller owners to outbid them for new releases. This eventually forced the owners to get creative to remain in business. Some began to show adult movies. By then, my uncle and aunt had pretty much retired and were not directly involved in the theater operation. The adult showings were controversial but did not reflect the many years of wholesome family entertainment when my uncle and aunt ran it. It should be mentioned, they were dedicated church attendees who contributed generously to their parish. Thank you for this presentation. There are still a few of us around who loved this place and were able to supplement our mill town wages from our part time earnings...paid in cash, of course : )

[@mlconley]

Thanks for sharing this! I started working in the valley early 2000s and have long wondered. My GF in the early 90s and I were regulars in Mendon, but visited tri-town and (painfully dim) Shrewsbury drive-ins from time to time.

[@IMonYo6]

This is one of the better videos done on the drive in.. I am the Grandson of Wilfred Bernard who built the Sutton Motor Inn and the Son of Thomas Bernard. I have Original photos from the 10th Anniversary and news paper clippings as well. I will try to post them up when I get a chance. I have a lot of memories here as a kid. My grandparents also built a house at the same time on Marble road and during the winter you are able to see the drive Inn from the back yard across 146. Very sadden someone torched the screen last year but I am glad people where able to do these videos so people could see what it did look like. Thank you again for the video and I will try to post the pics.

[@davesoucy1086]

I want to thank you for your diligent hard work and interest in the Motor-In. The video is fantastic and some of the aerial shots incredible. Dave and I are working to bring the Motor-In back to life and I'm sure this video will generate interest.

[@candiceedwards1570]

I live in Sutton and would LOVE to see this come back.

[@MattBrodeurMusic]

That would be awesome! I thought this was dead forever. Would absolutely love to see it come back. Since my kids were small we have loved taking them to Mendon, Leicester and Rustic - and for a brief time Edgemere as well. I remember seeing one of the Herbie movies at this drive-in as a kid. Probably Herbie Goes Bananas in 1980.

[@BrightSunFilms]

Beautifully presented!

[@JasonAllard]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@nicholaswetherell8599]

Bright Sun Films 🎥 🎞 🎦 🎬 📽 in the house.

[@robertbeadle]

I drive by this place all the time and always wondered what its history was. Thank you for doing these fascinating documentaries on abandoned local landmarks. It is sad to see some of these stories about a golden era that will never return. A chilling reminder that far in the future, all of civilization will look like this. As a Rhode Island video producer, I truly admire your work and hope we run into each other someday. I’m sharing your video with my followers.

[@johnhartley3596]

There used to be another drive-in further south on Route 146 known as the Quaker Lane in Uxbridge MA. It’s long gone.

[@TheDriveInGuys]

Last I checked, the marquee and screen were still proudly standing.

[@LEFTY2GUNZ401twoGUNZ]

Rhode Island still has the drive in

[@taraquintanilla8882]

Yes they do! 3 screens, and not far away!

[@lucyfuir6386]

146

[@silvermoon880]

House I grew up in was built in the 90s over the drive in in my town. Digging in the backyard we used to find old asphalt and popcorn bags all the time

[@btpawsri]

Property is actually now being developed on. Which is both sad and exciting to me.

[@trevor8419]

Thanks for posting this. I drive by this about once a week, and always wanted to explore it. I figured I'd get arrested, so you saved me from a trespassing charge. Thank you!

[@crorivpro]

Great Video, being a bit older my high school friends and I were always at the drive in the the summer. This is what is was like in 1965. You'd go to the - the Boro, The Bay State, The Ship Yard, The Seekonk Twin, The EM Lowes, and the The Rustic and that's the short list. I forgot the name of the one that's a bike path now Valley Falls.

[@mariedecosta9691]

I just happened to come across your video. You should send this to the News as the large movie screen caught on fire today and several Fire Departments are trying to put it out. So sad. 😢

[@JasonAllard]

UPDATE - Unfortunately, on May 1, 2022 a fire broke out at the drive in and the screen was destroyed in a suspected case of arson. MA Dept of Fire Services is offering $5k if you have any information to help with the investigation. All calls to the tipline are confidential: 1-800-682-9229. NOTE - Don Brown, who graciously sent me photos of this drive-in while it was still in operation, is in no way affiliated with or involved in the ongoing preservation effort of the Sutton Motor-In. That effort is being led by Steven Coan and Dave Lounder. Thanks for watching.

[@melissa.hadley.fitwithMS]

so so sad to see it gone

[@michelleeldridge6679]

That’s so horrible!! I didn’t know that happened. :(

[@MrTkwbear]

This was excellent. Thanks for the time you put in, it's very professional !

[@juxxtapoz]

I have driven past this place thousands of times and even explored it back in 2009. Thanks for going into the history because I never really knew when and how it closed. If you ever want to see my pictures from 2009 just let me know.

[@TheDriveInGuys]

We would be interested!

[@petersheridan9836]

Great Video. As an old operator at Sydney Australias last remaining drive ins. It's quite disheartening to see them in such decay. Just a note, 450 cars is not really a large drive in. The sites I worked at held closer to 800 cars before losing some capacity when they were twinned. The concessions areas were quite small but still able to cope. Drive in screens in this country were usually a lot more minimalist than the one shown here. Usually concrete blocks or corregated iron mounted on a frame nothing more.

[@TheDriveInGuys]

The Motor-In accomodated 495 vehicles. Dave Lounder, Managing partner, 1996 (final season of operation).

[@lisacomstock858]

We have one close to us. Garden drive in , hunlock creek , PA. It's doing great. They just added a second screen a few years ago. Turns into a flea market on Sundays and they have been adding things, like this holloween weekend they are having trunk or treat. My first movie was ET

[@diane1390]

I'll be 70 in October. I've been to the drive-in movie theater several times, but it's been a long time. I remember going to one drive in movie theater with my ex-boyfriend, and the fog rolled in, and we were forced to leave. We were there to see a James Bond movie!

[@MxchiefMxker]

Jason, this is amazing, I’ve always wanted to explore this place.

[@H0LL3RATCHU]

I’ve driven past this many times and I have always wondered what it’s like in there. Thank you so much for sharing this with us! Great work as always

[@GLITCHCRASH]

What exit is it by?

[@Silverado1st]

Thank you for all your amazing videos, channel content and well laid out fun informative and fantastic walks down memory lane! I only remember the Middletown drive in theater, sad when it closed, but also happy when an indoor theater was built just a short walk away from my parents house, Starcase cinema. Years later in life one of my CB radio friends worked at that cinema and let me preview American Born Killers with him before the public showing. I felt like a Kennedy! lol As far as I know there is still one drive in theater in operation in RI. Local bowling alleys, roller and ice skating rinks, free indoor pools, outdoor mini-golf, bumper cars, go-cart rides, Friday night boys club dances and under 21 clubs were also all on the chopping block :-( Took away everything we did for fun growing up, except the old Arcade, that's still in operation today. All the old unused farmland between neighborhoods we built tree forts, underground forts, BMX and moto-x tracks with many jumps and burms, police gave up chasing us after the first car that got stuck sunk into an old forgotten underground fort lol. eventually property was all taken over by new neighborhoods, mini-malls and dealerships. There was an outdoor skateboard park put in near my apartment, still open as far as I know, concrete lasts a while, but not bone density. By then I was to old and brittle for skateboards and got my new enjoyment by replacing U-joints on my '76 10th Aniv., Bandit LE Trans-Am. I imagine all the kids on this island today are thanking god for all the liquor stores every 5 miles for when the Newport Mansion tour season ends. Oh did I mention we also have three golf courses on this rock? Two of them are private, like many beaches around the coast. Thanks again for all your efforts and great entertaining videos!

[@twerpsthree4562]

for how much that's gone into this, I hope it gets many views. Commenting to hopefully help it along the algorithm!

[@roadweary5252]

My parents used to take me to the old drive-in in Bellingham, MA all the time. Last movie I saw there was “Smokey and the Bandit” (if I recall correctly)

[@mlandry8887]

Unfortunately now, that giant screen is no more, a fire took the entire thing down. Wonderful informative presentation!

[@Dovergirl54]

This was great! I never was at the Sutton drive-in, but saw many a movie at the Natick and West Roxbury drive-ins. I remember seeing Grease at the Wellfleet drive-in which incredibly is still in business.

[@Dwigt_Rortugal]

There was a drive-in near the University of Connecticut, I don't know if it's still there. We used to go there all the time about 20 years ago. If you didn't like the movie that was playing, you could adjust the rear view mirror and watch the other screen. On the main screen, Spiderman (one of them, anyway) was playing. Somewhere there were a couple of people with laser pointers. Red dots appeared in awkward places during cheesy scenes and you could hear laughter throughout the lot. The struggle was real with the mosquitos. I feel fortunate that I got to experience the drive-in phenomenon well into the 2000s.

[@Floridaadventures_vlog]

Many years ago I went to this exact location many times, my parents would make it an event make popcorn gather blankets and enjoy. Also got to see moves with my grandparents here. One time our car battery died. I saw the muppet movie there I want to say ET and many others. I can remember driving by there at night looking to see what movie was playing. Thank you for showing this.

[@MrFrankd1962]

I saw your Rocky Point video so I decided to check out what else you had. Sutton Motor-In was one of the stops my friends and I would stop at during the late 70s. We would see what was playing in the Worcester Telegram to decide where we went. During the late 80s, it became known to locals as Sl*tton Drive-In because of the movies that were shown at the time. I drove past it a lot when going to jobs on Rte 146. So much has changed. I'm originally from Northbridge, MA so it was almost just down the "road" from where we lived.

[@BAYSTATEMUSIC]

Excellent Video 🎥 Thanks for the Flashback & Memories...

[@Deadbuck73]

Can’t wait to sit down for this video! Your videos are top notch! Love the background story you provide!

[@JasonAllard]

Thank you for watching I really appreciate it

[@Deadbuck73]

@@JasonAllard pleasure is ours! Thank You for your hard work! It’s extra fun cuz I’m a south shore (ma) native. It’s cool to see stuff here in our home area!

[@kennethsonier1766]

Been buy many times but never saw a movie there. Been to the Bellingham Drive-In, the Lonsdale twin and the Mendon Drive-In which is still open today. Keep up the great work and the awesome videos 👍✌️🇺🇲

[@glocke380]

The Orange Drive-In was the first one I ever went to as a kid.

[@candievermeulen9858]

This is so cool I never knew there were so many abandoned historical places in Mass

[@andrewmaiewski4743]

I just drove by this place a couple of weeks ago, and they're doing something with the property. All the overgrowth on the entry gate is gone, so the gate is clearly visible, and they cut down a ton of trees in the lot. I wouldn't be surprised if they are clearing it to expand the solar panel farm that is a few hundred yards up the road from this old place? Hopefully they'll keep the entrance gate. Cause I think if they were going to get rid of it, it would have come down with all the bushes that were around it and over it.

[@savvybear11781]

word is they are clearing the land to build a trucking facility.

[@lordovthorn2747]

There is another one in Raynham/Middleborro right on Route 44.

[@nans969]

Is this the one near Worcester? I'm pretty sure we've been to that on. Also Seekonk and Lincoln woods were the drive-ins we went to often. A big family couldn't afford taking everyone to an indoor theater. My 1st indoor movie was Return of the Jeti. I was 13. I'm old, I know.

[@covidzerodeaths5767]

Was one in Cumberland on the Lincoln line next to the Blackstone River that is now a bike path and nature wetlands. Also the Rustic on RT 146

[@MassachusettsTrainVideos1136]

I love drive in theaters I saw infinity war at the one in mendon a few years ago

[@brianfoley1805]

They have now torn this down and there is new construction here. Not sure what they are building but everything is gone now.

[@nanhayden8438]

We raised our family in Tiverton. Our kids were little in the 70's, early 80's. Going to a drive-in was great - no babysitter because we'd count on the kids falling asleep after the first feature, usually a cartoon. Also the concession stand was probably so small because a lot of us would bring our own popcorn and drinks. Lots of good memories - Star Wars, James Bond, etc etc. I remember for sure the drive-in in Middletown, but there was another closer by. Swansea maybe? It was in Mass for certain, not sure what town. I'd say its a shame they're all gone, but there's not many movies worth watching any more.

[@evanames1871]

Unreal editing man, southeastern ma here lmk if you ever need anyone to go with. I’m 19 and love history.

[@792bnz]

The young ones that spray paint and destroy the place are partly to blame. I worked at an abandoned factory in Chelsea for 10 years and they would break all the windows, spray paint and just break $hit. When i first started the job, there was hardly any damage to the building. Your before and after photos are similar to the type of damage done at my old job

[@seancrowley1065]

Glad Becky's im Walnutport Pa is still open !!!

[@kevinsaleeba2201]

As of now, tMay 11, 2024, he land has been sold and it’s being developed. The snack building and the stone entrance is still standing for the time being. I’m not sure what’s going there. I’m you made this video before the fire burned down the screen and the digging took place.

[@DELTRANIO99]

Thank you ! I Always wondered about the history of this Drive In

[@frankb5693]

Another great exploration, thanks Jason!

[@fedos]

Is the Rustic the only drive in still operating in the area?

[@riav2785]

yup

[@juxxtapoz]

Yes its the only Drive-In theater left in RI. Massachusetts has 3 left I believe.

[@sorenlorenson5781]

There’s one in Mendon MA as well that’s still operating

[@Hotdog1863]

We were quite young when we went there and that was back in the '60s I believe.

[@jeffmichaud6387]

Nice work and very informative. We used to go to a drive-in in North Kingstown. RI

[@taraquintanilla8882]

Awesome video!! I was there many nights as a kid in the late 80's!! 😐😭

[@M.Arbogast]

Very good editing in your video I enjoy them

[@dougdaniels]

Back in the 70s, I once climbed to the top of the screen at the drive-in in Quinebaug, CT., while the movie (Slapshot) was playing. The ladder on the back of the screen wasn't enclosed like this one. I may or may not have placed a beer can on the top.

[@matthewmerrill7287]

This is so cool, great video.

[@tinadurski4717]

So cool! Thank you

[@acoustic61]

Very nice video! I went to many drive-in theaters back in the day but I always liked the one in our town best.The bathrooms look pretty much like I rembember at drive-ins.😂

[@1462JWOOD]

Amazing video man!!!! Love the editing and the music… I wish we had more drive inns .. My family an I got to go to one in West Virginia we loved it …

[@JasonAllard]

There are a few more in this area but I would have loved to see a movie on this screen - I’m rooting for this one to get restored.

[@MattBrodeurMusic]

@@JasonAllard Yeah, almost wanna sneak in there with some friends, a projector and a generator. hahaha

[@GrymsArchive]

Grew up with one drive-in about 10 minutes away and another about 20 minutes away. By the mid 80's both were dead. Now I live about 15 minutes away from the "Worlds largest Drive-in" In GA

[@mattyblanchard5905]

We NEED TO BRING IT BACK.....BACK TO THE PEOPLE

[@williamlewis9320]

My dad, Jeff Lewis, owned 3 drive in theaters here in Bakersfield, Ca.

[@williamlewis9320]

My dad's largest theater held 1500 cars!

[@bender7565]

Sorry I didn't know who you were a yr ago. The 1st drive-in in Indiana that I went to see Beach Blanket movies in back of my sister's boyfriends 65 Mustang and with my girlfriend to see Young Frankenstein. It closed while I was away in the Navy. I drove by it often and planned for a 'visit', I waited a few days too long and now I regret it ever time I drive by the huge beer distributor on that spot. Good for your success.

[@BenWayne85]

Jason, can you tell me the name of the first track at the beginning of the video?

[@onlyinohio5661]

Y’all ever explore southwood hospital in Walpole? It’s pretty sick a lot of things still left in there. There’s one way to get in now and it’s pretty hard to find since they boarded everything up if u ever wanna go there be careful of security too as they have live feed cameras that broadcast alerts them when they pick up movement

[@johnbettano6026]

There is one in Georgetown MA

[@Em22-wtf]

I grew up and still live in South Eastern Mass. There was an awesome drive in theater in Fairhaven, Mass, and I can still remember seeing the screen standing as an adult. There's also now an abandoned motel by the property. I've always wanted to explore that area, but there is also an animal shelter, not sure it's a private one or a town run dog catcher type deal, but that has always made me a little nervous to go looking around, if the dogs see you, will they bark and give up your spot 😳🤔

[@mechus123]

The boro drive in before it was torn down, the screen there had a ladder that went to the top of the screen

[@JosephHagan-dw3wh]

Very Slick !

[@jamessawyer8744]

I moved to ri from Florida to be around family. And all i can say is that there is way more to see in life than living in RI 😅

[@wizard3z868]

Screen was destroyed by fire a cple of years ago and the site is being cleared for an 18 wheel repair garage, possibly a dealership special use permits are being considered still

[@melissa.hadley.fitwithMS]

It's so sad to see it burned to the ground :( Such a relic of the past!

[@johnhartley3596]

I noticed that the stainless steel Art Deco letters at the entrance disappeared a few years ago. The screen may still be there as it may contain asbestos.

[@TheDriveInGuys]

Hello, Mr. Hartley: Do you have any idea WHERE the letters may have ended-up, or how and when they were removed? Thank you.

[@johnhartley3596]

@@TheDriveInGuys I’m guessing 8 or so years ago. I have no idea who took them or where they went.

[@MitchParker2012]

Great video, although if I may make one suggestion.... I hear trap beats enough as it is, they're like everywhere. Can you omit them next time?

[@saddletramp6935]

The drive in outside of my hometown of Titusville pa actually had a 2 or3 room apartment in the screen. I believe that the operator or caretakers lived there. I believe it closed in the 1970s. Anyone?

[@alyssamanzo6009]

As of 2024 a trucking company has bought the property and it’s completely demolished now:( I’ve wondered about the history everyday on my commute and I’m so sad to watch it all be torn down

[@Providence_Guy]

Love your videos and backstory!! What are they doing with that abandoned bank you filmed in Woonsocket? Thanks Mike

[@emmanuelmcdaddie5165]

Now you barely see them I’ve only been to these once in my life and it just recently closed or as far as I know it was the one I’m thinking of but it closed in 2021 I think

[@bobsoxx5008]

the screen has since burned down. went there recently, cool place.

[@chriskeating5926]

Grateful for your videos Jason...you do a wicked awesome job capturing these abandoned places, its really interesting...let me know of you need some additional camera work on your next exploration... I've got a pretty good eye behind the lens and enjoy exploring as well ...PM me about details thanks Cheers Newman 🍻

[@brooksysdead]

In around 2011 or 2012 the citadel airsoft which was located near union Station in worcester, the owner somehow made a rental deal for this drive in so we wnt and set it up as an outdoor field vs the indoor field we had in worcester. I was on the citadel house team so we built all kinds of barriers and shit there and actually ran games there every weekend. I have some pictures and there's some video footage of us playing there on KZbin somehwere. Edit: I'm shocked you didn't see plastic bb's scattered by the thousands lol

[@apmazurka]

Sad to say but the Screen Burned down to the Frame last week. So Sad.

[@thomasbrown7791]

Some one should by the land and restore the drive in the drive in Mendon is open and does very well

[@TranquilMA]

Does anybody know who COLS is I have seen their tag around at wompatuck as well

[@evan-benjamin]

They are currently tearing it down. Very unfortunate since I was never able to explore the buldings.

[@1rcp]

you should do a video on the Bellingham drive-in...

[@bioswoof]

This property is now mostly demolished, passed by today. The original entrance still stands, the rest is dirt

[@johnprue]

As I was just about to say that's the Sutton drive in

[@lucyfuir6386]

I thought you were doing the one on route 44 on the Lakeville Middleboro line. I wonder if this is the drive in theater in fallout 4

[@juxxtapoz]

There was a fire inside the screen yesterday and its probably a total loss. Sad day 😪

[@j_rob87]

I’m surprised the Rustic on the same highway didn’t meet the same fate? The sign would explain what kind of movies they were showing 😂

[@mmac7314]

Sorry to report that on a recent weekend the main screen burned down. Not sure what the cause was.

[@yungsoniconline]

Love from ri

[@outpostprime]

I believe the property was leveled recently. Nothing about the drive in is left. It's now a repair shop for a local Semi dealer. Vandals set the screen on fire shortly after this video was made.

[@JasonAllard]

Unfortunately it's completely gone now. I talk about it and show footage of the property today in my most recent video (How to Trespass).

[@smatthieu138]

I drove by the site recently, and it appears that it has been demolished.

[@mattyblanchard5905]

Are you from Chicopee Ma..were you on the plane that landed in the Potomac w Saul....movie made....I know I played baseball w a Jason Allard...and I have another friend who plays drums w same name well if so cool Hey if not cool you do an excellent job on the documentary on different places excellent job brother keep it on I've been to several of same places 🤘💪✌️

[@jall3ri]

I know Dave Lounder. He is a good guy.

[@carlscottamos6501]

I just looked this up on Google maps, looks like the screen as burned down.

[@blipco5]

Another great story. You guys need to carry umbrellas. If you bring them it won’t rain. Prove me wrong.

[@PianoMan-hx3ev]

What’s with 1996 and all the fun going away?

[@amrfoundation3601]

is it up for sale?

[@brianmeen2158]

It can be yours for 1.2 million .. just imagine the money you’d have to put into it to get it up and running 😆

[@toecutter8002]

These abandoned drive-in movie locations are littered with coins throughout the property and because of the time line about 80% of those coin's will be silver. I highly recommend taken a metal detector and search the property if you have one in your town. You won't be disappointed

[@ryanlynch2259]

Awesome video! Please don't make use wait 2 months again... haha.

[@aladeenyos6921]

do cops ever bother you guys in spots like these? or does the camera gear help with cops in these situations

[@TheDriveInGuys]

There are NO TRESPASSING signs clearly posted at the entrance. This rule IS enforced.

[@JasonAllard]

It comes down to lots of planning, treating these spots w/ respect, and knowing when to get in and get out.