The year 2004 marked a poignant end to the Harbour View Drive-in movie theatre in East Kingston, after 41 years. When Category Three Hurricane Ivan came roaring ashore in 2004 the facility was almost at its last gasp.
The owners were struggling as violence kept crowds away, the introduction of the VCR meant that movie buffs could indulge in their favourite pastime from the comfort of their living rooms. The drive-in could not survive Ivan’s devastation.
Many people thought outdoor movie theatre was a dead and buried past and the young may have rue the idea that they would ever have that experience. But the Drive-in is back.
We were prompted to revisit Harbour View Drive-in theatre after Palace Amusement Company signed a two-year contract to operate the New Kingston Drive-in theatre. It is their response to the Covid-19 situation which caused indoor theatres to close down in the face of social distancing requirements as well as curfew restrictions. The New Kingston Drive-in at Dominica Drive opened with the movie, “The War with Grandpa.”
Harbour View Drive-in perched along the shoreline was once the gathering place for young dating couples, friends and family. In fact, it was popular with audiences of all ages. If one had a car back in the 70’s or 80’s, Harbour View Drive-in was where you get to impress your date. However, even if you didn’t have a car you could simply walk to the theatre and sit in the pavilion.
Kingston resident Diane has fond memories. “I remember living in Harbour View as a child and going there a lot with my parents. I went in my pajamas with my pillow. The sound of the sea was like a lullaby. I would be awake for all the goodies to eat from the concession stand, then off to dreamland – wonderful memories.”
Joy Brown who claims idyllic memories of the Drive-in said, “I watched Dancing Queen there with my friends and we had a wonderful time, not a care in the world. It was simply great watching a movie under the stars. Mark you, the sound was not that great, but who cared then?”
“I saw ‘One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ there and I went on to see it many times afterwards, partly because I paid little or no attention to the screen, if you know what I mean,“ this from Russell Henry, who gleefully reported that he actually married his date from that adventure.
Those who are tired of house-bound binge watching days and nights may have a promising alternative.