Predator: Invaders from the Fourth Dimension (1994) 1

Officially, less than 332 drive-in theaters still exist.

That’s according to DriveInMovie.com. There are probably the errant strays here and there that are even more evasive than a real photograph of big foot. Now, the outdoor cinemas have gone the way of the buffalo. The once popular form of entertainment that have been gobbled up by greedy land speculators.

However, today we recognize the home of the former passion pits; the once new arena. Today is National Drive-In Movie Day.

The first of the new breed popped up in Camden, NJ, June 6, 1933. There were enough slots for 400 cars for the premiere showing of Wife Beware. At the height of its popularity in the late 1950s, an estimated 4,000 drive-ins had blossomed across America.

Predator: Invaders from the Fourth Dimension (1994) 1

The largest of these claimed 29 acres, accommodating 2,500 vehicles while boasting a full-service restaurant with rooftop seating, a trolley system to ferry children and adults to a playground and a large indoor theater for bad weather evenings.

To remember these past pleasure centers, Predator: Invaders from the Fourth Dimension is today’s main feature. Fittingly enough, this 1994 retro-fitted story from the mid-Twentieth Century takes the readers to the drive-in.

Tommy and Richard Flynn star in this second-feature story. Tommy is the young protagonist adults don’t believe and Richard is the movie producer who cried monster one too many times.

It just so happens Tommy’s father has created a pair of novelty glasses designed to help movie audiences see into the fourth dimension.

Not really.

They’re a gimmick to get butts in theater seats as 1958 Hollywood vies for the entertainment dollar while television takes top tier in the living room.

Tommy receives a pair prior to heading out to investigate an explosion in the woods. These same glasses allow the young boy to see past the Predator’s reflective camouflage.

Tommy is able to steal a weapon from the Predator. A weapon the Predator wants returned.

The remainder of the book is one big chase scene with destruction strewn in Tommy and the Predator’s wake. Everything climaxes at the drive in where the real-life action mirrors that on the silver screen.

This is a fun read. Maybe as fun as going to a drive-in itself.

Of course, if you want to observe National Drive-In Day, the best way is to find one – good luck with that – and enjoy a movie under the stars. To locate your local drive-in, please consult DriveInMovie.com.