One might think that drive-ins would be a big thing in the Motor City, since Detroit was the birthplace of the car culture, but I have only one memory of going to a drive-in movie. As a youngster, the whole family piled into my dad’s Imperial. He owned a Chrysler dealership and always had the newest and best cars. One even had a record player in it…in the early 60s!
We went to see the Doris Day, David Niven vehicle “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies”, a family romp about a large family (and shaggy dog) who move to the suburbs of New York to a spacious, but ramshackle house and hilarity ensues. Niven becomes a theatre critic and goes into the city often, leaving Day to manage the house and rambunctious kids.
The song became a big hit for Doris. Very catchy…I can sing it right now, a real ear worm. It was a treat for my brother and me to wear pajamas in the car and squirm in the backseat while trying to see the movie, pestering our parents, like the kids in the movie, and generally having a grand old time!
Betsy PfauRetired from software sales long ago, two grown children. Theater major in college. Singer still, arts lover, involved in art museums locally (Greater Boston area). Originally from Detroit area.
A very warm story. I remember that movie. And Chrysler Imperials, And I still don’t understand why I enjoy Doris Day more now than those days!
Doris Day remains an icon, for her AIDS advocacy, her love of animals, and just plain surviving! She stood by Rock Hudson in his hour of need, which I think we all found admirable. Her songs are perky and the movies remain beacons of optimism, sorely lacking today.
I love the image of you two kids in pajamas in the back seat, acting as rambunctious like the kids in the movie. As Mike said, a warm memory.
Thanks, John.
Betsy, I never saw the movie, but I sure loved that book, and read it multiple times. Also, my father had a Chrysler Imperial just like yours did. I wish I had gone to the drive-in in my pajamas, that sounds like so much fun!
Thanks, Suzy. I think we drove my mother crazy…being squirmy kids in the back seat. But I’m sure we thought it was fun!