Tom Fincher's Memory of Sky-Vue

Sue Bagg-Foreman recently emailed me a clipping of an article by Tom Fincher: "Sky-Vue--That Great Lady of Theaters"

The entire article is too long to reproduce here but his tribute is so poetic that, as part of our reminiscences about theatres we used to love, some selections are worth posting here:

...The ambiance of the Sky-Vue offered us a chance to mix our Gulf Coast Paradise with Hollywood Magic. On her enchanted screen raised regally before us, Gable raced To Please a Lady. Marilyn sang Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend. Roy and Gene, perennial Good Guys, shouting the Outlaw's gun hand. Comics lives with Blondie and Dick Tracy.

The magic existed for our enjoyment in Paradise. The Sky-Vue took her name seriously. In clear Florida air shined countless stars. Jasmine and frangi-pangi aroma floated by, blended with the scene of Southern Gulf Waters.

Friday and Saturday were family nights. Mom and Dad came with their kids, as their parents had brought them. The youngest in pajamas, ready for bed after the movie. Older kids romped in the playground, under the screen's watchful protection. Then, as dusk fell, ending an equatorial day, they headed back to the car. The oldest son sat on the front fender to watch the movie. This practice faded when in-the-car speakers replaced underground. Remember not to drive off with them.

Tropical Southerners didn't care about ninety-degree temperature at eight o'clock at night, Air-conditioning hadn't spoiled us yet. As the best part of the movie began, a mosquito fogging truck approached. As fog swirled, a lone figure materialized like a horror movie graveyard scene. The Lost Soul returning from the refreshment stand, unable to find his car.

The Sky-Vue was the first drive-in a young man took a date to. Other drive-ins were available and they went there later. But the Sky Vue was first and they always went back.