South Shore Plaza Twin Drive-In
400 Forbes Road,
Braintree,
MA
02184
400 Forbes Road,
Braintree,
MA
02184
2 people
favorited this theater
This ozoner was originally General Drive-In Theatre Corp., which eventually changed its name to General Cinema Corp. in the 1960’s. It was one of the first two-screen drive-ins on the east coast. The parking field is being used as a driving range and park-and-ride lot to Logan Airport. The concession building is the bus terminal for the park-and-ride. One of the screen towers is still standing but becoming obscured by trees.
Contributed by
dave-bronx
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
I recall that the picture on at least one of the two screens was visible from the southbound side of Route 128 (now part of I-93).
This twin-screen drive-in was wonderful during the 1960’s and 1970’s. It was clean and family friendly, with a nice children’s playground and a sizable snack bar in the center being shared by the viewers of each huge screen. I remember seeing “Cleopatra” here during its general release in the summer of 1964, a year or so after it first came out. I was surprised when it closed.
When i was 12, i went to the Drive-In in Braintree on a Sunday in August of 1986. It was believed to be one of the last runs that the drive in showed movies. Earlier that day there was a flea market held there and i was there with 2 friends and their uncle. I was asked if i wanted to come back that night to watch a movie and i said sure.
That night we saw 2 movies , “The Money Pit” & “Legal Eagles”. We watched it on the screen that still stands now. On the other screen thats no longer standing, the film “Ruthless People” was shown. Sadly the food there wasnt too good. The pizza was cold, the popcorn was stale and the soda was flat.
The screen that still stands has a piece missing that has fallen off. Theres decay forming with rust and small trees are growing in front of it. Back in the day , if you drive by the drive in, the screen that is still standing is clearly visible and you could catch about 10 seconds of whatever was shown as you drive towards Boston.
Yeah i visited this Drive-in i use to drive to Boston for my concession products and always taught i would have liked to have linked up to run that drive in how ever i never have i came to Florida with a goal in mind to Open a Drive In but never financial could I instead went to work For the worlds Largest Entertainment Giant Yes you guessed it Walt Disney World
Been employed three years For Disney miss the Theaters would like to hook up with some partners to get back in Theatre
The Quincy Patriot Ledger had an article about “open air” movies in its edition of Aug. 16, 2008. It says that the South Shore Plaza Twin Drive-In “on Route 128” closed in 1986. This confirms the posting above by JonanthaninRandolph who believes that the place closed shortly after his visit in August 1986.
Car capacity in 1975 was 1,400.
Photos of the South Shore Plaza Twin Drive-In, click to enlarge.
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400 Forbes Rd, Braintree, MA 02184
The above address will map accurately to the location of the drive-in, which is now occupied by a park-and-ride lot to Logan Airport.
Here is a 1969 aerial photo of the drive-in, courtesy of HistoricAerials.com.
This drive-in was a staple of my early youth.
In the mid 70’s, I saw The Poseidon Adventure though I fell asleep. Saw Star Wars during initial run in ‘77 and a year later (remember seeing the classic “D” poster in the concession stand). I saw ALIEN there in 1979; my dad worked as a security guard at an office building next door and saw the Chestburster scene half a dozen times before seeing the full film! Mad Max played there in 1979/80, according to an ad I remember seeing in a local paper.
I do remember vividly being able to see one of the screens from 128.
Every time I’ve used the Logan Shuttle, I’m sad to see that it’ll never come back again.
Yes Ron, that was definately in August 86 when i was there. They must of closed it for good at seasons end.