When I read the items about the Beekay from Carrie and Darlene, it brought back such great memories.

My parents used to always take us to the drive-in in Bakersfield when we were little.  It cost 60cents for them and of course we were free.  My Mom would always make hot dogs, popcorn and pop, in mason jars for us to have while we were there.  No snack bar for us.  I went to my very first sit-down theater, the Beekay, in 1959. Me and my sisters saw "The Rainmaker".  It was so exciting.  At that time, they had a popcorn vending machine and a candy vending machine.  That's it.  We paid 25 cents for admission.  We didn't get extra money for candy.  One time I found a nickel!!!  I bought a roll of necco waffers and I thought that was great!!  I still like that candy.  

My sister and I saw A Hard Days Night in Bakersfield the very day it opened nationally.  What a big deal that was.  When It came to the Beekay, I would go see it and stay and watch it three or four times in a row.  Once you paid to get in, you could stay as long as you wanted.  Lots of screaming going on--not me.  I am not a screamer  (until my 4 kids were born).

As far as the back two rows.  Yep!  Spent lots of great times there with one of our not-so-missing classmates. Eventually, someone would sit by us and ruin the make-out session.  My Mother would have killed me if she had known.  I didn't know about the much coveted projection room for kissing sessions--that would have been awesome.  

Later, I always remember Carrie and Darlene being there.  They were like bread and butter.  What fun times we had in our little town. 

Ahhhh the Beekay! 

My first public tears i think.....old Yeller. 

An assignment from Catholic student class (before I got kicked out)....The Ten Commandments.

Learning the art "of a stretch" in order to put my arm around a girl....a couple times.

My first glimpse of James Brown on stage....and his Famous Flames!

My eldest sons first movie.....The Jungle Book.

And finally a place to "meet", and then not go to the show........a couple of times.

Ahhh the Beekay!