CAARP
Cinema and Audience Research Project

Operator: Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pty Ltd, later Village Drive-in Pty Ltd

"MGM did not do anything by halves especially the construction of their international theatre circuit. MGM had operated some of Australia's best theatres since the 1930's and by the 1950's moved into drive-ins. Metro drive-ins were built in all major Australian cities and Clayton was one of the best.

The first time I visited this location I was amazed not only at the size of the two screens but that they were curved! This concave wrap reflected more light back toward the audience. The snack bar was the size of supermarket! I remember the donut area alone consumed more floor space than many entire drive-in snack bars.
Even though it was a twin from day one, often the same film was screened on both fields, with up to 3 sessions per night. The Metro even possessed a holding field so cars waiting for the next session would be off the road. Intermission could be absolute bedlam if both fields broke at once - imagine 4,000 hungry people descending upon you all wanting to be served in less than 15minutes!

More so than any other Melbourne drive-in, this is perhaps the most fondly remembered for many of my generation. An excellent location at the intersection of two major roads, screens that could be seen for miles around and unlike Hoyts drive-ins, access to Disney films every holiday period." (Kilderry 1999)

References
Kilderry, D. 1999 'Australian drive-ins' Drive-ins Downunder, Available at: http://www.drive-insdownunder.com.au/australian/vic_clayton.htm

The Sun 1956, 'Giant new drive-in', 9 January, p. 10

The Sun 1957, 'Twin drive-ins open tonight', 24 May, p. 16

Cinema & Theatre Historical Society 1997, Cinema index : Melbourne cinemas, suburban cinemas, Victorian drive-ins. CATHS, Victoria

Film Weekly, Film Weekly: motion picture directory, Film Weekly, Sydney. 1957/8-1971

Film screenings advertised in The Herald until 1981. From 1974, listed as Clayton 1 & 2.

Manzie, K 1956, "Twin drive-in for Melb., too" , Film Weekly, 3 May, p.7.
This article reports the plans to build a twin drive-in at Clayton North.