In S.E. Hinton's classic novel The Outsiders, Ponyboy mentions that there are several different drive-in movie theaters in town. In chapter 2, Pony and Johnny meet up with Dally at the corner of Pickett and Sutton, where they buy some Cokes from a drugstore, and Dally manages to steal a pack of cigarettes. The boys end up walking toward a drive-in movie theater called The Dingo, which is one of the popular Greaser hangouts. Pony also mentions that the other drive-in theater they go to is called Jay's. According to Pony, the Socs go to The Way Out and Rusty's, which are nicer drive-in theaters.

Instead of heading to The Dingo or Jay's, Pony, Johnny, and Dally sneak into the Nightly Double drive-in theater, which is the biggest in town and shows two movies every night. While they are watching a movie, Dally begins to annoy two Socs cheerleaders named Cherry Valance and Marcia. Surprisingly, Johnny comes to the girls' defense, and Dally eventually leaves them alone. Pony and Johnny become fast friends with the Soc cheerleaders, and Pony bonds with Cherry, who admits that being a Soc is like one big rat race. After the movie ends, the boys meet up with Two-Bit and run into Cherry and Marcia's Soc boyfriends. Later on, Cherry and Marcia's boyfriends attempt to get revenge on Pony and Johnny by jumping them at a local park.