Many midlifers have fond memories of snuggling on the bench seats of their cars while watching a Grade B movie at a drive-in. Originally marketed towards families, these iconic outdoor theaters became a big draw for teenagers in the 60s and 70s. June 6th marks the 79th anniversary of the first drive-in theater.
The very first drive-in theaters opened in Camden, New Jersey in 1933. The inventor, Richard Hollingshead, came up with the idea because his larger than life mother was uncomfortable in traditional theater seats. The prototype he created and patented for the first drive-in combined his love of movies and cars.
Beta-testing for the drive-in (originally called a park-in) took place in the inventor’s own driveway. He mounted a 1928 Kodak projector on the hood of his car and hung a screen between some trees. The sound for the film came from a radio he placed behind it. In preparation for going live, Hollingshead also simulated a variety of weather conditions.
One of the challenges in patenting the concept was figuring out a way to make sure vehicles didn’t obscure the screen for the cars behind them. This was first overcome by using blocks under the front tires, which eventually led to ramps.
At the first drive-in in Camden, the opening night screening of the 1932 comedy Wives Beware starring Adolphe Menjou was well-received by the 600 people who came to three showings. The price: 25 cents per car and 25 cents per head, up to a maximum of $1 per vehicle.
Initially, drive-in sound came from behind the giant movie screens. Then, moviegoers were able to hang wired speakers on their car windows. These cumbersome devices were later replaced by technology that enabled car radios to be used as receivers.
The largest drive-in theater was the All-Weather Drive-In of Copiague, New York built in 1957. It accommodated 2,500 cars with a trolley that carried customers around the 28-acre parking lot, and offered a kids’ playground, indoor cinema, and a full-service restaurant. It was demolished in 1984 to make way for a shopping center anchored by Home Depot and Target.
Between 1948-1958, an estimated 3,200 drive-ins were built; 40 in New Jersey alone; they were especially popular in rural areas. During their heyday, there were 4000. With rising property values, the number of drive-ins declined dramatically in the 70s. By 2003, the ubiquitousness of color television, cable TV and VCRs signaled the death knell for drive-in theaters. It is estimated that some 400 remain.
To pay the rent, surviving drive-ins often rely on additional rental income derived from flea markets, swap meets and outdoor churches on their property. The children and grandchildren of midlifers are more likely to be familiar with the “dive-in” movies screened poolside at hotels, resorts and on cruise ships than the popular drive-ins of yesteryear.
