Drive-in theaters were a popular form of entertainment in the mid-20th century, reflecting a unique aspect of American culture during that time.
The first drive-in theater was opened by Richard M. Hollingshead Jr. on June 6, 1933, in Camden, New Jersey. His idea was to create a movie-watching experience where people could enjoy films from the comfort of their cars. Drive-ins saw a major increase in popularity after World War II, during the 1950s and 1960s. This growth was fueled by the rise of the automobile culture and suburban expansion.
Drive-ins provided an affordable and family-friendly outing. They were especially popular for double features, where two movies were shown for the price of one ticket. The drive-in also became a social gathering spot, where people could meet up with friends or have a date night. The relaxed environment made it a unique cultural space.
The rise of multiplex cinemas, home video technology, and changing entertainment preferences contributed to the decline of drive-ins in the late 20th century. By the 1980s and 1990s, many drive-ins had closed or been repurposed.
Here’s some photographs show what drive-in theaters looked like in their glory days.
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| The first drive-in theater in the US, located in Camden, New Jersey, 1933. |
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| Automobiles line up to enter a drive-in located in Los Angeles, 1934. |
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| People make their way into the the Cinemotor Theater in Los Angeles, 1938. |
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| A woman purchases concessions at a drive-in located in Valley Stream, New York, 1938. |
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| A couple in the front seat of a convertible at a drive-in movie theater, circa 1945. |
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| An aerial view of the Olympic drive-in movie theater in Los Angeles, 1948. |
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| A couple in a convertible pull into a California drive-in, 1948. |
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| A drive-in theater in Queens, 1951. |
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| A bottle-warming table for mothers at a Chicago drive-in, 1951. |
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| A boy adjusts the individual speaker in the family car, circa 1955. |
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| A couple watches a film from the comfort of their car in New York City, 1955. |
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| Actor Charlton Heston as Moses in the motion picture The Ten Commandments, shown at a drive-in movie theater in Utah, 1958. |
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| A family shares popcorn at a drive-in theater in California, 1960. |
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| A police officer in Amarillo, Texas, checks cars to make sure teenagers are behaving, 1961. |
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| The marquee for the Round-Up Drive-In Theater in Phoenix, circa 1964. |
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Great article. I only experienced drive-ins in the '60s, so it was interesting to see the old photos from the early days. With today's climate, I don't know if you could have an outdoor theater in most places today. Sadly, it's something that will probably be just an artifact of the past.
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