Many people remember their grandparents going to the drive-in Friday nights, but do you know the context of the iconic movie experience?
Though drive-ins existed as early as the 1910s, Richard Hollingshead of New Jersey launched the first patented drive-in on June 6, 1933. Drive-ins were only able to show movies at specific periods of the year and were reliant on good weather.
People downsized their cars during the 1970s oil crisis to save money on high petrol prices, making drive-in movies uncomfortable to watch. Drive-ins started to lose their family-friendly environment to make up for lost revenue by screening exploitation files such as slasher horrors and explicit themes.
With the invention of the VCR, it became more enticing to stay at home and watch movies instead of going to the drive-in.
Though drive-ins existed as early as the 1910s, Richard Hollingshead of New Jersey launched the first patented drive-in on June 6, 1933. Drive-ins were only able to show movies at specific periods of the year and were reliant on good weather.
People downsized their cars during the 1970s oil crisis to save money on high petrol prices, making drive-in movies uncomfortable to watch. Drive-ins started to lose their family-friendly environment to make up for lost revenue by screening exploitation files such as slasher horrors and explicit themes.
With the invention of the VCR, it became more enticing to stay at home and watch movies instead of going to the drive-in.
The First Drive-In Movie
Richard Hollingshead, the inventor of the drive-in, said, “The whole family is welcome, regardless of how boisterous the children are”. However, the first film shown was “Wife Beware” and it is a name. It’s all about a man who is bored with his marriage and decides to fake amnesia to have affairs with other women.
It doesn’t appear to be proper cuisine for the sugar–addled munchkins jumping about in the back seat. Sadly, there are no copies of the film left in existence...
The Precious Stage of Drive-Ins
Alas, Richard Hollingshead’s concept was not a commercial success. The concept was quite popular, but it was not lucrative, thus the creator sold his invention after three years.
Others realized the profit potential, and drive-ins sprung up throughout America in the 1930s. There were 15 drive-in theaters in the US when World War II began. However, the late 1950s and early 1960s were the golden days.
Others realized the profit potential, and drive-ins sprung up throughout America in the 1930s. There were 15 drive-in theaters in the US when World War II began. However, the late 1950s and early 1960s were the golden days.
There were 4,000 drive-ins open at its peak. The smallest features only 50 parking spaces while the All-weather Drive-in in Copiague, New York, on Long island could hold 2,500 vehicles. It has a full-service restaurant, a children’s playground, and a shuttle service to transport customers throughout the massive parking lot.
In Asbury Park, New Jersey, an entrepreneur called Ed Brown Jr. Opened a drive-in theater in 1948. It could accommodate 500 automobiles and 25 small planes that could land next door at Brown’s airport and taxi to the rear row. The company appears to have shut down in the mid to late 1960s.
In Asbury Park, New Jersey, an entrepreneur called Ed Brown Jr. Opened a drive-in theater in 1948. It could accommodate 500 automobiles and 25 small planes that could land next door at Brown’s airport and taxi to the rear row. The company appears to have shut down in the mid to late 1960s.
The Re-Entry
In 2019, it was common on someone’s checklist to visit a drive-in movie theater. They're a significant element of American pop culture history and serve as a reminder of the "good old days." Yet, there aren't many drive-ins left in the United States now. The number of drive-ins in the United States is less than 300.
In conclusion, Drive-ins gradually began to lose their allure. A drive-in is required to be on at least 15 acres of property to be effective. It became more economically viable for owners to close their drive-ins to sell their land to developers for the construction of malls or multi-building complexes. Even though drive-ins are not as popular as they once were (and some argue that they will be outdated within the next decade), they are still in operation across the country.
There are now approximately 300 drive-ins open in the United States. With nearly 30 drive-ins each, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania have the most remaining in the United States. Unfortunately, none of them are still operating in Hawaii, North Dakota, Wyoming, Alaska, Delaware, or Louisiana. Whatever happens to America's drive-ins, they will always remain a cultural and nostalgic icon.
There are now approximately 300 drive-ins open in the United States. With nearly 30 drive-ins each, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania have the most remaining in the United States. Unfortunately, none of them are still operating in Hawaii, North Dakota, Wyoming, Alaska, Delaware, or Louisiana. Whatever happens to America's drive-ins, they will always remain a cultural and nostalgic icon.