The first drive-in movie theater opened on June 6, 1933. The concept accelerated in the 1940s, giving birth to memories of drive-in movies for many who lived in '40s through '70s. Boomer reader Carl Scharwatch describes the history of the theater concept and then shares his own memories.

When did drive-ins become popular?

As an institution, the drive-in's heyday was in the 1950s, when more than 4,000 screens dotted the American landscape.

When did drive-ins lose popularity?

There doesn't seem to be any one main reason why this happened, but there are plenty of factors that caused them to go into decline. Many say that the oil crisis during the 1970s – and the subsequent spike in gas prices – made families less likely to go out driving for their entertainment.

Were drive-ins popular in the 50s?

By 1958, the number of drive-ins peaked at 4,063. "Drive-ins started to really take off in the '50s," Kopp said. "They offered family entertainment.

Why were drive-ins popular in the 50s?

The drive-in movies were the popular places to go in the 50's for teens who planned to have some alone time away from parents. The drive-in movies became an icon of American culture. The improvements of technology at this time made the boom possible.

Drive-In Movie Theaters - Life in America

Why did drive-ins lose popularity?

Slowly, drive-ins began to lose their appeal. To have an effective drive-in, it had to be on at least 15 acres of land. Economically speaking, it became more practical for owners to close their drive-ins in order to sell their land to developers to build malls or multi-building complexes.

Why did people stop going to drive-ins?

"The decline of the drive-in was directly related to the movement away from Main Street America and towards the mall society, where convenience, times, weather and the idea of 'all-inclusive' became the popular way to enjoy a night out, pushing away the classic night out at the drive-in," Stefanopoulos elaborated.

What was a drive-in in the 1960s?

Invented in the US, drive-in theaters reached their peak popularity right after World War II during the '50s and '60s, allowing guests to enjoy B movies in a giant parking lot, under the stars and in the comfort of their cars.

What was America's first drive-in?

Camden Drive-in, Pennsauken

At some point, you have probably driven by the big Zinman Furs building on Admiral Wilson Blvd. in Pennsauken. That building sits where the very first drive-in movie theater in America opened its doors on June 6, 1933.

How did people watch movies in the 50s?

You went to the movie theatre and some were shown on TV on the few channels that existed. You could not rent or buy movies at the time. The 1950s were quite different from the 1960s when we had remote control and color TV.

How many drive-ins left in us?

The number of drive-in cinema sites in the United States remained at 321 in 2020, the same as in the previous years.

What is the oldest drive-in movie?

The oldest drive-in still in operation is Shankweiler's Drive-In Theater in Orefield, Pennsylvania, USA. This outdoor cinema opened on 15 April 1934, less than a year after the world's first drive-in theatre opened in Camden, New Jersey.

Is Drive set in the 80s?

While Drive is set in the present day, it has a 1980s atmosphere, underlined by the vehicles, music, and clothes, and by the architecture.

How much was a movie ticket in 1933?

In 1933, the inflation-adjusted cost of a movie theater ticket was $6.14 - by 1937, this number had dropped all the way back down to $3.97 (inflation adjusted) as Americans struggled to afford nights out.

Why do people go to drive-ins?

You can see your favorite movies like never before: Whenever you go to the movie theater, there's always the risk that the film you're seeing will be a dud. However, most drive-in theaters play classics and fan-favorites, meaning that you've likely already seen the movie you're going to view and know you'll like it.

How many drive-ins were there in 1955?

The industry reached an apex in August 1952, when the average weekly attendance at outdoor theaters surpassed that of traditional theaters by 1.3 million. By 1955, there were more than 3,700 drive-in theaters in the United States. That number peaked in 1958, when more than 4,000 drive-ins brought in $230.42 million.

When was the drive-in era?

The drive-in's peak popularity came in the late 1950s and early 1960s, particularly in rural areas, with over 4,000 drive-ins spread across the United States in 1958.

Did Americans ever drive on the left?

While the U.S. started out as a British colony driving on the left side of the road is one tradition that never made its way across the Atlantic. According to a history of the road shared by the Federal Highway Administration, driving on the right has always been the American way.

Why were drive-ins so popular?

The boom of automobiles and car ownership was the reason the drive-in thrived. Families could bring young kids or infants, and not have to worry about interrupting other movie goers or having to leave a busy theater. Young couples made drive-ins the popular spot for dates because of the privacy a car would allow.

Did people drink and drive-in the 60s?

Universal B.A.C.

During the 1960s, drunk driving was considered a “folk crime” and almost a rite of passage for young men.

Were drive ins popular in the 70s?

Drive-in theaters were a huge thing from the 1950's through the 1970's, however they started to wane in the 1980's, and few exist in the U.S. today.

How much did it cost to go to the movies in 1960?

Adjusted for inflation, that $0.70 movie ticket in 1960 would be about $6.17 today — not too far off from the modern-day average of $9.17. As The Hustle has previously explained, it's the concessions stand where the theaters really get you. In 1960, movie treats were pretty modestly priced.

When did the US stop driving on the left?

The first keep-right law for driving in the United States was passed in 1792 and applied to the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike. Massachusetts formalized RHT in 1821. However, the National Road was LHT until 1850, "long after the rest of the country had settled on the keep-right convention".

Why do Americans not drive on the left?

New York, in 1804, became the first State to prescribe right hand travel on all public highways. By the Civil War, right hand travel was followed in every State. Drivers tended to sit on the right so they could ensure their buggy, wagon, or other vehicle didn't run into a roadside ditch.

When did at the drive in stop?

In March 2001—less than a month away from a United States tour set to begin on April 14—at the peak of their popularity and following a world tour, At the Drive-In broke up, initially referring to the split as an "indefinite hiatus". The band played their last show at Groningen's Vera venue on February 21, 2001.