Beginning in the late 1960s, drive-in attendance began to decline as the result of improvements and changes to home entertainment, from color television and cable TV to VCRs and video rental in the early 1980s.

What decade were drive-ins 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.

What year was the drive-in introduced?

Though there were drive-ins as early as the 1910s, the first patented drive-in was opened on June 6, 1933 by Richard Hollingshead in New Jersey. He created it as a solution for people unable to comfortably fit into smaller movie theater seats after creating a mini drive-in for his mother.

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.

The Rise And Fall Of The Drive-In Theater - Cheddar Explains

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 is the oldest drive-in?

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.

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 many drive-in theaters are left in the US?

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

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.

Were drive-ins popular in the 40s?

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.

Why is Drive so famous?

Just like the ethereal nature of 1980s synth-wave, Drive exists on its own dreamlike plain where gritty reality and dreamlike spectacle coexist. Nicolas Winding Refn's film succeeds so well by selling this nostalgic reverie to its audience.

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 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.

What is a nightly double?

The Nightly Double is the biggest drive-in theater in town and it shows four movies on weekend nights. Unlike the other theaters, which are known for being either Soc theaters or Greaser theaters, the Nightly Double attracts a mix of people.

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.

Did they ever drive on the left in USA?

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".

When did us drive on the left?

Thus, most American cars produced before 1910 were made with right-side driver seating, although intended for right-side driving. Such vehicles remained in common use until 1915, and the 1908 Model T was the first of Ford's cars to feature a left-side driving position.

Which state has the first drive-in theater?

The drive-in is credited with being the brainchild of a New Jersey man. On June 6, 1933, during the height of the Depression, Richard Hollingshead and his partner, Willis Warren Smith, Jr., decided to take a big risk and opened the first drive-in movie theater in Camden, New Jersey.

Why were drive-in movies popular in the 1960s?

During the 1950s and '60s, the drive-in also became the quintessential teen hangout. Teenagers loved having a place to congregate and socialize with their friends. Drive-in theaters provided an evening of fun at an affordable price.

What is the oldest drive-in diner?

The first drive-in restaurant was Kirby's Pig Stand, which opened in Dallas, Texas, in 1921.

Did people drive-in the 1950s?

In 1950 there were 25 million registered automobiles, the majority of which were made pre-World War II, and by 1958 there were 67 million registered. New categories of businesses were created to support the 1950's car culture, including drive-through and drive-in restaurants and drive-in movie theaters.

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.

How many drive-ins were there in 1958?

By 1958, the number of drive-ins peaked at 4,063.