Some of the earliest drive-in theaters date back to the early 1900s, but their true reign in American culture peaked from the 1940s through the 1960s. A drive-in movie theater consists of a large parking lot or field, a large outdoor screen or projector, and some form of concessions stand.

What were drive-ins 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 were drive-ins like in the 1950s?

"Drive-ins started to really take off in the '50s," Kopp said. "They offered family entertainment. People could sit in their cars, they could bring their babies, they could smoke. Drive-ins offered more flexibility than indoor theaters."

What years were drive-ins popular?

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.

What is the history of the drive-in?

The first film ever screened at a drive-in movie theater was British. On June 6, 1933, just outside Camden, New Jersey drivers paid 25 cents per car, plus an additional 25 cents per person to watch the English comedy Wives Beware at this quintessentially American institution in the open air.

The History of the Drive-in Movie | Encyclopaedia Britannica

Why were drive-ins so popular in the 1960s?

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.

Where 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.

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.

When did drive-in restaurants become popular?

The first drive-in restaurant was Kirby's Pig Stand, which opened in Dallas, Texas, in 1921. In North America, drive-in facilities of all types have become less popular since their heyday in the 1950s and 1960s, with drive-throughs rising to prominence since the 1970s and 1980s.

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.

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.

How many drive-ins exist 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.

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.

What movies was cars drive-in?

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.

Do people leave their cars running at the drive-in?

No, cars do not have to run the whole time at a drive-in movie theater. In fact, it's typically recommended to turn off your car engine during the movie for several reasons: Noise Reduction: Running engines can be noisy and disturb other moviegoers' viewing experience.

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.

What are the cons of drive-in cinema?

Rain, wind, and extreme heat or cold can make for an uncomfortable viewing experience. Sound quality: The sound for drive-in movies is typically broadcast over a radio frequency, which can lead to poor sound quality. This can make it difficult to hear dialogue or music.

Were drive ins popular in the 60s?

Drive-ins gained immense popularity 20 years later during the 1950s and '60s with the Baby Boomer generation. There were over 4,000 drive-ins throughout the U.S., and most were in rural areas.

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".

Which state has the most drive-ins?

According to the United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association, there were 305 drive-in theaters in the U.S. with 549 screens as of October 2019. New York (49), Pennsylvania (45), Ohio (44) and California (44) offer the most drive-ins, according to the association.

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.

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.