Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Vanishing America: The Drive-In Theater
It's one of the icons of American civilization, combining Hollywood with car culture. The drive-in movie theater was once a mainstay of every American city, and plenty of small rural towns too. In the 1950s there were more than 4,000 of them. They were a place for families to enjoy a night out together, and for teenagers to be initiated into the games of adulthood.
Now the drive-in theater has fallen on hard times. According to The United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association, there are currently only 366 drive-ins in the United States with a total of 606 screens. The states with the most theaters are Pennsylvania (33) and Ohio (31). Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii and Louisiana sadly have no drive-ins. Many other states are in a precarious position with only one or two.
Competition from cable TV and movie rentals along with rising real estate costs have seriously hurt the drive-in theater industry, yet it clings to life. It's gone from that great American hero – the success story – to that other great American hero – the underdog.
The first drive-in opened in New Jersey in 1933 and the idea soon caught on. Their heyday came in the economic boom years of the 1950s and '60s. They began to feel the pinch in the 1970s with the spread of more TV channels. With VCRs and cable TV becoming popular in the late 1970s and early '80s, things got even worse.
Gallery: Drive-in Movie Theaters
Now most drive-ins are gone. Others have remained as spooky abandoned lots that offer the photographers in this article's gallery the chance to lend atmosphere to their images. Visiting a dead drive-in theater is a bit like visiting a ghost town. It leaves you wondering about the people who used to spend time there.
Unlike with ghost towns, many of us can remember being one of those people. I remember going to the DeAnza Drive-in in Tucson, Arizona. My friend and I used to put a futon on top of her VW van and watch movies under the Arizona starlight. The DeAnza is gone now, and all that's left is a webpage of memories.
But don't despair, movie fans, there's hope. The remaining drive-ins are keeping the flame lit. There are places like Hollywood Drive-in, which has been showing movies on Route 66 near Troy, New York, since 1952. New technologies like video projection are making it easier to open up drive-ins in any location where there's a blank wall or the space for a screen. My favorite indie cinema, Ragtag Cinema in Columbia, Missouri, has done some outdoor shows in a nearby parking lot. Check out the photo gallery to see a cool Belgian drive-in using an inflatable screen.
As the great Joe Bob Briggs always says, "The drive-in will never die!"
(Clarification: The Hollywood Drive-in is on New York State Route 66, not the more famous Route 66. Plenty of businesses in New York like to play off the Route 66 designation, though, and why not? Retro entertainment is more important than nitpicking!)
Unlike with ghost towns, many of us can remember being one of those people. I remember going to the DeAnza Drive-in in Tucson, Arizona. My friend and I used to put a futon on top of her VW van and watch movies under the Arizona starlight. The DeAnza is gone now, and all that's left is a webpage of memories.
But don't despair, movie fans, there's hope. The remaining drive-ins are keeping the flame lit. There are places like Hollywood Drive-in, which has been showing movies on Route 66 near Troy, New York, since 1952. New technologies like video projection are making it easier to open up drive-ins in any location where there's a blank wall or the space for a screen. My favorite indie cinema, Ragtag Cinema in Columbia, Missouri, has done some outdoor shows in a nearby parking lot. Check out the photo gallery to see a cool Belgian drive-in using an inflatable screen.
As the great Joe Bob Briggs always says, "The drive-in will never die!"
(Clarification: The Hollywood Drive-in is on New York State Route 66, not the more famous Route 66. Plenty of businesses in New York like to play off the Route 66 designation, though, and why not? Retro entertainment is more important than nitpicking!)
Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, North America, United States
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 22)
Julian Jun 4th 2012 7:36AM
We used to have 4 pretty close by us. I met my husband 30 yrs ago at Elm Rd Drive-In! It is the only one still standing and it is a triple screen now, with long lines every night! They used to have 2 movies per screen every night..with the first one being shown again. You literally be leaving the drive-in at 3am! Fun times!
Laura Wood Jun 4th 2012 9:51AM
we have a fantastic drive in theater in Lancaster, Ohio. It is so great to pack up and take the family for not one but two movies at prices that are great. The kids love it and we can all see a movie in the old style. They even play era music and have the old speakers for your window if u like to use them. Love you Skyview Drive-in Theater.
scott acton Jun 4th 2012 7:35AM
Growing up in Springfeild,Ohio were lucky we had the Melody, and Stardust drive ins.Mom and Dad would take all of us,and the lawn chairs to sit in.The Stardust even had a swing set playarea for the kids before the show.Years later it was to the drive in with my high school gril friend, and who remembered what movies were playing. We live in Cincinnati now,and we have a drive in,maybe we will go this summer for fun. I'm married to a wonderful women, and still friends with my high school sweetheart! this brought back alot of wonderful memories of my child hood! Thank You
Bob Jun 4th 2012 7:37AM
I am 67 years old now, but I can really remember Drive-In theatres back in the 40's through the early 60's. My Father owned 3 Drive-Ins in SW Michigan (actually he built 2 of them). I worked at onw in the late 50's and early 60's, first in the box office selling tickets (50ยข per person, kids under 12 were free). When I was old enough, 14 years old, he taught me to run the show, be a projectionest. I was paid the going rate of $1.50 per hour and I ran the entire show when he had his 2 days a week off. I can remember growing up at one of the Theatres when he worked there durring the day. I had the playground, and the train ride all to myself. These were some of the best days of my young life, plus I got to see all the shows for free, and was able to take my friends and Girlfriends there for free too!
Janet Jun 4th 2012 9:52PM
Bob
Where was the theater in Michigan? I have so many wonderful memories from the drive-in theater in Marysville, Michigan! I am so sorry that the theater in Marysville is now a Strip Mall....That is the saddest thing ever!
Bob Jun 4th 2012 10:00PM
One theatre was the Starlite in Benton Harbor. One was the Starlite in Sagatuck. The last one was Sunset Auto in Hartford. This is the one I worked at in the late 50's and early 60's. it was sold by my Dad in 1962 or63. It is still open!
Landis Jun 4th 2012 7:36AM
We love Badin Drive-in here in NC. It's a fun family night.
Bev Jun 4th 2012 7:43AM
There are several drive-ins in central florida. They also play the newest movies out and only cost 4.00 per person kids under 10 free. Great deal considering if I saw a movie elsewhere I would be paying about 40.00 with the soda and popcorn.
howie Jun 4th 2012 9:42AM
i loved these drive ins. it was a great saturday night thing to do for a couple or even the family. my mom took me and my sister to see all the james bond movies. it was the great time in our lives
Hydros bro Jun 4th 2012 7:44AM
I fell in love with a woman from Schnecksville,Pa. Part of my whirlwind was going to the drive in in our pj's with grapes,cheese and a bottle of wine and both forgot the past 25 or 30 years of crap we had suffered in our seperate lives andn for 2 1/2 hrs everything went away. Nothing mattered..nothing was there..just the n2 of us and the movie, bigger then life. There were kids everywhere laughing.
World peace was achieved there that night..and it is twice a night, every night or the week in the summer.
Thank youuuuuuuuu Schnecksville !
Paul Jun 4th 2012 7:45AM
We have one just west of Worcester, Ma. on Rt.9. Last time I was in Aruba they also still have one too. I spent many of time years ago in all the drive ins around Philly when I was younger. Great times !!
Sunny Jun 4th 2012 7:45AM
Hwy39 Drive in Theater out towards Westminster CA.
Can't tell you how many times I went there in my '64 Malibu and my '67 Camaro
WIsh I had THOSE babies back!!!.
Kat Jun 4th 2012 7:47AM
Thank goodness for the Goochland Drive In in Virginia!! Try to go there every week! You can see 2-3 movies a night for way less than 1 at a theater. And the owners are always there working so hard and greeting people. A playground for the kids to enjoy! Great food at snack bar, where you can get a large popcorn and large drink for $5!!! You can't even get one of those at that price at a theater these days. Goochland Drive In ROCKS!!!
Angela Lee Jun 4th 2012 7:46AM
There is still one near Harrodsburg in Kentucky
Nettie Jun 4th 2012 7:48AM
There is still a drive-in in Warwick, NY.
Michael Jun 4th 2012 7:49AM
In Ohio, the Blue Sky in Wadsworth, the Twin Star in Ravenna and the Majic in Barberton... all still up and running! Some have flea markets early on Saturdays or Sundays, but at night time it's tail-gate and movie time for the families! They bring their grils, tables, chairs and have a great time. We feel very fortunate to still have these icons alive and well here in northeast Ohio.
Linda Jun 4th 2012 7:50AM
Come to the Ruskin Drive -In on route 41(North Tamiami Trail), they just went digital!
Linda Jun 4th 2012 7:53AM
Sorry, the Drive-In is in Ruskin, Florida.
Bob Jun 4th 2012 8:00AM
Oh how I wish that mini-vans were around when I was going to the drive in!
David Jun 4th 2012 7:58AM
There is no comparison in watching a movie on TV at home to going to the drive-in. It was such a fun experience, there was just something about the atmosphere that can never be captured at home. Advances in technology are great, but sometimes we lose things like this in the process and it's a shame that today's generation won't get to experience something like going to the drive-in movies. I for one, don't think I would enjoy watching a movie on a hand-held gadget.