Looking back at the rise, and fall, of milwaukees first. The karls say that there is an association of drivein. When it opened in june 1940, the idea of a drivein movie theater was so. Jan 25, 2019 drivein movie theaters started to spring up across the statesthree in 1934, another in 1936, three more in 1937, and 12 in 1939. Find the movies showing at theaters near you and buy movie tickets at fandango. At least six are listed on the national register of historic places nrhp. Mar 05, 2020 vintage photos of movie theaters in n. Drivein movie theaters in idaho drivein movie theaters in id. Drivein theaters showed mostly bmoviesthat is, not hollywoods finest farebut. Sleek cars in a kaleidoscope of colors carry families to drivein theaters and restaurants, where they watch and dine under the stars. Opened in 1949, the screen was destroyed by a tornado in the mid1950s and then rebuilt. Driveins have made a comeback in recent years and theyre continuing to grow in popularity. The vast of night might be playing at drivein theater.
One of the oldest drivein movie theaters in the state, this one features a retro spaceship ticket booth, a playground, and concessions stands. Why old drivein movie theaters were popular, and what they. Even more, phoenix is the place to go for movie lovers as drivein movie theaters are still open in arizona. This article may feature affiliate links to amazon or other companies, and purchases made via these links may earn us a small commission at no additional cost to you. By the late1950s, movie goers were jumping into their cars and heading to 4,000 driveins across the u. With the baby boom of the late 1940s and early 1950s, young families began discovering the driveins. By the end of 1949 there were 155 driveins located around the country. Many driveins added playgrounds and train rides to encourage family attendance.
Some driveins have small playgrounds for children and a few picnic tables or benches. Within just ten years, another 43 driveins had opened and california was on its way to becoming one of the top drivein movie states. You can bring your own food, talk as much as you want, and pay less than you do at a regular movie theater. Nov 12, 2010 by the end of 1949 there were 155 driveins located around the country. Drivein movie theaters get boost from coronavirus lockdown. That could be a recipe for a resurgence of driveins a slice of americana that had its. Drivein movie theaters in almost every state usa today. Actor charlton heston plays moses with arms flung wide in the motion picture the ten commandments, shown at a drivein movie theater in. Oct 08, 2019 the days of the drivein movie theaters, 19301950 actor charlton heston plays moses with arms flung wide in the motion picture the ten commandments, shown at a drivein movie theater in 1958. Jun 17, 2016 yes one could stay all day in the theater and see the movie many times. As of 2017 there are around 330 operating drivein theaters in the united states, down from a peak of around 4,000 in the late 1950s. New drivein theater to open midjuly could be a sign of a.
By the end of the 1950s there were over 4,000 drive in movie theaters in the united states. A drivein theater or drivein cinema is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor. Drive in movie theaters are mainly found in the united states, where they were especially popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Many homes and workplaces did not have air conditioning. The days of the drivein movie theaters, 19301950 actor charlton heston plays moses with arms flung wide in the motion picture the ten commandments, shown at a drivein movie theater in 1958. Watch any old 1950s movie, and you might see two people sitting together, watching a film from their car as a projector spits out a film on a wide screen. Its time for drivein movie theaters to make a comeback. Within just ten years, another 43 drive ins had opened and california was on its way to becoming one of the top drive in movie states. Many closed down as more people chose to watch movies indoors or at home. At the drivein after the war, north carolinians hit the road on gasoline thats newly cheap and plentiful. They maintained popularity as both a space for families to spend time with each other as well as an affordable date night option. Drivein movie theaters may have been a fad in the 1950s, but they still exist today. This drivein theater is still in operation today, giving the title of home of. Today, a fraction of that number of drivein theaters remains, with about 330 in.
The concept exploded in popularity after world war ii, with around 5,000 driveins dotting the landscape from the late 1950s to the early 1960s. Open since the 1950s, bengies drivein theatre boasts the biggest movie screen in the country at 6,240 sqft. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars. Drivein theaters, which combined americas passion for automobiles and movies, peaked in popularity during the 1950s and early 1960s. When it opened at 805 metairie road in october 1952, the do brought something new to the local movie going scene. Continued growth of the outdoor drive in theater and a greater variety and somewhat improved quality of pictures released from hollywood helped the movie industry in 1952. They were a cheaper alternative to in door cinema theaters because not only did they save the gas of driving out to the city and then back home, but the cost of building and. There are currently only 5 remaining driveins in the state of washington. Ironically, you can move that same living room projector to the car, add a fe. While there were only about threehundred drive in movie theaters in 1945, by 1955 the number had grown to over four thousand. Remembering new orleans drivein movie theaters movies. Allen notes that his theaters try to evoke the peak era of the driveins in the 1950s and 60s.
The first drivein was opened in 1933 in new jersey. Driveins gained immense popularity 20 years later during the 1950s and 60s with the baby boomer generation. At the height of their popularity in the 1950s and 60s there were roughly 4,000. The second drivein to open in the country, the shankweilers drivein, opened in pennsylvania in 1934. May, 2020 more than 300 drivein theaters basically parking lots equipped with a giant outdoor movie screen are currently in business across the u. The drive in etched its place in history, not just in the u. Like all other states, washington state has experienced a 90% decline in the number of driveins in the state. Dawn of the drivein movie theater drew those who wanted to watch the. Once numbering in the thousands, about 400 remain in the u. Today, a fraction of that number of drive in theaters remains, with about 330 in.
Please enjoy our list of drive in movie theaters in idaho. Continued growth of the outdoor drivein theater and a greater variety and somewhat improved quality of pictures released from hollywood helped the movie industry in 1952. Jul 28, 2019 the popularity of the drive in spiked after world war ii and reached its heyday in the late 1950s to mid60s, with some 5,000 theaters across the country. That could be a recipe for a resurgence of drive ins a slice of americana that had its heyday in the 1950s and. Oct 01, 2009 drive ins reached their height in the 1950s, but gave way to multiplexes and, eventually, the comfort of home theaters. Drivein movie theater intermissions intermission time. Since then, most have gone dark and have been demolished in the state with only 1 open drive in remaining in new mexico. Best drivein movie theaters in southern california cbs. Arizona had a late and modest beginning in outdoor drivein movie theaters. Going from less than 1,000 in 1948 to close to 5,000 by 1958. Why old drivein movie theaters were popular, and what. In some cases, multiplex or megaplex theaters were built on the sites of former drivein theaters.
California drivein theaters californias first drivein movie theater opened in june of 1938 there were less than 15 auto theaters in all of america at that point. Film fare of the raleigh road and other drive ins typically consists. Kentucky drivein theaters driveins and drivein movie. Courtesy of shankweilers drivein theatre archives on june 6, 2008 the flag flying over the u.
Drivein movie theaters thrive despite lack of new titles. If theyre not showing what you want to seeor the weather heads souththe indoor moberly five offers another handful of features. The first drive in theater opened in june 1933 in new jersey, but the concept didnt catch the publics fancy until the early 1950s. Alfred hitchcocks psycho 1960 showtown twin drivein address. Vintage drivein theatre tickets 100 aged orange krumsville, pa drivein movie admission tickets from globe ticket co. While there were only about threehundred drivein movie theaters in 1945, by 1955 the number had grown to over four thousand. Jul 11, 2019 one of the oldest drive in movie theaters in the state, this one features a retro spaceship ticket booth, a playground, and concessions stands. When the car culture of the 1950s roared into full swing, the number of drivein theaters swelled to over 800. From the 1930s to the 1970s, drivein movie theaters were popular hangout spots for teenagers and young couples. Though there were driveins as early as the 1910s, the first patented drivein was opened on june 6, 1933 by richard hollingshead in new jersey. Driveins could only show movies during certain times of the year and were dependent on having decent weather. As a result the lowbudget monster movie genre experienced a boon as a result of the popularity of drivein theaters. Open on weekends from april to october, the skyview drivein in southern illinois dates all the way back to the golden age of drivein movie theaters and has a website straight out of the 90s to prove its commitment to vintage. The most dramatic drop occurred in the 1980s when a number.
Vintage pictures of drivein movie theaters insider. Driveins reached their height in the 1950s, but gave way to multiplexes and, eventually, the comfort of home theaters. In some cases, multiplex or megaplex theaters were built on the sites of former drive in theaters. From the 1930s to the 1970s, drivein movie theaters were popular. The first drivein movie theater opened in camden, new jersey, on june 6, 1933. Four of the five remaining drivein theaters are located in the seattle region with the other being located in the northeast.
Drivein movies became an icon of american pop culture. Viewers watch a movie at shankweilers drivein during the heyday of drivein theaters. Feb 26, 2018 cheap family night at the drive in movie theater. Amazon is hosting special screenings of the vast of night at select drive in theaters around the country on may 15 and 16. People could sit in their cars, they could bring their. The driveins peak popularity came in the late 1950s and early 1960s, particularly in rural areas, with over 4,000 driveins spread across the. Both films are firstrun movies not one firstrun and one secondrun like you sometimes see. California drive in theaters californias first drive in movie theater opened in june of 1938 there were less than 15 auto theaters in all of america at that point. Drive in theaters hit the high numbers the drive in boom was under way. When it opened in june 1940, the idea of a drivein movie theater was so new it was just called the drivein theatre. Mar 20, 2020 assuming they can continue to operate, drive in theaters could look at programming classic familyfriendly fare like e. Top 10 drivein movie theaters that still exist in the us duration.
While the number of drivein theaters nationally has shrunk dramatically from the more than 4,000 that existed in the 1950s, there are still many out there offering an experience thats both. The ad advertises the snack bar which sells hot dogs, popcorn, candy bars including big time, butter nut, milk shake, and payday, soft. But the roots of a drivein film come from the 1910s. 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. In a lot of ways, drivein theaters are a relic of the past. The history of drivein movie theaters and where they are now. Assuming they can continue to operate, drivein theaters could look at programming classic familyfriendly fare like e.
The grandvu drive in provides a single double every weekend. By june 1952 the drive in theaters had increased in number from 820 in 1948 to 3,483 including canada. Michael andersons around the world in 80 days 1956 airline drivein address. Jun 07, 2017 the success of hollingsheads drivein caused more and more driveins to appear in every state in the country, and spread internationally as well. Apr 08, 2020 the concept exploded in popularity after world war ii, with around 5,000 drive ins dotting the landscape from the late 1950s to the early 1960s. Drivein movie theaters are still open in arizona az. Drivein movie theaters make comeback during covid19. By the start of the sixties, 4,000 driveins were to be found nationwideabout a quarter of all american cinemas. During the peak of the drivein movie craze, the world saw more than 5,500 theatres most of those in the u. See more ideas about drive in theater, drive in movie theater, drive in movie. Much of their equipment came from the i70 drivein in kansas city before it closed. This photo taken in the 1950s shows the oritani theatre in hackensack. The success of hollingsheads drivein caused more and more driveins to appear in every state in the country, and spread internationally as well. Drivein movie theaters are mainly found in the united states, where they were especially popular in the 1950s and 1960s.
The history of drivein movie theaters and where they are. Driveins started to really take off in the 50s, kopp said. A drivein theater or drivein cinema is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor movie screen, a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles. However, by the 1950s, more than fifty drivein theaters were operating in arizona, and most are still running till today. Though far from their 1950s golden era, some drivein theaters are going strong. These 10 nostalgic drivein theaters in texas will take you back to the good old days. Best drivein theaters in the us still open matador. Although drivein movies are rare today, there were over 4000 openair theaters across the country during the 50s and 60s. Rca introduced incar speakers, which replaced the old and inefficient bullhorns mounted on the drivein screen. The popularity of the drivein spiked after world war ii and reached its heyday in the late 1950s to mid60s, with some 5,000 theaters across the country.
The drivein etched its place in history, not just in the u. The number of drivein theaters in america exploded between 1945 and 1955. With cars readily available in americas prosperous postwar years, and new fm technology making it possible for theaters to send a movie s sound directly into a viewers car radio, this was an ideal way for. During the 1950s, the golden age of drivein cinema, the u. Many closed down as more people chose to watch movies. Looking for local movie times and movie theaters in 1950. Remembering new orleans drivein movie theaters moviestv. New mexico drivein theaters driveins and drivein movie. Today the theatre can accommodate 265 cars and show movies in a 60footby80foot screen. If youre choosy about your view, you can even reserve a prime spot for. See more ideas about drive in movie theater, drive in theater and the good old days.
Drivein theaters offer a bit of the past, and its prices. Drivein theaters hit the high numbers the drivein boom was under way. Drivein movie theaters making a comeback amid coronavirus. The number of drive in theaters in america exploded between 1945 and 1955. This millennial keeps a slice of americana alive duration. Jul 15, 2018 by the late 1950s, movie goers were jumping into their cars and heading to 4,000 drive ins across the u. Are drivein movie theaters poised for comeback amid. Summary a 1950s drivein movie theater intermission. Drivein movie theaters see resurgence due to social. They rose in popularity during the polio epidemic of the 1950s. Jeff confirms that there are only about 350 driveins left in the country.
Drivein movie theaters started to spring up across the statesthree in 1934, another in 1936, three more in 1937, and 12 in 1939. Looking back at the rise, and fall, of milwaukees first drivein movie theater. By june 1952 the drivein theaters had increased in number from 820 in 1948 to 3,483 including canada. Highway 61110 interchange a famous movie played there. The 1950s set film, directed by andrew patterson and starring sierra. The calvert drivein opened during the early days of americas drivein boom back in 1953. As a millennial, ive never had the opportunity to experience one, but ive heard many a story from my parents about late nights in the bed of a friends truck, sipping soda and munching on popcorn as grease or a similar movie lit up the night sky. New mexico supported nearly 50 drive ins during the peak of drive in popularity back in the 1950s. The coronavirus has forced traditional movie theater chains to close their doors. When it opened at 805 metairie road in october 1952, the do brought something new to the local moviegoing scene. Apr 18, 2012 summary a 1950s drivein movie theater intermission. The state of pennsylvania was one of the early birds when it came to drivein movie theaters.