Rise and Fall of Drive-In Theaters
Invented in the US, drive-in theaters reached their peak popularity after World War II during the ’50s and ’60s. A drive-in theater consists of a large outdoor movie screen, a projection booth, a concession stand, and a large parking area for cars. From the 1930s to the 1970s, drive-in movie theaters were popular hangout spots for teenagers and young couples. It was a fun pastime, and it allowed film enthusiasts to watch the latest movies. But for the longest time, drive-in movie theaters disappeared.
Popularity and Decline
In 1941, RCA created the first in-car speakers with volume controls. By the 1950s, there were over 4,000 drive-in theaters across the country. Over the years, Long Island had drive-ins in places like Commack, Melville, and Bethpage. Many featured a playground and snack bar with more food than just candy and popcorn. Double features were common, and most places charged by the carload. In the ’80s, Drive-Ins began to disappear across the country.
Reasons for Decline
- The move to Daylights Savings Time
- Introduction of VHS movies
- Increasing land values and taxes
- Exurb encroachment
- Competition from Indoor Cinemas and Multiplexes
Impact of Technology
Drive-ins could only show movies during certain times of the year and were dependent on decent weather. During the ‘70s oil crisis, people downsized their cars to save money on the inflated cost of gas, making it uncomfortable to watch movies at the drive-in. The development of the VCR made it more appealing to stay at home and watch movies without paying for a movie at the drive-in.
Changing Entertainment Landscape
In the 1970s, the number of drive-ins began to decline rapidly. Slowly, drive-ins began to lose appeal due to quality problems, limited times of the year for profitability, and the rise of home entertainment like VHS and DVD. Keeping up with digital film technology was expensive, with a high resolution projector costing up to $250,000.
Urban and exurban sprawl, along with technology advances, made staying home more attractive. Multiplexes offered more variety and comfort, while videotape and home video allowed unlimited repeat viewings. The rise of cheap flights and decline of downtowns as meeting places also took a toll on drive-in theaters.