History of Drive-In Movie Theaters
In 1933, Richard Hollingshead invented, designed, and opened the first drive-in movie theater in New Jersey. The first movie shown at a drive-in theater was “Wives Beware,” a comedy released in 1932. This pioneering film marked the beginning of a new era in cinematic experiences, offering audiences the opportunity to enjoy movies from the comfort of their own cars.
Rise and Popularity of Drive-In Theaters
Less than a month after receiving a patent, Hollingshead charged 25 cents per car and 25 cents per person for the first-ever drive-in movie theater at Park-In Theaters, Inc. The idea quickly caught on, and drive-in theaters began opening across the country.
Drive-In Theater Innovation
The original Hollingshead drive-in had speakers installed on the tower itself, which caused a sound delay affecting patrons at the rear of the drive-in’s field. In 1935, the Pico Drive-in Theater attempted to solve this problem by having a row of speakers in front of the cars.
Drive-In Theaters Today
Today, nostalgia and novelty have kept around 3,500 drive-in theaters operating in America. During the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, outdoor drive-in theaters even saw a resurgence when indoor theaters were closed. The drive-in industry still faces challenges of rising property values and competition from air-conditioned megaplexes.
Oldest Drive-In Theaters
- Camden Drive-In: Located on Admiral Wilson Boulevard in Pennsauken, New Jersey, this drive-in was the first-ever in the United States, opening in 1934.
- Shankweiler’s Drive-In: Operating since 1934 in Orefield, Pennsylvania, it is one of the oldest drive-in theaters in the United States.
- Jesup Drive-in Theater: Established in 1948 in Georgia, it is one of the oldest drive-ins in the state.
Current Drive-In Theater Landscape
At the peak of their popularity in the mid-1950s, there were around 4,000 active drive-in theaters in the United States. Now, there are around 350 drive-in theaters currently in operation in the US.