The first drive-in movie theater opened in New Jersey in 1933, but they really took off after World War II. By 1958, there were 4,063 of them across the country.
Going to the drive-in was just part of growing up. You loaded everybody into the car, got there before dark, found a good spot and hung that little speaker on the window.
Sometimes we even put a couple people in the trunk so we didn’t have to pay for everybody, then let them out once we were parked.
A lot of first dates, first loves and first kisses happened at the drive-in. You went to the concession stand, sometimes stayed for a double feature, and years later you could still remember who you went with, what car you were in and sometimes even the movie you saw.🤣
Today there are only about 293 drive-ins still operating in the United States. We went from more than 4,000 to fewer than 300.
I honestly think this is a part of our history that we’re losing. Some things are worth keeping around, and the drive-in is one of them. I think one day we’re going to regret letting so many of them disappear.
Did you ever go to the drive-in, and be honest, did anybody ever ride in the trunk?