New Trends: Drive-In Theaters Are Back and Growing

Do you remember drive-in movie theaters? I do, as a kid in the 60s my sister and I would put our pajamas on, crawl in the backseat of our car with our folks and head to the drive-in. Dad would hang the big metal speaker on the drivers window, we'd eat popcorn, candy and have a coke.

If you thought that drive-in movie theaters were a thing of the past, well there's good news. There are still more than 400 drive-in movie theaters operating today; 40 of them have been built or reopened in the last five years, and most of them are showing first-run films. Even though there are significantly fewer locations than were open during the drive-in's heyday in the 1950s and 1960s, the experience they offer remains magical.

At the peak, around 1958, there were almost 5000 drive-ins in the United States. During the 1970s and 1980s many drive-ins were torn down or just let set to deteriorate. Many small town drive-ins have been closed for years and this has drastically effected their population.

Those of you that remember drive-ins might be surprised to find a few changes. At most drive-ins, the sound is now broadcast into the car through its radio, and the quality is much better than what came out of the metal speaker that used to hang on the window. There are a few drive-ins that still offer the speaker as well as radio sound.

The concession stands sell a wider variety of food and candy; depending on your location, you'll find everything from hamburgers and hot dogs to lobster rolls, pizza, barbecue, tacos, fried chicken, and cotton candy. Or if you prefer, you can always bring your own food and beverages to the drive-in; something you can't do at an indoor theater.

The history of drive-ins all started with a man by the name of Richard Hollingshead. In the 1930's Hollingshead sold auto products for a living and he wanted to sell more so he wanted to have a place that people could park their cars, eat a meal, and watch a movie.

He tried this by nailing a bed sheet between two trees; he put a movie camera projector on the hood of his car, placed a radio behind the bed sheet for sound. As time went on, Hollingshead experimented with other items and in 1932 he applied for a patent. In Camden, New Jersey Richard Hollingshead opened the world's first Drive-in theater on June 6, 1933. On April 15, 1934 the second drive-in theater opened in Orefield, Pennsylvania and is the oldest operating drive-in theater in the United States.

If you would like to check and see if there is a drive-in in your neighborhood go to drive-ins.com, you can enter your zip code in the search box and hopefully you will have a drive-in close to your location.

Below I have listed some of the drive-ins that are still around

The Brazos Drive-In, Granbury, Texas - This drive-in opened in 1951 and has only one-screen and is basically unchanged. You can enjoy your cheeseburger while sitting on vintage metal lawn chairs in front of the concession stand.

Rodeo Drive-in, Port Orchard, Washington - This drive-in has it all, three screens, a playground, swap meets, and FM sound.

Silver Moon Drive-in, Lakeland, Florida - Here you can get homemade pizza and beer seven nights a week. This is one of Florida's first drive-ins, and it still uses the original 1952 neon sign.

66 Drive-in, Carthage, Missouri - This drive-in is completely restored and reopened in 1997. It is located directly on Route 66. It has its original glass-block ticket booth and neon sign.

Hull's Drive-in, Lexington, Virginia - In 2001 townspeople founded the Hull's Angels in an effort to keep their drive-in open Its grass field slopes nicely to provide a great view of the screen. It's the country's only nonprofit, community-owned drive-in.

Skyline Drive-in, Barstow, California - Reopened after being in the dark for nine years, this drive-in is proud of its pristine and comfortable concession stand.

Capri Drive-in, Coldwater, Michigan - The original family runs this two-screen theater, which has great food as well as an excellent FM sound system.

Becky's Drive-in, Berlinsville, Pennsylvania - The same family runs this drive-in theater for 50 years. It is one of the earliest drive-ins in America and has never closed. Great family atmosphere, complete with pony rides.

These are just a few drive-ins around the country. So jump in your car as you are, even in your pajamas if you want and enjoy an outdoor movie!