Today is Drive In Movie Day !!!
Maybe one of the reasons Drive-in Movies are so much more popular in the United States than in other countries is because the drive-in movie is truly an American invention. The first true drive-in theater (as we know them today) was opened on June 6th, 1933 in Camden, New Jersey. Before that time, there were attempts at opening “outdoor theaters” and even some “outdoor theaters” where you could watch movies from a car. But those were done in temporary locations such as downtown streets. The first real drive-in theater was opened by a gentleman named Richard Hollingshead. Richard Hollingshead was movie fan with a connection to the automotive world as he worked at his father’s automotive company which was called Whiz Auto Products.
Richard began experimenting with showing movies in the driveway of his home. He got ahold of a movie projector which he placed on the hood of his car. He tied a movie screen to some trees and put a radio behind the screen for sound. He tried several setup variations before he found what he thought was the right configuration of projector, screen, sound and spacing between cars. With that he applied for a patent for a drive-in theater in 1932 which was granted in May of 1933. Shortly thereafter in June of 1933, he opened his first drive-in which was called the Automobile Movie Theatre. His slogan for his drive-in theater was, “The whole family is welcome, regardless of how noisy the children are.” We love this slogan and think it is still true today and still one of the reasons drive-in movies are still around.
Fun Facts about Drive Ins :
- The first drive-in theatre was opened in Camden, New Jersey in June of 1933. Surprisingly, it never turned a profit and it was sold three years later and the new owner took down the equipment and moved it to a new location.
- The second drive-in to open was Shankweiler’s Drive-in opened in Orefield, PA in 1934. Amazingly, it is still open today and is the oldest operating drive-in theater in the world.
- Above is the oldest, now how about the newest? That would be the Coyote Drive-in located in Lewisville, TX. It, along with 2 other drive-ins, was opened last year in 2016.
- The most popular name for currently operating drive-in theaters is ‘Starlite Drive-in’. There are currently 10 drive-ins in the United States named the Starlite Drive-in (including those that spell it Starlight). So if you are looking to visit the Starlite Drive-in and you are looking at their website, make sure you are looking at the correct location. The runner-up name is ‘Skyview’ including its several spellings of “Sky View”, “Sky Vu”, “Skyview”, “Sky-Vu” and “Sky-View”.
- Currently, New York has the most operating drive-ins of any state with 28
I have not been to one in so many years, There’s actually none officially operating in Louisiana but you can check your state Here locations.
But area Parks , Towns & Libraries have movies in the park . Check local listings. This is for June near me but I am sure you can find some close bye. Dont forget supplies & food. Have fun !! Lisa
June 9th
1h 44m
Settled in with the Brown family, Paddington the bear is a popular member of the community who spreads joy and marmalade wherever he goes. One fine day, he spots a pop-up book in an antique shop — the perfect present for his beloved aunt’s 100th birthday. When a thief steals the prized book, Paddington embarks on an epic quest to unmask the culprit before Aunt Lucy’s big celebration.
June 23rd
1h 36m
The mischievous Minions hope that Gru will return to a life of crime after the new boss of the Anti-Villain League fires him. Instead, Gru decides to remain retired and travel to Freedonia to meet his long-lost twin brother for the first time. The reunited siblings soon find themselves in an uneasy alliance to take down the elusive Balthazar Bratt, a former 1980s child star who seeks revenge against the world.
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