America's Drive-in Theatres ~ A Tribute Pt. 1

Welcome to my photographic tribute to a fading American tradition! I was lucky enough to have caught the tail-end of this pasttime, beginning in the mid-60s, and carry very fond memories of being there.

The drive-in theatre was a post-World War II phenomenon, the perfect companion to a nation in love with the automobile. Popularity of the drive-in peaked in 1958, near the height of the Cold War era, and began a precipitous decline with the advent of the home video revolution in the early 1980s. Whearas the single big-screen indoor theaters and movie palaces were abandoned and leased out to religious organizations or transformed into performing arts venues, the drive-in became the home for swap meets and flea markets, and prey to real estate developers.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• drive-in theater
• passion pit
• lets all go to the lobby
• intermission ads
• movies til dawn
• movie palace
• old theaters
• tribute to american drive-ins

[mizzpink98z24cavi]

When your watching this, you can't help but wonder, "Where did everybody go?"

I wish we didn't have to "move on" to new things. Some things were perfect the way they were...

[monster4josh]

I saw this tricked out '57 Chevy on the way home and thought, I would love to have had one of these to park at a drive-in--if I'd only been born 20 years earlier.

Then turned the computer on and read your message! Thanks for your thoughts.

[4manzy]

I've been looking foir this music - please help me out here. Where can find it? Thanks. Great video. Kind of haunting...

[monster4josh]

Its by calexico, but I don't recall the album title.

[zourtman]

Great footage - I have a few good shots of the Deer Lake Drive Inn you showed in Central PA from about 10 years ago.

[monster4josh]

The Deer Lake pic is one of my favorites. Simply gorgeous, very photogenic.

[dunbarGirl007]

Yes. Very nice trip down drive in memory lane.

[VINOD1619]

why such a screen are close fully ??

[photogodz]

Cool images of the 45 Outdoor in New London WI. I took a bunch there as well before th screen was removed. I remember when it was actually open, we would drive by it on our way to Eagle River.

[farizfamily]

still popular in indonesia, specially in remote area or small city where there's no cineplex, but they dont use car to watch the movie

theyjust gather in a wide area and put the big screen

they called "layar tancep"

[gutjoe]

I enjoy seeing my favorite drive in, The Studio in Culver City, in "Pee Wee's Big Adventure". Thank God they filmed the last scenes there.

[RQVOutdoorMoovies]

Beautiful posting, as always and excelent music choice. I think the MONTICELLO is an early shot of the LAKE SHORE, which me and Phil visited. Great variety of drive in marquees in this video, especially abandoned and new use marquees. The NORWAK, SUNRISE, and many other marques are perhaps simple, but so unique...as far as drive in theater architecure appreciation goes, the marquee must rank quite high. It's nice to see some marquees being re used.

[TakeDetour]

Anybody else feel like America is dying? I'm so glad I was able to take my kids the the last drive-in in my area. Snack bar had it all.

[KellyGreen5555]

Beautiful job.

[alienhddna]

show all this old stuff that has it ben used remind me of the show life after people

[jeepers2655]

Man what pix,at least a few out there yet that haven`t been torn down for a store ,or Wal-Mart!!!!!!all ours are gone close to me.

[sldl04]

We still have a few here in upstate new york. One has been in operation since the 50's...it's pretty cool.