The Drive-In- A classic that never dies

Growing up, I was exposed to "oldies" music. While my father enjoyed "doo wop", my mother listened to WCBS 101.1 in Brooklyn, New York. On Saturday evening's I would hear either Del Shannon's "Runaway" or Buddy Holly's " Oh Boy" come on and my fingers and legs began rocking to its beat. As I got a bit older that kickin' sound introduced me to some of the entertainment of the era, mainly I Love Lucy and later, Father Knows Best as well as Leave it to Beaver. As I watched these programs I wondered what it would have been like to be a teenager during that period. Not only did I want a chocolate malt while listening to the jutebox hammer out some Bill Haley and the Comets tune, but I wanted to later take that girl out to the drive-in and watch James Dean display his coolness. To me, the Drive-In Theater is one of the most unique and coolest icons in this nation's history. This fascination has driven me to take a small look at this cultural icon. Please, sit back, get your popcorn ready and enjoy a brief look at the Drive-In.

In 1928, Richard M. Hollingshead mounted a Kodak projector on the hood of his car, used it to project onto a screen he had nailed to trees in his backyard. Then, he placed a radio behind the screen for sound. Through trial and error Hollingshead created and patented the first Drive-In Theater. The first Drive-In opened up in Camden, New Jersey in 1933 and by the end of the decade, there were 17 Drive-In's ranging from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts to Los Angeles, California. By the end of the 1940's there were over 820 theaters nationwide.

The end of the Second World War saw a rise in population. The Baby Boomers marked an unique period, as the birth rates dramatically augmented. Families began taking their children to the Drive-In's. By the end of 1958, there were close to 5,000 theaters in the nation ranging from one of the largest like the Troy Drive-In in Detroit, Michgian to one of the smallest such as the Highway-Drive In in Bamberg, South Carolina. Many theaters offered car service; people would order from their car and carhops would come by to the window and deliver that leg of Fried Chicken or that messy pile of chilli cheese fries. In addition, Drive-In's offered customers amenities like miniature trains and golf, as well as talent shows.

Unfortunately, by the 1970's and 80's the Drive-In's hit a brick wall. There were a couple of reasons for this. First, the advent of the VCR and cable TV created new options for Americans. Second, movie theaters were being built in the suburbs and many of them multiplexes, i.e. AMC, offered more screens and movies. The newer theaters were air-conditioned and modern. Add that to the fact malls were increasingly popular and many theaters were placed inside these structures where named brands had a field day with the younger crowds. Consequently, Drive-In's did not stand a chance.

Nevertheless, they are still around. While they may not have the same feel as they did in the 40's and 50's, people enjoy going back to them. They go not only to perhaps change their movie going habits, but to get a chance to enjoy the good old days; to relive a first date in that 1954 Buick Roadmaster or in my case get a chance to be part of another era.