It was 85 years ago, 1933, the First Drive-In Movie Theater opened in Camden, New Jersey.  Then, thousands of  drive in movie theaters started popping up all over the country and so did steamy windshields!  These “passion pits” were part of the 50’s & 60’s teenage landscape, ideal for a first day or the 100th date.  Memories were made, friends were made, popcorn was eaten, soda’s were guzzled and always a fun time with your friends, girlfriend or boyfriend.

Eventually, they started becoming a ghost town.  The decline started with the energy crisis of the 1970’s and that led to a sharp decline of attendance, combined with the widespread adoption of daylight saving time.

Now, we long for the nostalgia of the drive in movie theater!  There was a drive in theater where we lived when I was a kid in Ohio.  I was very young when we lived there but remember going to that drive in.  I remember the sounds of the tires rolling over the gravel, the crickets chirping, the air smelled of popcorn, hot dogs, hamburgers and french fries.  I remember playing on the playground in the front of the big white screen!  I remember the excitement getting ready for the movie to start as that big voice came on and said, “THE MOVIE STARTS IN ONE MINUTE.”  I remember the very first movie I saw was a double flick…I remember the first one being Star Wars and the second one…I can’t remember since I was probably 6 or 7 and fell asleep while my parents watched the 2nd flick.

Oh the intermission ads!  In case you forgot, here are some!

I also remember my mom taking me and my sister to see Kenny Rogers in the move, “The Six Pack.”  Which is the last time I went to that drive in before we moved away.

I really wish there would be a resurgence of drive in theaters again.  Maybe they will start to make a come back.  Let’s raise our crackly speakers for a toast to the drive in movie theater, a great part of Americana!

Monica