Everyone has that image in their head of the classic drive-in movie theater. The picture of the giant empty field or lot crammed with hundreds of cars has been a classic fixture of American entertainment for decades. Sadly, recent years have seen the collapse of the drive-in phenomenon and the subsequent closing of most of the drive-in theaters in the U.S. Even though many of these iconic theaters have gone the way of the dinosaur, it's fun to take a few minutes to pay homage to these classic avatars of Americana, and maybe even learn something about their history.
Did You Know?
Did you know that New Jersey was the home of the very first drive-in theater? Developed by auto sales manager Richard Hollingshead, opened his first theater on June 6, 1933 in Camden, N.J. Originally billed as a "park-in" theater (which, when you think about it, makes much more sense), admission was sold at the rate of 25 cents per car and 25 cents per person.
Equally impressive was the All-Weather Drive-In located in Copiague, N.Y. This 28-acre behemoth boasted full-service eateries, a playground for children, and parking spaces for up to 2,500 cars.
Join The Fun!
Although the number of drive-ins still operating in the U.S. today is rapidly diminishing, Salon reported that there are still a few hidden gems out there just waiting for savvy and nostalgic car-bound movie-goers to pull up in a parking spot – man of them close by in New York or New Jersey.
The Warwick Drive-In is located in Warwick, N.Y., six miles east of Vernon, N.J. Like most drive-ins, it offers double feature movies. Unlike most drive-ins, it's pet-friendly, so you're encouraged to bring along your four-legged friend. If you're looking for a bit of history, you'll want to check out Shankweiler's Drive-In in Orefield, Pa. Operating consistently since 1934, it is the oldest drive-in theater in the country that is still running.
If you're willing to take a bit of a road trip, you can head on down to Baltimore to the Bengies Drive-In. With a screen that is 6,240 square feet, it's the largest screen in the U.S., drive-in or not. Opened in 1956, it may not be the most historic of drive-in destinations, but it offers cheap double features and an assortment of both modern and classic drive-in food.
If you're itching to head out to one of America's remaining drive-in hot spots, head into NJ State Auto Auction. With hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot and an in-house finance department, they make it easy to find and afford a quality used car, truck or van.