Drive-in Theaters: A History from Their Inception in 1933

by Kerry Segrave

Overview

A primarily American institution (though it appeared in other countries such as Japan and Italy), the drive-in theater now sits on the verge of extinction. During its heyday, drive-ins could be found in communities both large and small. Some of the larger theaters held up to 3,000 cars and were often filled to capacity on weekends.

The history of the drive-in from its beginnings in the 1930s through its heyday in the 1940s and 1950s to its gradual demise in modern-day America is thoroughly documented here: the patent battles, community concerns with morality (on-screen and off), technological advances (audio systems, screens, etc.), audiences, and the drive-in's place in the motion picture industry.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786491704
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	01/25/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	296
File size:	6 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Cultural historian Kerry Segrave is the author of dozens of books on such diverse topics as drive-in theaters, ticket-scalping, lie detectors, jukeboxes, smoking and shoplifting. He lives in British Columbia.
Cultural historian Kerry Segrave is the author of dozens of books on such diverse topics as drive-in theaters, ticket-scalping, lie detectors, jukeboxes, smoking and shoplifting. He lives in British Columbia.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction     

1. A Backyard Invention     
2. Patent Battles     
3. A Very Slow Start, 1933–1944     
4. Postwar Surge, 1945–1949     
5. Drive-ins Battle the Industry     
6. Communities Battle Drive-ins     
7. The Golden Years, 1950s     
8. The Golden Years, Showmanship     
9. The Golden Years, Selling Food     
10. Strange Drive-ins     
11. Foreign Drive-ins     
12. Drive-ins Battle the Elements     
13. Drive-ins Pray for a Miracle     
14. Drive-in Sound     
15. The Audience     
16. Sex in the Drive-in     
17. Sex on the Drive-in     
18. Decline and Stagnation, 1960s and 1970s     
19. Rapid Descent, 1980s and Beyond     
20. Conclusion     

Appendices
     1. Richard Hollingshead Patent     
     2. Architect’s Ground Plan for Camden Drive-in     
     3. Louis Josserand Patent     
     4. Early Drive-ins     
     5. Financial Data     
     6. Number of Drive-ins, by State     
     7. Monthly Film Attendance by Type of Theater, 1952–1954     

Notes     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

Drive-in theaters, a uniquely American institution, prospered in the suburbs of the postwar 1950s, when the whole family could go to the movies in that newfound symbol of independence, the automobile. Subsequent decades saw the number of drive-ins decline, owing to the encroachment of home television and a number of other socioeconomic factors skillfully delineated in this well-researched study. The recollections of drive-in patrons as well as theater owners enrich the narrative, and there are valuable appendixes, including the text of the original patent for the drive-in theater, statistics covering the number of theaters (overall and by state) operating through the years, and revenues of indoor vs. outdoor theaters. Though this is an academic study, it is filled with the nostalgia of tinted windshields and free children's playgrounds. Highly recommended for serious film collections.-- Richard W. Grefrath, Univ. of Nevada Lib., Reno

Library Journal

Traces what looks like the entire history of an institution as American as apple pie, from its beginnings in the 1930s, its heyday in the 1949-50s, and its demise in recent decades. Documents the patent battles, the concerns with morality (on and off screen), technological advances, and its place in the movie industry. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

a well-researched study...filled with nostalgia of tinted windshields. Highly recommended”—Library Journal; “[a] very thorough and straightforward history of the ‘ozoner’ industry...recommended”—Choice; “everything I wanted to know about drive-in theaters”—Big Reel; “a rich trip down memory lane. Segrave tells this riveting story in a very enjoyable style...a fascinating look at the figures in building and operation”—Old Cars Weekly.

From the Publisher

everything I wanted to know about drive-in theaters

Big Reel

[a] very thorough and straightforward history of the 'ozoner' industry...recommended

Choice