Arkansas’ Drive-In Theaters

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Arkansas’ Drive-In Theaters

The First Drive-In Theater was invented by Richard M. Hollingshead. Hollingshead worked out the details by hanging a sheet for a screen in his backyard. Richard began to experiment in the driveway of his home at 212 Thomas Avenue, New Jersey. Richard mounted a 1928 Kodak projector on the hood of his car, he used it to project onto a screen he had nailed to trees in his backyard. He placed a radio behind the screen for sound, then started his test of his idea. Richard tested sound with the windows up, down and half way. He tested many weather conditions, using his lawn sprinkler he simulated a rainstorm. Richard liked what he saw and heard.

One main problem did arise in his test. That was if cars were parked behind each other, the cars at the rear would not be able to see the whole picture, due to the car in front. This did not stop Richard, he lined up cars in his driveway spacing them at various distances and placing blocks under their front wheels he was able to find the correct spacing and the correct angles to build ramps for the cars front tires to park on. Thus was born the first Patent for the Drive-In Theater. Next we find Richard at the US Patent Office on August 6, 1932. He is explaining about his invention. On May 16, 1933 he get a patent # of 1,909,537 the first Drive-In Theater patent ever. Later in May of 1950 the patent was declared invalid by the Delaware District Court.

By January of 1942 Drive-In theaters had began to spread across the U.S. There were 95 Drive-Ins spread across 27 states. Ohio led the way with 11 Drive-Ins. The building of new Drive-Ins slows durring the U.S. involvement of World War II. Only six drive-ins are built. Many problems face the Drive-ins durring this time. Rubber for tires is in short supply since it is needed for the war effort. Gas rationing was in effect durring part of this time frame. Many theaters close down for as much as 2 years. In 1946 the number of theaters goes from 102 to 155. By 1948 there are 820 drive-in theaters across the U.S.

With the concept of the Drive-In Theater being strange to most people, new drive-ins would host an “Open House” during the day to let people know what to expect. They would show the future customers how to park, how the sound systems worked, and what food was available in the concession stands. Some Drive-Ins reported as many as 400 cars would show up for the open house. As soon as the war ended the Baby Boom began. By the end of the 40’s the drive-in theaters were full of children looking for something to do. Most theaters found a new use for that area between the front row and the screen by adding a Playground. This had a major return for most theaters. People began to arrive early so their children could plan on the playground. Then after a workout on the playground a trip to the concession stand was in order.

The drive-in boom was under way. Going from less than 1,000 in 1948 to close to 5,000 by 1958. The drive-in etched it’s place in history, not just in the U.S.A. but in many countries across the world. During the same years of 1948 to 1958 over 5,000 indoor theaters closed reducing their number from 17,000 to 12,000. One of the largest Drive-In Theaters was the All-Weather Drive-In , Copiague, New York. parking spaces for 2,500 cars. It also had an indoor 1,200 seat viewing area, that was heated and air-conditioned, a playground, a cafeteria, a restaurant with full dinners. A shuttle train that took customers from their cars to the various areas, on the 28 acres.

Many theaters would open the gates as much as 3 hours before the movie would start. This allowed customers to bring the kids early. Many theaters began to serve a wide variety of dinners such as Fried Chicken, Bargecued Sandwiches, Hamburgers, Pizza, etc. A few theater owners even gave the customers the ability to order from their car and have a car hop deliver. To increase sales the intermission trailers were invented. Theaters using these gained increased sales between films.

Stagnant best describes the 60’s and 70’s. There are still drive-ins being built, but many are closeing. The hay day is gone, many theatres even pull out thier playground equipment in the 70’s since few families are attending. Many of the movies target a teen or adult audience. Examples the beach movies of the 60’s and the movies in the 70’s like “The Van” “Texas Cheerleaders”, etc.

The 80’s started out fair and got very bad before they end. Low attendance almost kills the drive-in. Many owners say it hits over night. “Last year 500 cars on a Friday this year 50 cars.” What’s happening? Many things hit to pull people away from the drive-in. Some of the biggest are Cable TV and VCR’s. Hollywood is right to our home, so why go anywhere?

Something happens in the 90’s, the number of theaters closing slows down. Many drive-in add extra screens, many go Twin, some go Tripple, a few go Quad, one in Florida goes 13 screens!!!!! The crowds and the families retun. Many owners say they have to close the gates some nights, because they run out of space to park cars. Also if you look at the crowd you see mostly families with young children, just like the crowd of the 50’s, it seems that a new generation has discovered the drive-in.