"MCH" is the The Michigan Cinema History series
of caches which are a Dedication to the local Creation or
Viewing and Enjoyment of Cinema over the years in the area.
It's a companion to the "DCH" or Detroit Cinema History and
"OCH" or Ontario Cinema History series of Caches.
Most Drive-In Movie Theaters consist of a large outdoor screen (either a wall painted-white, or a complex steel-truss structure with a complex finish), a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars.
The original Patent Drawings.
The idea originated in the early 1930's in Camden, NJ. and was Patented by Richard M. Hollingshead. His idea began as an experiment in his driveway with a Kodak Projector, mounted on the hood of his car, aimed at a screen that was attached to some trees. He tried different techniques and finally worked-out the parking-arrangement and spacing to allow everyone that attended, an unobstructed view of the screen. Once he had this idea in-place, he was granted a Patent in 1933 and He opened his first Drive-In Theater soon thereafter. This facility only lasted a few years, but the idea caught-on elsewhere to become part of the American Pop-Culture and Landscape to-this-day.
Typical-style of Drive-In Theater Speakers with the Volume Knob.
Sound was originally produced from Speakers in the main screen tower, but the quality wasn't that good and many attempts were made to improve it. In 1941, the RCA corporation found a solution and along-came the in-car speakers with built-in volume controls that most drive-in patrons would come to know. These were better than the original Sound, but still had a very "tinny" sound to them. Later-on, as the technology improved, this system was replaced with Radio Broadcast equipment to allow the sound to be transmitted directly to the vehicles. This was an improved process for sound and also kept damage to the wired Speakers and/or patrons cars that would happen when folks would leave, after a good show of their favorite film, and some people would "forget to remove the speaker" and damage both the speaker and/or their cars in the process (i.e. Windows, or scratches/dents, etc.).
The popularity of the Drive-In's soared after World War II and peaked in the 1950's and 1960's. The theaters would provide cheap, family entertainment including many having a Playground (or other things) for their youngest patrons. For colder-weather, in-car heaters were also offered at many Theaters, much like the Speakers had been.
The Concession Stand (or Snack Bar) would have food that could be served very quickly. Hot Dogs, Pizza, Cheeseburgers, Popcorn, Soft Drinks, and a host of other "food" could be found there to enjoy along with the show. This is usually where the Theater makes most of it's profits and much of the promotions are geared towards that area. Many Theaters even had "car-hops" like their Drive-In Restaurant counterparts to make the experience even more appealing for their patrons.
A car-hop, taking an order (California)
The Drive-In owners would later allow other-uses for their large amounts of space which could only be used for the Theater after-sunset. This would usually generate more income for the theaters and some of these uses included Flea Markets, Swap Meets, and even Outdoor Church Services.
Over time, with the advent of other sources of entertainment, as well as the rising cost of Real Estate and other economic factors, Cinematic Landmarks such as these have been slowly disappearing over the years, leaving less than 500 across the United States currently. Many of those which were closed were later demolished and the real-estate used for other things such as Office or Retail Space, with some being replaced on the exact same land with Mutli-Plex indoor Movie Theaters. Some properties have just been left vacant with nothing remaining there but an empty field. However, a very-select few that were closed have even re- opened to be given a new-life with new patrons looking for a very unique movie-going experience.
Many folks feel that these Gems of Americana are very much an endangered part of the landscape. Most, if not all of them, have very fond memories of their time spent there and would love to be able to revisit their favorite Drive-In Theater once again.
Gratiot Drive-In(1948 - 1984)
Capacity: 1000
The Street-View (L) and Parking View (R) of the Main Screen, 1950's.
The original Entrance sign
The Gratiot opened on Thursday, April 8, 1948 and was billed as the world's largest drive-in, featuring free pony rides, merry-go-round and other playground amusements for the kids, a large restaurant that even warmed baby bottles on schedule for patrons, and a living curtain waterfall illuminated by colored lights to simulate Niagara Falls. The screen was described as "King- Size", the vehicle capacity was at 1000 when it opened, and it stayed at that level throughout it's existence.
1954 Aerial photo with the Drive-in on the right-hand side
The opening feature was Yellow Sky, starring Gregory Peck, Anne Baxter and Richard Widmark. Everyone from this whole area knew about the Gratiot Drive-In and came to see the grandeur of the Gratiot, especially on Opening Night.
It was owned by Alex Schreiber, Gratiot Drive-In Theatres Co. (1957) - and later Community Theatres (1977-1984).
Night Photo of The Gratiot, with full lighting.
The Gratiot's first "upgrade" after a few years, would be the installation of the wide-screen to accomodate the movies that were then showing in that format from the original Cinemascope-style.
Screen-side view of the wide-screen.
The Gratiot would later evolve from a Single-screen, to a Twin-Drive-In theater with a divider down the middle, that looked like a third screen, at least part-way.
The Gratiot Drive-in defined the backdrop for cruising Gratiot from the 1950s through the early to mid 80s. It was an awesome site with its waterfall and large Gratiot sign atop of the screen.
The divider (R) that later turned the Gratiot into a "Twin Drive In".
Close-up of the Sign atop the Main Screen.
Like many of the Drive-In Movie Theater complexes, there was a Playground for the kids to play on and keep them busy.
The Concession Stand, 1984
Ticket Lanes, 1984
The following images were taken from the top of the Main Screen, a short few-days before demolition began.
View of the Parking Area towards Little Mack.
View of Downtown Detroit from the top.
Backside of the Gratiot Letters.
October 13, 1984. The very last sunset before the screen came down.
The Gratiot, like many others, closed because of economic factors. American movie habits tended toward indoor multiplexes or the video stores. In addition, monolithic drive-ins were taking up expensive real estate that could be developed for more lucrative retail business ventures. The Gratiot Drive-In was demolished on the same day that the Detroit Tigers won the 1984 World Series (October 14, 1984). While others were celebrating the victory by cruising up and down Gratiot Avenue, one local resident was using his 1958 Edsel to salvage the heavy steel letters of the Gratiot Drive-In sign...to save something physical, not only a memory, of the Gratiot.
The "Gratiot" Letters, rescued from the Scrap yard, laid-out on the ground, 2003
There is even a model of the Gratiot's Main Screen, located in Roseville City Hall.
A scale-model of the Gratiot's Main Screen.
On Display in Roseville City Hall, years later.
1962 Aerial View. Gratiot Ave (L) and Masonic (top)
This Drive-in, like many of the other Drive-In Theaters that are no longer around, is a part of Endangered Americana that is missed by all who treasured the times that they had there.
IF you have any good-memories or stories of the Gratiot Drive-In, please feel free to share in your logs.
Enjoy the Hunt...and beware of your surroundings, as always. :)