The Michigan Cinema History (MCH) caches are dedicated to the local creation, viewing, or enjoyment of movie and cinema-related items in the local area. This series is a companion to the Detroit Cinema History (DCH) series.
This can include, and is not limited to, people, places, and things of Cinema or both past-and-present.
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.
An "intermission cartoon" to entice patrons to the Concession Stand.
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.
A typical Flea Market at the Mission Drive-In, San Antonio, Texas, 1984
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.
The Dearborn Drive-In
Open: July 23, 1948 | Closed: 1984-1985 | Capacity: 1040
Street View of the Main Screen
The Dearborn Drive In Theatre was originally built with double ramps to handle a larger capacity of 1800 vehicles. Instead of a single ramp with a drive on each side something like this -^-, the double ramp looked like this -^^-. The double ramps provided more capacity in a smaller area. However they were not popular with the public, less privacy and if the car in front of you didn't leave, you would have to back up to get off the ramp. When the new concession building was built in the early 1960's, the theater was converted to single ramps which lowered the capacity to around 1200.
Grand Opening Ad from July 23, 1948
There were fireworks shows, especially on Fourth-of-July. The shows were so immense that they could even be seen over in Inkster.
Audience-side of the screen (1970's)
Some of the last movies shown here were "Godzilla 1985" and "D. A. R. Y. L." (which was released in June 1985) and was playing here on the 2nd screen. At that point, one screen was speaker (hanging) sound and the other was radio (FM-transmitter), so you could tune into the feature that played behind you if you chose. The theater closed in 1985 and was torn down within a matter of months of it's final showing.
On the morning of July 16, 1980, there was a fierce summer storm that even produced an F2 tornado. Several of the local Drive In Theaters had damage from the storm that some that came through with little warning (at the time). The Dearborn Drive-In screen split in the middle near the top, and the west side of the screen over-lapped the east side by about 18". A number of buildings, as well as a train, were either damaged or destroyed by this tornado before it moved into Ontario. Total damage was estimated at over $5 million in the area.
Close-up of the Screen damage.
The Fence was damaged by the tornado as well.
The Dearborn Drive-In was opened in 1948 and at one time was the most profitable drive-in in the U.S. It was torn down April 1, 1986 at 9:52 a. m. (to be specific!)
Animation of the screen coming down.
Aerial Photo looking north 1981.
After it closed it became a strip mall with many stores that have come and gone since the Theatre was here.
The Drive-in Theater is a part of Endangered Americana that is missed by all who treasured the times that they had there.
Enjoy the Hunt...and beware of your surroundings, as always. :)