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. This was vital to the success of drive-ins, as food revenue increased steadily during the late 1940s and 50s. While some operators experimented with talk-back speakers to take orders and deliver food to the car, others had mobile carts patrolling the lots selling snacks. Over time, owners discovered that concessions could be sold at a high mark-up and that revenues did not have to be shared with film distributors. To this day, food revenue remains extremely important to exhibitors, especially with film rental rates going as high as 80% on opening weekends for some features. In order to promote the concessions, most locations used the now-famous drive-in intermission films, popularized by the Filmack Company, featuring dancing hot dogs and countdown clocks that were supposed to mesmerize the audience members, wet their pallets and open their wallets.
Another Intermission Ad
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 Waterford Drive-In Theatre
Open: April 15, 1948 | Closed: Late 1980's/Early 1990's
Capacity: 600 (1948) - 700 (1977)
The original Main Screen, 1950's
The original Owners of the Waterford were Starlight Drive-In Theatres Inc. and later it was owned by National Amusements/Redstone Theatres until it's closure.
The Waterford Drive In started out as a single-screen Theatre, and that is how it would remain during its entire existence here.
Newspaper ad after the screen was replaced.
The original screen design was a very large structure. This type usually being a wood-frame covered in asbestos panels, it would later be replaced in the late 1950's or early 1960's with a "Selby" screen (as seen below).
Main Screen & Marquee, 1987
One of the speaker & light towers, 2003
The Waterford was still popular, drawing 150-200 cars on the weeknights and more on the weekends before it closed, but not popular enough to keep it from closing.
Ticket-booth foundations, 2003
The Waterford (along with the nearby Pontiac Drive In) was even involved in an obscenity court-case in the early 1970's. In 1971, times were changing where many of the drive-ins would "push the envelope" and show more "adult-themed" shows. Court-charges and court-cases would ensue and even resulted in the Waterford (and the Pontiac Drive In nearby) being shut-down by the authorities and the film confiscated:
Waterford drive-in manager cleared - Obscenity case dropped.
(Detroit News - Wednesday November 24th,1971).
A 46-year old man has been cleared of charges that he showed an obscene movie last September during his once-weekly stint as relief manager at a Waterford drive-in theater. The obscenity charges against Melville King, of Clarkston, were dropped yesterday in Waterford District Court on a motion by the Oakland County prosecutors office. At the same time, identical misdemeanor charges were filed against the owners of the Pontiac Drive-In, 2935 Dixie Highway, Waterford. Township police swooped down on the outdoor theater Sept.
28, arresting King, and taking a 90-minute film, Southern Comfort. Attorneys for the company, Bloomfield Realty Corp. of Detroit, said yesterday the confiscated film violates obscenity laws. Judge Kenneth H.
Hempstead set sentencing for Jan. 7. Showing an obsence more can bring a $100 fine and 90 days in jail. Waterford police said the theater raided because the X-rated film seen by young children.
The film, they said, was an old-fashioned smoker. It was the first time township police have closed down a theater, indoors or outdoors, the police said. King, who awaited trial on $1,000 personal bond, was filling in for the regular manager at the time the raid took place, the prosecutors office said. Earlier, expressing surprise at his arrest.
King, said he rarely sees the theaters movies.
1948 Oakland Press advertisement; Admission: 60 cents! :-)
Of the four drive-in theatres that were in the surrounding area and have long-ago closed, all of them except one, remains empty and not repurposed into something else. None of the properties currently are used for anything. It is actually quite sad because to drive by these you may even see a speaker post sticking up as though they were looking for a long lost friend.
Old Aerial View (1950's)
In July 1970, the Detroit News Movie Theater Guide advertised 26 drive-in theaters in Metro Detroit. The late 1980's would see the property values change here. With this change began the idea that the Drive In should be torn-down and the property reconstructed into something more profitable. Unfortunately, to this day, only portions of the Waterford Drive-In property have been redeveloped.
In 1988, the total number of Metro Detroit Drive-In's would fall to seven. In 2012, there is only one Metro Detroit Drive-In that remains.
One theater goer summed up her feelings. "You just worry sometimes that it will be all gone. We felt so sorry to see those others all go. We really enjoy this place."
Many folks feel that the Drive-in Theater is a part of Endangered Americana that is missed by all who treasured the times that they had there.
Please BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS at all times.
Enjoy the Hunt and be aware of your surroundings as always!