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.
Michigan Cinema History:
The Algiers Drive-In Theatre
Westland, Michigan
OPEN: Aug 15 1956 | CLOSED: 1985
Vehicle Capacity: 1200 (1956) - 1000 (1959) - 1500 (1977)
1958 view of the Marquee and Main Screen
Wayne Amusements opened the Algiers Drive-In on August 15, 1956 with the John Wayne western "The Searchers" playing on its 120-foot single-screen. The original capacity of 1200 vehicles was almost filled on that very humid August night.
When the Algiers was built in 1956, the area was very much "in the country" and the population was not as dense. In fact, the area had originally been swampland and the owners Martin and Charlie Shafer purchased the 25-acre space across from Westland Mall and filled it with topsoil and gravel to be able to 'plant' their Algiers Drive-In.
Aug 15, 1956 Newspaper Ad for Opening Night.
By 1965, it had become the thrid biggest grossing Drive-In in Metro Detroit and the owners were encouraged by the popularity and business return of the Algiers. At this time, the Shafers decided that they would also build an indoor-theatre for more movies to be shown throughout the day and also year-round in climate-controlled temperatures, things like this could not be controlled with an outdoor theatre. The Shafer's announced plans for much more than just an indoor theatr but also a 5-story hotel with underground parking on the site in addition to both theatres. Unfortunately, these plans never materialized beyond the Quo Vadis being built on part of the property that was the Algiers Drive-In.
1961 view of the Main Screen and Playground
After the Quo Vadis was built, The Algiers Drive In became part of a massive entertainment complex that included four theatres (three in the Quo Vadis, plus the single-screen Algiers), a restaurant where patrons could even watch films at the Algiers through a large window while dining and listen to the sound from the film at the Drive-In film being patched through headphones.
One reason that both the Quo Vadis and Algiers were built where they were, was because there was supposedly an agreement that there would be NO theatres on the property of the Westland Mall, which currently still has no theatres on the property.
1961 Interior of concession stand as it was orginally. It was later changed to a self-serve with 4 lanes.
Outside of the Concession Stand, 1969
This firetruck was used to give rides to patrons before the movie. 19611969 View of the Playground for the Algiers Screen Tower.
During it's heyday, the Algiers also had a playground where kids could play before the main feature that had a merry-go-round, a train, 8 baby swings, 8 full-sized swings, 2 slides and 2 people powered merry-go-rounds. The playground and train were active through at least the early 1970's.
1961 night view of the Marquee
Some of the other memories are of the window-heaters that would have to be hung-on the windows of your vehicle which worked "fairly well" and kept you "pretty warm".
Exit "Do Not Enter" Sign, 1969
1969 view of the corner of Wayne and West Warren from the top of the Screen Tower.
The Algiers was also damaged by a tornado outbreak that also damaged some other theatres in the area, including destroying the main screen at the Ecorse Drive-In towards the southeast on Ecorse Rd. in Taylor.
The Algiers was originally a single-screen theatre, but in 1982 a second screen would be added. There had also been plans for a third screen but by that time, business was starting to fall-off and it was deemed to not be economically feasible.
1969 Picture of one of the projectionists
1985 - prior to demolition - view of screen and marquee
1985 view of the Marquee. The Last film was "Police Academy 2" at the Algiers.
After little more than half a century, an era of the Drive-In Theatre ended. Most people that visited Drive In's consider themselves lucky. Most don’t remember what movies they saw but many of them do remember how exciting it was to be outside late at night, loading up at the snack bar and then then trying not to fall asleep while watching the flickering movie screen from the comfy backseat of the car.
An "Evolutionary" aerial view of the area that was the
Algiers and Quo Vadis. 1964, 1973, and 2002
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 enjoyed this place."
Many folks feel that the Drive-in Theater is a part of an Endangered Americana that is missed by all who treasured the times that they had there.
Please BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS and as always, Enjoy the Hunt!