BE aware of the muggles when
attempting to hunt and locate this cache.
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 before closing, 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.
This type of heater plugged in to 120vAC (not 12V car power)
to warm your car during cold nights at the drive in movie.
An "intermission cartoon" to entice patrons to the Concession Stand.
Another Intermission Ad
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.
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 Wayne Drive-In Theatre
38547 Michigan Ave - Wayne, Michigan
OPEN: May 20 1949 | CLOSED: July 14 1990
Capacity: 842 (1949) - 1000 (1971)
The Entrance Marquee in 1949 with two movies from years-before playing:
1940's "Kit Carson" and 1936's movie "Last of the Mohicans"
Wayne Amusements opened the Wayne Drive-In on May 20, 1949 as a single-screen facility and the theatre was nearly filled to it's almost-850 vehicle capacity. The company that owned the Wayne Drive-In had built other entertainment venues, but this was their first venture into having a Drive-In Theatre, much like the many Drive-In Theatres would dot the landscape for many years afterwards.
Eventually the company would own several complexes including the Wayne Theater, State Wayne, Shafer Garden City (later known as the La Parisien), the Quo-Vadis, Algiers Drive-In, as well as the Wayne Drive-In to complete their entertainment group.
The popularity of the seasonal facility grew from its opening night and kept growing for many years thereafter becoming a popular place to be and just "hang out" by folks of all ages.
The Wayne Drive-In's marquee with "The Barkleys of Broadway" (1949)
1956 view of the Ticket booth and Main Screen Tower
At the end of every evening's show, there would be an announcement made over the speakers:
"Ladies and gents this concludes our show for this evening. Please hang your speakers back on the poles and thank you for coming to the Wayne Drive-In. Goodnite and Good Morning"
Many folks had fond memories of the Wayne Drive-In Theatre as it was a good entertainment value for the money, and usually that included children being admitted for free.
1960 view of the Marquee and Main Entrance
1960's Aerial Top View "
smoke" the whole drive-in complex. The foggers were known to have some issues where they'd catch-fire in some Drive-In locations. This did improve over time however and had fewer-issues as time went on.
1960's Aerial view looking north
Snack Bar/Concessions - 1972
Outside of the Snack Bar/Concessions - 1972
View of the Screen from the parking/audience area - 1972
The Projectors from the Wayne projection booth - 1972After the Wayne Drive-In closed, the listing in the newspaper read:
"This Theater Is Closed. May we suggest you attend one of the 5 Ford Wyoming Drive In Theaters Located on Ford Road in Dearborn."
The property would soon be sold to an Automotive Manufacturing company, and would be demolished within a year or so after it's closing to build a paint facility on the site.
The Marquee/Sign was a little different in design than some Drive-In signs, and also featured bright-neon colored details.
The sign is now in a private collection and is still intact. Photo dated 2000's
Economics changed as time went on, and many drive-ins closed in the mid-to-late-1980s and early 1990's. The introduction of VCRs and other at-home entertainment meant more people were either staying home to watch movies or going to indoor movie theatres which were getting bigger screens and Dolby sound. This evolution would lead to the decline of "going to the movies" and folks staying-home.
Land values and prices began to go up and the suburbs gradually expanded around it. As the area built up, property taxes also increased until the cost of the taxes on the 20+ acres that most drive-in's occupied were more than the net income the theatre generated.
1985 view of the marquee and entrance with FOUR different lists for films
1973 Aerial View after the "twin" expansion
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!