Drive-Ins
On June 6, 1933 in Camden, New Jersey, Richard M. Hollingshead
opened the first drive-in theatre in the country.
In the early 1940’s, New Orleans had its first drive-in.
From 1948 until 1963, ten other drive-ins were built outside the city
limits where vacant land was available.
There was:
The Airline Drive-in Metairie
The Do Drive-In Metairie
The Jeff Drive-In Jefferson
The Marrero Drive-In Marrero
The Crescent Drive-In Metairie
The Westgate Drive-In Metairie
The St. Bernard Drive-In Arabi
The Algiers Drive-In Algiers
The Gretna Green Drive-In Gretna
The Skyvue Drive-In Gentilly
New Orleans drive-ins prospered throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s.
The United States peaked with 4,063 drive-ins in 1958. America’s
obsession with automobiles, combined with the lure of a night out at the
movies, proved an irresistible combination.
Drive-In exhibitors made families the focus of their operations. Family
orientation also extended to programming.
The drive-in was an affordable weekly outing for families. The snack
bar or refreshment center was another highlight at the drive-in.
Let’s not forget the mosquitoes.
©2005 Rock Productions
