From the hum of car engines to buckets of popcorn, drive-in theaters are a landmark in the history of American cinema. As the summer season gets into full swing, America’s drive-ins are gearing up for the busy season, gearing up for unique entertainment options ranging from movie screenings and musical performances to flea markets and festivals. food truck.
Drive-in movies were once a mainstay of American life – at its peak in 1958, the industry numbered more than 4,000 across the country, according to the United Drive-In Theater Owners Association. Although those days have long passed due to a variety of factors, a few hundred remaining drive-ins proudly keep the tradition in place today.
“Drive-in movie culture spans generations, income levels, and family status,” says Harry Marks, a film classicist and Hollywood historian who hosts the social media channel Let’s all go to the lobby, which highlights that drive-ins cater to both older audiences looking to recapture the nostalgia of their youth and younger audiences looking to share the moviegoing experience they heard about from their parents and grandparents. “It can be simultaneously communal and solitary – we’re watching a movie with other people, but we’re all isolated in our own vehicles.”
As regular movie theaters closed in 2020 during the pandemic, drive-ins found a new life of their own that continues to resonate to this day. Here are five across the United States that are taking the drive-in movie experience to the next level.
1. Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theater: Orefield, Pennsylvania.
Claiming to be the oldest operating drive-in in the world, Shankweiler Drive-In Theater opened its doors in 1934. “We have a Guinness world record,” says Lauren McChesney, co-owner of Shankweiler’s with her husband, Matt McClanahan. A staple of Great Depression, the Orefield, Pennsylvania drive-in, just celebrated its 90th anniversary in April with a reenactment of the first version of the Shankweiler: a sheet hung between two poles surrounded by historic cars. While the setup has since gained prominence, Shankweiler’s dedication to preserving the history of drive-in theaters remains.
2. Hull Drive-In Theater: Lexington, Virginia.
Hidden away in Lexington, Virginia, Hull Drive-In Theater is America’s only non-profit drive-in theater. At the same time as showing the biggest releases, it also focuses on the classics, attracting crowds to screenings of The Goonies It is Grease. But Hull’s community involvement also says a lot about how significant the role of drive-in theaters has been throughout American history, as you’ll find a team of volunteers helping at the concession stand and box office and at local events. Another bonus: It recently built a stage in front of the screen to provide pre-movie entertainment from local musicians and school musical groups.
3. Delsea Drive-In: Vineland, NJ
As New Jersey’s only drive-in theater, Delsea Drive-In Theater solidified its place in cinema history. When locals are hungry, they head to Delsea to indulge in the drive-in’s beloved food menu, which is one of its biggest assets, says co-owner Jude DeLeonardis. Regulars enjoy the chicken steaks and creamy ice cream, but anyone with specific dietary requirements will be particularly pleased, as there are even gluten-free, vegan, and low-carb options on the menu.
4. Four Brothers Drive-In: Amenia, NY
Amenities are the name of the game in Four Brothers Drive-In, located in Amenia, NY. Guests can catch a show and spend the night camping under the stars, or eat pizza at the on-site restaurant. There’s even an airstream hotel, Hotel Caravana, that allows guests to soak up the wonder of the small town of Amenia while embracing life’s simple joys, which range from railroad trails and bucolic farms to antique shops and quaint cafes. But it’s Four Brothers’ adaptability that keeps locals and tourists coming back for more; During the day, the drive-in functions as a community park that welcomes humans and canines.
5. Wellfleet Drive-In Theater: Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
A pillar of Cape Cod, the Wellfleet Drive-In Theater has existed since 1957, when its first feature film was Table set starring Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. Since then, the place has expanded. You’ll find a traditional indoor cinema, a dairy bar and a mini golf course to rev up your summer activities. But starting Memorial Day weekend, the flea market is a significant attraction for the parking lot, where you’ll find up to 150 vendors selling their wares.
