Where Was the First Ever Drive-in Movie Theater?

Movie Theater|Theater

The first ever drive-in movie theater was opened in Camden, New Jersey in 1933. It was owned by Richard M. Hollingshead Jr., who had the idea to create a theater that allowed people to watch movies from the comfort of their own cars.

His patent for the drive-in theater was approved on May 16, 1933 and he opened his theater shortly thereafter. The first movie shown at this drive-in was “Wife Beware,” a British film starring Adolphe Menjou and Phyllis Barry.

This first ever drive-in movie theater featured a 40 by 50 foot screen which was built from three sections of galvanized steel. It also featured a concession stand where customers could purchase snacks and drinks, and an FM radio system so that people could listen to the sound from their car radios instead of having to leave their cars or use headphones.

The idea for the drive-in movie theater soon caught on and by 1940 there were over 500 drive-in theaters across the United States. These theaters offered a convenient way for families to enjoy movies together without having to leave home or pay for expensive tickets. During their peak popularity in the 1950s, there were over 4,000 drive-in theaters across America.

Conclusion

The first ever drive-in movie theater was opened in Camden, New Jersey in 1933 by Richard M., who had the idea to create an outdoor theater experience where people could watch movies from their own cars. This revolutionary concept quickly caught on, with over 500 theaters open throughout the US by 1940, and over 4,000 open during its peak popularity in the 1950s.