Summer is a perfect time to visit the Drive-In Movie Theater and if your lucky enough, there maybe one nearby for your enjoyment (I know I have a couple in the Toronto area).

Drive In Movie Theatre

For today’s Vintage Photo Tuesday we are going to enter the heyday of Drive-In Movie Theaters from the 1930s-1950s. So grab your popcorn (or snack of choice) and let the movie begin.

1940s vintage image of a vintage car and Drive-In Theatre.
Source: ABC News

Drive-In Movie Theaters Vintage Photos

1930s – 1950s

The drive-in theatre was invented by Richard Hollingshead, who opened the first one in Camden, New Jersey on June 6, 1933.

Vintage Image of cars at the Drive-In Movie Theatre with the speakers.

Comet Drive-In, Alabama 1949.

1940s vintage photo: Comet Drive In Theatre 1949
Source: Drive-Ins.Com

An usher on a motorbike escorts a car to their spot at a theater in San Francisco, 1948.

1940s vintage photo of a a drive in theatre in 1948 San Francisco usher on a motorcycle
Source: Vintage Everyday

Hamilton Drive-In, Alabama featuring Silver River (1948) on the Big Screen.

1940s vintage photo of the Hamilton Drive in Theatre 1940s Alabama
Source: Drive-Ins.com

Silve River Movie 1948 featuring Errol Flynn and Ann Sheridan.

Silve River Movie 1948 featuring Errol Flynn and Ann Sheridan.

May 1938, Cinemotor Theater in Los Angeles.

1930s vintage image of Cinemotor Drive-In Movie Theater in Los Angeles 1938
Source: ABC News

1940s vintage ad for In-Car Speakers being featuring at the Drive-In on Blue Mound Rd.

1940s vintage ad for In-Car Speakers being featuring at the Drive-In on Blue Mound Rd.

Sky.way Drive-In, Windsor Ontario Canada (2 hours from my hometown of Sarnia).

sky way drive in theatre windsor ontario vintage image
Source: windsor then windsor now

1950s Drive In Theatre.

1950s vintage photo of a 1950s Drive-In Movie Theatre Sign.

Duke City Drive-In, Albuquerque.

duke City Drive In Albuquerque vintage image of the Drive-In Movie Theatre Sign.

Olympic Drive-In Theater, West Los Angeles, CA. Such a great sign!

Olympic Drive-In Theater, West Los Angeles, CA vintage sign.
Source: Pinterest

1940s vintage photo of the Drive-In movie theatre snack bar. Snack time! Snack bar at Orange Drive-In.

1940s vintage photo of the Drive-In movie theatre snack bar. Snack time! Snack bar at Orange Drive-In.
Source: Pinterest

Historic picture of the Marquee Mural on the Mission Drive-In.

Historic picture of the Marquee Mural on the Mission Drive-In
Source: Rivard Report

Cars were not the only thing you could sit in to watch a movie, swings were also a popular choice. Seen here in the mini-playground at the Rancho Drive-In Theater, San Francisco, 1948.

1940s vintage photo of a vintage drive in theatre image people on swings 1948
Source: Vintage Everyday

Snuggle up close to the one you love. 1949, LA.

1940s vintage image of a drive in movie theatre 1949  in LA.
Source: Tumblr

Question time! Do you have a drive-in theater near you? If so is it a vintage one, or more modern? Any good memories to share of your time at the Drive-In? Share in the comments below.

FURTHER READING: Vintage Photos 1920s -1960s (archived blog posts)

Liz

10 Comments on Vintage Photos: The Drive-In Movie Theatre

  1. SO much fun when I was a kid. At my hometown driven in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, there was a playground beside the screen so the kids could play until the movie started. The PA system would give a five-minute warning so the kids could scramble back to their cars in time.

  2. Oh, I wish we had drive-in movie theatres over here. There was the odd one in the UK in the 1950s/60s but they didn’t last. I think the problem is the weather is so unpredictable here, so you could go to see a film at it would be lovely and warm and then half an hour later it would raining and freezing cold! Oh the joys of British weather! xx

  3. I love love love this post. I absolutely adore drive inns but havent been to one since i was a kid since the closest one to our current home is over an hour a way too far to travel for a movie they must bring these back

    • I’m still super surprised by this! If you ever come over to North America make sure you try and get to one. You will need to rent a car though or know someone who does. I have a car! Come visit Toronto 🙂

  4. Anyone of a certain age who lived east of Toronto will remember the Teepee Drive-in and the Bay Ridges Drive-in in the Pickering area. I remember playing on the swings before the show started while overhead on the big screen there were marching cartoon hot dogs twirling batons and extolling the delicious greasy goodness of the snack bar. Then a race back through the dark to the car where Dad would crank the window up after hooking on the metal speaker and- tah dah!- the movie would begin.

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