Drive-In Movies

You would think that a car-crazy Californian would have created the drive-in movie theater. But the distinction goes to a New Jersey chemical company owner.

Richard Hollingshead opened the world’s first drive-in in Camden, N.J., on June 6, 1933. Hollingshead, who died in 1975, came upon the idea when he set up a screen on his driveway and a home projector on the top of a car so that his family could enjoy a movie outdoors.

Although the first movie played at the drive-in--”Wife Beware”--had been released three years earlier, the admission price was a bargain: 25 cents a person or $1 a carload.

The first Los Angeles drive-in--”Drive-In Theater”--opened in 1934. It was at Pico and Westwood boulevards. Two speakers atop the screen served as the sound system. The drive-in was later relocated to Olympic and Bundy before being demolished in the early 1970s.

Esther Williams would love this: the dive-in movie.

For the past two years, Raging Waters, the 44-acre water amusement park in San Dimas, has shown movies on a 20-foot-square screen next to one of park’s large pools.

On weekend nights, about 500 people, many floating on inner tubes, watch such fare as the “The Creature From the Black Lagoon,” “Jaws” and “Piranha.”

The 1950s was the Golden Age of the drive-in. On Aug. 23, the Los Angeles Conservancy will try to recreate that age when it holds a special program at the Studio Drive-In in Culver City.

The program, part of the conservancy’s Last Remaining Seats III film series held in classic theaters, will feature the Jane Mansfield film “The Girl Can’t Help It.” A sock-hop and hula hoop demonstrations will also be held.

Gregg Davidson, the conservancy’s associate director, says the 1,000-car Studio is scheduled to be demolished within 18 months. “We’re saying this is a fond farewell,” he said. “The drive-in is part of the local history and culture.”

The Studio’s gates will open at 6:30 pm. For ticket prices and other information, call the Conservancy at 623-CITY.

--- UNPUBLISHED NOTE ---

This story has been edited to reflect a correction to the original published text. Earlier stories consistently report that the first drive-in opened in Los Angeles in 1934, not 1933, and was called “Drive-in Theater” at Pico and Westwood boulevards, not Overland Blvd.

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