Cinema Under the Stars: America's Love Affair with Drive-In Movie Theaters

When Richard M. Hollingshead Jr. first projected a movie onto a white bedsheet stretched between two trees at his home in Camden New Jersey in 1933 little did he know that he was on the verge of creating an entirely new entertainment industry. With America just beginning its romance with the automobile its no surprise that the general public found this new form of moviegoing irresistible. Fun and affordable the drive-in quickly gained popularity among families with young children. And of course the local drive-in was a favorite weekend hangout for teenagers: a place where they could go just to meet friends or take a sweetheart for a romantic evening of movies under the stars. Although drive-ins are no longer as popular as they once were in many communities a devoted following still seeks out the open-air theaters at twilight. Cinema Under the Stars is a reminder of those wonderful times as well as a recounting of the history of the drive-in experience. Here is the story and here are the memories: B movies concession stands loaded with goodies screen towers ticket booths scratchy speakers speaker poles and intermission. It is all here - a nostalgic look at one of Americas all-time favorite pastimes.