Drive-In movies were a huge part
of the lives of children and young adults during the 1950’s and 1960’s. Though drive-ins technically existed prior to
World War I the first true patented drive-in opened in Camden, New Jersey in
1933. Even after that they did not
become a true part of culture until the 1950’s.
The growing popularity of drive-ins was evident at this time. In 1948 the United States had less than 1,000
drive-ins compared to 17,000 indoor theaters.
By 1958 the numbers were changing with roughly 4,600 drive-ins opened in
the country and approximately 12,000 indoor theaters.
Drive-ins were a welcome change
from what could be crowded indoor theaters.
First off one could sit in their own vehicle and watch a movie. In fact the largest drive-in theater for a
long time was located in Dearborn, Michigan and used to hold 3,000 cars. It was eventually surpassed by the Fort
Lauderdale Swap Shop. When the 1980’s
began the drive-in was still going strong with approximately 3,500 screens
located across the country. However this
decade would end quite differently.
Growing up on Cape Cod I
remember vividly going to the Yarmouth Drive-In located along Parker’s
River. There were also screens located
in Hyannis, Dennis, East Falmouth, and Wellfleet. During this time in the early 1980’s I got to
see movies such as Return of the Jedi, E.T., Flash Gordon, and even Friday the
13th Part III at the Yarmouth Drive-In. It was such a thrill as a child barely in
kindergarten to be able to lay down under a blanket with pillows and snacks and
watch a movie on a screen that was between 90-100-feet wide. Shows started at dusk and were
double-features. The first movie was
usually the more family friendly since it was likely that the kids would be
wide awake and wired for the show. The
second movie was usually a little looser, probably not R-rated, but likely a
solid PG, or PG-13. It felt like an
adventure, a unique experience, being outside yet feeling like you were in your
own living room.
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| Dennis Drive-In courtesy of Cinema Treasures |
The 1980’s began with five drive-ins on Cape Cod, and 3,500 nationwide. By 1990 that number was below 1,000, and there was only one survivor on the Cape and that was in Wellfleet. What caused the downfall? Causes range from the rise of cable television to the wider availability of VCR’s. Drive-Ins did not totally vanish, and still haven’t, but today they are more of a niche, something neat to experience once during the summer if possible, not a weekly ritual like in its heyday.
So for Cape Cod children of the 1980’s wondering what
happened to the other four, here are the answers. In East Falmouth the Cod Drive-In was first
to go as it closed in 1980. Today it is
the site of J.R. Brody’s and Falmouth Lumber, a concrete slab likely where the
tickets or refreshments were sold is still there. The Dennis Drive-In on Hokum Rock Road closed
shortly thereafter. In its heyday it had
room for nearly 1,000 cars and even had small planes landing and rolling up to
watch movies. Today it is an overgrown
field near an industrial park. If you
walk around you can see old pavement, concrete slabs, and an occasional speaker
or speaker pole. The Yarmouth Drive-In I
frequented as a child closed next in 1985.
Today it is an open field across from Capt. Parker’s Restaurant on Rt.
28. The last Cape drive-in to close was
the Hyannis Drive-In which shuttered in 1987.
Today it is a shopping center anchored by Toys R Us, Home Goods and
Shaws.
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| Wellfleet Drive-In today courtesy of Wellfleet Cinemas |
What movies do you remember seeing in the 1980’s at the drive-in? Do you get the chance to go today? For a trip down memory lane check out Drive-In Theater.com, and stay tuned for more buttery and sugary treats 1980’s style!
Click here for my last Child of the 1980's blog about Mascot Mania!
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