America’s first drive-in theater opened in Camden, New Jersey in 1933, and after World War II the number of outdoor movie spots grew to over 4,000. Families and couples could watch the show from the comfort of their cars – with blankets and pillows brought from home — patronizing the concession stand at intermission.
“At our refreshment center, you’ll find a large variety of goodies to satisfy your hunger, your thirst or your sweet tooth, so hurry, hurry, hurry,” calls the narrator of one promotional film shown during the break. “Visit our refreshment center now. The show starts in 10 minutes.”
One enterprise on New York’s Long Island had room for 2,500 cars, a full-service restaurant, a playground, and a shuttle train. You didn’t have to dress up and the kids could sleep in the back seat…