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First drive-in movie theater opens in Pennsauken, New Jersey
June 6, 2022
An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 6 of June, repeating indefinitely
On June 6, 1933, the first drive-in movie theater, Camden Drive-In, opened in Pennsauken, New Jersey. 🎬🎟🚗
Richard Hollingshead, an auto products manager, came up with the idea after witnessing his mother’s discomfort while sitting in the standard movie theater seat. Striking on the comfort of the roomy car seat, he tested the idea in his own driveway – mounting a projector on the hood of his car and hanging sheets (as a screen) from nearby trees. 🌳🎥🌳
Hollingshead obtained a patent and soon Camden Drive-In was born. The first film shown? The British feature, Wives Beware.
The idea caught on across the country and drive-in movies became a popular summer activity for families and couples alike.
With the later technology of car radios, viewers could tune into an FM station and hear movie audio straight from their own cars. Did you know? At peak popularity, there were roughly 4,000 drive-in theaters throughout the United States. Today, there are less than 500, with highest concentration running in New York and Pennsylvania.
The Pont Neuf and the Samaritaine at night, Albert Marquet
