Summer is a perfect time to visit the Drive-In Movie Theater and if your lucky enough, there maybe one nearby for your enjoyment (I know I have a couple in the Toronto area).

For today’s Vintage Photo Tuesday we are going to enter the heyday of Drive-In Movie Theaters from the 1930s-1950s. So grab your popcorn (or snack of choice) and let the movie begin.

Drive-In Movie Theaters Vintage Photos

1930s – 1950s

The drive-in theatre was invented by Richard Hollingshead, who opened the first one in Camden, New Jersey on June 6, 1933.

Comet Drive-In, Alabama 1949.

An usher on a motorbike escorts a car to their spot at a theater in San Francisco, 1948.

Hamilton Drive-In, Alabama featuring Silver River (1948) on the Big Screen.

Silve River Movie 1948 featuring Errol Flynn and Ann Sheridan.

May 1938, Cinemotor Theater in Los Angeles.

1940s vintage ad for In-Car Speakers being featuring at the Drive-In on Blue Mound Rd.

Sky.way Drive-In, Windsor Ontario Canada (2 hours from my hometown of Sarnia).

1950s Drive In Theatre.

Duke City Drive-In, Albuquerque.

Olympic Drive-In Theater, West Los Angeles, CA. Such a great sign!

1940s vintage photo of the Drive-In movie theatre snack bar. Snack time! Snack bar at Orange Drive-In.

Historic picture of the Marquee Mural on the Mission Drive-In.

Cars were not the only thing you could sit in to watch a movie, swings were also a popular choice. Seen here in the mini-playground at the Rancho Drive-In Theater, San Francisco, 1948.

Snuggle up close to the one you love. 1949, LA.

Question time! Do you have a drive-in theater near you? If so is it a vintage one, or more modern? Any good memories to share of your time at the Drive-In? Share in the comments below.

FURTHER READING: Vintage Photos 1920s -1960s (archived blog posts)

Liz