June 6
PASSION PIT DAY
The first U.S. drive-in to show movies was opened in Camden, New Jersey, on Crescent Boulevard, this night in 1933. Those first drive-in moviegoers got to see Wife Beware, a flick not destined to be a classic. The screen measured a huge 40 feet by 50 feet and was easily seen by everyone in the first cars in the front to the 500th car in the back row. Everyone (including the whole town) could hear the sound, too ... with a slight delay for the folks in the back row because the sound emanated from speakers mounted next to the screen. Admission was 25 cents per person plus 25 cents for the car, maximum $1.00.
As drive-in movies became popular throughout the country, families would regularly park their cars in the front rows so the kids in their PJs could play on the swings and monkey bars before the movie started. The rest parked wherever, since a good number of those moviegoers weren’t there to see the movie anyway!
The passion pits that dotted the country, some with in-car heaters and through-your-radio sound have all but disappeared, as TV, video cassettes and DVDs have made movie viewing more convenient. Those drive-ins that do remain, however, offer more than just all-day swap shops in their huge lots. Some have four or five, even six screens, showing first run films at about $7.00 per carload. (Those stowing away in the trunk will be tossed out of the theatre immediately.)
Be sure to visit the snack bar at intermission for the pizza with the mushroomy-rooms ... and try not to spill your drinks and popcorn while searching for your car ... and remember to remove the speaker from your side window before you drive off. The breaking glass kinda puts a damper on the passion...
Those Were the Days, the Today in History service from 440 International
No portion of these files may be reproduced without the express, written permission of 440 International Inc.
