Drive-In Theatre History

Celebrating 79 years of Drive-In Theatre History It all started when Richard Hollingshead, Jr., an auto parts salesman began to experiment by tacking a sheet between two trees, positioning a 1928 Kodak film projector on a car hood to project movies.. as he experimented, he moved cars around in his yard and driveway to see how the picture can be seen with more than one car; he used speakers behind the sheet for sound, and used his water sprinkler to test visibility in rainy weather.... On May 16, 1933 Hollingshead was awarded a patent for his invention.   On June 6, 1933 he opened the first automobile drive-in theatre in Camden, NJ.  The first movie was the British comedy: "Wife Beware".   Ten months later, a second drive-in theatre was opened by  Wilson Shankweiler in Orefield, PA.  By 1958 over 4,058 drive-ins were open and operating. Unfortunately, in the 60's, 70's & 80's many drive-in theatres began to vanish from the American roadside. Depsite many challenges, the remaining 397 drive-in theatres in the United States are thriving today!   You will see families, children and couples re-discovering the drive-in!  Why?  Each drive-in theatre experience is full of magical memories, that you can not get ANYWHERE ELSE-- that is why we say: "IT'S THE ONLY WAY TO SEE A MOVIE!"    2012 represents the 79th anniversary year for drive-in theatres;  if you have not experienced attending a drive-in theatre lately; why wait?  Make 2012 the year--that you re-discover why movies are magical under the stars!

Theatre History The Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre first opened on July 15, 1949 as the "Moon-Glo" Theatre.  The first film to show at the Moon-Glo was: "Ali Baba & The Forty Thieves", plus three color cartoons. The movies were shown on the huge 36 by 48 screen with Brenkert Projectors shooting the image 240 feet to the screen. An RCA sound system and speakers were used to hear the movies. Part of an article the next day in The Henderson Daily Dispatch said that: "patrons are invited to smoke if they wish, dress as they please, and to bring your snap beans or other vegetables to prepare for the next day's meals". The theatre name changed in 1977 when the original owner, "Sonny Stevenson" sold the drive-in to "The Lyles Family".. The Lyles held onto the theatre until 2004 when it was sold to Vito Adragna, who then sold it to Jim  Kopp in February 2006. One interesting fact about the puchase of this theate by the Kopp's is that the theatre was purchased via e-bay! The Kopp's have completely renovated the theatre and it's snack bar/restrooms. A new playground was installed, the theatre grounds were re-landscaped. In 2007, the giant screen tower shown on the front page of our site, was painted to resemble a large 35MM film strip,  The theatre is the oldest of the six operating drive-in theatres in North Carolina.  In late 2011 Jim and Megan Kopp sold the theatre to Mark and Jennifer Frank.  The Franks own the Keysville Drive-In located about a hour away in Virginia.  Mark and Jennifer have many plans for the theatre that will be announced soon.