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From wearing your PJs to hiding friends in the trunk, we remember the magic of SoCal drive-in theaters
An undated photo of the Edwards San Gabriel Drive-In.
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Security Pacific National Bank Photo Collection
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Courtesy L.A. Public Library
)
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26:36
SoCal history: remembering the golden era of drive-in movie theaters
Let's take a trip down memory lane and eventually find ourselves parked in front of our favorite outdoor movie screen. That's right, we're talking about the history of drive-in movie theaters, how they were popularized within car culture and their eventual downfall. The COVID-19 pandemic resurrected interest in drive-ins and some continue to operate today, including in Southern California. But it's nothing like its heyday. Joining to discuss is April Wright, director of the documentaries Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the American Drive-in Movie and Back to the Drive-in, and Chris Nichols, senior editor at L.A. Magazine. We also want to hear from you! Tell us your favorite drive-in memories. What was your favorite theater and what made it so special? What was your experience? Call 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com.
Let's take a trip down memory lane and eventually find ourselves parked in front of our favorite outdoor movie screen. Something about snacking on popcorn from the passenger seat of a car makes the cinema experience all the more memorable.
LAist looked back at the history of drive-in theaters in the Southland, their eventual downfall, and why they hold a particularly special place in Southern California's heart, on our daily news program AirTalk, which airs on 89.3 FM.
The origins of the drive-in phenomenon
Historian and filmmaker April Wright, who directed the documentaries Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the American Drive-in Movie and Back to the Drive-in, says the very first drive-in theater opened in 1933 near Camden, New Jersey, but Southern California was next at bat. The first one here sat at Pico and Westwood boulevards, next up was The San-Val located in the Burbank area.
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Los Angeles's first drive-in theater at10860 West Pico, Los Angeles in 1934.
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"Dick" Whittington Studio Collection of Negatives and Photographs
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The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
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“This is like 1934, but then they really grew after World War II,” Wright said. “That's when all the neighborhoods expanded with the GI Bill and all of that. A lot of drive-ins were part of that plan.”
The end of the drive-in era
The rise of home video, cable TV and suburban multiplexes spelled doom for drive-ins. Plus, land became too expensive for many trying to operate the theaters. By 1996, greater L.A. had only an estimated nine theaters.
The COVID-19 pandemic renewed hope for these relics. Despite that though, theaters continue to disappear.
“There were over 5,000 drive-ins at the peak, and we are now down to only about 280 something,” Wright said. “There were about 305 going into the pandemic, so we've actually lost some since the pandemic, despite the popularity.”
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There were over 5,000 drive-ins at the peak, and we are now down to only about 280 something.
— April Wright, documentary director
Here are the 3 remaining SoCal drive-ins
As far as traditional drive-in cinemas go, there's not much left. Just one remains in L.A. County, and there still are two in Riverside.
Paramount Drive-In Theatres
Paramount Drive-In Theatres on Aug. 3, 2020 ahead of a birthday celebration for Kevin Smith.
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Albert L. Ortega
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Getty Images
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- Location: 7770 Rosecrans Ave, Paramount
- Phone: (562) 630-7469
- Website
The Rubidoux
The Rubidoux photographed in 1978.
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John Margolies
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Courtesy Library of Congress
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- Location: 3770 Opal St, Riverside
- Phone: (951) 683-4455
- Website
The Van Buren
The Van Buren Drive-In in Riverside.
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April Wright
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- Location: 3035 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside
- Phone: (951) 688-2829
- Website
The experience marks the memories
Going to the drive-in wasn’t always about the movie itself, but rather the experience that would leave lifelong memories. The neon signs, the smell of the popcorn, cramming as many of your friends as possible under a blanket on nights when they charged entry by the car.
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SoCal residents shared their favorite drive-in memories during a conversation on AirTalk, LAist 89.3's daily news program.
Van Nuys Drive-In Theater in 1964.
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Kelly, Howard D.
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Digital Collections of the Los Angeles Public Library
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Bill in El Sereno: "My greatest drive-in memories started at the Danbury Drive-In in Danbury, Connecticut. I vividly remember seeing Fantastic Voyage on the big screen and sneaking up to the back edge of the lot on foot with my friends to watch The Godfather. Years later, we relived the drive-in experience at the Rubidoux in Riverside, taking our child in the station wagon and sneaking in our dog."
Sid in Torrance: "I went to the Van Nuys Drive-In to watch Cassius Clay beat Sonny Liston when he was about a 10 to one underdog. We were with a bunch of other guys from my fraternity. I can't remember how many we had in the car, but I know that right before we got in, we put a couple guys in the trunk when we paid for the car."
Margaret in Long Beach: "Our first child was 9 weeks old. The three of us went to see Apocalypse Now, a spirited movie. We all slept through the entire movie!"
Adriene in Granada Hills: "I remember our mom dressing my brother & I in our pajamas to get ready to go to the Van Nuys Drive-In. We'd drive there in our '52 Ford station wagon "Ol' Yeller', go over the bumps in the parking lot and park with the tailgate facing the screen. The best part was singing "Let's all go to the lobby" on the way there and swinging on the swings! Great memories!"
Listen to the conversation
...for more great memories!
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26:36
We remember the golden era of drive-in movie theaters in Southern California and beyond
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
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