The Return Of Drive In Movies And Outdoor Theaters
With all the high-tech gadgets people have and can acquire nowadays
, there is still a clamor for the good old days. When the form of entertainment are a lot simpler and foster bonding time even with people you barely know. Examples of activities that are slowly but surely making a comeback are the drive-in movies and outdoor theaters.
It was in the 6th of June 1933 when the first ever outdoor movie screening was introduced. Outdoor movie is the predecessor of the drive-in theaters, movie houses and even 3D cinemas as everybody knows it today. Richard M. Hollingshead is said to be the inventor of outdoor movies. The idea is simple enough that if he hasnt thought of it, for sure, someone else will.
Mr. Hollingshead came up with the idea of placing a white bed sheet hung between two trees at his backyard. The sheet became the makeshift screen. He then placed his Kodak 1928 projector on top of the hood of his car and directed it towards the bed sheet. For the sound system, he just made use of the radio strategically located behind the makeshift screen.
By the year 1940s, there were approximately 27 states in the United States of America that has drive-in facilities, including those of Denver outdoor movies. The number of facilities for drive-in movies continued to increase until it reached it peak by the 1950s and the 1960s. This is also the time when the baby boomers began dating and driving.
The largest count of drive-in movies in the US was recorded during 1958 amounting to 4,063 drive-in theaters. This data was based upon the research of United Drive-in Theater Owners Association. Now, only 10% of those theaters are still operational. The age of Denver outdoor movies has passed; or has it?
There are some few establishments that are making an effort to bring back Denver outdoor movies. There are local parks in Denver that are offering this facility for free. Residents of Denver and even tourists can enjoy a free film under the starry sky in local parks. You just have to check the viewing schedule on their websites.