Moviegoers are enjoying something their parents and grandparents loved: Drive-in theaters. First opened in the United States in the 1930s and enjoying popularity through the early 1960s — especially in the 1950s — drive-in theaters are experiencing sold-out crowds. The new experience does not include the iconic speakers on poles for the movie’s soundtrack. Instead, movie-goers either tune their car radio to a specific station (potentially draining batteries) or bring a portable radio and use that. The poles are still there as parking guides. Some advice: Crack all your windows so your car won’t steam up. And with open windows comes nightly chills. Bring blankets! With the drive-in resurgence comes nostalgia for the experience. You can find many vintage paper collectibles that were handed out at drive-ins. Or look for the modern-looking vintage speakers —both restored and unrestored. New speakers are being made today from the original molds.
Working Cascade projected sound drive-in movie speaker, $45.
Photo: Ebay.com, detroit_diecast_llc
Restored Silver Simplex drive-in movie speaker junction box with blue dome, 1950s, $98.
Photo: DetroitDiecast.com
Vintage matchbook cover, StarLite Drive In Theatre, Rapid City, S.D., unused, $5.
Photo: Ebay.com, jwil72556
Menu, “131” Drive-In Theatre, U.S. 131 in Plainwell, Michigan, $19.99.
Photo: Ebay.com, austins-attic