Rain's Thursday Art Date: the big screen

It's Thursday and that means we're meeting at Rain's for her Thursday Art Date.  This week, the theme is The Big Screen.

I researched drive-ins before I created this entry that went in my Summertime journal.

The first drive-in was located in New Jersey (USA) when Richard Hollingshead patented the concept and built the first drive-in in 1933.  Drive-ins were a new concept and only 95 were built in the U.S.A. from 1933-1942.  Then the war took its toll on drive-ins.  This was caused by fuel rations, no rubber for tires, and most families were involved in the war effort.  Some drive-ins closed for as many as two years during that time.

Once the war was over, drive-ins became a thriving business again.  The drive-in boom was now truly under way. Going from less than 1,000 drive-ins in 1948 to close to 5,000 by 1958, the drive-in etched it's place in history, not just in the U.S.A. but in many countries across the world.  During the same years (1948 to 1958) over 5,000 indoor theaters closed reducing their number from 17,000 to 12,000.

Young children needed to be entertained, so many drive-ins added a playground in the empty space between the first row and the screen.  

Parents would arrive early so their children could play there.  

Oftentimes, entire families and friends piled into a single car and each car paid for and received only one ticket, regardless of the number of people in the car.

Before the movies began, a trip to the concession stand was in order.   To increase sales, intermission between movies was invented so people could stock up on assorted food and drink.

From what I've read, this was a favorite spot to spend a summer night under the stars watching the stars: by that I mean the on-screen stars.  That is, until urbanization took over and pushed drive-in owners to sell their large plots of land that could be used for no more than four months each summer.  Bleubeard wants to know when I'm going to take him to a drive-in so he can see stars, too.

Speaking of stars,

Marilyn Monroe was one haunted and misunderstood woman.  She was a tortured soul, often used by others, became a sex symbol, used and confused sex for love, and often felt uncared for, even by those who gave her unquestioning love.

I have very little to contribute this week.  I'm sure others will have more to offer.  I look forward to seeing how each of the participants handle this theme.  All three art journal entries created by me.  Bleubeard is looking for Felix the Cat or other stars.

Thank you so very much for stopping by today.  I am truly grateful to you, my friends, followers, readers, and lurkers for visiting.  Please also join me at Rain's Thursday Art Date.