Autumn Years Winter 2023/24

Drive-in Theaters

Remember The Everly Brothers’ hit, “Wake Up Little Susie,” about a teen couple falling asleep at the drive-in theater? Did you know New Jersey was home to the first patented drive-in theater (opened in 1933)? In Bergen County, there have been five of these iconic theaters.

In 1951, Rutherford’s 1,300-car Route 3 Drive-In opened. Plagued by swarms of mosquitoes from the Mead owlands, the theater management sold insect repellent that guests would burn (like a smoldering candle). It filled cars

T he first drive-in opened in 1947 in Paramus on Route 4 (west of the future Garden State Plaza).

Since it was the only one in the area, it was simply called “ Drive-In Theater ” (the real name was Paramus Drive-In Theater) . It claimed to have the “world’s largest screen” (65 by 70 feet) and room for over 600 cars. It was the county’s longest-lasting drive-in, closing in 1987.

Paramus Drive-In Theater postcard.

50 AUTUMN YEARS I WINTER 2023/24