The drive-in movie theater, which is enjoying a resurgence amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, did not originate in Los Angeles.
That honor goes to Camden, New Jersey, where the world’s first opened June 6, 1933 — the patented brainchild of Richard Hollingshead, son of an auto parts dealer.
But L.A. was quick to pick up on the trend, and on Sept. 9, 1934, what was originally known simply as "Drive-In Theatre" (it was renamed Pico Drive-In Theatre in 1943) opened its gates at the corner of Pico and Westwood boulevards, where a bean field previously stood and where the Westside Pavilion shopping mall now stands.
Designed by architect Clifford Balch (who created several landmark theaters including the El Rey), it was the country’s fourth such.
Read more on hollywoodreporter.com