An evening at the drive-in
Antique cars and old farm machinery dot the landscape of an abandoned drive-in theater outside of Galesburg, Illinois. (Photo: Joseph L. Murphy)
After working with several farmers in Illinois, I stumbled upon an old drive-in theater on the outskirts of Galesburg, Illinois. The now-defunct drive-in was part political advertisement and part junkyard. I couldn’t help but wonder what it was like in its heyday.
Once upon a time, drive-in movies were a staple of American culture. Families would pile into their cars and head to the local drive-in to watch the latest blockbuster on the big screen. But over time, the popularity of drive-in movies began to wane.
As more and more people began to own their own homes and televisions, the appeal of drive-in movies began to fade. People could now watch movies from the comfort of their homes without leaving their cars.
The screen for the old drive-in theater is still standing, but that’s about it. (Photo: Joseph L. Murphy)
The rise of multiscreen cinemas also contributed to the demise of drive-in movies. Multiplex cinemas offered a wider variety of movies and more comfortable seating, making them a more attractive option for moviegoers.
Despite these challenges, some drive-in movie theaters managed to survive. They adapted to the changing times, offering new amenities like expanded snack bars and playgrounds to attract families.
The old drive-in is part junkyard, part political advertisement. (Photo: Joseph L. Murphy)
Only a handful of drive-in movie theaters remain in the United States today. They are cherished by those who remember drive-in movies’ heyday but also serve as a reminder of a bygone era.
As the sun sets on the last remaining drive-in movie theaters, we can only remember the magic of those summer nights spent under the stars, watching movies from the comfort of our cars.
For more than two decades, Joseph L. Murphy has had the pleasure of meeting and connecting with people from all walks of life through photography. He has photographed presidents and heads of state, traversed the winding alleyways of the Fes Medina in Morocco, photographed the sprawling countryside and people that make up Argentina and covered events that have defined the U.S. Most recently, Murphy’s travels have taken him to Cambodia, Mexico, China, Vietnam and Ecuador.
He has spent the past 20 years specializing in agriculture photography for multiple organizations, publications and marketing projects.
A graduate of the University of Iowa, Murphy determined at an early age that his love of photography would shape his vision for life.