Paul Calle (1928 - 2010) and Chris Calle (B. 1961) "1950s - Drive-In Movies" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 33c Drive-In Movies stamp issued May 26, 1999. With the advent of television in the 1950s, Hollywood was forced to create new ways to make movie-going interesting and exciting. Thus, the 1950s became the decade of the drive-in movie, where Americans could watch their favorite films in the comfort and privacy of their own cars. As soon as the sun set, all makes and models of automobiles lined up side-by-side in long rows to view the latest feature film on huge outdoor screens. Cars parked beside posts with removable speakers that drivers could hang from their car windows. Dating couples and entire families enjoyed this novel and entertaining way to watch movies. Since cars in the 1950s were big and roomy and comfortable, drive-in viewers could relax and not have to endure the sometimes disturbing interruptions of fellow movie goers that occurred at indoor theaters. The 1950s brought the American public a wide variety of films, from science fiction tales like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) and Forbidden Planet (1956), to delightful musicals like Singin' in the Rain (1952) and Brigadoon (1954). Alfred Hitchcock's masterful suspense thrillers kept audiences on the edges of their seats, while outrageous comedies like the "Road" movies, starring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, gave viewers lots of laughs. Image Size: 16 x 11 in. Overall Size: 23 x 16 in. Unframed. (B16398 / B16399)