Final answer:
By the 1980s, the diversification of leisure activities, the convenience of television, and the changing suburban lifestyle had decreased the proportion of American recreation dollars spent at the movies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Decline in Movie Attendance
By the 1980s, the American entertainment scene had changed drastically from the early to mid 20th century when movies were a dominant form of entertainment. In the 1920s, movie palaces emerged, and with affordable prices, became a popular escape for Americans. The Great Depression and World War II saw movies as a form of diversion and information, reaching all-time high attendances by 1945. However, post-World War II prosperity led to an explosion in material culture, with families investing in home appliances, cars, and the rapidly growing medium of television. By the 1960s, entertainment options diversified and included sports, television, and reading, driven by a thriving paperback market and popular magazines. With more leisure options and the rise of television's convenience and accessibility, movie attendance inevitably declined. Hollywood tried to counter this with new technology like CinemaScope and capturing teen audiences with horror films and music idols, but these were only temporary measures against the tide of changing leisure preferences.
The diversification of leisure activities, the convenience of television, and the suburban lifestyle played significant roles in the decline of movie attendance. Owning various labor-saving devices also freed up time, allowing Americans to invest in active sports and passive activities like reading.