Drive-in theaters provide nostalgic family fun

By MARGARET HOBBS / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

A bit of nostalgia is returning to the Middle Tennessee area as drive-in movies are making a comeback. Many of those in their 40s and 50s and up have many fond memories of drive-in theaters.

A visit to Stardust Drive-In Theatre in Watertown proved to be a delightful experience, one enjoyed by the entire family. In fact, as you wander around the area before the start of the feature, you see many families. Many are in pickup trucks, backed in the space with folding chairs in the bed for better viewing. Vans or SUVs with their back doors raised also makes for good seating. Some people opt for the more traditional method of sitting in their car and watching the movie.

Immediately after arriving, you notice the festive atmosphere as people are setting up, visiting with their neighbor and getting settled in with snacks.

The menu at the Stardust was exceptional with a huge variety. Hamburgers, chicken sandwich, Philly steak and cheese sandwich, pizza, hot dogs, corn dogs, fries, pretzels. Nachos and cheese and, of course, popcorn and soft drinks and just a few of the things offered to movie-goers. Of course, they ask that you not bring food or drinks from the outside into the drive-in, hoping your will partake of theirs.

A big improvement in today’s drive-in is the wonderful sound system. Gone are the days where you picked up a speaker and hooked it on your car window and sometimes strained to hear the details of the movie. Today the sound is broadcast in FM stereo in Dolby SR on your car radio, making the experience even better.

Drive-in theaters reached an all time peak in 1958 with almost 5,000 facilities nationwide. Today there are less than 500 in the entire United States. Tennessee does have their share with 16 documented on the www.drive-ins.com website.

Along with the Stardust in Watertown, others within driving distance include, Dunlap Drive-In, Montana Drive-In in Estill Springs, Sparta Drive-In, Valley Drive-In in Waverly, Hi-Way 50 Drive-In in Lewisburg and Broadway Drive-In in Dickson.

PHOTOS INFO:
CENTER: Hermitage resident Lucette Jones holds granddaughter Taylor Denning as grandson Tyler Denning and daughter Shelby Crouch enjoy sweets before the movie. Jones attended the drive-in as a child and shares the drive-in experience with her grandchildren and daughter.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Customers arrive early at the Stardust Drive-In to take part in the pre-movie preparations. Technically the feature starts at dusk, but movie-goers come early to get set up, purchase snacks and visit friends.

BOTTOM LEFT: Casey Armstrong, at left, and friend Audrey Spivey, Murfreesboro teenagers, are regulars at the drive-in theater. The twosome take the extra seat from their vehicle, take cover under an umbrella and enjoy the movie feature.

(Seth Wright and Margaret Hobbs photos)