Well Fed On the Town

The first drive-in theater, the brain child of Richard Milton Hollingshead, Jr, opened its parking lot and projected its first movie in June, 1933. Lucky for us, New Jersey is not the only state that strategically placed these entertainment centers. Believe it or not, there are a good many drive-in theaters still in operation today – 75 years later.

The Starlight Six, located near East Atlanta, draws patrons from all walks of life. Open is 7 nights per week, Starlight opens its gates 364 days a year! Cheaper than going to the theater, movies are current and the cost is $7 for each adult, $1 for each child 3 to 9 years old, and free for little ones under the age of two. While it is up with the times with technology, Starlight accepts cash only upon entry. There is an ATM available, but it’s in the snack bar area. How will you hear the movie? All that is needed is a functioning car radio, as the attendants will tell you which frequency to turn on.
Only having been there one time years ago, I went again this week with a friend and his two young children. The weather was beautiful, as the wind from an incoming storm cooled the summer evening heat. With the windows down, the radio tuned to 102.1 FM, and the booster seats moved to the middle of the back seat, all was chill. The kids were so well behaved! When the movie munchies got the better of my companion, his trip to the snack bar doubled as a bathroom break for his son, while I brought his daughter thereafter. I am not a huge fan of “carnival”/movie eats, but he came back with nachos, corn dogs, popcorn, and slush puppies, all of which were cobbled up by the three of them, as they shifted seating arrangements to the hood of the car. I was able to see then full variety of food choices when I brought the female wee one to the restroom. (I couldn’t help but laugh when arrows on the wall pointed to the “Dames” and “Fellas” room.) In addition to what was brought back to the car earlier, I saw sodas, ice cream, giant pretzels, and candies like Twizzlers, Lemonheads, and Snickers neatly displayed and available for purchase. I decided to buy a pretzel (minus the salt) and a small diet coke. It only cost me $3.50, which I though was cheap compare to what I spend in a theater.

Now that it is summer, it is only natural to want to get out and do things. Down here, the heat often interferes with good intentions. An outing that includes the Starlight Six is a great alternative to movies as we know it, which are often too cold and awfully loud, for a reasonable cost. What better way to spend an evening with friends and/or loved ones than under the stars watching a good movie?
If you enjoy outdoor movie outings, Atlanta’s Screen on the Green is another fun way to get out and watch older movies.

Starlight Six Drive-In, 2000 Moreland Avenue, SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 - 404.627.5786