photo by Michael Dougherty

There’s a fun, long blog entry in the Saporta Report about a group of drive-in enthusiasts in Atlanta. Last week, a group calling themselves Drive Invaders “gathered to watch ‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation’ at the Starlight Six Drive-In, the last outdoor movie theater in metro Atlanta. Instead of a playground, (ringleader Suellen) Germani and her grown-up movie companions each paid $7 to tailgate in the rain and watch the movie through wet windshields.”

The article explains in lengthy detail the beginnings of the group, including early missteps. “For the first two years we met year round and that was really stupid because it’s really cold in February,” Germani said.

For over a decade, this little band has made it a point to patronize the Starlight Six, partly with the goal of keeping it alive. The article is a lot more fun than I’ve made it sound, so I’ll stop typing so you can just go read it.

The Film Screen Rejects site devoted a recent installment of its Movie House of Worship series on the Starlight Six Drive-In (Atlanta GA). The article presented a thorough rundown of all elements of the Starlight Six, including its history, a few nice old photos, and some personal memories.

“I used to go to the drive-in all the time as a kid,” wrote Christopher Campbell. “My first movie experience was as an infant during the summer of 1977, when my family went to see Star Wars. So, this kind of cinema is very special to me. … Now that I have an infant son, it’s also a great way to get to the movies with my wife … Last night, the kid had his first movie experience. Now, for all his life, Looper will be his Star Wars.”

Campbell writes that the Starlight Six allows patrons to bring their own food, then encourages them to buy from the refreshment stand. That’s the American Way, let that great concession stand food stand or fall on its own quality and price. But when you go to a drive-in, be sure to buy at least a big popcorn and a soda. That’s how to make sure the drive-in stays in business.