Flashback Photos: The golden days of Atlanta's drive-in theaters

Flashback Photos

Flashback Photos: The golden days of Atlanta's drive-in theaters

Visit some of metro Atlanta's coolest drive-in movie theaters back when the concession stands were packed, the headlights were off and the giant screens were flickering on hot summer nights.

When it opened in June 1949, Atlanta's Starlight Drive-In had a 900-car capacity and was hailed as the city's premier new outdoor theater. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1988 -- Starlight Drive-In manager Ron Bacon and his wife, Marilyn, pose next to the theater's marquee. ANDY SHARP / AJC FILE

1955 -- The South Expressway Drive-In was Clayton County's first theater of the kind. It opened in 1955 and was closed by 1985. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1955 -- Located along Frontage Road, which runs parallel to what is now I-75, the South Expressway's huge marquee was visible to drivers for miles -- even after the interstate came along. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1955 -- A look inside the South Expressway's snack bar. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1955 -- The South Expressway's original single screen, which was damaged by high winds in 1961, was part of the theater's initial setup. In the '70s, the South Expressway added a second screen. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1955 -- The South Expressway's dual box office setup. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1955 -- The huge screen as seen from the South Expressway's concession stand and projection room. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1951 -- The Piedmont Drive-In's neon sign at night. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1951 -- The walk-in entrance for the Piedmont Drive-In Theatre. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1951 -- An outside night view of the concession stand at the Piedmont Drive-In on Piedmont Road. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1951 -- A playground for children was part of the Piedmont Drive-In's setup. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1951 -- Piedmont Road runs alongside its namesake drive-in theater. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1951 -- The sidewalk outside the Piedmont Drive-In Theatre and the screen present quite a contrast to the spacious Starlight. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1951 -- Another view of the Piedmont Drive-In's marquees at night. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1951 -- Workers at the Peachtree Drive-In Theatre's concession stand do a brisk business. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1951 -- Cars parked at one of the movie theater screen lots at the Peachtree Drive-In Theatre. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1951 -- Children enjoy the train amusement ride at the Peachtree Drive-In. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1958 -- The entrance to the Roosevelt Drive-In, just south of downtown College Park, along U.S. 29 (Roosevelt Highway). The Roosevelt opened in September 1950.

1958 -- The car lot and screen at the Roosevelt Drive-In. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1958 -- The entrance to the Roosevelt Drive-In Theater off U.S. 29 in College Park was beautifully landscaped. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1958 -- Back row parking at the Roosevelt Drive-In Theater in College Park. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1949 -- This photo was taken prior to the old Dixie Drive-In, on what is now Metropolitan Parkway (formerly Stewart Avenue) in southeast Atlanta, reopening as the Stewart Drive-In. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1956 -- The Stewart Drive-In ticket booth. Cleveland Avenue and the Stewart Avenue (later Emma Hutchinson) School are visible in the background. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1956 -- The old Dixie Drive-In marquee with its newly-added "Stewart" neon, marking the name change to the Stewart Drive-In. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1957 -- The Bolton Theatre marquee (middle right) stands out along Marietta Boulevard. TRACY O'NEAL PHOTOS / GSU

1955 -- The Glenwood Drive-In marquee at night. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1955 -- Patrons gather inside the Glenwood Drive-In Theatre snack bar. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1955 -- A crowd of hungry moviegoers waits in line for concessions at the Glenwood Drive-In. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1955 -- The Bankhead Drive-In's screen, showing the attached ticket booth. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1955 -- The screen at the Bankhead Drive-In Theater. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

1932 -- Original caption: "Even the Great Depression didn't prevent Atlantans from indulging in an occasional drive-in movie. Most establishments of the era were home-designed. One of them, the White Barn Theater, was entered through the driveway of a home at Peachtree and 14th streets." AJC FILE

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When it opened in June 1949, Atlanta's Starlight Drive-In had a 900-car capacity and was hailed as the city's premier new outdoor theater. LANE BROS. PHOTOGRAPHS / GSU

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