A blast from the past

By XPISTOS EKIMOGLOY/Staff Writer

LEWISBURG - In today's world, finding quality entertainment for the whole family can be either difficult or expensive. Gary and June Douglas of Marshall County believe they have an answer for that problem.

On a normal weekend night, a row of cars can be seen lining the side of Fayetteville Highway in Lewisburg waiting for tickets to go on sale at the Hi-Way 50 Drive-in.

In their ninth year of drive-in ownership, the Douglases enjoy providing a service to families.

"Ambiance," June said. "It is just a different feeling. People back their trucks up here and sit in the back with lawn chairs or bring blankets and sit on the ground. It's just a different feeling than it is to go to a walk-in theater."

While waiting for a movie to begin, children are able to play in front of the movie screen. Frisbee, football or tag will usually be seen twenty or so minutes before the show.

"It's a completely different thing from a walk-in," she said. "You go to a walk in, and kids have to be quiet; they can't have a good time."

Walk-in movie theaters are plentiful in Tennessee, but finding a drive-in may be a little more difficult. At present, there are only 14 drive-in movie theaters operating in the state, June said.

The Lewisburg drive-in charges a smaller fee compared to many walk-in theaters: $5 for adults, $2 for children 6-12 years of age and children under 6 are free. The price of admission buys customers two first-run movies, giving them more bang for the buck.

"We could probably charge a lot more, but we enjoy having people bring their families out and enjoy their time together," June said. "We've raised five kids, so we know what its like."

Since the drive-in is only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, the ability to get first-run movies can sometimes be difficult.

"A lot of the film companies won't turn (movies) loose to run three days a week. They want them to run seven days a week. We may have to wait two, three or four weeks on them."

The Douglas' have molded their business to appeal to the special needs of families.

"We are providing entertainment to families at a price that they can afford," June said. "Our motto is 'yesterday's fun at yesterday's prices.'"

Lewisburg resident Philip Bennet said that atmosphere is what brings him to the Lewisburg drive-in is food prices. The Douglases offer the usual cinema fare along with pizza, hamburgers and chicken strips at reasonable prices.

"It's something you can bring the family to," Bennet said. "The food is reasonable and good. Just because you go to the movies, they don't try to gouge you price-wise."

One of the oldest drive-in theaters in Tennessee, Hi-Way 50 was built in 1946. Some of the folks who come to the drive-in have been doing so since they were children.

"We used to come here when I was small," Philip's wife Rhonda Bennet said. "It's good because the kids can burn off energy between movies."

Although there are concessions available for patrons, people are welcomed to bring their own meals if they like. It is not uncommon to see people with coolers or bags from local fast-food restaurants. Shana Conner of Lewisburg is a good example of this

"You can enjoy a movie and the outdoors at the same time ... and bring your own food," Conner said.

Jason Petty of Lewisburg also appreciates the fact that his son Ethan, 2 1/2, isn't confined to a seat during the movie.

"You go to the theater, and you'll spend $20-$25 to get in," Petty said. "Then there is popcorn and drinks."

The only thing you won't see at the Hi-Way 50 drive-in is the old window speakers. The speakers were removed this year in lieu of a new digital FM sound broadcast from the projection room.

"We have upgraded it twice," June said. "It was AM when we took it over and then we went to FM, and last year we went to FM digital stereo sound."

"We kept speakers for a while, but you can't keep them," she said. "People tear' em up and drive off with them, so it's a mess."

For June and Gary's children, sometimes being a family-focused business can be a problem.

"Our kids, if they see a crowd, they say 'We know not to go to the movies when there is a good movie on' because they always end up working."

Although June says you will never see a movie at the drive-in that is currently on video, that does mean you won't see the drive-in in a video.

The Hi-Way 50 drive-in has been featured in three music videos, June said. The most notable of these is "Pickup Man," by Country Music Singer Joe Diffie.

"They called and said they want a real drive-in for the video, so I told them come on down," June said.

The glowing neon box office opens for business Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. They also have a Web site with a guest book, their menu, directions and coming attractions at www.hiway50drivein.com.

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Xpistos Ekimogloy may be contacted at xekimogloy@columbiadailyherald.com or (931) 388-6464 ext. 3021.