Summer Quartet Drive-In

Will Dunklin on February 18, 2005 at 5:58 pm

Legend has it that this was one of MALCO’s greatest business coups. The land – then at the far east side of Memphis – was purchased at a reasonable price. Supposedly, MALCO then sold off about half the property to the government as a highway right-of-way making enough profit to pay off the original debt and pay for the entire construction of the huge drive in. Basically they got it for free. That may be why the Summer is still operating.

Originally one screen, then two screens and now four, the sound system is now radio rather than the ever troublesome speakers-on-standards. Seeing all thos projection beams blazing from the centrally located concession building can still bring a smile.

The entrance drive winds into the lot between colorful neon (?) light fixtures straight out of “The Jetsons.” The projection/concession house is fairly unremarkable, but always a line to get more popcorn.