Downtown Outdoor Theater {Batman!}

There isn't a whole lot to do in this town, it's been that way since I can remember. Yes we have a movie theater, skating rink, bowling alley, etc. However, nothing much ever seems to be happening.  Back in the spring that began to change.

One of the local restaurants set up a movie screen in their parking lot and put on a show for their patrons. They played Gone With the Wind and cars lined up to enjoy this 'new' drive-in theater. After that other establishments caught the outdoor theater bug and it spread across town.  Unfortunately I was not in attendance of these events. So, when I heard that the caped crusader was coming, we made our plans this time around.

Tonight Edith and I, lawn chairs in tow,  headed downtown to check out the showing of the 1966 big screen release of "Batman." This is the campy movie that launched the Batman TV series. It was fun watching it with folks from around the community. Truth is, it was something to do, and something to do is hard to find around here!

The guys that put this little spectacle on call themselves Little Dog Cinema and they have one of these cool outdoor theater setups. They played some locally produced indie films and promos to warm up the crowd then the feature played at 8pm. Batman lit up the silver screen once again!

Tonight was one of those rare cool summer days in South Mississippi but it made for the perfect evening downtown. A nice breeze wafted down the streets as the smell of fresh popcorn hung on the wind. Even the passing train couldn't dampen the mood as townsfolk watched Batman & Robin save the day. When it was over there was huge applause and you could tell everyone welcomed the new idea.

The city had roped off Front Street and that is where everyone collected. Lawn chairs scattered down the sloping hill with the inflated screen at the end of the street. You couldn't ask for a better setting surrounded by a pizza place, bar & even a comic book store. People parked wherever and walked to set up in front of the screen. The whole thing had a subdued festival feel.  And best of all it was FREE!


The local JC's sold popcorn and businesses offered specials. There was a raffle and I'm sure some of the proceeds helped pay for the event. Proof that a good idea and some social advertising can generate a great time for everyone without spending your mortgage on tickets. And the businesses enjoyed a slew of walk-in traffic. Just what our town needed.

Here's hoping the Little Dog returns soon to our cozy downtown and he brings a library of movies! I for one will be sitting pretty on the center line of front street, popcorn in hand and my sweet wife by my side. I hope to see you there too! As they say down here, "It ain't nuthin' but a thang!"