Back to the drive-in

By Josh Eiserike

Published: June 19, 2008

Go back to the 1980s—and earlier—on Friday. Potomac Mills will hold a free drive-in screening of the classic '80s flick "E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial" at their "Movies Under The Stars" event. Of course, during "E.T.'s" original theatrical run in 1982, most drive-ins were ancient history, including Woodbridge's own Sunset Drive-In.

This event will certainly induce nostalgia for those who remember drive-in theaters as well as those who love Steven Spielberg's classic. Potomac Mills director of mall marketing Caroline Barry Green selected the movie.

"I thought it would be kind of fun to see something folks hadn't seen on the big screen in a while," Barry Green said.

"Movies Under The Stars" is a promotion from Simon Property Group, the company that owns Potomac Mills. The company did a similar event last year in Richmond and Harrison-burg.

"They had a huge turn out and people just raved about it," Barry Green said. "As soon as I heard about the event last year I said we would love to do it at Potomac Mills Mall."

There is a 40-foot high screen, seating area for lawn chairs and room behind it for about 420 cars, to park in a staggered fashion. The sound will be playing on speakers and also on a radio frequency for the cars. It may not replicate Walt and Jean Peterman's experiences at the old Woodbridge drive-in movie theater, but it may come close.

The couple used to take their children in their '65 Buick to the Sunset Drive-In, located just off U.S. 1 in Woodbridge. They moved to the area in 1963.

"The remains of that facility wasn't torn down for several years," said Walt Peterman, 79, who is retired from the Navy. Peterman also has fond memories of growing up in Ohio going to watch cowboy and Indian serials at drive-in movies.

"It was pretty cool to be able to sit in your cars," Peterman said. "Of course when we were stationed in Guam we had open-air movies."

Peterman also recalls the sound boxes outside of the cars in Woodbridge where patrons could adjust the sound.

"You just sat (the car) flat on the ground and hoped no one parked in front of you," Peterman said.

He doesn't remember how much it cost. In Ohio he thinks it was free, maybe 25 or 50 cents a car in Woodbridge.

"You're sitting in the comfort of your own car, relaxed," Peterman said. "The actual drive-in movies, they had drinks, Cokes you could buy, but you could also carry your own."

According to Donald Wilson, of the Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center for Genealogy and Local History at the Prince William Public Library System, the drive-in was listed in Woodbridge city directories from 1965 to 1967.

Staff writer Josh Eiserike can be reached at 703-878-8072.

WANT TO GO?

What's up: Movies Under The Stars at Potomac Mills

When: Friday, 6:30 p.m. (first 100 guests receive free Reese's Pieces) to 9 p.m. games; 9 p.m. "E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial"

Where: Potomac Mills Mall, 2700 Potomac Mills Circle, Prince William (Movie will be shown in the parking lot between Marshall's/Homegoods and Costco).

Contact: 703-496-9355

Tickets: Free