Stardust Drive-In Theatre Grand Rapids MI - WaterWinterWonderland.com

Info Updates:

5/1/2017 - Don Wenger

I grew up about 1/8 mile away from the Stardust. I was told my uncle was a manager at one time. He left when the x-rated started. My father took Mom, sis, and I there to see a movie called blood feast. We were way too young and had to COVER YOUR EYES! many times during that show. The story line involved a caterer that served wonderful meats until it was discovered the meat was human! In the end chase he jumped into the back of a garbage truck to escape but the truck went into squish mode. The End. About 2015 I found that movie on disc and sent it to my parents in Florida. What a hoot. As I recall that yellow pole was erected at an angle away from the back of the screen because the screen was close to falling forward. A cable was supposed to go from the corners of the screen to that big knob on top of the pole. The stardust closed and the cable never was put up. The screen fell and the property was used for the Kent County Expo fair in the early '70's. That's about all I heard or knew of the Stardust.

12/21/2008 - John Whitman

It was spring of 1962, just returned from the military, a friend and I decided to take in a movie. In the process of watching the film there was little to no sound. I being in electronics approached the operator of the theatre to see if he would like me to investigate what the problem was...in a short time I had repaired the sound system..I was then invited to join the staff and ended up as a partner and projectionist. The drive in was renamed the Stardust drive in..the movies were 2nd run and of family fare for the remainder of the year...In the spring of 1963 to drawn more attention to the theatre a large crane boom was installed in fromt of the drive in to be used as a large sign..it was painted yellow. During the spring of 1963 we ,to be competitive booked live concerts during intermission.. the first was that of Bobby Vee..it helped business but not that much.. It was then decided to begin running "x" rated movies...business improved tremendously however neighborhood complaints( people living adjacent to the theatre could see the screen) prompted city and county officials to investigate..this situation caused me to withdraw from the business the fall of that year..I moved on to another location. The screen tower was large and was constructed of wood with living quarters on the front side. I believe the theatre operated for several years after until it closed in the mid 70's.. The original operator of the Stardust Drive-In still in the business and is in Las Vegas at age 83..

1/6/2003 - WaterWinterWonderland

Nothing remains, lot is now a RV dealer.

HomeDrive-In TheatersStardust Drive-In Theatre - Grand Rapids, MI

Stardust Drive-In Theatre - Grand Rapids MI