News Flash

COOKEVILLE – Friday nights in July are flickering to life with free movies at the Cookeville Depot Museum.

Summer Cinema at the Depot starts July 5 at 8 p.m. at 116 W. Broad St. with 1993’s “The Sandlot,” the coming-of-age comedy of a group of young baseball players during the summer of 1962 who attempt to retrieve a baseball from a junkyard dog supposedly so large and savage it has become a neighborhood legend.

“This highly anticipated classic movie series is attended by several hundred people each year,” Beth Thompson, Cookeville museums manager, said. “Families love to stretch out on a blanket or sit in their lawn chairs and munch popcorn and sip cold drinks while enjoying a free classic movie they probably haven’t seen in years.”

Each night has a different theme – Big Kids’ Night, Date Night, Christmas in July and Superhero Cinema.

“For Big Kids’ Night, we try to select a hit (“The Sandlot”) that appeals to the big kids among us,” Thompson said.

Date Night typically features a classic romantic comedy from the 1940s or 1950s. On July 12, it’ll be a double feature – 1950’s “Father of the Bride” and 1951’s “Father’s Little Dividend.”

Christmas in July will be celebrated July 19 with 1964’s “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.”

“These old, unintentionally hilarious sci-fi films have become a mainstay of the Summer Cinema lineup,” Thompson said. “They’re definitely a crowd favorite.”

The series wraps up July 26 with Superhero Cinema, featuring Fleischer’s “Superman” cartoons from the 1940s.

What attracts people to movies at the depot?

“It’s that wonderful nostalgic feeling of being outside under the stars while watching a favorite film – similar to the feel of a drive-in theater,” Thompson said.

Popcorn and drinks will be available for $1 each.

For more information about summer movies at the Cookeville Depot Museum, call 931-528-8570.