Apache closes down with one last party

GlobeDoNotEnterThis was expected for months, but it’s still sad. The Apache Drive-In, (Globe AZ) which had survived so many drive-in downturns, could not survive the shift to digital projection. It held its going-away party last weekend, as documented by public radio station KJZZ.

You can also see a video report from KSAZ, Phoenix’s news leader, about the Apache’s final celebration, but KSAZ uses Worldnow video, which I can’t embed here.

Stina Sieg of KJZZ provided a magnificent time capsule of the evening’s event, including a slideshow, a link to the audio report, and a well-edited transcript of that report, which mentioned an ironic touch. “Tonight’s movie was supposed to be that Charles Grodin/Robert De Niro flick, ‘Midnight Run,’” Sieg said. “It was partially filmed in Globe. However, 35 millimeter prints of it simply don’t exist anymore.”

Now the lights are out for good. Today that Do Not Enter photo I took in April of the Apache’s one-way exit applies to the entrance as well.

Update: On the Friday before that last party, NPR also ran a story and interview about the closing of the Apache. You can listen to it or read its transcript here.

New drive-in coming to New Braunfels TX

SS_FacebookThere’s a great story in Texas that’s getting even better. Ryan Smith and his family built the Stars & Stripes Drive-In Theatre (Lubbock) in 2003, and now they’re going to build the second Stars & Stripes in New Braunfels, a fun town between Austin and San Antonio on I-35.

According to its press release, “Stars & Stripes Drive-In Theatre will show digital first-run double-features nightly and be open year-round. Two of the screen towers will measure over 90 feet wide and be the largest movie screens in Texas. Located on 30 acres close to the intersection of FM 1101 and Kroesche Lane, about one mile from Freiheit Country Store and 9-pin bowling club, it will be the only drive-in theatre within a 150-mile radius of New Braunfels.” I think the Blue Starlite in Austin would dispute that last claim.

The Herald-Zeitung (what a great name!) of New Braunfels ran a great, lengthy story Sunday about the announcement and a general walk through the memories of drive-ins past. New Braunfels was once home to the Tower, a 250-car theater that opened in 1950. The Tower’s chunk of land was later converted to a Kroger grocery store, then refurbished with local economic development money into the headquarters of The Scooter Store, which filed for bankruptcy after an FBI raid this year. But I digress.

From the description of the new Stars & Stripes site, it’ll be less than a mile from I-35 at the Kohlenberg Road exit northeast of New Braunfels. “It’s a beautiful and convenient location, plus you can see the stars out there,” said Smith. The press release continued, “Families and friends will enjoy watching bright digital projection from inside the comfort of their own car or outside in lawn chairs. Because the drive-in theatre has always been more than just a movie going experience, Stars & Stripes will serve Rockin’ Eats from their 50’s Cafe, and guests can enjoy the patio and playground areas.” Sounds like fun!

Drive-in author tells USA Today his top ten

Mesa Drive-In marquee with photo creditAt one level, I look at USA Today’s story, posted late last night, as pure link bait. Any top ten list is designed to pull in visitors from all over just because its title is intriguing and its slide show is eye candy. On the other hand, they used my photo! So now I can change that line on my resume to “Award-winning photographer featured in USA Today.”

Where was I? Oh yes, the article. Well-known drive-in historian Don Sanders gave USA Today’s Larry Bleiberg his top ten favorite drive-in theaters. I don’t know if they were the top ten active drive-ins, or whether it just happens that Sanders’ favorites all happen to still be alive. There are notes and photos for each, so you really should go read it! But here is a quick summary: