I just wanted to add a quick note to make sure you get a chance to read Ron Marzlock’s little Queens Chronicle history of the Sunrise “open-air automobile movie theater” in Valley Stream NY, near Queens. There are a lot of fun details and a old-time photo of the first drive-in in New York State and the 15th in the United States.

The Sunrise opened in 1938 and closed in 1978, soon replaced by the Sunrise Multiplex Cinemas. The detail I hadn’t heard of before was that “some teens fell asleep with the engine running and fumes leaking into their cars, killing them.” Yow, I won’t be able to listen to Wake Up Little Susie the same way again! Anyway, I’m not even going to bother with a photo here, you should simply go read it!

As we edge closer to the 80th anniversary of the drive-in this Thursday, I wanted to be sure to mention the fine article published last week at Syracuse.com. It provides a great roundup of the nine remaining drive-ins in central New York, complete with links, street addresses, and a map that shows where to find them all. I wish more drive-in articles looked like this one.

Anyway, another focus for the article was Going Attractions, the new documentary about the history and current state of drive-ins. On June 7, the first day of the 81st year of drive-ins, director April Wright will be at the Midway Drive-In (Minetto), which plans to show it as part of a triple feature.

As Syracuse.com author Geoff Herbert put it, part of the appeal of the drive-in is that “there’s a lot more comfort inside your own car than in a crowded movie theater. People talking and texting (or making out in the aisle behind you) aren’t nearly as distracting with the windows rolled up and ample space between strangers, plus there’s no need to get out of your seat when someone else has to go to the bathroom or concession stand.” I think he gets it! So head over to Syracuse.com and read it!