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SD drive-in picks up first-run movies

Posted on May 12, 2013 by mrdrivein · Leave a comment

The Daily Republic of Mitchell SD recently gave us a brief glimpse of the Starlite Drive-In there. While a lot of theaters are worrying about switching to digital projection, the Starlite is looking forward to a different kind of upgrade – first-run movies.

“This will give moviegoers a chance to see new movies immediately,” said a news release from Logan Luxury Theatres, which owns the Starlite.

Some of the other improvements sound like fun. According to The Daily Republic, “The Starlite is working with Mitchell Technical Institute chef instructor Josh Kranz to add new, unique items to the snack bar menu.” They’re also rebuilding the 18-hole mini-golf course. Between that and the playground, the Starlite is giving me lots of reasons to arrive early. Check out its Facebook page for more photos of what it’s got to offer.

Sunset Drive-In (PA) opens May 17

Posted on May 11, 2013 by mrdrivein · Leave a comment

Thanks to the Erie Times-News and GoErie.com, we’ve got this fun, silly bit of video about the Sunset Drive-In of Waterford PA. And there’s even a story about the Sunset that doesn’t just rewrite the dialogue from the video, so you still need to go read it.

Sunset owners Dennis and Margaret Koper have purchased and installed the new digital projection equipment, and now they’re trying to figure it all out in time for the season opener May 17. As with all the other drive-ins that have sprung for this expense, it’s a sign that they’re in it for the long haul. The article said that Dennis “expects a 15-year return on his digital investment.”

Dennis said it was this or retirement, and he jokingly blames his wife for deciding to keep running the drive-in. Now about that new equipment. ”I don’t have any idea how to work this thing right now,” he said. “But we’ll both learn in time.”

Sunset Drive-In (NY) switches to digital

Posted on May 11, 2013 by mrdrivein · Leave a comment

The Sunset Drive-In of Middleport NY has finished swapping out film projectors on all three of its screens in favor of improved, expensive digital projectors. That’s the story this week from The Journal Register of Medina NY.

Denise Stornelli, who co-owns the Sunset with her husband Mario, said she has noticed the quality improvement in the picture. I love this sentence from the story: “Stornelli’s son and grandson are helping her and her husband get acclimated to the new computer system that handles the movies.”

And I love the tag line, which probably applies to all drive-in operators. Stornelli said, “We’re hoping for good weather, and good movies.”

Two great Texas photo albums

Posted on May 10, 2013 by mrdrivein · Leave a comment

Here’s an odd case. This past week, I’ve run across two stories about drive-ins in Texas. Each story is brief and unremarkable, but each also includes an excellent photo gallery.

Over at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, they ran a story about the soft opening of the Coyote Drive-In there. It’s wonderful news to hear about a brand-new drive-in theater, but there weren’t a lot of new details except that only about 150 cars were allowed in what will be a 1300-car, three-screen complex. But check out that album of a dozen photos, especially #2 with the downtown skyline behind the screen.

Meanwhile at the San Antonio Express-News, what’s cool is the soft opening of the sort-of drive-in at the site of the old Mission Drive-In. (I already told you why I care so much about this one.) The Express-News had a decent story about it, but what was really great was that it offered a 30-photo journey into the history of the Mission. Photo #10 matches how I remember it. Go see for yourself!

Update: The Dallas Morning News added a lengthy story about the opening of the Coyote, and it included this video. Enjoy! (Edit: I used to have the video embedded below, but the darned thing would auto-start whenever this page was loaded. Don’t ya just hate it when that happens?)

Outside food: feature or menace?

Posted on May 10, 2013 by mrdrivein · Leave a comment

I was doing my usual web prowl, searching for fun stuff and news to share here. I stumbled on the Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In (Austin TX), and first of all, I’m unclear whether it “counts” as a real drive-in. As I mentioned a while ago, there are lots of things that aren’t drive-ins that pretend to be drive-ins, and I don’t like to talk about them. Is the Blue Starlite a real drive-in? Is it a worthy facsimile? I’ll have to return to that question in a later post.

When I visited the Blue Starlite web site, I found a quote that inspired me to write down something that’s been bouncing around in my head. On the Blue Starlite FAQ page is the question: ”can I bring my own food and drink?” If I were feeling fussy, my reply would be that it’s likely that you have that ability, but perhaps you’d prefer to ask whether you may bring your own food and drink.

But the Blue Starlite FAQ answer is much nicer. “Yes. We don’t like to limit our customers options and enjoyment. As well as their creativity. However we do ask that you patronize our concession stand as well at least for your popcorn, candy and soda’s (sic) if you do not buy a concession package in advance. It really does help support our ability to keep bringing you quality nights of entertainment as only the drive-in can in Austin TX.”

That’s beautiful. I know that when I go to the drive-in, which is as often as I can, I love to bring food and sometimes something to drink. It’s a great benefit and incentive that I can create my own experience in my car while I watch the movie. But I would never visit without buying at least a large soda and a large popcorn from the concession stand. The incremental cost of a large soda is maybe a nickel, and the popcorn probably costs a dime or two, so I figure my cash should go straight to the operator’s payroll and profit.

I’ll make some enemies for saying this, but hey you drive-in operators, instead of treating customers as thieves and cheats for wanting to bring in the food they like, maybe you should look to your own kitchen to make sure you’re cooking something they want. It’s a good idea to explain the economics of running a drive-in as you encourage patrons to buy your food, and if you give your customers a good alternative, your convenience (and sufficient quality) should win their dollars more often than not. The Blue Starlite gets it, and you should too.

Wheel-In Motor Movie open for 60th season

Posted on May 9, 2013 by mrdrivein · Leave a comment

The Wheel-In Motor Movie (what a great name!), south of Port Townsend WA, reopened for its 60th season this week, as documented in the Peninsula Daily News.

The Wheel-In is owned by Rick Wiley, and he says that he’s “excited” about converting to digital projection next year. But even with digital, the Wheel-In won’t be showing 3D movies. “Three-D doesn’t work at drive-ins,” Wiley said. “You have the windshield blocking you, there are no walls, and you can never get the glasses back at the end of the movie.”

You really should go read this article for an interesting portrait of this third-generation drive-in owner who enjoys the hard work it takes to keep it running. According to the Peninsula Daily News, “The day before opening, (Wiley) was cutting grass, installing speakers and installing the sign that his grandfather created 60 years ago.” It makes me want to go visit soon!

Chicago Tribune rounds up Illinois drive-ins

Posted on May 9, 2013 by mrdrivein · Leave a comment

photo by Earl Leatherberry, used by permission

The Chicago Tribune had a great article this past weekend rounding up a lot of the stuff we’ve been talking about here on Carload. A lot of Illinois drive-ins have turned to fundraising to finance the conversion to digital projection, and so far the results have been pretty good.

The Tribune article mentions the Harvest Moon, the Cascade, and the McHenry as examples of drive-ins that have converted or are trying to find the money to buy the equipment. And it gets more profound than I ever did. According to the article, “The predicament has made this year something of a referendum on how Americans value drive-ins, and perhaps by extension, how much we value nostalgia and the offbeat ambience of taking a typically indoor activity outdoors.” See, I would have said ambiance, although both spellings are okay.

At the Harvest Moon, they threw a customer appreciation party to celebrate the successful fundraiser and presented the first public screening of the drive-in documentary “Going Attractions“. It’s director, April Wright, touched on a very important reason why drive-ins are drawing good crowds again. Quoting the article again, “The other sign of hope is Hollywood’s trend toward superhero, animated and more family-friendly movies, Wright said. All of those factors play directly to drive-ins’ strengths.”

This is a huge, well-written article that accumulates a lot of Carload’s Illinois coverage over the past six months and adds a lot more. You know that you really need to go read it!

Update: RYOT.org picked up the Tribune story, and it added a good map of drive-ins by state.

56 Auto Drive-In pulls them in from across the border

Posted on May 8, 2013 by mrdrivein · Leave a comment

Yes, drive-ins are so powerful, they can pull in visitors from other countries. Take as an example the 56 Auto Drive-In of Massena NY. It’s such an attractive draw that it’s featured in an affectionate profile in the Cornwall (Ontario) Seaway News.

Still more good news, one of the owners of the 56 is quoted as saying that it will convert to digital projection in time for the start of the 2014 drive-in season. One note of caution: “bug spray is a prerequisite on a night like this.”

The 56′s web site confirms that the first family waiting in line was from Cornwall. (That site also has a nice set of photos documenting the repair of its screen.)

The lengthy article in the Seaway News includes a nice little video clip of what it looks like from the projection room when the movie gets started, plus a small photo gallery. It’s worth a visit, no matter what country you’re from.

Glen Drive-In looks to recoup its digital costs

Posted on May 6, 2013 by mrdrivein · Leave a comment

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The Glens Falls (NY) Post-Star ran a very nice, very long article about the Glen Drive-In (Queensbury) and its efforts to recoup the money it spent for new digital projectors.

Unlike a lot of these local conversion articles, this one had lengthy quotes from John Vincent, president of the United Drive-In Theater Owners Association. “Film has been around for 100 years, and truth be told, it’s a very intense use of plastics,” Vincent said. “Each copy of a movie for a theater in 35 mm is about two miles of film. So, I’m actually quite surprised that it lasted 100 years, and particularly, I’m surprised it’s lasted the last 10 years.”

The Glen has also joined nine indoor theaters in the area for a general fundraiser to finance the digital conversion. The Andirondack North County Association and the Adirondack Film Society are launching the “Go Digital or Go Dark” campaign at Adirondack.org.

The Post-Star article has so much more inside it, and it includes five photos, including a cool projection of a digital test pattern. You really should go check it out!