McHenry Outdoor Theater getting ready for 2013

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Aerial view of McHenry Outdoor TheaterA recent story in the Northwest Herald, which serves McHenry County IL, described how a few seasonal businesses there were preparing for the return of warm weather. After spending the first half talking about an ice cream parlor, the article began discussing something we care about, the McHenry Outdoor Theater of McHenry IL.

You may remember that the McHenry was one of a swarm of Illinois drive-ins that launched Kickstarter campaigns in the hope of getting enough cash to buy digital projectors. The Northwest Herald tells us that, for the McHenry, Kickstarter didn’t work, falling about $100,000 short of its $130,000 goal. When you don’t reach a Kickstarter goal, the folks who pledged don’t have to pay anything, so the McHenry got nothing out of it. This year, they plan to try Indiegogo, where they think they’ll have a better chance at a smaller amount.

The best news is that the McHenry will reopen for another season on May 3. Let’s hope it can stay alive!

Mendon Twin reopens Friday

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The Mendon (MA) Twin Drive-In is set to reopen this Friday, according to a report in the Milford Daily News. Susan Swanson, the owner or “co-owner” (what she calls herself in the video above) said her annual cleanup efforts have been relatively light this year. Spring usually brings strong sales because patrons are “itching” to go back for another season.

Swanson has (co-?)owned the Mendon Twin for 27 years. “I thought, my whole life, that drive-ins are a magical experience,” she said. “You’re coming in and seeing a movie under the stars. It doesn’t get better than that.”

The article doesn’t mention the Mendon Twin’s digital conversion status at all, but it’s a fine story with lots of smart quotes. Another Swanson remark, one that should be on a sign somewhere at every drive-in, was “If your dashboard lights are on, you’ve done something wrong.” There’s a lot of other great stuff, including a few photos, so go read it!

Russian drive-in looking to add realism

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The Cathedral of Stephen of Perm in Skytyvkar

The Cathedral of Stephen of Perm in Skytyvkar. Because I couldn’t find a picture of the drive-in there. Photo by Jlesnik.

From the Russian news network Russia Today comes the second- or third-hand story of an unnamed drive-in cinema in Syktyvkar, the capital of the Republic of Komi.

According to RT, the owner of the theater wants to hire someone to appear in person behind your car window during the scariest parts of horror movies. It doesn’t mention whether this actor would need to know some self-defense tactics.

“The position is not very typical and requires acting experience, as well as physical and psychological stamina,” the drive-in manager told the local media, reported by Interfax.

The RT article concludes by saying that apparently the Interfax article doesn’t mention whether theater-goers will be told in advance about the boogeyman who will help complete their scary experience. I don’t usually like to mention such a loosely sourced, possibly bogus story, but it’s fun to think about, and hey, it’s also the only evidence I can find that Syktyvkar even has a drive-in. Happy Monday!