Hybrid drive-in in Athens AL goes digital

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There was a short note in the Athens AL News Courier that mentioned that the Cinemagic Theater there had converted to digital for its five indoor screens and its drive-in. (The full story is floating around somewhere on that site, but only for paid subscribers.) The wording of that note sounded a little odd to me, so I looked up the Cinemagic in Google Maps, and the result is over there to the right of these words.

This is such a good idea that I’m surprised I don’t see it more often: The Cinemagic, which opened as a drive-in in 1997, converted or added a small indoor multiplex that swallowed the old projection and concession stand in 2006. From the look of the satellite photo, (you might have to zoom in to see it better), the Cinemagic is down to three rows for cars, and it stretched those rows extra wide. I don’t think I’d want to park in one of those far west spaces, but I think it’s great that this drive-in found an unusual way to stay alive.

USA Today spotlights Tennessee drive-ins

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Stardust Drive-In screen

Stardust Drive-In photo by niseag03

Last Friday, USA Today picked up a story by The Tennessean, which isn’t so strange because they’re both owned by Gannett. Anyway, the story discussed how small Tennessee theaters, especially drive-ins, were approaching digital conversion. To see the most photos, you might want to check both articles if you can; The Tennessean only allows non-paying visitors a few views per month.

It’s a good, long story, so you really should read it, but I’ll give you a quick summary. The Stardust Drive-In (Watertown) has just converted to digital projection. The owner of the Moonlight Drive-In (Woodbury) plans to stick to film “for as long as possible” because “(s)imply put, I can’t afford it.” The owner of the Sparta Drive-In (Sparta) agrees, saying “If I can’t get any more film, I’ll just shut the doors.” Or gates, I suppose. And finally, the Hi-Way 50 Drive-In (Lewiston) closed last year, and its owner said, “With this digital thing coming on, we decided it was a good time to retire.” At least the Stardust is in it for the long haul.

There’s a lot more detail and background in the original article, so go read it!

Nova Scotia drive-in gets a shiny new screen

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Valley Drive-In screen during restorationThe Herald News of Halifax, Nova Scotia, reports that the Valley Drive-In in Cambridge is completing its digital conversion with a new screen. (You really should check out the photo in the Herald’s story; it’s more current than the Facebook photo to the right.) The Valley added a digital projector last year, and the new plastic-coated screen will finish the upgrade.

According to a note on the Valley’s Facebook page, it would have needed a silver-colored screen to project 3D movies, but the new screen will be white. (That page also noted that polarized windshields also knock out the 3D effect, so there you go.) It’s great to hear about another drive-in that’s ready for another few decades of service. Have fun up there!