Author Archives: mrdrivein

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!

When in China, check out these drive-ins

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Haitian Lovely Home Car Movie logoI just had to share this with you. According to What’s On Xiamen, if you’re in the neighborhood, you might want to “Enjoy private movie time in Xiamen’s drive-in movie theaters”.

The author of that article, Sanmao Lin, clearly has a handle on the appeal of drive-ins. “Drive-in movie theaters are not only a place for family recreation,” he wrote, “but also great for a couple to share romantic times. And unlike normal theaters, you can cuddle and whisper without annoying anyone else in total privacy.”

It turns out that Xiamen, a city of the southeast coast of the People’s Republic of China, has two drive-ins. There’s the Xiajinwan Drive-in Movie Theater, which has a 40-foot screen and space for 100 cars, and the Haitian Aijia Drive-In, with a 60-foot screen and room for 300 cars. I want to see the movie that Google translates as “Fantasy Flying Piano,” apparently a feature-length version of this Magic Piano short listed on IMDB. No matter what’s showing, if I ever find myself in Xiamen, I’m going to go check it out.

Ceres Drive-In may reopen this year

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Ceres CA fall sunset

photo by Mouse209

According to an article in the Modesto (CA) Bee, the Ceres Theatre may reopen some time in 2013. The drive-in had closed after the 2008 season, then suffered extensive damage in a “suspicious” fire in June 2010. But its new owners, Diego Castillo and family, say the local community wants to see it reopen.

For now, the site operates as a flea market on weekends. Starting in April, a farmers market will operate alongside the flea market. There’s a new concession area, but Castillo said a separate projection booth still needs to be built.

Bee columnist Jeff Jardine also voiced his support for the drive-in. “A nostalgic night out,” he wrote, “just like the olden days. The kids might find they actually like leaving the house to watch a movie beneath the stars.” Here’s hoping!