Author Archives: mrdrivein

Yet another Illinois drive-in turns to Kickstarter

Posted on by

Sunset in McHenry County IllinoisThere must be something in the water in Illinois. In addition to the Midway (Palmyra IL) and Harvest Moon (Gibson City IL) which we discussed so recently, now comes word that the McHenry Outdoor Theater (McHenry IL) is trying to raise money through Kickstarter for digital projection equipment. The good news, according to the story in McHenry County’s Northwest Herald, is that another (indoor) theater there just completed a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising over $175,000.

The McHenry is also holding a weekend fundraiser October 5-6, showing Back to the Future and Jaws with live music before the movies. Go check out the article for full details, and to see some nice projection-room photos.

Free movie night tonight!

Posted on by

Ferris Wheel Sunset at California State FairFor one night, Thursday, September 26, the West Wind 6 (Sacramento CA) will offer a free movie night, according to the Rosemont Patch. It’s Superhero night, and the movies scheduled are Brave, The Dark Knight Rises, and The Amazing Spider-Man. (Wait, Brave is a superhero movie?)

Based on tonight’s schedule (same movies) at the Glendale 9 (Glendale AZ), and considering it’s also a West Wind drive-in, it sounds like they might be holding a free movie night too. Give them a call and check it out!

Bengies owner appeals judge’s ruling

Posted on by

Bengies Drive-in: Baltimore, MDFrom The Baltimore Sun comes the story of Bengies Drive-In (Baltimore MD). It seems that the 56-year-old theater was doing fine until a Royal Farms convenience and grocery store opened nearby, and its lights began to interfere with folks trying to watch the movie. The owner of Bengies sued Royal Farms, and earlier this year, a jury awarded him $838,000, an amount based on what it would cost to erect a 25-foot-high light-blocking stone wall.

But on September 13, a circuit court judge set aside that award, saying that Bengies hadn’t proved that Royal Farms’ light interfered with the operation of the drive-in. Now Bengies is appealing that ruling, adding that it is delaying adding a second screen or digital projection equipment until this is settled. Let’s hope the appeals court gets it right this time!