Author Archives: mrdrivein

Starlight Six is in worshipful spotlight

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Starlight Drive-In, AtlantaThe Film Screen Rejects site devoted a recent installment of its Movie House of Worship series on the Starlight Six Drive-In (Atlanta GA). The article presented a thorough rundown of all elements of the Starlight Six, including its history, a few nice old photos, and some personal memories.

“I used to go to the drive-in all the time as a kid,” wrote Christopher Campbell. “My first movie experience was as an infant during the summer of 1977, when my family went to see Star Wars. So, this kind of cinema is very special to me. … Now that I have an infant son, it’s also a great way to get to the movies with my wife … Last night, the kid had his first movie experience. Now, for all his life, Looper will be his Star Wars.”

Campbell writes that the Starlight Six allows patrons to bring their own food, then encourages them to buy from the refreshment stand. That’s the American Way, let that great concession stand food stand or fall on its own quality and price. But when you go to a drive-in, be sure to buy at least a big popcorn and a soda. That’s how to make sure the drive-in stays in business.

Fiesta going digital, year-round

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Fiesta Drive-In marqueeThe Carlsbad NM Current-Argus (what a great name for a newspaper!) recently wrote that the Fiesta Drive-In there has completed its digital changeover and will be operating year-round.

According to the lengthy article, one of the three screens will be showing double features, and there are plenty of daily specials including Thursdays as Carload night.

Fiesta owner Zach Rogers said, “We really need the support of the community to help us. I just like to see people come out and enjoy themselves, especially with their families.” There’s a lot more, so go check it out.

Lots of coverage for the Cottage View’s final weekend

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Cottage View marqueeI guess they really did enjoy the Cottage View Drive-In (Cottage Grove MN) in the Twin Cities, because there were all sorts of folks covering its final operating weekend.

KAAL, Austin MN’s news leader, had a short report that included a couple of minutes of video but misspelled Walmart, which will build on the Cottage View site.

The South Washington County Bulletin, Cottage Grove’s hometown newspaper, ran a much longer retrospective with a few photos of the final weekend. One patron joked, “It sounds like a Joni Mitchell song. They paved over a drive-in and put up a Walmart.”

Finally, even Minnesota Public Radio got into the act, talking with the author of a history of Twin Cities cinema. MPR’s audio clip is embedded below. Bye, bye, Cottage View!