Author Archives: mrdrivein

Video: Henagar Drive-In Under New Management

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WHNT, Huntsville AL’s News Leader, ran a story this week about the Wilson family, which started operating the Henagar Drive-In Theatre last month.

The Henagar made national news in early 2017 when its then-owners announced on Facebook that it wouldn’t show the live-action Beauty and the Beast because of a gay character in that movie. The drive-in was sold to Kala Penney just a few months later, and the 2017 season apparently progressed normally.

There were no Facebook posts from November 2017 to late July 2018, when a note said that “Henagar Drive-in will be re-opening, under our new management”. After a month of frantic work, the first movie of the year was shown on Sept. 7.

New operator Dominique Wilson told WHNT, “When the owner of the drive-in contacted me to lease it, I thought who better than my family.” She said they revived it to be a benefit to the community. I’m just glad to see that the Henagar get the positive press the new crew deserves.

Pop-Up Drive-In In Los Angeles Underway

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A small line of cars watching a movie on a screen against a wall

How the drive-in looked earlier this season. Photo courtesy of FLAX.

There have been other examples of drive-in theaters run by a non-profit group, but the latest out of California is different. The charity in this case is the France Los Angeles Exchange (FLAX), which promotes mutual understanding between Southern California and France through the arts. On Monday and Tuesday nights for three months, September through November, FLAX is showing double features in a parking lot with a pop-up screen erected against a wall.

The Tin Flats Drive-In, as it were, is quite small, with room for just 10 cars plus 30 seats. Its scheduled movies, such as The Tuba Thieves, appear to be light on drive-in friendly explosions and space battles. On the other hand, not only is this drive-in free, it also includes free iced tea, popcorn, and candy.

If this FLAX Drive-In series returns next year, and I hope it does, it would become a serious contender for inclusion on the drive-in theater list. It’s a permanent setting, viewers can drive their own cars in to watch, and it has a regular schedule, so it ticks off all the boxes. Meanwhile, if you’re in the neighborhood, you really ought to sign up to reserve a space and check out an unusual, artistic drive-in experience.

Saco Hosts World Premiere

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Saco Drive-In marquee

photo from the Saco Drive-In Facebook page

The Lewiston ME Sun Journal reported last week that local man J.R. Fortin premiered his web-based video series at the Saco Drive-In last weekend. Fortin shot scenes in at least 10 Maine towns, from Hollis to Mechanic Falls.

The trailer for “Hearts of New England” won the Gold Medal for Best Trailer at the Cleveland International Film Festival earlier this year. It tells the story of three war veterans and their different reactions to life after they return home.

The Sun Journal said that Fortin, who wrote, directed, and starred in the series, was surprised that the Saco would be available. “It was a shot in the dark to see if the theater would say yes,” he said. I just think it’s great that this 80-year-old drive-in can stay relevant in this age of online video.