Author Archives: mrdrivein

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.

Inc. Mag Spotlights KS Boulevard

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Boulevard Drive-In marquee

Photo © Jim Good. Used by permission.

As part of a tour of small businesses, Inc. magazine ran a very nice feature about the Boulevard Drive-In Theatre in Kansas City KS. It described the festivities of June 15, which the mayor proclaimed as Wes Neal Day in honor of the man who bought the drive-in 1984 after working there 30 years. Wes still owns the Boulevard, which is now run by his grandson Brian.

Although the drive-in was profitable most years, its recent turning point was in 2012 when it bought the equipment to become the first drive-in with 4K-resolution digital projection. As someone who saw movies there before and after the conversion, I can tell you that the brightness and clarity are especially important because of the Boulevard’s unusually large, narrow viewing field. It’s constrained by Turkey Creek, whose flooding in 1999 led to the insurance money for digital audio the next year.

It’s no surprise that, with the return of family-friendly feature films, business is booming. “Now when a new Disney or Pixar flick is on the bill, cars may line up three hours in advance to snag a spot,” Inc. wrote. Wes isn’t in it for the movies, but for the people who watch them. “Every weekend,” he says, “I will have a lot of people come up to me. They say they appreciate what we are doing for them.”

There is so much more in that Inc. article, including a few photos, so you know you really should go read it!