Category Archives: Video

Video: Madera Opens For 72nd Season

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KFSN, Fresno CA’s News Leader, ran a nice little video about this season’s reopening of the Madera Drive In Theatre, one of the few drive-ins to survive over 70 years with three distinct names.

The Madera opened as the El Rio Drive-In in 1948. According to the drive-in’s page at Cinema Treasures, it was purchased by the Gran brothers in 1972. Some time between 1964 and 1977, possibly at the time of the sale, the name changed to the Park Vu Drive-In. Eventually, that name changed to the Madera, but when? This 2003 photo shows a Madera Drive-In sign at the ticket booth, but this 2005 photo still shows a faded Park Vu sign.

Somewhere along the way the drive-in also added a second screen. It might have been when the name changed from the Park Vu to the “Madera 2” that was in the 2003 photo.

Except for the original opening year, none of that was mentioned in this little video, featuring employee Dulce Garcia and a table full of snacks. If someone out there has better name-change details or photos, I’d love to hear about it. Meanwhile, enjoy this slice of life in Madera.

Video: Wichita’s Starlite Improbably Reopens

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This is great news from KSN, Wichita’s News Leader. The Starlite Drive-In Theatre, closed and apparently sold in a questionable turn of events, was rescued at the last minute and celebrated its Grand Opening under new ownership last weekend. And I’ve got more video than I can use, so also check out the following sources.

Blake Smith, who also owns the Admiral Twin Drive-In in Tulsa OK, told KFDI that he was excited to get started. “It got stange last year — and I didn’t even realize — and then everybody went crazy and it kinda got to me, and…it’s funny how things work out.” KFDI also posted a Facebook video of the ribbon cutting.

As KWCH reported, the Starlite already had a cold opening – really cold – on March 1. It wrote that “Smith and his staff have been working to get the south Wichita theater up and running since December.” They also have video of that frosty, happy event. Enjoy!

Video: Transit Reopens For Another Season

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WKBW, Buffalo NY’s News Leader, posted a nice little video snippet over the weekend celebrating the return of the Transit Drive-In for another season. The Transit has been around since 1952, and current owner Rick Cohen’s family bought it in 1957.

The video is well worth watching even though, frankly, the story doesn’t include much that will be new to drive-in fans. I’ll take any excuse to show Rick Cohen, but the views of the gorgeous retro concession area are also fun to see. Enjoy!