SD drive-in picks up first-run movies

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Mini-golf at the Starlite Drive-InThe Daily Republic of Mitchell SD recently gave us a brief glimpse of the Starlite Drive-In there. While a lot of theaters are worrying about switching to digital projection, the Starlite is looking forward to a different kind of upgrade – first-run movies.

“This will give moviegoers a chance to see new movies immediately,” said a news release from Logan Luxury Theatres, which owns the Starlite.

Some of the other improvements sound like fun. According to The Daily Republic, “The Starlite is working with Mitchell Technical Institute chef instructor Josh Kranz to add new, unique items to the snack bar menu.” They’re also rebuilding the 18-hole mini-golf course. Between that and the playground, the Starlite is giving me lots of reasons to arrive early. Check out its Facebook page for more photos of what it’s got to offer.

Sunset Drive-In (PA) opens May 17

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Thanks to the Erie Times-News and GoErie.com, we’ve got this fun, silly bit of video about the Sunset Drive-In of Waterford PA. And there’s even a story about the Sunset that doesn’t just rewrite the dialogue from the video, so you still need to go read it.

Sunset owners Dennis and Margaret Koper have purchased and installed the new digital projection equipment, and now they’re trying to figure it all out in time for the season opener May 17. As with all the other drive-ins that have sprung for this expense, it’s a sign that they’re in it for the long haul. The article said that Dennis “expects a 15-year return on his digital investment.”

Dennis said it was this or retirement, and he jokingly blames his wife for deciding to keep running the drive-in. Now about that new equipment. “I don’t have any idea how to work this thing right now,” he said. “But we’ll both learn in time.”

Sunset Drive-In (NY) switches to digital

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Aerial view of the three-screen Sunset Drive-InThe Sunset Drive-In of Middleport NY has finished swapping out film projectors on all three of its screens in favor of improved, expensive digital projectors. That’s the story this week from The Journal Register of Medina NY.

Denise Stornelli, who co-owns the Sunset with her husband Mario, said she has noticed the quality improvement in the picture. I love this sentence from the story: “Stornelli’s son and grandson are helping her and her husband get acclimated to the new computer system that handles the movies.”

And I love the tag line, which probably applies to all drive-in operators. Stornelli said, “We’re hoping for good weather, and good movies.”