Kanopolis set to reopen in March

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Kanopolis KS drive-in projectorThe Hutchinson (KS) News published an opinion piece with the uncontroversial assertion that “This summer you should drive up to Kanopolis to see a movie.” Sheila Lismon’s article was a celebration of the Kanopolis Drive-In, which announced on Facebook that it will reopen for another season March 8.

Any drive-in that continues showing movies in 2013 is a cause for celebration, but the Kanopolis is a special case. As documented in a 2011 Hutchinson News article, the Kanopolis had been closed for five years when a nearby family purchased and restored it to life. “It was a lot more work than I thought it would be,” said Amanda Webb, one of the owners.

That 2011 article mentions that the Kanopolis was using its original reel projectors, but that there were hopeful plans to go digital. Those plans must have come to fruition, because a December post on its Facebook page read: Still looking for that perfect Christmas present? Or do you need to get a gift for that person that seemingly has EVERYTHING? The Kanopolis Drive in is upgrading to digital and we need to clear out the vintage 35 mm equipment! All the equipment would make great additions to your home theater!

Such great news to keep our spirits high as we head into reopening (or not) season. Go read those articles and put a smile on your face!

Watch this great short about Colorado Drive-Ins

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I just realized that I haven’t shared this great short film with you. It’s called Projector: The Last Outdoor Cinemas of Colorado, and it looks like a labor of love for director Mike Liguori and his Thousand Foot Pictures.

Liguori hopes to expand the short into a feature-length documentary, which would be a great thing, of course. For the latest information, you can sign up for his email list or check his Facebook page.

Projector was filmed in 2010, before the digital conversion crisis reached its peak. Although it doesn’t point it out, the short interviews the two owners of the two unrelated Colorado theaters named Star Drive-In, one in Monte Vista and one in Montrose. Keep watching for glimpses of the playground still available in Monte Vista, the abandoned Frontier sign near Center CO, and the neon signs of the 88 of Commerce City. Check it out!

Second-oldest drive-in tries Facebook fundraising

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Saco Drive-In marqueeThe Sun Chronicle of Westbrooke ME ran a lengthy article about the Saco Drive-In’s struggle to find money for its digital conversion project. According to the Chronicle, the Saco opened in 1939 and is the second-oldest drive-in still in operation. Its operator, Ry Russell, has turned to the Saco’s Facebook fans to raise the money required for the changeover.

Russell said the lack of a digital projector already hurt the Saco in 2012 when film copies of blockbuster movies were scarce.

Here’s a nice touch for the fundraiser: “As part of the Facebook fundraiser, Russell has asked customers and fans of the drive-in to send in stories and photos about what makes the drive-in special to them, which will be put together into an e-book and given to people who make donations toward the new projector.” I look forward to seeing a copy of that!