Photo Credit: The Sag Harbor Express
Nostalgia for movies under the stars has brought about a comeback in outdoor cinema, reports The Sag Harbor Express. Sag Harbor residents wistfully recall memories of visiting local drive-in movie theaters, such as the Whitestone Drive-In, or the Bridgehampton Drive-In. The drive-in theaters have since disappeared, but due to a number of factors, outdoor movies seem to be returning in updated forms.
“There’s nothing like it — you can’t beat it,” says a Smithtown resident who remembers going to many a drive-in. “It was just fabulous. When I was in fourth grade, my parents took us to see ‘Psycho.’ They thought we’d sleep, but we were awake and peeking over the backseat. It’s stayed with me. I took a shower last night and I thought, ‘I didn’t lock the door!’”
One reason outdoor movies may be making a comeback is because the equipment and technology has finally caught up with the demand. Drive-in theaters were often characterized by fuzzy screens and scratchy audio squawking through the window. But outdoor movies -drive in 2.0- can now be shown on giant inflatable screens and projected with theatrical-grade equipment. State-of-the-art audio/visual systems can create an outdoor cinema experience that rivals most multi-plex movie theaters. Though many of the outdoor movies these days are screened in parks or downtown areas with blankets and lawn chairs, some people are still organizing real drive-ins, such as the Southampton Chamber of Commerce drive-in movie night at the Elks Grounds on County Road 39 this month (“Madagascar Escape 2 Africa” is scheduled for July 23). Audio from the movie can be tuned in on an FM radio, although people are welcome to spread out blankets or chairs instead of staying in their cars.
Silas Marder, in Bridgehampton, also screens movies under the stars. “There’s a sense of camaraderie, everyone applauded at the end when we showed ‘The Graduate’ last week.” he says. “There’s something about being outside with the moonlight, the garden — it’s this classic Hamptons experience. People are looking for something real.”
Outdoor Movies in the Sag Harbor, New York Area
Movies at Marder’s
120 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton, 702-2306
“Dr. Strangelove” July 17
“The Adventures of Robin Hood” July 24
“Jules and Jim” July 31
“Some Like it Hot” August 7
“Invasion of the Body Snatchers” August 14
“The French Connection” August 21
“Casablanca” August 28
Southampton Chamber of Commerce “Drive-In Movie”
Southampton Elks Ground, 605 County Road 39A, Southampton
“Madagascar Escape 2 Africa” July 23
Outdoor Movie Night at the Jewish Center of the Hamptons
44 Woods Lane, East Hampton
“Goonies” July 14
‘80s Classics at the Children’s Museum
376 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton
“Big” July 9
“Back to the Future” July 30
“Ghostbusters” August 13
Southampton Town’s “Movies in The Park”
Westhampton Beach Great Lawn -Monday, July 20, 8:30 p.m.
Long Beach, Sag Harbor -August 3, 8:30 p.m.
East Quogue’s Village Green -August 17, 8 p.m.
Read full article here: Reeling in Retro
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