2005 Crossroads Drive-in Trip Reports
25 June 2005 - Terry Moore
This week, I made my first trip of the season out to Shiner to visit the Crossroads Drive-in Theater.
As soon as I pulled through the gate, I knew that the 2005 season had brought at least one change to the Crossroads!
The skirting below the screen has been removed. While it provided an excellent shelter for equipment, it had a tendency to reflect light "from the neighbors" up and onto the screen. This reflected light created a "hot spot" on the right side of the screen. How noticeable was it? It's hard for me to say. My long association with Rick Stivers has made me more observant of the imperfections of the world around me. I suspect the average patron only noticed the "hot spot" during dark scenes.
Parking my car, I headed towards the snack bar. I was very happy to discover Steve Rodman sitting by the door. We talked for some time before he took me into the projection booth to show me his upgraded projector.
We wrapped up our tour just in time for the start of the previews! Yes, that's right! I saw the projector switched on. It's not magic but it is special!
Leaving the projection booth, I stopped at the snack bar. Here I discovered the most important change ever made at the Crossroads. Pepsi is out. Coke is in. It's just that simple!
The snacks at the Crossroads are very affordable compared to most drive-in theaters. Steve has added a new option to his drink menu. For $3.50, patrons can purchase a large plastic cup of the soft drink of their choice. For the rest of the evening, the holder of that cup is entitled to unlimited refills.
Since we all know that I bought one, let's skip to the refill part. I refilled the cup twice. That's a great drink value for any theater!
Heading back to the car with my snacks, I settled down to watch "Herbie: Fully Loaded".
I admit it. I've been waiting all season to see "Herbie: Fully Loaded". Why? It's one of those perfect drive-in films. It's bright. It's colorful. Nearly all the movie takes place during the day. Even drive-ins with projection issues, such as the Mission, should be able to exhibit this film in a quality manner. The plot of the film is simple. Girl has issues. Girl finds magic car. Magic car helps girl resolve issues. It's a simple story to be sure, but still entertaining. Even by yesterday's standards, "Herbie: Fully Loaded" makes for good family entertainment.
I enjoyed this film despite Disney's digital manipulation of Lindsay Lohan's anatomy. You don't have to be a master of "the five minute fake" to identify the scenes that were altered after complaints from test audiences.
What will happen when this movie goes onto DVD? Will it be the (badly) altered theatrical release or will we see the original film with Lindsay in all her glory? Will Disney sense an opportunity to sell both versions of the same film on separate DVDs? Only time will tell!
As soon as the credits began to roll, I packed up my camp chair. Ever energetic, Steve had already begun to clean up the lot. He stopped and we visited for a few minutes before I started the drive back to San Antonio. An hour and half later, I was home again with the memories of yet another wonderful night of cinema under the stars!
6 August 2005 - Terry Moore
This week, I made my second trip of the season out to Shiner to visit the Crossroads Drive-in Theater.
I left my apartment with just enough time to make it to Shiner. But it was sure a beautiful summer day, that I just relaxed and enjoyed the drive. With BOB-FM (103.5 FM - Austin) on the radio and a cold Diet Coke by my side, I drove out Alternate Highway 90 at a carefree, relaxed pace. My pace was so relaxed that by the time I reached the Crossroads, the previews were already in progress.
Purchasing a ticket to see "The Dukes of Hazzard", I pulled forward into the lot. I was immediately faced with a decision. A very large crowd had turned out to see the film. The entire first four rows were filled on the left side of the snack bar. I considered parking in the fifth row for reasons that may not be clear to you if you haven't ever been to the Crossroads. It had rained in the area the day before. The right side of the lot tends to hold water and, in the past, has gotten so muddy that Mr. Rodman had to block it off to keep customers from trying to park there and then getting stuck.
Driving around the back of the snack bar, the area appeared to be open and cars were parked in the row next to the snack bar and in the rows up near the screen. Seeing this as a sign that this part of the lot was safe to drive in (pardon the pun), I pulled around the snack bar and headed forwarded towards the third row.
As my car moved into the shallow space between the third and fourth rows, I felt the wheels begin to lose traction. After a split second of panic, I tightened my grip and accelerated forward in an effort to gain enough momentum to pass through the muddy spot. The engine roared and the wheels spun but my Escort made it to the top of the third berm. But I didn't want to park facing the screen so I continued driving forward, across the next shallow space and then onto the top of the second berm. Arriving there, I made a sharp U-turn and then headed back to the third berm where I came safely to a stop.
As the engine fell silent, I heard the sound of applause. A roving band of pre-teen girls was standing several yards away near a large "monster" truck. They had been suitably impressed by my "daring", some my say "reckless", driving.
One of my "powers that some might consider unnatural" is the ability to slip away into the darkness. This seemed like the perfect time to disappear, so I did.
I reappeared moments later inside the snack bar. The owner, Mr. Rodman, was working behind the counter. As I paid for my "unlimited re-fill" Diet Coke and popcorn, I made a positive comment on the night's turnout. He wasn't certain if his single night attendance record had been broken (he hadn't been to the box office yet) but he was certain that this was the best year ever for the Crossroads. That's extremely impressive given the generally poor movie selection available this summer.
Taking my leave of Mr. Rodman, I returned to my vehicle. Fortunately for my ego, the roving band of pre-teen girls had moved on and I was able to settle down for the evening's entertainment.
How was the film? Let's put things into perspective. I never thought the television series was that entertaining. Given that starting point, I found the movie to be entertaining. Unlike Rick Stivers, it doesn't bother me that Uncle Jessie has a girlfriend. After all, we live in a world full of chemical supplements that elderly, or dysfunctional, men can use to improve their social lives. I was pleased by Daisy's correct interpretation of her role in the series and the commentary on how this type of sexism is less effective in the "enlightened" times in which we live.
As soon as the credits began to roll, I packed up my camp chair. Looking around the lot, I counted 41 cars. Impressed, I climbed into my vehicle and started the long drive home.
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