Moonlight Cinema

There is nothing quite like, on a summer's evening, sitting under the stars and watching the stars...on the silver screen. Outdoor or Moonlight Cinema they call it here. And far from a few golden oldies projected on a small screen behind the library, there is an entire season of daily, in-the-moviehouses-now choices on gigantic, inflatable screens at a number of showplace garden locations.

Some places are big open spaces; bring a "rug" or chairs, a picnic, don't forget your wine or beer (allowed at most every public concert or event you can go to, it seems) and make it a party. Bring a little table and your wheelie cooler. Spread the tablecloth, whip out the cutlery, plates and pates and you have a nice night out under the stars. You can even rent a reclining beanbag chair for the evening!

Other outdoor cinemas like things a little tidier, they provide chairs and (as they have a liquor license) insist on pouring your nectar for you. Hands free (you're hiding the goods under your sweater or in large pants pockets) arrival and departure from a swanky backyard celluloid sensation. The price of a movie is only marginally cheaper than at the theaters, but a few pride themselves on donating profits to charity. Running on volunteer ticket sellers, takers and an 84 year-old projectionist keeps the donations high every season.

For as many walk-up movie options we have, a local drive-in theater, The Galaxy, still exists. I promote them heavily on my "What's On Where" radio show as I wish them to continue to exist. Plus, they are the cheapest ($7.50pp or $10 a whole car on Tuesdays) movie ticket around. Also, for those in the Wheatbelt country who don't have a permanent theater, a company brings their gigantic inflatable screen and projector to each community on a rotating basis so they can enjoy a good flick also.

Now where did I put my popcorn?