Sag Harbor Cinema Drive-In Coming To Havens Beach

With social distancing guidelines still in place, Sag Harbor Cinema (SHC) has decided to bring back the good ‘ole days and reinstate the drive-in theatre. This summer, families can keep their social distance out-and-about while enjoying the feeling of comfort and safety that their car has to offer at the Sag Harbor Cinema Drive-In at Havens Beach on Sunday, June 21. The evening will feature a screening of the classic movie musical Grease.

“Who could have ever imagined that the road to the re-building and the re-opening of the Sag Harbor Cinema would have included a drive-in phase?” pondered SHC Artistic Director Giulia D’Agnolo Vallan.

Drive-in theaters were established in the early 1920’s, gaining popularity and becoming a part of American culture between the 1940s and 60s. Drive-in theaters have not been in the Hamptons for quite some time. Due to the growing popularity of multiplexes, the Bridgehampton drive-in closed in the 1980’s after years of serving residents and tourists.

“Growing up in Italy I dreamed of drive-ins across the ocean, while spending a good portion of my summers as a teenager in our (car-less) version of the outdoor cinema, the ‘cinema giardino,'” D’Agnolo Vallan noted. “I am thrilled to be able to offer this classic form of moviegoing to our audience.”

Grease, directed by Randal Kleiser, quickly became the most popular movie musical of all time when it was released in 1978. This movie follows the love story of Rydell High School students Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John) and Danny Zuko (John Travolta). The film brings entertainment and lightness to all age groups as it primarily follows Sandy and Danny navigating social life in high school, teenage insecurity, and the complexities of love, with nuanced humor, charm, and lightness sprinkled throughout. During one of Grease‘s iconic musical numbers, Danny and Olivia are at a drive-in theatre, candidly bringing together the audience’s experience watching the film and the scene in the movie.

“As a film, Grease kind of incapsulates the spirit of drive-in experience,” D’Agnolo Vallan added.

This screening is free, however attendees must reserve their spot at www.sagharborcinema.org. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. and screening starts at 9:00 p.m. This event was organized with the Village of Sag Harbor and sponsored by the Sag Harbor Partnership.