A glance at the clock tells us it’s time to gather up our gear up and head on out. Tonight’s an extra special one (even by our standards) and we’re on assignment doing something a little bit different than usual for us. Our job this evening is a culture and lifestyle piece, you know one involving people and not just old things (although there’s a history angle here) or outdoor adventures as is the norm. Here on the great plains of Saskatchewan, we’re in little Wolseley at the Twilite Drive-in Theatre and it’s movie time!
The fortune cookie at the Canada Cafe in town the night before told us an adventure lay ahead and here we are! How did it know! In an hour or so it’s schlock horror-creature flick and a popcorn (and perogy, hot dog + slushie) fuelled fun-fest. We’re not here to watch the screen but instead record the goings on, fly on the wall style. The film was forgettable but not the experience and we thank everyone for allowing us into your lives this night.
Twilite Drive-in Wolseley: heaven is a bucket of popcorn! Presented by Chris Doering & Connie Biggart (BIGDoer/Synd/Canada.com)
This article was made possible by a gift from “Jan Normandale” (not his first either) and for that we’re eternally grateful. Do the same…
Tonight feature is Crawl, the story of a family, a hurricane and big freakin’ alligator with bad attitude. “Danger, they will hunt you!” Do we need to say more? It’s pure escapism, croc and a week later completely forgotten. Truth is it’s not that bad of a movie, if one goes in with proper expectations, but we didn’t watch much of it anyway so it mattered little. There was work to do.
One magic night at the Twilite Drive-in.
“As a mindless summer horror diversion, Crawl is watchable if rarely all that thrilling. The movie’s far from toothless, yet often substitutes easy scares for any real substance, and suffers for that.” James White.
Scroll down for photos and to comment.
This is our second drive-in theatre adventure and a few years back we visited The Clearwater in Kyle Saskatchewan. It was equally a good time and we look back fondly on the experience.
As we did there, we do it here and simply wandered about and capture the vibe. Being as discrete as possible meant ditching the tripod mostly and shooting hand held instead even when the light got poor. Crank that ISO! That cameras today can function is such poor light is blessing but even so it made the job more of a challenge (and we like that). You’d see us steadying ourselves against some fence or pole to get a shoot which got us some quizzical looks.
We’re the first to arrive and do a walk-about to get a feel for the layout of the place. The cars soon roll in, slowly at first but with movie time getting closer, a line forms. There’s not a bad turn out and this is not even a blockbuster event. The Twilite is just outside Wolseley at the southwest end of town and across the highway. The way in is well marked.
A invite was made to local classic car clubs to join in on the fun but we couldn’t confirm if the one old ride that showed (an ’80s Monte Carlo SS) was with any. We walked past but the driver was nowhere to be seen and so probably on a popcorn run. So basically that angle was a bust…again! It played out similarly at the Clearwater too. Does no one want to play?
Parked off to on side, the mighty BIGDoer-mobile becomes a a base of operations and the trunk a makeshift dining table. The parade of vehicles continues, the popcorn pops and on the air it’s the smell of something deep fried (everything’s better cooked in hot oil!). There’s something about event food, as simple as it is, that has it tasting better than the sum of its parts might suggest.
One row of parking is equipped with old style window speakers and get this, they still work. Interestingly many people make use of them, most perhaps out of nostalgia, but in one case necessity. A questionable battery had this person worried the drain from the radio would kill it and leave them stuck. You nutty Saskatchewan boys! A window squeegee is passed around. Most roads in rural areas of the province are of gravel and dust just a part of everyday life here.
Marilyn give us that look. You know the one, that in the day would melt the knees of anyone it was directed at. She’s…gulp…giving me the eye. An aged swing set keeps the kids busy with a line up forming at times.
Soon the screen comes alive. First, it’s a shout out to the founders of the Twilite Drive-in Theatre (Stan and Maria), then a last call for snacks (and the concession was a happening place) and then a real honest to goodness Looney Tunes cartoon. You know the kind where they blow things up? And there’s anvils? God Bless ’em and there’s Daffy and Foghorn Leghorn up to their usual antics. This was how it was long ago and here we’re witness to something special that doesn’t really happen anymore. A cartoon before a movie? At a real honest to goodness drive-in theatre? Is this a dream?
No dancing hotdog and bun? That always brings a chuckle, even just thinking about it.
Then come the trailers. The sun sets and it’s a most magical time, our favourite time of day in fact. All those golden hues and the soft light make for such pleasing photos. With the movie in full swing now, we step into the shadows, figuratively and literately, so as not to disturb anyone watching. With the light failing, it’s progressively harder to shoot but the photos have to trail off for other reasons anyway. For a piece like this we’re allowed to share a small number of scenes from a movie but if too many it could get us a copyright strike.
Now we can sit back and relax a bit, enjoy the last of our eats and try to make sense of what’s on the screen. We’ve not really been paying attention, as you may recall, so missed a lot of the story. Still, we get in a few more shots and before you know it, the show’s over. Soon everyone disperses and screen goes dark but not before a round of thank yous is given to the staff and our now departing friends made while we wandered about. One of the first to arrive, we’re one the last to leave, but that’s our thing anyway. All this work is not for the few shiny coins we’ll make but instead for the amazing memories.
And a good time was had by all. Here we were so lucky to have chronicled a little slice of Canadiana. Welcomed in by everyone, we were made to feel at home and that’s awesome.
The Twilite been serving the local area for generations and the whole time has been in the same family (with the younger ones perhaps being primed to take over). Starting in 1954, it’s been witness to all the blockbusters and now classics from times past. You name the film and it’s probably been shown here. They’ve weathered the good times and those not so good and with drive-in’s long fallen out of favour makes it one of the last in the province (heck, the entire country) and certainly one of the oldest.
Pretty much everything you see at the Twilite is original save for the modern digital projector, put in about eight years ago. They seem to do a pretty good house too and this suggests they should be around for a long time. That the big city of Regina is close by doesn’t hurt. The theatre has been open during Covid (this piece was shot before the storm) and following all proper protocols, so drop on by. And of course, tell them we sent you.
We drive off, but sleep won’t come easy when you’re still buzzing from the good times had. These types of pieces are some of the most enjoyable to shoot and it’s too bad not many assignments of this type fall into our laps. When the dreams come, we relive our times at the theatre, except it’s not Crawl but Some Like it Hot starring of course Marilyn, and instead of a crappy Chevy Cruze, it’s a big tail fin Caddy. In the mind’s eye, anything can be made to happen.
The biggest bucket you got please!
The memories today, a year and half since the event (delayed due to the pandemic) bring us back there. There’s thoughts of dusty old pickups and tattered cowboy hats. There’s giant tubs of popcorn, and tankards of cokes. Hot dogs, a drive-in staple and chicken fingers. Perogies: how Saskatchewan of them. It’s carefree fun and everyone’s welcome. The movie will soon be a foggy memory, but the time here we’ll cherish and stick with us forever.
We need places like this.
Our crash pad for the weekend, the Wolseley Motel, was incidentally build by the same folks who originally brought us the Twilite Drive-in. Dating back to the early 1960s it was called the Siesta then. A big thanks goes out to the current owners for helping the Team along and offering a steep discount. Everything we do is on a strict budget so every bit helps and is appreciated.
Thanks for taking the time to peruse this article and please check out others @ BIGDoer.com.
Something to say and no one to say it to? Go here: contact us!
Date of Adventure: August, 2020. Location: Wolseley, SK. Article references and thanks: Don Zaba plus the entire staff at the Twilite Drive-In Wolseley and the Wolseley Motel for the broke photojournalist discount.
(A long read) After twelve years it's time to put a face to the name and come clean on something. That's rarely-seen Chris in the photo, one half of Team BIGDoer, my best friend for almost thirty years and orchestrator of everything you see here. For his entire adult life, he's battled a deep depression.
Mostly it's manageable, but there are extended bouts where it's crippling and his life comes to a grinding halt. Sometimes there are days or weeks where he's lost. Sleep does not come easy at this time and further aggravates the issue. As he ages, it's worsening and seems intent on destroying him from the inside.
If you see a lack of posts here, or ones poorly worded, confusing or simply off, it's from one of these periods.
Through all this, he remains as kind, thoughtful and loving as ever, but is somewhere else. To the family, it's just Chris and accepted as it should be. The kids and grandkids adore him no less. Until today, however, this has been hidden from the outside world, although closer friends and some readers were probably already suspect of his condition. I hope admitting this does not break the site.
He finds clarity when we're out and doing things, hiking or documenting something historic and it's only THE reason this page and our website exists. It's therapy. Then he's a new and passionate person, but the monster as he calls it always returns. The Beer Parlour Project has brought out a side I've never seen and when out in the field he's never been so on point and confident.
This post is not for sympathy but to inform. Just so you know where he is and here's what you can do to help (a last ditch request)...
If you see a missed comma or oddly worded sentence in a post, please be kind. You'll probably see his uncertainty when he's off and be nice there too. But if you like what you see, even if the write up could be presented better, post your encouragement. Say something and say it loud...it's important and will keep him sharing. Help Chris get better by cheering him on.
Other than some photos that are mine, everything else comes from him. All the tiring research and the writing (he admits he's NOT a writer), are his.
Chris puts every dollar he makes into this "project of a lifetime", and it's supplemented by donations from readers who enjoy the content. If you want to help...
Admittedly he was not thrilled with the idea of posting this but agrees it probably should be said, even if it makes him uneasy. He doesn't like appearing in photos either. He's so shy, thinks he looks goofy and hates his husky eyes. I love them and they're windows into a wonderful, complex and quiet, but tortured soul. It breaks my heart when he's in a bad space.
This image comes thanks to photographer Arturo Pianzola and was captured while exploring the historic Riverview Mental Hospital in Coquitlam BC. Chris thought since he was in the area last year, he'd stop by to visit with a grandfather he never really knew, who spent his last years at the facility and is buried on the grounds.
Thanks for listening and your understanding. Hopefully we'll see you next week. Johanna (Connie).
Journey of Natty Gann (Disney 1985) and the same location in the Crowsnest Pass 2014. We're visiting the Pass over the new year, as we often do, and this time we'll be staying at a house that appears (briefly) in the film. How cool, eh? Chris has decided it's time on this visit to reshoot this and other Natty Gann comparison shots we did from ten years ago. Stay tuned!
This scene was shot in historic downtown Coleman and shows the former Holyk's Grocery. It was built in the early 1900s and the store closed in the '60s. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
From 2015. Rob Pohl and his strange old-style view camera joined us in documenting the Laing House (with permission). Head down to the comments to see an amazing coincidence with something I found inside.
From the Crossley slides, it's an undated view of Towers School, out near Cluny Alberta. It was originally called Swastika School but that's before the word and symbol were ruined by negative connotations. Built 1922. Gone? _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
The same alley in downtown Calgary's west end, in the 1970s & today. You have to look hard to see the connection! The area was quite run down back then and is in stark contrast to all the shiny condo towers seen present day. Calgary Place West, an apartment block, appears in both images although it's barely a sliver in ours. Check the comments for more info.
Photo credit: James Tworow collection. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Lost highways (2022): a section of old #93 in Southeastern BC. That BIGDoer-mobile is gone now but quite famous and had a following of its own. Old mine roads, cow paths, 4x4ing across fields - no problem and people would recognize us out in remote areas just by this car. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
I live north of Indian Head! We go here all the time! Like stepping back in time!
Awesome! We had a blast shooting that piece.
Looks like it was a classic!
A top ten memory!
Thanks for the memories! We used to go all the time when the kids were kids.
It’s a kid thing for sure. If there’s a drive in out your way, where ever that is, be sure and patronize them. They’ll love you for it.
There’s still drive ins? I live in Regina and will have to check it out!
Just down the road from you and not far at all. Tell them we sent you.
Yes, still have this in Armstrong BC
Yes, one of the last in the province. Love them all the more as there’s not many left.
I’ve been there a few times and watched a movie or two.
Been there once and didn’t watch a movie, as it turns out. But had the best time ever anyway!
I am in Ontario. We still have some but the last movie we saw at a drive-in was ET. Loved going to drive-ins.
It looks like there might still be a few of them in the province – maybe check them out? It’s a great time!
Such fun!
You captured some amazing photos!
Great times at the Twilight!
Rock on Wolseley Boy!
Some timeless stuff here!
I know, it’s like another time. And we love it!
So exciting! Will have to check them out.
They’ll be waiting for you!
There is/was one in the Enderby area as well.
Yes, it looks like it’s still around.
Neat! Will have to check it out if we are ever out that way.
Tell them we sent you!
Amazing photos and it’s like we’re there with you!
Thanks and that’s the effect we were after (but don’t always know if we achieve).
Is that wounded bird named Leghorn? Foghorn Leghorn? The barnyard bully? Anybody remember?
Watching Looney Tunes was right of passage as a kid. Yes, we all do!
Ooooo, yes please!!
Popcorn, a Coke, a smokie and the family jammed in a car + a movie = good memories!
You two have all the fun!
We have our share, there’s no argument there.
Interesting post Chris and Connie, thank you for your article. I was a kid again!
Our pleasure and it pleases us to no end knowing you enjoyed it!
I loved going to drive ins as a child and teenager, only problem was it didn’t get dark enough outside until very late in the evening.
A northern latitude problem if there ever was one, so it was always a late one going to these.
What a glorious place. Almost like time stopped.
It really is like stepping back in time…what a blast!
Your middle name should be fun!
Or “Danger”…