Sharing His Big Screen With Friends

Drive-in theaters may be a lost pastime, but Larry Capune has kept the tradition of outdoor movies alive--at least on his street.

For the past 33 summers, Capune has put on free reel-to-reel flicks for the locals and island vacationers.

“It’s like being at the drive-in without the car,” said Jim Ferguson, a Balboa Island resident who goes to the movies with his wife, Susan, and their three children. “It’s good, family, wholesome entertainment. It’s kind of a tradition that people look forward to on the island.”

On Thursday nights in July and early August, Capune projects the night’s movie at dusk at the end of Onyx Avenue. The last picture show of the summer is tonight and Capune will screen a closing favorite, “Endless Summer.”

Moviegoers bring popcorn, candy, pizzas and soft drinks, and plop their beach chairs on the pavement or sidewalk to watch films such as “The Gods Must Be Crazy” or “The Golden Seal.”

“It’s something novel, and kids get a chance to see movies the way they should be seen--instead of on a video,” said Capune, a Newport Beach resident.

Capune, a lifeguard at Dover Shores beach, shows movies the whole family can enjoy, whether they be old classics such as “Lassie Come Home” or surfing films.

Ferguson’s 8-year-old daughter, Mackenna, said it is a social night for her: “It’s fun because you can be with your friends. It’s good movies. I like them all.”

Although Capune’s twin brother and roommate, Marty, started the island movies, it has become a solo act for Capune.

Capune has amassed a library of more than 1,000 films, which includes documentaries and features. The first screen was bought by a local resident who got tired of seeing films on a white sheet. And last year, another local donated $1,100 to buy a new big screen.

Over the years, Capune has bounced from street to street on the island, moving the movie night location mainly because of complaints about noise from a resident or two. But for the past 15 years, he has shown films on Onyx, where residents clear the street of cars.

Capune said he has no plans to stop and hopes to be back on the street next summer.

“It’s just the satisfaction of doing something for your neighborhood.” Besides, he said, people have come to expect the summer movie night.

“It’s unique to the island neighborhood.”