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Video: For family owners of Mansfield Drive-In, business is 'more than a movie'

One of Michael Jungden’s life passions was owning and operating The Mansfield Drive-In, a 40-acre 1950s gem of nostalgia located in the small eastern Connecticut town.

When he first purchased the location, it was overgrown with weeds and grass. But under Michael's watchful eye, the drive-in, and his family, flourished into something meaningful.

After his death from cancer in 2020, the torch passed to his wife and two daughters. The Jungdens are determined to carry on the spirit and tradition of the drive-in where families and friends gather in the summer months to enjoy a memorable movie experience.

With emotions of young love, community and nostalgia – Connecticut Public’s mini doc 'More Than A Movie' explores the story of The Mansfield Drive-In Theater. For more Connecticut Public's original Mini Docs, visit ctpublic.org/minidocs.

"It's a dream come true that they're keeping it going"
Jan Jungden

Jan Jungden is interviewed for ‘More Than A Movie’ at The Mansfield Drive-in.
Dave Wurtzel
/
Connecticut Public
Jan Jungden is interviewed for ‘More Than A Movie’ at The Mansfield Drive-in.
A crescent moon behind the movie screen at the Mansfield Drive-in. Frame from ‘More Than A Movie’.
Mark Mirko
/
Connecticut Public
A crescent moon behind the movie screen at the Mansfield Drive-in. Frame from ‘More Than A Movie’.
The sunset as seen from The Mansfield Drive-in. Frame from ‘More Than A Movie’
Mark Mirko
/
Connecticut Public
The sunset as seen from The Mansfield Drive-in. Frame from ‘More Than A Movie’

Dave Wurtzel is an award winning Visuals Journalist at Connecticut Public.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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Connecticut Public’s journalism is made possible, in part by funding from Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Jaeger.