The new pandemic-era drive-in is not without its challenges. Having enough bathrooms and keeping them properly sanitized and users properly distanced is a big headache. And getting snacks out to the cars safely -- no more hanging around the scuzzy snackbar -- requires a lot of labor and planning.
In a recent interview, America’s "foremost drive-in movie critic" and fan, Joe Bob Briggs (aka John Bloom), predictably saw a sliver of a silver lining in dark times, declaring 2020 the “year of the drive-in.” He added:
"Films were designed to be watched together. ... The drive-in is the symbol of that. The drive-in was always a place where everybody gathered. And it was all races, creeds, genders. That’s still true online as we prove every Friday night with our show [The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs, recently renewed on Shudder for a 3rd season]. It’s a great thing and it’s an optimistic thing and I hope it helps the real drive-ins, the mom and pops that are still out there doing that good work keeping the drive-in alive.” [“Joe Bob Briggs Declares This the Summer of the Drive-in,” Kelle Long, The Credits, motionpictures.org, 6/1/20]
As long as there are people out there like Joe Bob, the drive-in will never die. |
I haven’t been to a drive-in in many years, but I am (ahem) old enough to have experienced its hey-day. My first movie memory is being taken by my parents -- in footie pajamas no less -- to the drive-in to see Darby O’Gill and the Little People. I dived down beneath the dashboard when the banshee appeared. I think that early shot of adrenaline jump started my love of horror movies. Thanks Disney!
Later, shortly after high school, a good friend was hired as an assistant manager at the local drive-in, and he would give me free passes. I’d sit on a lawn chair next to the concession stand and watch second-runs like Hannie Calder while scarfing down popcorn. I fantasized about running my own drive-in, but seeing as how they were already in decline at that point, that thankfully stayed a dream.
An interesting aspect of the drive-in resurgence is that in many cases, venues are going retro, playing movies like Jaws and Back to the Future instead of more contemporary second-runs. This is proving popular, as many apparently want to see older movies to complete the nostalgic effect.
This got me thinking about the movies I would show at my alternate universe drive-in where money is no object and I don’t have to worry about losing my shirt.
My first order of business would be to show truly retro movies that few under the age of 50 have seen. Second, have fun with themes, promotions and even the concessions. And of course, in my perfect universe, there’s no Covid19, so people can hang around the grotty snackbar and kids can get out and run around all they want. Oh, what a wonderful alternate world it would be!
Tonight, this drive-in is going to the dogs! Dracula's Dog (1977) & Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell (1978) |
Promotion: All cars with leashed dogs get in half-price
Featured Snack: Hot-off-Hell's-grill dogs
Two chips off the old Doc! Daughter of Dr. Jekyll (1957) & Frankenstein's Daughter (1958) |
Promotion: Ladies’ two-for-one night at the snackbar
Featured Drink: Mad Dr Pepper
At these schools, detention is served in Hell, forever... Satan's School for Girls (1973) & Satan's Cheerleaders (1977) |
Promotion: Half-price admission with a student ID
Featured Snack: Satan's Red Hots
Don't Panic! It's only two movies! Panic in the Streets (1950) & Panic in Year Zero (1962) |
Promotion: Every admission gets a “Panic” sickness bag
Featured snack: Bring your sickness bag to the snackbar for a free popcorn fill-up
Your blood will freeze when you see these beasts! Night of the Blood Beast (1958) & The Blood Beast Terror (1968) |
Promotion: Free admission with proof of blood donation
Featured snack: Bloody Red Vines
It's about time, it's about space, it's about two terrors vs. the human race! It! The Terror from Beyond Space (1958) & Terror from the Year 5000 (1958) |
Promotion: Show a selfie with your most terrorized face for half-price admission
Featured snack: Terror tots
The comeback of drive-ins is one of the very few good things to come out of this terrible time. There aren't any near where I live, and I don't own a car anyway, but it was a nice feeling to know that Jaws was the #2 movie at the boxoffice during a recent week.
ReplyDeleteMy first movie was a Disney film at a drive-in too: Bambi, in September 1957. I was 2 going on 3, and the forest fire terrified me. That is probably the very first thing I have a memory of.
Yes, Bambi famously traumatized a whole generation of kids. Still, you gotta love the old classic Disney, versus the current world-straddling, heartless colossus that hasn't made anything original in decades. :)
DeleteI think if Walt Disney were alive today, he'd be proud of his studio's moneymaking ability, but he'd be less than thrilled with the quality of the actual product.
DeleteAgreed!
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