Living the Dream at the Drive-In

This last Saturday, we were at the Midway Drive-In in Dixon, IL, for their annual From Dusk to Dawn Horrorfest, set up out in front of the concessions, like we usually are. Now usually in September when these are held, the only part of the weather we usually have to worry about is if it might rain or not. Thankfully, there was not even a chance of rain in the forecast. Instead, it was a bit warmer than normal. In fact, record breaking temps hitting 91 degrees. And it felt like it too. Would it be too hot for anyone to want to come out and celebrate the great films they were showcasing? Would they come out early enough to shop with us vendors and hang out? Or if they were planning to come out, would they just get there right as dusk in time for the films? We would soon have the answer to that.

Super Monster Movie Fest 2017

Over the last weekend in August, we made our annual trip down to the Skyline Drive-In, located in Shelbyville, Indiana, which is just about 30 minutes south of Indianapolis, for the 6th Annual Super Monster Movie Fest. This is our fourth year going down there for this. We were at the very first one in 2012, but missed the next two. But starting in 2015, we’ve made it every year since and hope to continue that tradition. In fact, another tradition might have started this year. Usually, it is my wife Dawn and/or my son Nick making the trip out with me. Last year, Dawn couldn’t make it, so it was just me and Nick, which we decided to forgo the hotel room and just sleep in the van. Since it only got down to a tepid 70 degrees at night, I wouldn’t recommend that. The van smelled like a gym locker for about a week afterwards. But this time, not only was Dawn coming with, but Nick decided that he was going to get a group of his friends and drive down on their own. So I guess I really planted the love of the drive-in in him. Makes a father proud.

Support the Drive-In…Eat THEIR Food!

We recently came across this photo on Facebook and it prompted me to take a few minutes to try and help get this point out there to a few more people, and try to help explain why this is a very important message. Regular visitors to the Krypt know my love for the Drive-In Theaters, especially when they have their all night horror movie marathons! Trust me, one does not drive hundreds and hundreds of miles to watch movies outside out of boredom. There is just something about the drive-in and the experience of the whole thing. I keep using the term “experience” because it really is. From sitting in your car (or out in front of it on lawn chairs), to the atmosphere, the food, the people, everything about it adds up to a great night, and one that takes you back to a different era. Maybe it was because I grew up going to these as a teenager that it reminds me of those times when I visit them today.

An Indoor Drive-In?

That’s right…an indoor drive-in.

When I first heard news of this new $10 million indoor drive-in near Nashville, I actually thought it was a regular drive-in but had a cover over it, like one of those indoor sports field. At that point, I thought that was the coolest idea since the invention of the corndog! But the more I read through a few different articles on this, it isn’t what I thought it was. While it is an indoor theater, the cars are just permanently parked there. Not sure if they are actual even real cars or just seats fabricated classic car. So while it has the look and set up of a drive-in, not sure if it is going to have the real feel of one.

Super Monster Movie Fest 2015 – The Fur is Going to Fly!

At the end of August, at the Skyline Drive-In Theater in Shelbyville, IN (just south of Indianapolis), they are holding their annual festival of classic monster movies being screened over 3 days. We were there for one of them a few years ago and have been trying to get back again for the fun, but just don’t seem to make it. But once again, we’re going to try to make it this year.

Starting on Friday, Aug. 28th, they will be screening Mighty Joe Young (1949), Hammer’s Curse of the Werewolf (1961), Island of Lost Souls (1932), Tarantula (1955), and Horror Express (1972). Then on Saturday the 29th, they will be showing the original King Kong (1933), American Werewolf in London (1981), Hammer’s Abominable Snowman (1957), Toho’s War of the Gargantuas (1966), and then Teenage Monster (1958). On Sunday, they will have repeat screenings of Curse of the Werewolf, Island of Lost Souls, and Abominable Snowman. I can’t tell you how excited I am thinking of having the chance to see some of these amazing films on a huge screen, not to mention at a drive-in! How cool is that? I mean seriously….the original King Kong!?!?!