MVD Entertainment Group
announced this past week that documentary filmmaker Alexander Monelli’s At
the Drive-In will be making its way to the DVD marketplace on Apr. 9.
They were the rage in the
1950s and ‘60s, the neighborhood drive-in theatre. Kids of the Baby Boom could be packed in the
family automobile and make a family night at the movies, complete with hot
dogs, pop corn and anything else that could be stowed in the car (include teens
in the trunk).
But as the suburbs
blossomed, so did property values and the need for strip mauls, apartments and
homes. The property value of an eight,
ten or more acre parcel became more valuable than the business of showing
movies … and one by one by they closed.
Filmmaker Alexander
Monelli originally had in mind a film about drive-in theatres in general, but
as he worked on the project he came across the die-hards of Lehighton,
Pennsylvania and the Mahoning Drive-In.
Their story seemed to encapsulate the entirety of the lifecycle this
unique theatrical venue.
First established in
1949, the venue stayed mainstream (meaning first run) as long as they could,
but the day came when upgrades to the new digital projection methods and the
money simply wasn’t there.
Close up, sell off the
land and call it a day? Never, the
staff and fans of drive-ins rallied to the Mahoning Drive-In, volunteered their
time and turned it into a retro boutique venue (meaning 35mm projection) and
carry on. At the Drive-In is their
story in particular … and drive-ins in general.
Bonus goodies include
commentary from filmmaker Alexander Monelli and deleted scenes.
Of note, the new season
(April through the end of October) for the Mahoning Drive-In begins on Apr. 26
with the double bill presentation of The Wizard of Oz and Willy
Wonka and Chocolate Factory.
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