Would you like to see a matchup between Reptilicus and Godzilla? Then join Jeff and I as we take our final journey of the 4th Annual Summer at the Drive-In and travel back to Labor Day 1968 in Greece, New York to watch one-half of a quadruple feature called the Thing-O-Rama! First up is Denmark’s one and only Kaiju film, Reptilicus (1961). Then, it’s another Japanese Kaiju classic, Godzilla vs. the Thing (1964), aka Mothra vs. Godzilla. Terrifying and invincible, it’s all in episode 83 of the Classic Horrors Club Podcast!
Be sure to check out the video companion on our YouTube channel. Put faces to the words… if you dare!
Before I announce what we’re we’re doing next month, let me first offer a special thank you to our guest, Steve Turek from the DieCast Movie Podcast! I highly recommend you check it out and, as always, be sure to tell ’em Monster Movie Kid sent ya!
Coming up next month, the Halloween season is getting closer, so it’s a perfect time for some Roger Corman, Poe and Lovecraft. And when those three turn up, you know the legendary Vincent Price and Lon Chaney Jr. can’t be too far behind. Join us in September as we talk about The Premature Burial (1962) and The Haunted Palace (1963)!
Karla and I always love a good documentary, especially when it has to do with film or music. A few years ago, we watched Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the American Drive-In (2013) from director April Wright. It was fun and left us wanting more as the drive-in experience is a fascinating piece of Americana history.
This past summer, as Jeff and I were enjoying our 4th Annual Summer at the Drive-In on the Classic Horrors Club Podcast, I finally finished a book I’ve had for a few years but had not yet read cover-to-cover…The American Drive-In Movie Theatre by Don and Susan Sanders. I talk about this book in the most recent episode of the podcast and highly recommend it for anyone interested in the history of drive-in theatres. It’s full of amazing and unique pictures from a bygone era.
Now, as the summer is winding down, we’ve stumbled upon another film from director April Wright…Back to the Drive-In (2022). This documentary focuses on a selection of 11 diverse drive-in theatres from across the country during the 2021 season as they struggle to survive in the post-pandemic environment. Every theatre is unique with their own story and cast of characters. There’s the legendary Bengies in Middle River, Maryland, which is currently celebrating it’s 68th continous season (and the longest list of rules and regulations I’ve ever seen). Way out in California, we’re witness to the final season of the Mission Tiki Drive-in Theatre in Montclair, California. After 65 years, the property values rose to a number that was too good to refuse and it joined the long list of theatres now relegated to the past.
Of course, there were several other highlighted theatres but the one that fascinated us the most was the Quasar Drive-In in Valley, Nebraska. This is one of the newest drive-ins in the country, having opened in 2021. The owners did years of research on the business and other theatres before finally opening their own in the middle of the pandemic. We were especially pleased to see that part of the screen and the snack bar accessories came from right here in Kansas City and the now-defunct I-70 Drive-In. They also boasted their desire to replicate some of what they had seen at the Boulevard Theatre, which is still open and ready to host the Terror on the Plains International Horror Film Festival on September 29 and 30 featuring The Thing (1982), The Monster Squad (1987), Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) and much more!
This documentary is another slice of a favorite summer pastime of Americans, complete with some quirky characters and differing views on how the business will survive or slowly continue to die out. There’s no denying the power of money when an owner is offered more for the land than what he could make in 25 years. It’s sad at times but there’s glimmers of hope, often determined by how long or short the owners have been in business. Some are clearly worn out and ready to move on while others see it as their life’s passion and are full of hope for the future.
Karla and I both recommend Back to the Drive-In as a fun diversion in these dog days of summer before the cooler, creepy days of the Halloween season are filled with visions of monsters and mad men.
It’s currently streaming on Amazon Prime for subscribers and Tubi.
In our next episode of the Classic Horrors Club Podcast, Jeff and I will travel back to Labor Day weekend 1968 for a Thing-o-Rama at the LakeShore Drive-In in Greece, New York. One of the films playing that night was one of three films we covered way back in episode 28…Konga (1961)! In that episode, we also talked about The Giant Behemoth (1959) and Gorgo (1961).
So, fire up the way back machine Mr. Peabody, it’s time for a summer at the drive-in extra!
As you anxiously wait for episode 83 of the Classic Horrors Club Podcast, it’s a perfect time to go back to May 2019. In episode 31, Jeff and I took at look at the friends and foes of Godzilla. There’s Rodan (1956), Ghidorah the Three-Headed Monster (1964) and Mothra (1961)! Find out Mothra’s origin story so you’re ready for the big battle with Godzilla!
Billy D over at the Magazines and Monsters Podcast has once again invited me to join him for a discussion about television horror films of the 1970s. This time, Jeff Owens, my Classic Horrors Club Podcast co-host, joins me and the double feature is indeed a fun night at the movies.
In episode 72, we first talk about The Night Stalker, the 1972 flick starring Darren McGavin. This is the one that started it all and generated not only a sequel but a television series as well. Then, we take a look at Scream of the Wolf, a 1974 film starring Peter Graves (a few years removed from his IMF days) and former western great Clint Walker. I don’t think any introductions are needed for Carl Kolchak but the second half of our double feature might be new for many of you. Both are well worth checking out!
Monster Movie Kid 