Drive-In Delights At McHenry Outdoor Theater's Fall Throwback Series

By Staff in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 11, 2014 3:15PM

Technologically antiquated and absolutely wonderful, the drive-in movie experience has survived, albeit on the brink of extinction for some time now. But if your moviegoing is limited to interchangeable multiplexes (or even worse, your smartphone screen), do yourself a favor and get a taste of movies under the stars while you still can.

New movies still comprise the bulk of schedules at surviving drive-ins, but special retro programming like the McHenry Outdoor Theater’s Fall Throwback Series is one of the best ways to enjoy the drive-in’s nostalgic appeal.

Fall doesn’t officially begin until late September, but the Throwbacks start on Aug. 22 and 23 with a “fin-tastic” triple feature of the first 3 Jaws movies. Sure, it’s a quick dip into lesser waters once you get past the brilliant 1975 original, but Jaws 2 has some good cheap shock moments, and by the time you’re hopped up on soda, popcorn and corndogs, Jaws 3 might even seem O.K. (it will not be shown in 3-D as originally released, which could make its awkward “coming at ya” scenes more enjoyable with a crowd).

The always fun Terror in the Aisles programmers take charge on Aug. 29 and 30 with their Drive-In Massacre II, a triple bill that includes the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the hilarious cult favorite Return of the Living Dead, and the George Romero/Stephen King anthology, Creepshow. Scream queen and Return of the Living Dead star Linnea Quigley will appear in person. If past Terror in the Aisles events are any indication, you can also look forward to a bunch of great old movie trailers and enticing vendor tables.

The air of nostalgia gets even thicker on Sept. 5 and 6 with George Lucas’ best movie (sorry Star Wars fans!), American Graffiti and Richard Linklater’s terrific ‘70s-era counterpart, Dazed and Confused. 1980s fantasy gets a two-fer on Sept. 12 and 13 with The Neverending Story and Labyrinth. Marty McFly pulls his DeLorean into McHenry on Sept. 19 and 20 for a triple feature of all three Back to the Future films. Sept. 26 and 27 brings two John Hughes’ teen film favorites, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and The Breakfast Club. You can exercise your pipes with a sing-along double feature of Grease and Little Shop of Horrors on Oct. 3 and 4. A to-be-announced, secret double feature for Oct. 10 and 11 will be revealed on Sept. 12.

In a gleefully inappropriate double feature, the family-friendly alien visitation of Steven Spielberg’s E.T. will be paired with the monstrous mutilations of John Carpenter’s The Thing on Oct. 17 and 18. I wonder how many unknowing parents will let their little ones watch both films?

The series concludes with a pre-Halloween triple feature of Universal horror classics on Oct. 24 and 25. Bela Lugosi will command the night again in Dracula, Boris Karloff rises from the tomb in The Mummy, and Lon Chaney Jr. howls (and whines about his condition) in The Wolf Man.

Double features are just $8 for adults and $4 for kids, while triple features are just $10 for adults and $5 for kids. It’s a little over an hour’s drive to the drive-in from the city limits. Find more info at the McHenry Outdoor Theater website or Facebook page. Updates on the Drive-In Massacre are available through Terror in the Aisles’ Facebook page.

By: Joel Wicklund