Back to the Drive-In
“Back to the Drive-In”
Back to the Drive-In is a documentary film written and Directed by April Wright. April and I are both sorry that the hard drive did not arrive in time for it to play on National Drive-In Day/Night. We will be playing it sometime again this year now that we have the content. And like our opening video at the drive-in says “On with the Show ''. I am obviously a sucker for the content and subject matter that April has decided to use as the vehicle for her storytelling. I am a drive-in theater owner myself so to say that I found common ground with these other owners is a gross understatement. She is chronicling the quick rise and resurgence of the drive-in during Covid when we could provide a safe social distancing escape from the pandemic and then much like the rest of the country our now quick decline in economy and all around economic climate and hardships.
The issues that these owners talk about and grip about is like listening to a repeating record in my head. From complaining about and anticipating incoming weather that could affect a show, to trains coming in the yard during a show for me that’s logging trucks riding their Jake brake blasting down Hwy 21 during a show. These owners are some new like me but most of them generational owners that grew up in the business couldn't hide their love for their drive-ins if they tried. From the staffing issues to the crap movie selection we've had the last 2 years, still the one thing that April captured effortlessly is love. Leigh of the Greenville Drive-In described it best and you can see the joy in her face when she talks about working the ticket booth. I can relate the ticket booth is the best job at the drive-in because we get to see everyone that comes in. That's when they are at their most excited. They are excited to get in get a good spot or as per usual at almost every show you get people who have never been to a drive-in before and have a ton of questions.
These people can not have their spirits dampened, because like they all say there is just something about the drive-in. It's its own thing while technically similar to indoor or box theaters as we call them it's a totally different experience unto itself. Yes lots of the customers come for the movies but unlike indoor theaters when you walk the grounds during the show you see the families, the friend groups, the teenagers and of course couples on dates. They are all just hanging out, some talking to their neighbors others keeping to themselves but all almost always smiling. They tell you thank you for keeping the place open and how much they love it. When someone tells you that, if you get just one of those a weekend it can wipe all the bad away in one interaction. April I and I'm sure all other drive-in owners would tell you Thank You for taking the time to shine the lights on the little guys and gals slugging it out in the trenches surviving on passion and Popcorn.
*This movie review was originally published in The Current River Observer as the River Reels article written by Jeffrey Riggs
