The grindhouse and the drive-in are sort of cousins in the exploitation world. While the grindhouse has served as an institution catering to city dwellers and wayward suburbanites who’ve drifted into the more forbidden parts of town to take a gander at even more forbidden cinema, the drive-in has been something of its rural analogue, catering to the same desires among those Americans who prefer to indulge in underground or homegrown cinema from the comfort of the front (or back) seat of their car. Indeed, one could argue that the grindhouse is the child of the drive-in: the first drive-in theater opened on this day, June 6th, in 1933, decades before the movie palaces of Times Square switched reels from Bogie and Bacall to Milligan and Findlay. So it is that today, National Drive-In Day, we here at the Daily Grindhouse pay homage to our outdoor ally in bringing folks the very best in first-and-second run exploitation cinema; and we’re pleased to do it with this video tribute from friends of the Grindhouse Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy the Mail Girl, who’ve filmed it especially to mark this historic occasion. Says Briggs, ““Drive-ins have changed a lot since 1933—many of them now show first-run blockbusters to huge summer crowds—but each new generation has discovered something to love about the ultimate American movie-going experience.”
The celebration comes in the midst of something of a drive-in revival, an unexpected byproduct of the COVID epidemic, as the experience of driving to a secluded location to watch a movie on a big screen from the safety and seclusion of one’s own vehicle proved a welcome escape whose appeal has endured three years later. In recognition of this renaissance, the United Drive-in Theatre Owners Association (UDITOA) has launched www.authenticdriveins.com. This website, created by drive-in theatre owners, will allow movie-goers to find the UDITOA drive-in theatres near them. Listings of drive-in movies and show-times with advance ticket purchasing will also be available on the site, in addition to the latest official drive-in theatre news, drive-in history, and even listings of drive-in theatres for sale. Meanwhile, The Third Annual WORLD DRIVE-IN MOVIE FESTIVAL & JAMBOREE will be held October 6-8, 2023 at the West Wind Drive-in, Las Vegas. Often simply called, “Joe Bob’s Jamboree”, the event is a three-day party hosted by Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy the Mail Girl that brings together fans of drive-in movies and the drive-in experience. This year it moves to Las Vegas for a bigger-than-ever slate of films, celebrities, and live performances at the six screen West Wind Las Vegas Drive-in. Tickets are available at www.joebobsjamboree.com.
Authentic Drive-ins will announce special events all throughout 2023 to celebrate their 90th birthday. Please like and follow all of the official Authentic Drive-ins social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for the latest drive-in theatre news. Visit our website at www.authenticdriveins.com to find the UDITOA Authentic Drive-in Theatres near you!
While the grindhouses of our beloved 42nd Street may have fallen to the wrecking ball, the drive-in will never die.
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