Drive-In (1976)

By Wuchak

**_Drive-in shenanigans in the mid-70s_** Several different sets of people, young and older, go to a drive-in outside of Dallas on Friday night. Some just want to enjoy a cheesy 70’s disaster flick while others want to romance or rumble. A couple even want to rob. “Drive-In” (1976) is basically “American Graffiti” set at a drive-in in Anytown, USA, except that it throws in some hammy humor, unlike that more popular coming-of-age flick. I had a ‘meh’ attitude for the first half hour, although it wasn’t bad; I just had a bad attitude. However, when people started to arrive at the drive-in in their vehicles there are three laugh-out-loud jokes one after the other, which won me over. From there on, I just rolled with what the movie had to offer and had a good time. The leader of the wannabe thieves is reminiscent of Brian Johnson, who would go on to helm AC/DC less than five years after this was shot in mid-October, 1975. Meanwhile Glenn Morshower emerges as the main protagonist, Orville. This was his first feature film and he went on to a prolific second-tier acting career. Brunette Lisa Oz (Glowie) and redhead Michelle Franks (Omalee) stand out on the beauty front. Blonde Linda Larimer is also worth a mention as the cashier at the entrance to the drive-in. At the end of the day, I’d watch this over the overrated “American Graffiti” any day. It runs 1 hour, 35 minutes, and was shot in Terrell, Texas, which is a half hour drive east of Dallas. GRADE: B