Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the American Drive-In Movie (August 8th at the Cleveland Cinematheque)

[GOING ATTRACTIONS: THE DEFINITIVE STORY OF THE AMERICAN DRIVE-IN MOVIE screens Friday August 8th at 9:45 pm at the Cleveland Cinematheque. Filmmaker April Wright will answer audience questions after the screening.]

In detailing the history and cultural impact of its subject, GOING ATTRACTIONS: THE DEFINITIVE STORY OF THE AMERICAN DRIVE-IN MOVIE does a pretty good job living up to its subtitle. If it falls short, it's only because director April Wright recognizes that sometimes you have to sacrifice comprehensiveness in order to make a movie that flows well and keeps the viewer's attention. But really, there's not much of importance that gets left out.

'Going Attractions' director April Wright chronicles the American Drive-In experience

[GOING ATTRACTIONS: THE DEFINITIVE STORY OF THE AMERICAN DRIVE-IN MOVIE screens Friday August 8th at 9:45 pm at the Cleveland Cinematheque. Filmmaker April Wright will answer audience questions after the screening.]

Interview by Bob Ignizio

'Going Attractions' director April Wright

Joe Bob Briggs once said, “The Drive-In will never die.” That said, despite a little bit of a resurgence in recent years, it's certainly seen better days. The new documentary GOING ATTRACTIONS: THE DEFINITIVE STORY OF THE AMERICAN DRIVE-IN MOVIE pretty much lives up to the claim in its subtitle, chronicling the rise and decline of this cinematic institution through interviews with people involved in just about every aspect of the drive-in business. As thorough a job as the film does, I still had a few questions for April and she was kind enough to answer them via email.

Yes, there is still a drive-in near Cleveland - and it's starting a very special summer...

Reporting by Charles Cassady, Jr.

Ever since LeBron left, the only thing significant about Cleveland, we can all agree, is the proximity to the Aut-O-Rama Twin drive-in movies in southeastern Lorain County. The Aut-O-Rama Twin is practically the lone survivor of the great era of drive-in movie “ozoners” in northeast Ohio. Managed lovingly by the Sherman family, the two-screen Aut-O-Rama has a spiffy snack bar (no outside food allowed, sorry), clean facilities, newly installed digital projection, and easy access via I-480 and the Ohio Turnpike in North Ridgeville.

In short, it’s the lone option left for locals to experience the classic American (or Australian) summer ritual of going to enjoy outdoor movies after the sun goes down. Customary Aut-O-Rama Twin spins are first-run mainstream features…but for the summer of 2013 the Shermans decided to program “Retro Tuesdays.” Every Tuesday night brings a double feature of classic pop cinema from the 1970s and 1980s, back when other local drive-ins roamed the Earth. (moment of silence, please, for the departed Miles Drive-In and the three-screen Memphis Drive-In, among others)