At the Drive-In

The Mahoning Drive In is a story that takes place in today's isolated, joyless mainstream where inspired travelers find delight and new family under the stars and yesterday's large screen magic.

Anyone who has ever felt the charm, or imagined the magic of a Drive In should love this movie.

I am extremely relieved to see they survived 2020 and are in business this year. Can't wait to visit.

This film made me so happy! And congratulations to Virgil and his whole eccentric crew for following their mutual passion by keeping this dying art form alive and running. For those of us who grew up going to the drive-in on balmy, summer nights-meeting up with our gang of friends, loading plastic lawn chairs into the back of an old hatchback, hiding someone under our legs in the back seat under a pile of blankets, reciting movie dialogue while perched on the roof of our cars, riding on rusty swing sets during intermission-we we feel the love. It was a simpler time.

I live in Southern California and a few drive-ins still remain. But, most have switched to digital, and yes, you can feel the difference. I hope to one day make it out to Mahoning Drive-In to catch a vintage double feature and soak in the nostalgia. Keep it up, guys!

Alexander Monelli's Documentary is a tribute to Pennsylvannia's Mahoning Drive-In Theater, which faced with closure for lack of funds to convert to Digital, decided to go all in on staying with 35mm film projection. Owner Jeff Mattox and a couple of movie nerd college students went all in on making the theater into a revival house, staging themed shows in costumes. The programing focus is on cult films, including a lot of SF, Horror & Fantasy. But, what really made the theater go is a rag-tag group of volunteers (Owner Mattox also claims he doesn't take a salary) who drive for as long as six hourse (each way!) to work for the love of the theaters. That's devotion. Since the Doc is so narrowly focused, don't expect too much in the way of a broader view and history of the Drive-Ins, but, for what it is, it's an enjoyable look at a beloved local business.

Initially I thought this drive-in was located in Mahoning County Ohio, so I was stoked as that is my birthplace.

Wrong! This lovely gem of a drive-in is located in Pennsylvania close to Allentown.

The documentary was a delight. Filled with just the kind of quirky characters you'd expect to work for free at a drive-in movie theater.

I can only hope if I ever find myself near the Mahoning Drive-In on a weekend, that the place is still functioning!

If you've ever felt like an outsider, watch this film. If you've ever loved a film no one else understood, watch this film. If you love documentaries, WATCH THIS FILM.