My first trip to the TLA was a memorable one- a dark-to-dawn New Years Eve film festival, sometime in the mid-1980’s. A dreamlike experience, half awake at times, as one film blurred into another- “The Trip”; “Reefer Madness”(?); some Elvis film substituted as a last minute replacement (why haven’t his films gotten the ‘Rocky Horror’ or MST3K treatement is beyond me); and my favorite of the lot- “Zardoz”. Dozing and waking at odd times througout the night; staggering to either the restroom or concession between shows; an audience member who felt compelled to announce it was midnight during the middle of the movie running at the time, then responses of ‘So what?’, ‘Who cares?’ and ‘Shut up!’ coming in rapid succession afterwards. Then finally taking SEPTA out of town and walking back to Elkins Park in the grey wet dawn of the New Year. I only went one other time- I only got to go while visiting a cousin who lived in the area, but I’d often inquire what was showing and what he’d seen there lately, vicariously enjoying and appreciating the enriching diversity of the TLA’s bill of fare. Too bad it no longer exists in that incarnation; every town needs a place like the TLA was back then.
My not-even close, absolute, hands down, all-time favorite Drive-In!!! The Hartford and it’s open-all-Winter triple horror features were a secial treat of the highest order. Films like ‘Zombie Island Massacre’, ‘The Rats Are Coming! The Werewolves Are Here!’, ‘Pieces’, ‘Toolbox Murders’, ‘The House That Cried Murder’, ‘The Hills Have Eyes’, ‘The Deadly Spawn’, ‘Equinox’ (now out on a special Criterion edition!), and the perfectly appropriate ‘Ruby’, not to mention the occasional short subject before the show, dozens of classic and vintage trailers and even some local ads during intermission time. Great popcorn and the best french fries anywhere, all overlooking the effervescence of a sparkling soda in Snack Canyon, the twinkling lights of the valley below and the stars above. Unfortunately, it’s since been sacrificed on the alter of cancerous commerce and now houses…townhouses. I’m thinking it would only be fitting that those townhouses suffer a similar fate as the house in Poltergeist, as characters from films shown there in days gone by all return to reclaim their Hallowed ground…
I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been able to patronize the Neptune City in all it’s glory during the early to mid-1980’s. Enjoying double and triple bills of films such as Forbidden World, Maniac, Slumber Party Massacre, Xtro, Make Them Die Slowly, They Call Me Bruce, and countlesss forgotten other films of similar ilk. The atmosphere was as much a part of the entertainment as the films themselves. While never witnessing any criminal or even disorderly behavior, the movies shown there were definitely a participatory affair. Talking, or even shouting, at the screen seemed expected, especially when trying discourage any unsuspecting nubile teen in the film from going to find out just what was taking her boyfriend so long…Most nights going to see movies there were a raucous and joyful affair and I do not recall ever leaving there disappointed or feeling like I hadn’t had a good time. Lord, do I miss those time and that place…
My first trip to the TLA was a memorable one- a dark-to-dawn New Years Eve film festival, sometime in the mid-1980’s. A dreamlike experience, half awake at times, as one film blurred into another- “The Trip”; “Reefer Madness”(?); some Elvis film substituted as a last minute replacement (why haven’t his films gotten the ‘Rocky Horror’ or MST3K treatement is beyond me); and my favorite of the lot- “Zardoz”. Dozing and waking at odd times througout the night; staggering to either the restroom or concession between shows; an audience member who felt compelled to announce it was midnight during the middle of the movie running at the time, then responses of ‘So what?’, ‘Who cares?’ and ‘Shut up!’ coming in rapid succession afterwards. Then finally taking SEPTA out of town and walking back to Elkins Park in the grey wet dawn of the New Year. I only went one other time- I only got to go while visiting a cousin who lived in the area, but I’d often inquire what was showing and what he’d seen there lately, vicariously enjoying and appreciating the enriching diversity of the TLA’s bill of fare. Too bad it no longer exists in that incarnation; every town needs a place like the TLA was back then.
My not-even close, absolute, hands down, all-time favorite Drive-In!!! The Hartford and it’s open-all-Winter triple horror features were a secial treat of the highest order. Films like ‘Zombie Island Massacre’, ‘The Rats Are Coming! The Werewolves Are Here!’, ‘Pieces’, ‘Toolbox Murders’, ‘The House That Cried Murder’, ‘The Hills Have Eyes’, ‘The Deadly Spawn’, ‘Equinox’ (now out on a special Criterion edition!), and the perfectly appropriate ‘Ruby’, not to mention the occasional short subject before the show, dozens of classic and vintage trailers and even some local ads during intermission time. Great popcorn and the best french fries anywhere, all overlooking the effervescence of a sparkling soda in Snack Canyon, the twinkling lights of the valley below and the stars above. Unfortunately, it’s since been sacrificed on the alter of cancerous commerce and now houses…townhouses. I’m thinking it would only be fitting that those townhouses suffer a similar fate as the house in Poltergeist, as characters from films shown there in days gone by all return to reclaim their Hallowed ground…
I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been able to patronize the Neptune City in all it’s glory during the early to mid-1980’s. Enjoying double and triple bills of films such as Forbidden World, Maniac, Slumber Party Massacre, Xtro, Make Them Die Slowly, They Call Me Bruce, and countlesss forgotten other films of similar ilk. The atmosphere was as much a part of the entertainment as the films themselves. While never witnessing any criminal or even disorderly behavior, the movies shown there were definitely a participatory affair. Talking, or even shouting, at the screen seemed expected, especially when trying discourage any unsuspecting nubile teen in the film from going to find out just what was taking her boyfriend so long…Most nights going to see movies there were a raucous and joyful affair and I do not recall ever leaving there disappointed or feeling like I hadn’t had a good time. Lord, do I miss those time and that place…