This last Saturday, we ventured back to the Indianapolis area, twice in the last two weeks, for this year’s Super Monster Movie Fest at the Skyline Drive-In in Shelbyville, IN. Normally, we are there for both nights of fun, but due to some work issues, we couldn’t make it for the Friday night screenings, but did come out for Saturday. We got to see The Invisible Man (1933), John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982), 30 Days of Night (2007), Dead Snow (2009), and The Crawling Eye (1958).

It was a beautiful night for this even too. It was a little warm while the sun was out, but there was still a nice breeze. Once the sun went down, it started to cool off quite a bit, but never got too cold that a nice blanket wouldn’t help with. See . . . we come prepared!

While I had seen all of these films before, it is always a treat to see them on the big screen, in the drive-in environment. I’ve actually seen Carpenter’s The Thing more times at the drive-in than in the regular theaters! Plus, it had been quite some time since I watched 30 Days of Night and forgotten just how good of a film that is. Plus, Dead Snow is always a fun one. But The Crawling Eye is a favorite of mine, just loving those types of films from that era, and it is just a hoot. Granted, that one finished just after 6am, which gave us enough time to get back to the hotel and grab about 3 hours of sleep before we had to check out and get back on the road for a 4-hour trip back.

And in two weeks, we’ll be heading back to the Skyline for the Severin Sleepover to do another all-night film fest!

Why do we drive that long to stay up all night to watch movies that not only have we seen already, but own in our personal collection? Because for the experience. It really is as simple as that. Going to the drive-in for these types of events are just a lot of fun. You’re surrounded by a ton of like-minded people, vendors selling some interesting items, not to mention all the treats at the snack bar, that the Skyline usually puts a horror spin on some of the items to make it even more fun! Like the Dracula’s Bite ice cream sundae, which included some wax vampire teeth!

Some might say that the drive-in is just a nostalgic trip down memory lane for us old-timers, but I can take you that each and every time I go to one of these events, there is a younger generation enjoying it just as much. So, they are learning of the importance of them, and seeing just how much fun they can be, not to mention making their own memories. Isn’t that the whole point . . . to make these special memories with family and friends, sharing the fun and experiences? That is something they, and us, we keep and treasure for the rest of our lives. And honestly, there isn’t anything more important than that, is there?

On September 9th, the Skyline will be hosting the Severin Sleepover that I mentioned earlier, screening Al Adamson’s monster epic Dracula vs Frankenstsein (1971), with Dracula himself, Zandor Vorkov appearing to greet the fans, as well as Horrors of Spider Island (1960), Dario Argento’s rare comedy The Five Days (1973), Night of the Demon (1980, and Jess Franco’s Vampyros Lesbos (1971). Severin will have a table there, as well as some other guests and vendors. For more info, just click HERE for the events page.

Then the following week on Sept. 16th, at the Midway Drive-in in Dixon, IL, they are holding their annual Dusk to Dawn Horrorfest, screening Child’s Play (1988), Return of the Living Dead (1985), Slumber Party Massacre (1982), and Frank Henenlotter’s Frankenhooker (1990). There will be dealers there as well (including us!!!) to tempt your hard-earned cash from you, as well as all part of the fun. For all the information about this event, just click HERE.