Director: Stu Segall
Writers: George "Buck" Fowler, John F. Goff, and Stu Segall
Starring: James Barnes
Body Count: 9
Review:
I love drive-in theaters. I love the romance behind them, the very idea behind them. I revel in the trashiness of them, to some degree, and wonder what it was like to go to a drive-in back in their heyday. So the notion of setting a slasher movie at a drive-in theater--which is exactly what Drive-In Massacre does--appeals to me very much.
Unfortunately, that wonderful notion isn't given much room to breath in this really amateur film. True, it does have spots of clever humor, and true, the ending does give off an air of William Castle-esque showmanship; nevertheless, the overall product isn't all that appealing.
Two cops spend the entire film investigating the machete murders that have been committed at the local drive-in. There's a long list of possible suspects, from the weirdo, disgruntled manager of the theater, to the homely and slightly retarded ex-carny who cleans up the grounds, to the icky porno-fiend who hangs out at the theater every night hoping to get a peak at a couple going at it so he can "beat his meat." All this is fine and good, but none of it makes much sense when the films winds down to its conclusion, and ends with one of the most abrupt endings I've ever seen. I suppose it would have worked a little better had I actually seen this movie in the drive-in, but even that aside, this ending needs some work.
All in all, this isn't the worst, but don't be expecting too much. The deaths are limited, not very bloody, and the characters are, well, not too interesting. But it's still good late-night fun to pass the time.
Trivia: Check closely in the credits, as some prints of Drive-In Massacre were released with incorrect spelling in the title (Drive-In Masacre).