TIME WARP DRIVE-IN

Matt Martin, owner of Black Lodge Video

make the projected image brighter. This is necessary from time to time, because the “throw” between the Summer drive-in’s digital projection booth and its most distant screen is 700 feet. “That’s over two football fields, and 10 times as far as an indoor theater,” Tashie said. “It requires a whole lot of bulb power to throw light that far through the atmosphere, and we want the screens to show the picture to its best advantage.”

Also, the exterior of the drive-in’s centrally located concession stand will be restored. Said Tashie: “What people like about it is that it looks the same as the day it was built, but it has deteriorated.”

When

the Summer opened, it was one of about 20 drive-ins — ranging from state-of-the-art open-air venues to “cow pastures” — operating in the Mid-south. Today, it is the region’s lone survivor, and one of only 393 drive-in theaters still in operation in the U.S., according to the United Drive- In Theatres Association. In comparison, America had 4,063 drive-ins in 1958.

This “endangered species” status adds an element of preservationist urgency to the “Time Warp” mission. Said Martin: “For young millennials especially, it’s fun to say, ‘Let’s go backward for a moment.’ The drive-in is a wonderful way for them to have their first encounter with these films.” Malco Summer Quartet Drive-in, 5310 Summer Ave. Admission: $10 per person; children under 10 admitted free. Movies start at sunset.

2016 SEASON

Saturday — Dark Urban Worlds: The Films of Martin Scorsese: “Goodfellas” (1990), “The Departed” (2006), “Taxi Driver” (1976), “After Hours” (1985).

Friday, April 29 — Sing-along Sinema! A Night of Musical Madness: “The Blues Brothers” (1980), “Xanadu” (1980), “Cry-baby” (1990), “Cannibal! The Musical” (1993).

Friday May 13 — Comic Book Hardcore!: “Sin City” (2005), “The Crow” (1994), “Blade” (1998), “Tank Girl” (1995).

Saturday, July 16 — Return of the Burn! A Smoke-filled Night of Hopped-up Heroes: “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (1998), “Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie” (1980), “Half Baked” (1998), “I Drink Your Blood” (1970).

Saturday, Aug. 20 — Martial Arts Mayhem! (Everybody Was Kung Fu Warping): “Enter the Dragon” (1973), “Kung Fu Hustle” (2004), “Iron Monkey” (1993), “Black Belt Jones” (1974).

Friday, Sept. 16 — Paranoid Visions: The Films of John Carpenter: “They Live” (1988), “In the Mouth of Madness” (1994), “The Thing” (1982), “Prince of Darkness” (1987).

Friday, Oct. 7 — Bride of Shocktober! A Comedy of Horrors: “Young Frankenstein” (1974), “Shaun of the Dead” (2004), “The Frighteners” (1996), “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” (1988).

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COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES Ray Charles is just one of the music legends who will jam with Dan Aykroyd (left) and John Belushi when “The Blues Brothers” rocks the drive-in on April 29.