Richard Boaz is glad he has a theme to build around this season.
“This is our 70th anniversary, and it’s the best year to do it. I have a feeling we’ll be showing a lot of retro movies,” said Boaz, who along with wife, Lisa, owns of the Monetta Drive-In, better known by its nickname, The Big MO.
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The pandemic was a double whammy for The Big MO. Hollywood made fewer films and delayed the release of anticipated summer blockbusters last year. While he could’ve shown older films in 2020, The couple shuttered The Big MO out of safety concerns, such as people congregating outside their vehicles before the screenings began.
Lack of new product remains a concern, so Richard Boaz said they plan to get creative.
When The Big MO originally opened in 1951, it had one screen. It closed in 1986, and Richard and Lisa Boaz reopened it in 1999. Two additional screens have been added under them. All three screens will show double features May 14-16.
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One of the films will give a nod to that re-opening season.
Sept. 4, 1999, Labor Day weekend, was the first time 200 cars came through the gates on one night, Richard Boaz said, and the crowds were there to see The Blair Witch Project.
That film will be paired on Screen 3 with Spiral with Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson. May 14 is release day for Spiral.
Boaz said of the six films showing, only Spiral is a brand-new release.
It’s family double feature night on the main field with Tom and Jerry and Sonic the Hedgehog. Godzilla Vs. Kong and Nomadland will be on Screen Two.
Boaz said they like to screen Oscar winners. Nomadland won Oscars for best film, best actress and best director.
When it comes to personal film tastes, Boaz considers himself more of an arthouse kind of person than a drive-in type, but they like to show popular films as well. They’ve shown 22 Oscar-winning films at The Big MO since they’ve owned it.
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Safety guidelines will continue to be in effect with no foot traffic crossing between fields for concessions.
Gates will open at 7 p.m. with the movies beginning roughly at 8:45 p.m. or when it gets dark. Admission is $9 for adults, $5 for children between the ages of 4-11 and free for children under 3.
The Big MO is located at 5822 Columbia Highway N. in Monetta, about 45 minutes from Augusta. It’s approximately halfway between Columbia and Augusta, and theater patrons come from both cities and surrounding areas, he said.
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What comes to The Big MO screens next is up in the air for now. It depends on what the studios release, and how they release them. Some films last year went directly to digital platforms such Pixar movies that went straight to Disney+, he said. He doesn’t know if that trend will continue.
And with the 70th anniversary, Boaz said he expects to show throwback films starring John Wayne, Elvis Presley and others from the era when drive-ins were more common. Weekly movie titles will be updated on the drive-in’s Facebook page.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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