27/07/2026
THIS MONTH IN MONETTA DRIVE-IN HISTORY
Perhaps no other Marvel Comics Universe character has been as popular and enduring as Spider-Man. Since 2002, TEN web-slinging features have graced the big screens in Monetta, producing eight Main Field sellouts.
The most interesting superlative racked up by Spider-Man occurred on July 3, 2012, when the superhero drew a then-Tuesday record turnout (62 cars) for a movie that was not shown. A tiny thunderstorm cell with a 10% chance of precipitation knocked out the power to the drive-in. Undaunted and following the credo, "With no power comes great responsibility, " the 10th Annual Kid & Pet Independence Day Parade went on without a hitch. The power was restored hours later after the debut of "The Amazing Spider-Man" was cancelled. Even though Spidey fans were disappointed by the loss of their hero, most in attendance had a great time participating in and watching a grand parade.
Hopefully, the weather will be more cooperative when "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" debuts this Thursday on the Main Field. My Spidey senses are tingling for a beautiful night of collectible popcorn buckets and soaring, acrobatic heroics on the big screen.
Other memorable July Monetta Drive-In moments include:
July 9-10, 1958 - Early mega-star Robert Mitchum appeared in his 22nd of 47 movies in the fast moonshining car classic, "Thunder Road". The movie appeared five additional times at the Monetta Drive-In, the last time in 1975.
July 25-31, 1968 - Jacqueline Susann's racy, big-screen adaptation of "Valley of the Dolls" has a one-week debut in Monetta. Patrons enjoyed the rise and fall of three young women in show business so much that the drive-in brought the film back for an encore two years later.
July 13-17, 21, 1977 - The biggest movie of the 1970s in Monetta was likely "Smokey and the Bandit". The bootlegging chase movie made five additional trips to the drive-in and spawned two sequels that also screened in Peach Country.
July 9-22, 1982 - I pity the fool who missed the two-week run of "Rocky III" at the Monetta Drive-in.
July 23-25, 30-31, 1999 - Comedian Adam Sandler's first new movie ("Big Daddy") appears at The Big MO. Customers take copious notes on child rearing during the film.
July 28 & 29, 2000 - "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps" delivers The Big MO's first two sellouts on consecutive nights. The movie stars Eddie Murphy in multiple roles along with pop music icon Janet Jackson. The #1 hit, "Doesn't Really Matter," from Ms. Jackson (if your nasty), graces the movie's soundtrack album.
July 28, 2020 - Black Hunter's "Somewhere, Maybe Someone" becomes the first national premiere of a local filmmaker's work at The Big MO.
The full weekend line-up will be announced on Tuesday.
For more information and FAQs, see www.TheBigMO.com.
