Tony Curits R.I.P.

Ugh. I really hate to kick off this blog with an obituary, but it's hard to ignore the death of the great Tony Curtis.

Of course, Tony will be remembered as a screen idol of the 1950s and '60s. He'll be remembered crossdressing opposite Marilyn Monroe in "Some Like it Hot" and as Kirk Douglas' sidekick  -- and object of Laurence Olivier's affection (!) -- in "Spartacus."

I, however, will always know Tony for his later efforts including this pre-"Poltergiest," post-"Exorcist" horror gem... "The Manitou."




I wasn't old enough to see R-rated movies when this played at the King's Drive-In (in Kingsville, Texas). I did see it when it aired as the CBS Saturday Night Movie and loved it. Lots of crazy effects and a Native American dwarf who emerges from a woman's back. Great stuff! And of course, Tony was there to kick ass.

My favorite Tony C. movie was "The Bad News Bears Go to Japan." He can't hold a candle to Walter Matthau as Buttermaker in the original, but he was pretty funny as a sleazy promoter. He even went toe-to-toe with wrestling legend Antonio Inoki!

And the great Tony C. is linked to two great drive-in beauties: ex-wife Janet Leigh (of "Psycho" fame and "Touch of Evil") and daughter Jamie Lee Curtis (need you ask...horror scream queen of the 1970s and '80s and of course, "Trading Places").

Rest in peace, Tony,

Welcome to the Weekend Drive-In!

Welcome to the Weekend Drive-In! This blog is dedicated to the kinds of movies that made drive-in theaters a blast: B-movies, creature features, action flicks, raunchy comedies, super hero cinema, splatter films and much more.

Of course, drive-ins are in short supply these days. Well, thanks to the miracles of digital cable and DVDs, you can transform your own living room into a makeshift drive-in.

This blog will preview each weekend's upcoming drive-in flavored features that are either arriving on TV or available on DVD. It also will feature movie news, reviews, trivia and other mindless info.

At the end of a work week, we all need some tasteless, trash TV. So, kick back with your beverage of choice; and let the Weekend Drive-In be your co-pilot as you navigate the world of cable Friday - Sunday.