Lakeside Cinema returns to the Terrace

Those of you of a certain age will remember the fun of attending the drive-in theater to watch a movie safely cocooned in the cruiser on a hot, summer night. And of course, not watching due to another sort of distraction could also add to the heat; if you get the drift, nudge nudge.

The Wisconsin Union Directorate Film Committee takes the drive-in a step further with Lakeside Cinema on the Memorial Union Terrace each Monday night during the summer. The committee has assembled fabulous musical classics for the 2008 season.

The free screenings begin at 9 p.m. and are intended for UW–Madison students, faculty, staff, Union members and their guests. In case the weather is bad, the action moves inside to the Rathskeller.

• June 16: Hairspray, 2007, PG. Based on the Tony-winning musical about racially divided Baltimore, the cast includes Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta and Queen Latifah.
• June 23: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, 1971, G. The original is as creepy as you remember with candy man Gene Wilder, Oompa Loompas, and naughty children getting their just desserts.
• June 30: A Hard Day’s Night, 1964, G. The lads from Liverpool star in a playful look at Beatlemania. As a musical bonus, a local Beatles cover band, The Invaders, will put movie attendees in the mood before the movie with a performance at 7 p.m. A few of the members of The Invaders are UW–Madison graduates.
• July 7: The Muppet Movie, 1979, G. Kermit and Fozzie Bear embark on an epic journey to Hollywood. Of course, they are joined by the rest of the gang, including Miss Piggy, Gonzo and Ruff.
• July 14: The Rocky Horror Picture Show, 1975, R. It’s not a horror movie at all; it’s a send-up of science fiction and horror films. This cult classic is everyone’s participatory favorite. Props will be allowed at this screening (and costumes are encouraged). Event organizers request that attendees do not bring rice: It’s a slipping hazard on the ground and it’s not good for the waterfowl in the area. They also request that people not leave any props behind after the screening.
• July 21: The Blues Brothers, 1980, R. Jake and Elwood Blues (John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd) save the orphanage where they were both raised. Look for James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, John Candy and many other notables in performances and cameos.
• July 28: Moulin Rouge!, 2001, PG-13. Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman are caught in a love triangle in a seductive Parisian night club in 1899.
• August 4: This Is Spinal Tap, 1984, R. This mockumentary spoofs rock ‘n’ roll. Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer play aging, has-been British rockers.

OK, movie buffs: Test your film knowledge of the Lakeside Cinema series by matching the quote to its correct film source.

1) Invention, my dear friends, is 93 percent perspiration, 6 percent electricity, 4 percent evaporation, and 2 percent butterscotch ripple.

2) Life’s like a movie/Write your own ending.

3) It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we’ve got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark and we’re wearing sunglasses.

4) Outside it may be raining, but in here it’s entertaining!

5) If we get any more white people in here, this is gonna be a suburb.

6) What would you call that hairstyle you’re wearing?

7) I would like, if I may, to take you on a strange journey.

8) Dozens of people spontaneously combust each year. It’s just not really widely reported.

(Answers: 1: Willy Wonka; 2: Muppet Movie; 3: Blues Brothers; 4: Moulin Rouge!; 5: Hairspray; 6: A Hard Day’s Night; 7: Rocky Horror Picture Show; 8: This is Spinal Tap.)

For more information on the series, contact Robin Schmoldt at (608) 262-5969, schmoldt@wisc.edu.