Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 8:00 PM: The Great Outdoors (1988) at Northbrook Canoe Company
A 96-Ounce Steak, a Bald-Headed Bear, and a Native West Chester Actor in this John Hughes Comedy.
John Candy is Chester "Chet" Ripley, a peaceful Chicago family man spending a quiet vacation with his two sons at a lake resort in Wisconsin. Dan Akroyd is Roman Craig, Chet's horrible blowhard brother-in-law who drops in uninvited with his wife (Anette Benning, in her first big-screen role), two daughters, an overpowered water-ski boat, and lots of terrible financial advice.
In this movie, my high-school friend Chris Young plays Chet's teenaged son Buck, who's trying to romance local girl Cammie while his dad tries to eat a 96-ounce steak. Chris will be at the showing, the VERY FIRST time that his daughter will see his dad on screen. More on that below; here's the trailer!
Northbrook Canoe Company
Where better than to watch The Great Outdoors than at that paragon of West Chester summertime, Northbrook Canoe Company? We last showed a movie at Northbrook in 2007, when we screened Meatballs in the canoe barn.
This time, we'll be showing the movie in the grassy field behind the Snack Shack. Bring money for burgers and fries!
What's more, we'll have a Guerilla float-in on Saturday. The movie starts at 8:00. But if you arrive at 4:00, you can take the last canoe trip of the day; a one-hour trip from Embreeville back to Northbrook.No canoeing on account of rain, but the Snack Shack will be open for burgers, hot dogs, and fries on the grill. Let me know if you'd like to come on the trip by RSVP-ing below!
Special Local Celebrity Guest: Chris Young
I met Chris in the youth group of Paoli Presbyterian Church in high-school. In fact, I understudied him in the church play "Seven Keys to Baldpate", and ended up in the lead role when he got a gig on Falcon Crest (or something.)
After acting, Chris became a producer. When you're a producer, you tend to downplay your acting past, since (I hear) everyone in Hollywood hates actors
Of course, once you come home and see old friends, you are forced to relive every moment of your past as an actor in detail. I feel that I'm simply doing my duty, here. Chris will be at the show for your viewing pleasure. He will be happy — no, delighted — to answer all your questions about Max Headroom, Alyssa Milano, and the time when he saved the world from Armageddon at the hands of Julian Sands.
Now, here's the important bit: Chris tells me that his young daughter has actually never seen him on screen before. This will be her first time seeing her dad on the screen. That means that we have work to do as an audience. When Chris appears on screen, I DEMAND THAT YOU CHEER WILDLY and enthusiastically. We will give Chris the best possible "hey, look, this is what I used to do" daddy send-off we possibly can.
When
Saturday, August 22nd, 2009:
Arrive at 4:00 if you want to take the canoe trip before the movie. See below for rain plans.
Arrive anytime after 7:006:30 if you want to have burgers and fries at the Snack Shack.
Arrive at 8:00 to see the movie.
What to Bring
Chairs or blankets. We'll be sitting on the grass behind the Snack Shack. If it rains, we'll be in the canoe barn. Bring anything that you'll be comfortable sitting on.
Cash for the Snack Shack..
Other Details
Wheelchair access: Yes!
Dogs: Yes! On a leash, please.
Bathrooms: Bathrooms with indoor plumbing are on site.
Kids: Kids are welcome!
Map and Directions
Note: if you just plug the coordinates into your GPS, the unit may try to take you on Bragg Hill road. DO NOT DRIVE ON BRAGG HILL "ROAD", unless you are driving a four-wheeler with a bumper-mounted winch to the showing.
We've showed a movie in the frozen tundra, and now at last here's our opportunity to brag that we've shown a movie in a hurricane Come hell or high water, we will be showing this movie tonight.
4PM Canoe Trip: FLOODED OUT. The Brandywine is a mellow, friendly river most of the time, but when Zeke says "stay out of the river", stay out. I talked to him this morning, and they're not running trips today. Look below for some alternate suggestions of things to do.
6:30 PM Snack Shack Dinner: STILL ON! Bring your appetite for the OLD 96ER EATING COMPETITION that I mentioned on the Facebook group. The team that gains closest to exactly 96 ounces, as measured on Northbrook's old truck scale, after eating dinner wins THE PRIZE (whatever it is.)
8:00 Movie: STILL ON!We'll most likely show it under the roof of the canoe barn, which is just about the awesomest summer-movie location you could hope for. Bring a chair and an umbrella, and dress to get wet.
Kenneth Branagh explains the Guerilla Drive-In policy on bad weather
