Big-Screen Vision Sees Rerun of ‘Last Drive-In’

Most people aren’t aware that the Marx Brothers toured the scripts of most of their films in live theaters up and down the West Coast before filming them. It was MGM production head Irving Thalberg’s way of helping the comics make sure their material worked with audiences.

Something similar has been taking place at Stages in Anaheim. Four years ago, the group presented a play called “The Last Drive-In,” by Terry McNicol and Brian Kojac. Since then, the Stages folks have turned the property into a movie. They’re ready to wind things up and are a bit short on financing for post-production costs, but this three-week fund-raising run might solve that problem.

So it’s back to the boards for “The Last Drive-In.”

Well, it’s partly on stage. Some of the evening is live, and some of it is from the forthcoming film. And it gives the casual viewer a glimmer of the vast differences between live and filmed entertainment--and why some things work in one medium and not another.

The plot is simplicity itself. Three guys, friends since high school, gather to observe the final night of the local drive-in movie lot. Tom (Patrick Gwaltney) is recovering from a romantic breakup. Steve (Todd Langwell) is in for kicks, and poor dumb Donald (Gavin Carlton) just wants beer--and maybe to lose his virginity.

Like in their school days, the men barely see the movie. The action is in and around the parked cars and the refreshment stand.

It’s the kind of script that needs strong performances to work, and these three give it its best chance. Their characters are funny, warm and honest about their needs and their sketchy plans.

Langwell is particularly strong opposite his new love interest, Laura (Mo Arii). Their scenes testing each other and making connections are touching and on target, especially the moments on film, when the camera seems to see inside them.

Gwaltney’s laid-back reserve is perfect on film and off--he’s the most serious of the three--and gives Tom the solidity the character needs.

The comic relief of Carlton’s Donald stands above both. Carlton broadens his live characterization, then pulls it back on film--just enough to make it seem real. He’s funny even when he verges on going overboard yet never does in this bull’s-eye portrait of the idiot friend everyone had in high school.

*

Frank Tryon keeps a straight face in a smaller role as the drive-in’s officious, stupid and amusing Orange Man, checking on anything he can find wrong among the cars. Jon Gaw and Amanda DeMaio are hilarious as a bickering couple, and Adam Clark hits the right notes as a nasty, abusive pseudo-stud.

Most of the filmed segments--obviously in need of post-production work, including finer editing--come off fine. Gwaltney and Carlton have uproarious moments trying to see into a rocking van, which might be the film version’s high spot.

* “The Last Drive-In,” Stages, 1188 Fountain Way, Anaheim. Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 7 p.m. Ends July 26. $20. (714) 630-3059. Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes.