The summer drive-in season is over, but Glenn Burmeister and a local film producer are rolling out the red carpet Saturday night at the Verne Drive-in for a Halloween movie premiere event.
The cast and crew of the South Dakota-produced horror film, “Bonejangles,” will be on hand to meet and greet audience members at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the drive-in.
Burmeister said he’s excited to host the event.
“It gives local artists a chance to be seen,” Burmeister said.
“Premieres aren't something that are common here. It hasn't been done in this area, and I'd like to give people in this part of rural America, a chance to experience and appreciate it.”
He arranged with Warner Bros. to open the night with “Goonies” at 6:45 p.m. followed by the 8:45 p.m. showing of “Bonejangles,” directed by Luverne native Brett DeJager (who directed “Legend of Cooley Moon,” shot in the Luverne area several years ago).
Steven Spielberg’s 1985 classic, “Goonies,” is rated PG and “Bonejangles” is rated R for violence and nudity.
A $5 wristband buys admission to both films, and a premium wristband provides access to a beer and wine tent.
According to producers, “Bonejangles” is “a campy humored horror flick in tribute to the classic ‘80s genre sporting the story of an unstoppable killer, a rag tag group of police officers, and of course, a story of undying love.”
A trailer can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I4H_umih3A
It’s written by Keith Melcher and produced by Zeke Hanson, who also produces the on-screen advertising shown at the drive-in.
“We’re hoping it will lead to more possibilities for what we can do at the drive-in,” Hanson said about the Halloween event at the drive-in. “We’re really hoping for nice weather.”
He said the majority of the cast will be in attendance and participating in pre-screening red carpet photographs earlier in the afternoon until the film starts.
It will be the first time the cast has reassembled since the three-week “Bonejangles” shoot in northeast South Dakota.
“We’re just really looking forward to sharing the red carpet experience with the Luverne community,” Hanson said.