Yes, there is still a drive-in near Cleveland - and it's starting a very special summer...

Reporting by Charles Cassady, Jr.

Ever since LeBron left, the only thing significant about Cleveland, we can all agree, is the proximity to the Aut-O-Rama Twin drive-in movies in southeastern Lorain County. The Aut-O-Rama Twin is practically the lone survivor of the great era of drive-in movie “ozoners” in northeast Ohio. Managed lovingly by the Sherman family, the two-screen Aut-O-Rama has a spiffy snack bar (no outside food allowed, sorry), clean facilities, newly installed digital projection, and easy access via I-480 and the Ohio Turnpike in North Ridgeville.

In short, it’s the lone option left for locals to experience the classic American (or Australian) summer ritual of going to enjoy outdoor movies after the sun goes down. Customary Aut-O-Rama Twin spins are first-run mainstream features…but for the summer of 2013 the Shermans decided to program “Retro Tuesdays.” Every Tuesday night brings a double feature of classic pop cinema from the 1970s and 1980s, back when other local drive-ins roamed the Earth. (moment of silence, please, for the departed Miles Drive-In and the three-screen Memphis Drive-In, among others)

These canny Tuesday night matched sets give anyone with any drive-in appreciation multiple moviegasms, and constitute a trip back to a simpler time to when summer movies were at their best (or, at least, not half so annoying as they are today). The Retro Tuesdays double-feature schedule is in. Please note, when applicable, that these are NOT the remakes nobody ever asked for:

July 2: THE GOONIES and BACK TO THE FUTURE

July 9: FOOTLOOSE and DIRTY DANCING

July 16: MAD MAX and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK

July 23: GHOSTBUSTERS and THE KARATE KID

July 30: NATIONAL LAMPOON’S ANIMAL HOUSE and THE BLUES BROTHERS

August 6: MAJOR LEAGUE and A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

August 13: SPACEBALLS and BLAZING SADDLES

August 20: FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF and THE BREAKFAST CLUB

August 27: GREASE and AMERICAN GRAFFITI

Admission prices are $9 for adults, $3 for children. Screenings begin at dusk. For more information, policies, directions, announcements and postings of the regular movie shows throughout the week, go to the venue’s website www.autoramadrivein.com.