Where Did THAT Come From – Drive-In Theater & Space Mutant

Hey there Home Skillets! How’s life in your neck of the woods. All is well in Kashyyyk but I thought it was time to bring you some more origin info from Halloween 2014. This round is all about one of the premium items you may have bought during the event… the Drive-In Theater. This building cost 150 donuts and came with the Space Mutant character. Based on the movie you play at the theater, you earn various amounts of cash and XP.

The new item is a generic drive-in theater that makes me miss the days when they were all over. I’ll always remember seeing Time Cop with the 9 people we smuggled into the theater lol. Anywho… this theater makes most of us think of the Springfield Drive-in. The first appearance I could find was “Homer’s Triple Bypass” (S4:E11). We see it during the Cops in Springfield opening of the episode.  I think of this as the best origin because it includes both items.

The next appearance also suggests a placement for it. You could place it right next to the Kwik-E-Mart as seen in “Lisa the Vegetarian” (S7:E5). Apu has a great view from his roof-top garden. Just access it by buying non-alcoholic beer.

In “Dumbell Indemnity” (S9:E16), Homer gets involved in a scheme to destroy Moe’s car for the insurance money. Of course Homie steals the car and can’t help but go watch Hail to the Chimp at the Springfield Drive-In failing the plan. Classic Homer AND a silly movie.

Next up, “Wild Barts Can’t Be Broken” (S10:E11). Some pranking by Homer, Lenny, Carl and Barney result in an unfair curfew for the children of Springfield. How are they supposed to be able to see “The Bloodening” at the Springfield Drive-In? I agree with Nelson, “Adults blow.” The kids sneak out and see part of the movie. (Nerd note: It’s a parody of Children of the Damned.)

If you can stomach old people smooching, the Springfield Drive-In features in “The Old Man and the Key” (S13:E13) when Homer, Marge, Grampa and Zelda go on a double date.

Those are just some of the appearances for the Springfield Drive-In. Got one you like that wasn’t mentioned? Before you go off mentioning “A Fish Called Selma” (S7:E19), I just gotta point out that was the Route 18 Flea Market Drive-In.  My feelings is it isn’t the same one but what do I know?  I do applaud the Muppets Go Medieval movie and Troy McClure’s Delorean though.

Next up in our Halloween origin goodness, the character who came with the drive-in, the Space Monster. You may recognize him from a Simpsons video game but the character is also in the Best. Show. Ever.

This guy comes from the Space Mutant horror movie franchise commonly seen in The Simpsons. Various movies have depicted these people eaters and they are usually shown at the Springfield Googolplex or Aztec Theater and on posters there or in town.

The very first appearance was in the Tracey Ullman short “Scary Movie”. The movie was titled Revenge of the Space Mutants. Since then, some titles included have been:

Space Mutants (“I Married Marge”, S3:E12) – a Movie poster at the Aztec Theater. I love that Homer and Marge were going on a date to see Empire Strikes Back and that Homer ruins the ending for others. Also a great pick-up line for any of you Star Wars and Simpson nerds like me.

“You’re as pretty as Princess Leia and as smart as Yoda.”

Space Mutants 4: The Trilogy Continues (“The Telltale Head”, S1:E8) – seen on the movie marquee at the Aztec Theater. Bart sneaks in to see it with Jimbo, Dolph & Kearney… two amorous teenagers get their angsty comeuppance.

Space Mutant V: The Land Down Under (“Principal Charming”, S2:E14) – Skinner and Patty on a date.  Aussies smooch and are then eaten by a two-headed Space Mutant.

Space Mutants 5 (“Homer the Whopper”, S21:E1) – a poster for this movie is seen in Comic Book Guy’s room in. I list this as a separate movie because it is not roman numeraled and lacks the tagline from V.

Space Mutants VI (“Colonel Homer”, S3:E20) – showing at the Springfield Googolplex.

Space Mutants VII (“Bart’s Friend Falls in Love, S3:E23) – awful transforming Space Mutants at the Googolplex.

Space Mutants XII: Return on Klepnorg (“Beyond Blunderdome”, S11:E1) – this time at the Aztec and seen behind none other than Mel Gibson. It’s also behind Homer and Marge earlier but very quickly.

So basically just like the plots of many other horror movies, if you get in a sexy situation, the Space Mutant eats you. Additionally, the movies aren’t released chronologically and are titled with either roman numerals or numbers or both. Just to keep the info in this post concise, here are the task details for both the Drive-In and Space Monster.

Movies at the Drive-In:

Space Mutant’s Tasks:

And that wraps up this where did THAT come from. Hope the info was entertaining. Y’all stay classy and go see a movie some time in between all the tapping. There’s plenty of good ones out there. I personally recommend Fury.

TTFN… Wookiee out!