Horror Host Joe Bob Briggs Unites His ‘Mutant Family’ in Davenport
Joe Bob Briggs has been a mainstay in the horror genre for years, having hosted television programs throughout multiple decades, including MonsterVision on TNT and The Last Drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs on Shudder.
If you're unfamiliar, The Last Drive-in features Briggs and his co-star, Darcy the Mail Girl (played by Diana Prince), hosting a horror movie of some kind. It could be a classic, modern, exploitation, foreign, or indie film. Punctuating the movie are bits, rants, original songs, interviews, or just general, informative commentary by Briggs and Darcy. It's a must-watch for horror fans. And those same fans got up-close-and-personal with both of them at the Last Picture House in Davenport this weekend!
Joe Bob Briggs Takes Over a Theater in Davenport, IA:
The Last Picture House in Davenport, IA welcomed both Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy the Mail Girl to their beautiful movie theater for an exclusive one-night-only screening of Bubba Ho-Tep. The Last Picture House might be the best movie theater in all of Iowa. It's a state-of-the-art cinema featuring a rooftop screen, gorgeous auditoriums, and a cozy bar/restaurant setup; the bar even features table-top TVs with a built-in VCR, and a library of movies patrons can select.
Briggs and Darcy hosted three separate screenings throughout the night. Catherine and I attended the first one at 5pm, which was billed as the "VIP event," for it featured an hourlong pre-movie Q&A, where Briggs and Darcy took questions from several dozen attendees inside a posh auditorium. We could've listened to the two of them share their insights all night long.
What is Bubba Ho-tep?:
Released in 2002, Bubba Ho-tep has gone on to become something of a cult movie. The film was "roadshowed" by director Don Cosarelli, becoming a hit on the midnight movie circuit, and had achieved notoriety even prior to its release on DVD.
The film even stars Evil Dead alum Bruce Campbell and veteran character actor Ossie Davis, who plays a Black man claiming to be John F. Kennedy. Meanwhile, Campbell, plays a man who claims to be the real Elvis Presley. The less you know from there, the better.
I hadn't seen Bubba Ho-tep in about 15 years, so it was a welcomed rewatch. This is a whacko-yet-inspired movie. Its ludicrous concept is played straight by all involved. Briggs summed it up accurately before the movie started. It's funny, but it's not a comedy. It's sad, but it's not a drama. It's eerie, but it's not really a horror movie. It's an entity all its own.
READ MORE: Joe Bob Briggs Makes Iowa, Wisconsin Huge Part of Hilarious Monologue
Several folks dressed up as Elvis as a nod to Campbell's version of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. We had to get a picture with them. Apparently, they are part of a ubiquitous gaggle of Elvis impersonators in the Quad Cities.
The Post-Movie Meet & Greet:
After the movie, Catherine and I waited in the serpentine line to meet Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy the Mail Girl. We had them sign several different items of ours, and made casual conversation that veered from the Quad Cities to giallo movies. They couldn't have been sweeter.
After about an hour at a lounge across the street to decompress, it was almost midnight. Briggs said before the movie started that he would hang out at the theater and meet people "until there was no one left to meet," a remarkably selfless feat for a man in his early-70s. So, before we went back to the car to head back home, I suggested we go back to the theater to see the size of the line.
Low and behold, there were only about four people left in the meet and greet line. So, we went back and met them again and get another round of photos.
Tip of the cap to Briggs, Darcy, and the wonderful staff at the Last Picture House. From bartenders to ushers to the security team, they are absolute pros, especially when it comes to large-scale events like this. You can find out more about Joe Bob Briggs on his official website, and see other upcoming events and showtimes at the Last Picture House on their website.
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Gallery Credit: Aine Givens
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