Stars and Stripes Drive-In Owner Ready for Premiere Showing in Lubbock on Thursday

Lubbock, TX, Avalanche-Journal ^ | 08-17-03 | Davis, John

[Theodore R.]

Stars and Stripes Drive-In owner ready for premiere showing Thursday By JOHN DAVIS AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

He's keeping his fingers crossed and he's feeling opening night jitters, but local drive-in theater operator Ryan Smith said Thursday's the day his dream comes to life.

As workmen finished digging the fenceposts and awaited the arrival of cabinets on Friday, Smith said he's ready for Thursday night when the projectors start rolling at the Stars and Stripes Drive-In.

"I don't know if we're going to have a packed house," Smith said. "I want people to come early. I'll be ready to get people in here and get the first show going."

Smith said he's worked hard to give the diner a 1950s feel. It's adorned with chrome stools, stainless steel splash guards and a checkerboard floor.

He consulted his grandparents, who built and operated the Sky-Vue Drive-In in Lamesa, his parents and his sisters for advice while planning and building.

But, when he looks around, there's not just one thing he's proud of most.

"The whole thing," he said makes him most proud. "Just how nice it is. Just how all of our efforts have come together to make a first-class drive-in for Lubbock."

Many people have come down the driveway over the past few weeks to inquire about opening night, said Ryan's mother, Linda.

"One guy said 'I can't wait,"' Linda said while taking a break from cleaning countertops.

Her son dropped out of law school, but she said she's not concerned because he's doing something he loves.

"He's always been a people person, and he's always been an entrepreneur," she said. "I think it's really going to fit him well. I think he's learned a lot about starting a business, that's for sure."

Ryan said the cash-only box office opens at 7 p.m. and the show starts around 8:30 or 9 p.m. Entrees and snacks will be under $10. Tickets cost $5 per person.

The Stars and Stripes Drive-In, with room for 1,000 cars, is located at 5101 Clovis Highway, between Quaker Avenue and Frankford Avenue on the south side of the street.

jdavis@lubbockonline.com 766-8713

[Theodore R.]

MOst drive-in theaters are closing nationwide. I believe that there are no more than 100 left. But Ryan Smith is trying to reverse the trend. And if any city will accept drive-ins, perhaps it is Lubbock, home of Buddy Holly, a city rich in 1950s memorabilia.

[goldstategop]

I think this one will make it. It has an old-fashioned charm in a nation quickly running out of places to recall nostalgia. How appropriate it should be called the Stars and Stripes Drive-In.

[csvset]

I wish him the best of luck. I wonder if he'll be showing new movies or older stuff.

[sneakers]

Our town still has a drive-in theater. My sisters took their kids last week to see "Pirates of the Caribbean". It's still a popular place around here. I'm glad our children can still experience the simple pleasure of going to the drive-in.

[meenie]

We have one in our area that continues to stay open. The town where it is located has a population of fifteen hundred but draws from a large area within sixty miles.

[secret garden]

Finally, something retro worth bringing back!

[netmilsmom]

Really? Less than 100?
There are two in Cleveland!

[Lokibob]

The drive-in web site lists 500 active theaters and 3,000 dead ones.

The don't, however, list how many screens each theater has.

[Theodore R.]

PBS had a documentary on the closing of many drive-in theaters across the country several years ago. Perhaps, there were 200 left in 2000. One hundred does seem like a low figure. One of the reasons for the closure is the universality of air conditioning and the fact that drive-ins cannot turn a profit with operations only when outside temperatures are ideal.

[jocon307]

Good luck to this venture, break a leg as they say!

Drive-ins may be an "endangered species" but there are many movies shown at night in city venues around here, which could be called, I guess, "walk-ins", it is always fun to see a movie outdoors for some ineffable reason.

If fate ever brings me to Lubbock, I'll be sure to check this out.

[autoresponder]

[Rebelbase]

My favorite drive-in was in Waynesville, NC. It sat beside the rr tracks near a manufacturing facility. At least once or twice a show, a freight train would run down the track and white out the screen with its headlight for several seconds.

[csvset]

When I was youth, we had two drive ins to choose from in the local area, The Hill Top and the Rancho. The Rancho had a neat cowboy neon sign on their marquee.

The Hill Top lasted a little while longer by opening up on weekends as a flea market. Located next to I-80, the flea market was big for awhile but it couldn't keep the place afloat.

The land that the Hill Top was located on was eventually sold to developers for a shopping mall.

[toomuchcoffee]

The Rancho and the HillTop!! I was courted at the Rancho. Once, we woke up at 4 a.m. with "Wake Up, Little Suzy" blasting away from the funky metal speaker (we took one home, when they closed forever). Luckily, my mom had decided not to wait up with her rolling pin and policeman, that time. When we were *really* poor, we'd sit up on Tank Farm hill and watch the screen, and make up the words. Then later, we took our kids to the Hilltop, in their jammies, with lots of bottles of coke and a big sack of popcorn. It cost a whole $5 for the family.

[jokar]

We have two drive in theaters out here within 30 minutes from us. just off a freeway quick drive home when it's 12:00 at night.

They have 4 screens each. 2 movies per screen. You tune your FM radio to a certain station and your sound is as good as the system you brought with you.
No poles to run into or driving up and down the hills to find a working speaker.

We order Pizza from a Poppa John's close to the theater and pick it up hot when we get there.
We buy soda or some snack from the snack bar just to make sure the owners make some money off the the snack bar.
The kids still love to run and play outside before the show starts.

Family's still back into the parking space and spread out the sleeping bags in the back of the trucks, Suv's, and vans. Put that lawn chair out there too.

Because of the Swap meets, during the day, there is a large white box painted on the ground for the swap meet vendors.
This gives you more space to spread out then the "old days" when you had to park car door - to car door between the speakers poles.

Some family's bring a small BBQ and fire it up for a real picnic experience.

The drive-in is a great family entertainment value.
You can smoke your brains and not bug anybody.

If by chance should have "a" holes or boorish people near you start the car and move. Or notify the manager who brings security to solve the problem.
The names of the drive-ins are, The Mission, located in Rubidoux, Ca and the Van Buren located in Riverside Ca.

Come early get a good spot and don't forget the pop corn.

[Old Professer]

When my son was a baby, we would go and take McDonalds cheeseburgers (5 for a dollar), 2 large fries ($1.38), a six-pack of Bud ($1.25) and a six-pack of Coke (<$1.00); plus three diapers and two bottles of formula.

I first saw Bullit in Salinas, Calif.

[Cobra64]

Yup. I grew up in the 50s and have fond memories of that era. The martini glasses, beehive hairdo, "sweater girl" look, pinup girls, etc.

[Cobra64]

Yup. I grew up in the 50s and have fond memories of that era. The martini glasses, beehive hairdo, "sweater girl" look, pinup girls, etc.

[dixiechick2000]

Thanks for the ping!
I miss drive-ins...

I enjoyed both songs!
This is the first time I've heard "Dixie" twice in the same day in many years.
Thanks!

[Erasmus]

The Last Drive-in Picture Show.