Tuesday, December 10, 2024
As one of Gatesville’s most iconic attractions, The Last Drive-In Picture Show continues to provide a unique experience for the community after nearly 75 years.
Owner Gene Palmer sold the first ticket at Gatesville’s drive-in when it first opened in 1950 as the Circle S Drive-In, which was formerly owned by the Skelton brothers. The Palmers purchased the drive-in in 1964, and the family has owned the business ever since.
Despite the closure of drive-ins across the United States over the years, The Last-Drive-In Picture Show holds to its name by remaining one of the oldest operating drive-in theaters in Texas.
“All the drive-ins started closing down, and it got to where I think Gatesville was the only drive-in theater in the country that was open full time,” Gene said. “There were a few that just opened in the summer, but they had closed in the fall, winter, and spring.”
Drive-in movie theaters started popping up across the country in the 1930s and reached their peak in the 1950s and 1960s, according to the New York Film Academy. However, drive-ins started to experience a loss in the 1970s and 1980s, especially as the mass production of televisions and VCR tapes allowed more people to watch movies at home.
“That was during the time of the Vietnam (War) and the days when it was hard to run a business, especially drive- in theaters,” Gene said.
He adds that the rise in property costs also forced many drive-ins to close.
“The drive-in theaters were having to close and sell the property and move away from town, so that’s about what closed a lot of them down,” he said. “They really hadn't made a comeback, but there have been some new ones built that are doing pretty good.”
The Palmers eventually changed the name to the “The Last Drive-In Picture Show” during a period when other drive-ins around the nation started to close.
Drive-ins have made a small comeback in recent years, especially after the outbreak of COVID-19 when less people visited indoor movie theaters to maintain social distancing. Although the film and entertainment industry took a hit during the pandemic, it exposed a little more people to the retro-style movie theater.
“The best part was that we did get to provide the community with something to relieve a stressful situation, so it gave them something to take their mind off of things and get to be a community again from a distance,” said Natalie Palmer, Gene’s daughter.
The Last Drive-In also provides a full indoor screen that seats 175 people. Natalie adds that the drive-in still has a viewing room, which drive-ins historically offered for people who did not have a vehicle but still wanted to watch the film. This is a favorite spot for local students who cannot drive yet, which Natalie said is known as “the box.”
“We try to provide family-friendly entertainment for people at a reasonable price, so that all the families can enjoy it,” Natalie said.
The drive-in also provides a mini golf course on the property, a full snack bar, and meal options.
The Last Drive-In will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year. Natalie said some of the upcoming plans include a t-shirt contest where the community gets to design the shirt for the anniversary.
Natalie adds that they are also working on adding a birthday party room to the property for those interested in private events.
“We do offer birthday parties now for the cinema, and we have a couple different packages,” Natalie said. “The birthday parties are usually a movie, mini golf, popcorn, a drink and you get the cinema to yourself, so it's like a private birthday party. But we're working on getting a room together so that they can have the room, and they can have different packages available for them.”
Natalie said they also try to be involved with local schools, including hosting their field trips. During COVID, they provided unique graduation opportunities for the students.
“They made their own movie about graduation, and the video (showed) the kids walking and stuff, and then everybody came out in their cars, and we played it for them,” Natalie said. “Basically, we had graduation from your car.”
Natalie adds that she has enjoyed watching the students who work with them grow over the years.
“It's fun to watch them in high school and watch them grow up in all the stuff that they do,” Natalie said.
They also host Mother & Son Movie Night to help raise money for Gatesville ISD’s Education Foundation.
Despite the changes to drive-in movie theaters over the years, the Last-Drive-In Picture not only serves entertainment for Gatesville, but also draws numerous visitors from out of town.
“The drive-in at Gatesville, probably every year, brings more people to Gatesville than anything that I can think of happening (here),” Gene said.
