Astro Drive-In
3141 S. Walton Walker Boulevard,
Dallas,
TX
75211
3141 S. Walton Walker Boulevard,
Dallas,
TX
75211
3 people
favorited this theater
When it opened in 1968, the Astro Drive-In was the world’s first fully automated drive-in, but it became known for having the largest screen in the Western Hemisphere. The screen measured nine stories tall and was 140 feet wide.
Because of its size and unique character, the Astro Drive-In was often used as background for print ads, TV commercials, TV shows, and motion pictures filmed in Dallas/Fort Worth.
Since the Astro Drive-In was located about 7 miles directly south of Texas Stadium, the home stadium of the Dallas Cowboys, the theater regularly hosted Cowboy players and their friends, as well as notable television and feature talent who were working on location in the Dallas area. They all seemed to enjoy the old time feel of the Astro Drive-In.
When “Grease” was re-released several years ago, the Astro Drive-In had the fifth-highest gross in the south, an impressive feat considering the grossing potential of modern multiplex theaters.
The Astro Drive-In was not far from other area theaters, two General Cinema theaters and a United Artists theater. Many of the Astro’s patrons absolutely loved the idea that GCC and UA went out of business, but the Astro Drive-In continued to thrive.
Until it was destroyed by fire on the night before Thanksgiving in 1998, the Astro Drive-In was the last operating drive-in theater in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Contributed by
Richard Peterson
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 22 comments)
As Mike Rivest posted on Apr 15, 2005, this drive-in opened in 1969. And as Chuck1231 posted on the same day, the address was 3141 South Walton Walker Blvd. The Astro was built by McLendon Theatres. Car capacity was: Screen 1-650 cars, Screen 2-550 cars, and Screen 3-850 cars.
This drive in is now gone it was decimated by fire In November of 1998 and later torn down .Randy took these On 2/2/1999 and 2/7/1999 It was located at Kiest, Ledbetter and Duncanville roads
Some fantasic photos of this great drive-in during its final days!
View link
Here are some photos taken during the filming of Norman Rockwell’s “Breaking Home Ties” at The Astro in October 1987. The TV movie stars Jason Robards,Doug McKeon and Local actor Jerry Haynes(Mr Peppermint).Filming took place in and around Dallas and Waxahachie Texas.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10104100@N04/
I remember the Astro as kid growing up in the mid to late 80’s. Actually saw Batman there. A few years ago, after the fire happened, I drove by there only to see 3 huge screens in a deserted field. It looked like something out of a old western movie. I even remember the talk, back at the time about rebuilding. Since I’ve been doing a little research, it also seems to me that the number one reason drive-ins don’t rebuild or reopen is due to the property being too valuable. One would think that with all the state of the art movie theaters that are being built today, creating a drive-in would be no problem. But I guess it’s a matter of economics.
The Stro!
Photo of the Astro DI courtesy Nick Johnson
View link
Video of the death of the Astro…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGNovTlUeMM
Address either is wrong, or perhaps google maps has a glitch; at any rate, map link takes you to Walton Walker and Illinois; the Astro was not at this location, it was at Loop 12 (Walton Walker) and Kiest Blvd. (see link to opening night ad, below).
View link
In google maps aerial view, the remains of a three-screen drive-in are clearly visible in the triangle of land formed by Walton Walker on the east, Duncanville Rd. on the west, and Kiest on the south.
Here’s a few of my photos of the ASTRO Drive In Theatre, right before & after it was demolished. Seen Here: RAC Photography ASTRO DRIVE IN .. ENJOY!
Randy A Carlisle
It is not South Walton Walker, just Walton Walker.