Lariat Drive-In
140 Perry Lane,
Kermit,
TX
79745
140 Perry Lane,
Kermit,
TX
79745
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Video Independent Theaters Inc.
Nearby Theaters
No theaters found within 30 miles
Based on a story in the Odessa (Tex.) American two days later, the Lariat Drive-In showed its first movie, Marlene Dietrich in “Rancho Notorious” on September 19, 1952. The 60-foot screen tower was composed of asbestos rather than sheet metal. It was owned by Video Theaters, Inc., and its capacity was 446 cars.
“The bold white front, with its dark green base, is decorated with the sign, "LARIAT” and the figure of a man stands below and holds the end of a rope which loops over the name. This sign measures 32 feet high and 32 feet across, but is dwarfed by the size of the tower". It had closed by 1968.
Contributed by
Michael Kilgore
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
A 1968 aerial photo showed a drive-in on the west side of Kermit at about 140 Perry Lane, actually the northeast corner of Perry and Texas Highway 302.
The property is now home to C&H Water Company. Although a June 2019 Google Street view shows quite a few RVs and trailers in the back. They are spaced as if people are living in them, but I cannot be sure.
The Exhibitor, Dec. 3, 1952: “The new Lariat Drive-In has been opened at Kermit, Tex., by Kermit Theatres, owned by Video Theatres, Inc. The drive-in has a 466-car capacity, and will be managed by Jack Peercy. Frank Love, manager, Kermit Theatres, handled the opening ceremonies.”
Jal (NM) Record, Sept. 18, 1952: “Kermit, Texas, Sept. 20 - The grand opening of the newest addition to Kermit’s theaters will be held this week end when the Lariat Drive-In Theater will welcome guests at an open-house celebration to be held from 2 until 10 p.m. Thursday, with opening night set to begin at 6:30 Friday night. The 446-car capacity theater will show first-run movies … Opening night picture will be Rancho Notorious, starring Marlene Dietrick, Arthur Kennedy and Mel Ferrer, which will be shown Friday and Saturday nights.”
The 1968 aerial shows the screen is not present. It appears this drive-in was long closed by 1968.