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Week One 4 May 2001

4 May Trip Report by Terry Moore: I had been expecting the Mission Drive-In to re-open during the Memorial Day weekend. Thus, I was quite surprised when I opened today's paper.   The largest advertisement for a single theater, heralded the return of the "Santiko's Mission Outdoor Drive-In Theater". The use of the word "Santiko's" instead of "Cinemark" supports my belief that the Santiko's people are using the Mission to "get their feet wet" before plunging back into the movie business. The advertisement also provides an indication of how Cinemark/Santiko's plans to promote the Mission. It urges the public to either "re-experience the drive-in or to experience it for the first time". Just like attractions in Las Vegas, the Mission has become 'an experience'. And we all know that 'experiences' are something people just have to have.

Other key points: All four screens will be in use and the first features all start at 8:30 PM. The second features were advertised to start at various times between 10:30 and 11:00 PM. The advertisement was quickly scanned and an update sent out to our Drive-In Theater web site. At that point, I determined that I would visit the property at lunch to survey its condition opening day. My last visit being two weeks before. I also invited Captain Chicken along on the trip in hopes that his appearance would boost attendance later in the evening.

I left work at 12:30 as planned.

On arriving at the Mission Drive-In, I pulled into the driveway and parked across from the turret of the tower screen. The visual appearance of the property had changed greatly in the previous two weeks. The power-washing of the tower screen was completed. The graffiti was gone and I believe the exterior door to the screen was either replaced or painted. Sadly, the glass panes broken during the washing process have yet to be replaced. The original walls surrounding the old entrance and exit lanes had been painted.  The marquee above the ticket booths once again boasted of the evenings features and their radio frequencies. For those that don't know it, the days of speakers on poles has long passed. Each screen has its own radio frequency which can be picked up on an FM receiver. I committed some minor trespassing by passing the ticket booths and moving further into the property. The grading of the parking areas had been completed. The old light fixtures had been replaced and the indicator signs (blue, red, yellow and green) appeared to be either new or freshly painted. All around the property, I could see fence boards that had been replaced.

Looking back towards the tower screen, I noticed what appeared to be an old deep fryer sitting by the entrance to the tower screen. As I looked around, I could hear the sounds of hammers and saws coming from the concession stand.   Many vehicles were parked around the building.  Using the zoom of the digital camera, I was able to verify that the building did have new windows (the ticket booths did also). The building also appeared to have been painted since my last visit. A truck arrived to delivery coke machines.

At the conclusion of this conversation, I drove back to the office. The mission was a complete success. I had not only evaluated the current state of the property but I was able to take several promotional pictures with Captain Chicken.

4 May Trip Report by Rick Stivers:  My daughter had been after me for a while to take her to her first drive in movie. I was elated to see the Mission 4 would reopen with Mummy Returns. She is such a Mummy fan that I had to take her to see the movie earlier in the day and then take her to reexperience it at the drive in.  We picked Terry and his trusted friend Captain Chicken (It's a long story and you'd probably never believe it) up at 7:30 PM and made it to the Mission 4 by 7:40. The Mission had changed a lot since my visit there a few months prior.  The changes were dramatic. Everything looked much cleaner and neater.   We bought our tickets, and since we were early, we picked a spot on the front row and parked the Astro van in backwards. Then we turned the back seat around and moved the middle seat around behind the van with the back doors open.  I had thought about selling my van but since we have started using it for the drive in I've decided it will have to stay in the family. Tuning the stereo to the prescribed station netted us only a fading Tejano station. We figured that was due to the movie not starting yet and didn't give it any more thought. Stephanie was captivated by the whole cultural experience.   We wandered around the grounds and ended up at the snackbar.  A quick look in the windows of the projection booth told us that they are using platter systems.  Finally, we snapped a few pictures, and settled down to enjoy the movie.

Problem one began as soon as the movie started. We still didn't have anything but static and Tejano music emanating from our speakers. I figured it was just a small technical glitch and decided to give them the previews to get it right. After the previews, I realized that it wasn't getting any better and measures would need to be taken. About half way up, on my trip to the snack bar, the sound started coming in clear. I turned and headed back to the van only to hear it fade again.  It seems the front 4 rows were not getting their sound.   I reported this to the management and they said they would try to get it fixed ASAP. About 15 minutes into the movie we were still without sound and decided to move the van back about 4 rows. Ah, much better. 

We now had the Mummy Returns blaring from all 8 speakers and we were in heaven.  About 45 minutes into the film I stopped by and talked to the management again and they informed me they had corrected the audio problem.  It turns out that when the outside of the building was painted, they disconnected the antenna wire and didn't hook it back up properly.  Later in the evening when we left the we did a distance check on the screen 1 audio, and found that it worked great for about 1/2 mile. 

Now it was time to enjoy the movie.    Unfortunately the weather was a bit less than cooperative.  About 1 hour into the film, about a 35 mph wind blew in from behind the screen.  It kicked up a lot of dust and drove it into our eyes.  I tried to stick it out for about another 5 minutes but I couldn't see the movie because my eyes were clamped tightly shut.  Into the van we loaded the bench seat and the doors where ceremoniously closed to the elements.   Let the wind blow all it wants, we'll still have fun watching the movie. Alas, such was not to be the case.  Soon after trapping ourselves inside the van the rain began to fall.  It didn't fall in drops, or drizzles. The sky opened up and dumped buckets onto our roof.  Now you must remember the original orientation of the van was backwards.  Nothing could be seen through the back windows of the van.  One last time the van was moved and turned around to face the screen from the front.  With the engine running and windshield wipers driving the rain from our view, we were finally able to complete the film in relative comfort.

It seemed that if something could go wrong that night it did.   I was sure that this would ruin the experience for my youngest daughter.  I couldn't have been more wrong.  She loved the challenge of trying to see the film.  She said she had loved it in spite of the problems and couldn't wait to go back again.  

Week Two - May 11, 2001
It's 0200 so I'll try to keep this short.
I arrived at the box office at 1930. The advertisement in today's Express was not an accurate depiction of the movies currently being shown. That's actually a good thing.

Having previously seen movies on screens 1, 3, and 4, I decided to complete the set tonight. The films showing on screen 2 are 'A Knight's Tale' and 'Heartbreakers'.

I parked the car and then walked over to the concession stand. Here is a bit of advice. Never have the first corn dog of the night. It will be hot outside and cold inside. That's fine if you are having a hot fudge sundae but not when you are having a corn dog.
The concession stand employees seemed positive and upbeat. The general opinion of the staff was that attendance had been "good" during the week. The manager seemed happy and relaxed. That's always a good sign for a new location. Another positive sign was a phoned in request from the box office for more change and the same request from the concession stand cashier. I happened to be standing at the register and saw considerable numbers of $20 and $10 bills as well as a few $50s.

I spent the next hour surveying the other lots and talking to the patrons. Screen 1 racked up the bulk of the business which bodes very well for 'Mummy 2'. I estimate that screen was filled to 80% of the effective capacity of the lot. I never count the last two rows or the outside two or three car widths in capacity figures. We all know the real money doesn't come from the ticket sales but from the concession stand. During the hour before the movie started, there was a steady stream of people coming and going. The second and third times I entered the stand, I was forced to wait in line -- once for nearly 10 minutes. I didn't really care as that time was intermission and there was this girl in front of my that could have given Heddy Lamar a run for her money.

Cars continued to roll in as late as 2045. I mentioned Screen 1 was doing very, very well. Screen 2 appeared to have the worst attendance. Screen 3 with 'Driven' and 'Exit Wounds' appeared to do well as did Screen 4 with 'Spy Kids' and 'Run Spot Run'. Its important to note that the lots for Screens 3 and 4 are much smaller than Screen 2 which is smaller than Screen 1.

One woman told me that she used to go to the Mission often and had returned only because it had reopened. She seemed to believe it had been closed for many years. Interestingly enough, Tony Sambucini, former manager of the Mission had also thought it had been closer for years. I'm beginning to suspect there was a period of inactivity between ACT III and Regal.

Here are two things to add to your Drive-In movie kit -- Ant Spray and Insect Repellant. Fire ants must not like the dark because they ceased to be problem as soon as it got dark. The mosquitoes were annoying for the first hour of 'A Knight's Tale'.

'A Knight's Tale' was a slightly better than average film. The hyper-realistic jousting scenes which dominate the previews play a lesser role in the movie. That's good. Any movie that depends on a special effects gimmick isn't worth my time. There were attempts at character development and I'm betting there are several deleted scenes based on the gaps in the story. A much better experience than either 'Mummy' film. But I'd better not get started on that!

'Heartbreakers' is clearly a Sigourney Weaver showcase film. I don't have a problem with that. I lost count of how many different outfits she wore in the movie before the end of the first hour. I'm guessing Jennifer Love Hewitt wasn't really acting at all. This is a movie I would never have seen if it hadn't been part of the double feature.

And it was a long double-feature! I rolled out the exit at 0100. The other screens were dark and all the cars appeared to be gone.
In conclusion, I had a good time. The movies were slightly better than average, the climate was excellent, and the bugs weren't too bad. If I had realized there were going to be misquitoes, I wouldn't have showered before heading out.

I had an excellent time. No corn dogs were consumed; however, five hot dogs were eaten during the sale period.

Week Three - May 18, 2001
I arrived a little after 8:00PM to find myself waiting in line. I decided to see 'Shrek'. 'Shrek' has displaced 'A Knight's Tale' from Screen 2 to Screen 4. I parked on the right side of the "center line" to test the relationship between the light pollution and the viewing angle. I'm happy to report this is a far better place to be than to the left of the 'center line'. Walking to the snack bar, I was also pleased to see that Screen 3 (Angel Eyes) and Screen 4 (A Knight's Tale) were doing well. I should also point out that there were more cars at 8:10PM to see 'Shrek' than at any point last week to see 'A Knight's Tale'.

Inside the snack bar, I learned of what may be a permanent policy shift for theater. Instead of two 'first run' films, the first film will be 'first run' and the second file 'second run'. This doesn't surprise me as I expressed doubt to several people today about the quantity and quality of 'first run' films available so far this summer. My only criticism of this policy is that the 'pairings' could have been more appropriate. For example, on Screen 2 we have an animated film about rescuing a princess and then a film about the trials and tribulations of ballet dancers in New York. Doesn't work for me.

I can confirm that plastic lawn furniture is being put out on the Screen 1 side of the snack bar. Picnic tables have also been added to the Screen 2 side.
Oh yeah, I did not get the first corn dog of the night.

Like 'A Knight's Tale' and 'The Mummy Returns', 'Shrek' is a film with a simple storyline. 'Schrek' rises above the other two films with witty dialogue, strong characterization, and a willingness to use the twin rapiers of parody and satire on not only Disney, the corporate anti-christ, but also a variety of other films including Errol Flynn's 'Robin Hood' and 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'.

The 'bluejay' scene was my favorite. I'll say no more lest I ruin it for you except for this. Was it an accident or was it design? I also enjoyed the use of reptiles and amphibians as makeshift balloons. It's cruel. It's unusual. It's pretty damn funny. My favorite line from the film has to be, "I'm a donkey on the edge". See 'Shrek', even if you must see it indoors. I just couldn't deal with the ballet movie. I left early and managed to have another first by snaking around and going out the exit that runs behind Screen 4.

Week Four 25 May 2001

The Grand Opening
The week started well for the Mission. It was featured in the Sunday Express and then again in the Saturday Express. Both articles were favorable. It was reported, but not confirmed by me, that radio spots were being run touting the coming "grand" opening of the Mission.

Was it that "grand"?

Rick, Stephanie (daughter of Rick) and I arrived at the Mission at approximately 18:15. In an unadvertised move, anyone entering the property before 19:00 was not being charged admission. As we pulled into the Screen 1 parking lot, I knew that someone had forgotten to put the "grand" into the "grand opening".

The classic car show consisted of 3 vehicles (just before show time, the count was up to 7 vehicles). There was a live band alternating between English and Tejano "oldies". In an interesting development, the band was using the foundation of the old, now demolished, speaker repair building as a stage. I traced the electrical cords from the band back into the tower screen. Through the open door, I could see that the inside of the tower had not been completely cleaned up.

Rick was considering the option of leaving for dinner when the band leader announced that fifty cent hot dogs were available in the concession stand.

In a bonding exercise, Rick and Stephanie walked the majority of the property. Rick then relocated his van to the Screen 2 parking lot where he quickly located a swarm of bees. He was not stung.

I continued my patrol of the property and confirmed the neon 'snack bar' sign is being repaired.
At the time the movie began, I seem to recall Rick counting 57 cars in the Screen 2 parking lot. After the movie was over, he revised his count upwards to 80 cars. Screen 3 was observed to have a strong crowd. The Screen 1 crowd was the thinnest this season as 'The Mummy Returns' begins to wear out its welcome. Cars were observed in the Screen 4 parking lot but no attempt was made to count them.

Stephanie did not take to 'Shrek' immediately. She expressed a frustrated desire to once again see 'The Mummy Returns'. She could watch it on Screen 1 but the experience was imperfect as she couldn't HEAR it. I know, I know. There really isn't any dialog worth hearing. Still, I pointed out the obvious to her. Had she brought her own FM radio and headphones, she could have used them to LISTEN to Screen 1 as well as WATCH Screen 1. She immediately saw the potential in this suggestion. She suddenly would have been able to enjoy any of the four movies from a single location.

The majority of the cars stayed for the second feature, 'Run Spot, Run'. This movie was better than I expected. I noticed that the staff was no longer wearing their 'Cinemark Crew Member' shirts. I think I shocked the cashier when I asked her about it. She stumbled through an explanation that "we're a different company now". Could Santikos have canned Cinemark so quickly? We'll see what develops here.

Final Analysis: On the upside, I believe this was the largest total crowd to date this season. On the downside, the "grand" opening gambit seemed poorly planned and executed. It resulted in no immediate surge in attendance. The marginal growth from week 3 to week 4 seemed to match what I had seen from week 2 to week 3. Even the date selected appeared to be the worst possible choice. Let us count the reasons why this is true. First, it was a Friday afternoon. Many people couldn't get off work and make it to the theater. It was also the Friday afternoon before a three day weekend. At least some percentage of the population would have unique plans for such a weekend. The Spurs were valiantly losing in the playoffs. I'm told the game was on television. That would also divert a considerable number of potential movie patrons.

Week Five - June 1, 2001
I arrived at the Mission at 8:20PM. I can now confirm Lt Cooper's report of rogue 'pizza salesmen' hawking their pizzas at the entrance to the theater. Reaching the box office area, I was surprised to see all four lanes open. Each lane had from 5 to 8 cars in it. Normally, I dislike waiting in line. This time, it provided me with the opportunity to program all the screen frequencies into 'bank 1' of my FM radio. This will be an incredible time-saver in the future.

Before I even got a ticket, I could tell that Screen 4 was absolutely packed. Why? 'Shrek' had been demoted from Screen 2 to Screen 4. After parking the car in front of Screen 3, I walked to the snack bar. Screen 2 was also packed all the way back to the snack bar. I would never have expected 'The Animal' to such a draw. On Screen 1, 'The Mummy Returns' continues its slow decline. This film should move to Screen 3 or 4 soon.

Cinemark cups and bags are still being used in the snack bar.

Last week, the neon 'Snack Bar' sign appeared to be under repair and was not turned on. Tonight, it was turned on although the repairs remain incomplete. Somehow, 'ick Bar' just doesn't have the same appeal as 'Snack Bar'. On the other hand, it does make the location obvious to the patrons at Screens 3 and 4. The lights on the 'sway bridge' are out again. This amps up the adventure level when crossing over the creek!
Two hot dogs were consumed.

Week Six - June 8, 2001

I arrived at approximately 20:10. The lines were much shorter than last week. On arrival, Screen 3 (The Animal) and Screen 4 (How Much Worse Can It Get?) appeared to be nearing capacity. Screen 2 (Swordfish) wasn't heavily occupied. It is quite possible that Screen 3 had more cars than it did. Screen 1 (Evolution) was about a third full when I parked. By the time the movie started 30 minutes later, I would estimate the lot to have been about two-thirds full. Overall, I would estimate attendance was lower than last week. That's unfortunate as the weather was nearly perfect. The scattered showers during the day held the heat down. There was a light breeze that was just strong enough to cool the skin.

On the plus side, the snack bar was busy the entire time I was there. More important, it seems to have dawned on management that the snack bar shouldn't start shutting down until after the last second feature has begun. I'd suggest it not close until half-way through the last second feature. The repair of the the neon sign has been completed. It now proudly proclaims 'snack bar' and not 'ick bar' as it did last week.

On the negative side, the corn dog has been dropped permanently from the menu. The ice case was also empty. No explanation was forth coming from any employee that I questioned. Those that like their comedy mixed with irony should like this next bit. As I'm working my way down the aisle, I approach the hot 'faux' butter machine. I notice there is one heck of a mess on it, the counter and floor. I'm thinking you need training to operate one of this machines properly and that the average patron shouldn't be allow near something with such a high accident potential. I walk past it carefully. The next thing I know, I hear a popping sound that suggests congestion being relieved. It flashes through my mind that the guy behind me should have taken his allergy medication before coming to the theater. Then it hits me. And I really mean it hit me. It wasn't a nasal discharge. It was hot 'faux' butter. Yup. I got splattered with 'faux' butter. Fortunately, the machine's resevoir was low thus holding down the discharge.

'Evolution' was an interesting film with an ending I've not seen before.

*** SPOILER ALERT ****

Read no further if knowing how a movie ends bothers you.

I really mean it.

I'm going to give away the end of the film.

And it won't be some cheesey Geraldo Rivera type of expose.

It will be the real deal.

This is your last warning.

*** END SPOILER ALERT ***

. . . . . . .

These dots are here for a reason. Just in case you eyes have drifted this low before reading the warning. . . . . . . . . The alien lifeform is killed by a 'Head and Shoulders' enema. Yup, that's it. There is a little bit of movie after that but its just a 'Star Wars' parody.

Week Seven - June 15, 2001

Seven was certainly the lucky number for the Mission! Rick Stivers reported "sold out" conditions last Saturday. I'm pleased to report a similiar, although not quite as extreme, situation on Friday. I arrived later than usual at 8:25. I saw no reason to hurry as the starting times for the movies have been moved back to 8:45 (one more week to the summer solstice!) from 8:35 last week. When I arrived, I find the line of cars reach all the way around to the front of the tower screen. All four lanes were open although people seemed confused about the need to get into a particular line to see a particular movie. Any lane is acceptable for any movie.

Planning to stay for only one feature, I selected 'Swordfish' as my movie of the evening. This movie fell quickly from grace at the Mission. Last week, it was on Screen 2. This week it was on Screen 4. (And here is an idea I had tonight. Unless Screens 3 & 4 opened together, I believe what we call Screen 4 would actually be Screen 3. Why? It has the easy access exit to Roosevelt. But I digress...) The second feature on Screen 4 was the ever popular Angel Eyes. Screen 4 was nearly completely packed. Only spaces far off the center line remained open and these were few. The cars kept crawling through the lanes looking for open spaces.

Walking over to the snack bar, I could see that Screen 3 was also nearly completely full. 'The Animal', paired with 'The Mummy Returns', was clearly a strong bill. Screen 2 seems to be cursed the last few weeks. I would estimate it at only 50% full on my first trip to the snack bar. I would have thought that 'Evolution' and 'Shrek' would have been a stronger draw. Screen 1 was an easy 75% full before the film started. The snack bar was doing so well that the other lane was opened up for serving. I made a special effort to avoid the 'faux' butter machine.

I noticed at least three deputies working tonight. One inside the snack bar watching the cashier (or as I'm sure they told her, the money). One outside watching Screen 1 and the other outside watching Screen 2. I'm not sure if the deputy at the ticket booths was a different deputy or the one working Screen 2.

Part way through Swordfish, I, like 'The Animal', felt the call of nature.  While standing in the men's room, I heard sounds that I hope were coming from the plumbing. By this time, Screen 1 was so full that people were parking on the rows even with the snack bar. Those rows weren't full. A few more cars could have squeezed in. Screen 2 had picked up more cars but still wasn't more than 75% full.

After Swordfish was over, I decided to take another nature break. It seemed that three of the four movies ended at just the same moment. The massive crowds outside the snack bar sent me hurrying back to my car. I had the feeling that I could drive home faster than I could make it to the head of the line!

As I was exiting, there were still cars at the ticket booths (now cut back from 4 to 2). I suppose some people either can't get there earlier, desire to see just the second feature, or simply want to avoid the crowds knowing that the first feature will be repeated.

How was Swordfish? Pretty much what the review in 'The Weekender' described. It held my interest all the way through to the end. The ending seems like a surprise until you run the film backwards in your mind. Then the whole thing becomes obvious.

Week Eight - June 22, 2001

Questions were answered and new developments revealed.

I arrived late to find a line of cars stretching towards the south on Roosevelt at least to the top of the hill. The line on the north side of Roosevelt was shorter because it was snaking through the car wash across White from the Mission.

Based on Rick's report of a sell-out two Saturdays ago, I was left wondering if anyone actually counts the cars (the number of tickets is irrelevant) going into each screen. I can now report that an approximate count is maintained.

When I was about five cars back from the ticket booths, one of the Mission security staff (this one being a Bexar County Sheriff's Deputy) starting walking down the line of cars yelling "The car movie is sold out". That being 'The Fast and The Furious'.

There were irrate patrons who attempted to turn their cars around and leave or who were vocally upset at having to see another movie. These people were clearly drive-in novices.

The veteran patrons simply purchased tickets for a different movie. They then either parked their cars in that screen lot and watched 'The Fast and The Furious' from there or they left their cars and walked over to the other screen lot and sat down in the grassy area near the snack-bar. I simply elected to see a different movie.

Last week, I reported the massively long lines at the rest rooms which lead to my racing home at a high rate of speed. Someone at Santikos is monitoring developments at the Mission. This week, portable toilets were deployed at Screens 2 (three units), Screen 3 (one unit) and Screen 4 (one unit). I was unable to survey the Screen 1 lot but I suspect it also had at least three units.

The Mission has begun to supplement its security staff with armed 'rent-a-cops'. I saw the usual three Bexar County Sheriff's Deputies on patrol on the grounds plus a 'rent-a-cop' inside the concession stand.

Last week, I noticed a broken pane of glass in one of the exterior doors facing screen 2. This week, that glass has been replaced. Based on the height of the impact point from the ground, it appeared to have been caused by a flying rock thrown up by a passing car.

Both concession lanes were open again tonight. Here is a tip, if all you want is popcorn or a drink, get in the right lane (nearest Screen 2). If you want anything else, get in the left lane (nearest Screen 1). The employees are biased (based on previous experience???) towards the left lane.

The grass area to either side of the sway bridge has been mowed for about ten feet. The sway bridge has also picked up a defnite tilt to the left. This tilt lends more of a 'fun-house' quality to the bridge.

What else? My hastily, and poorly, constructed light shield was highly effective at blocking the trunk light from shining out into the lot while at the same time allowing it to illuminate the trunk area. Aluminum foil is truly a wonderful thing.

Changes have been made to the menu in the snack bar. Someone got smart and unbundled french fries from hot dogs. While that will lower the number of fries sold, it speeds up the dispensing of hot dogs. And, you guessed it, the price of a hot dog without fries is the same as the old price of a hot dog with fries.

I ended up watching 'Tomb Raider' and 'Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles'. Two hot dogs were consumed.

Week Nine - June 29, 2001
This was the first week this season that no new movies opened at the Mission. Why? I suspect the shortened movie week. Many new films open on Wednesday, the 4th of July.
I arrived at 20:20 this Friday. I opted to see 'The Fast and the Furious'. It wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. As I pulled into the Screen 1 lot, I was surprised to see it was already nearly 70% full. By the time the evening was over, it would sell out completely.
I parked in the first row in front of the concession stand near the exit. I had absolutely no desire to see 'The Mummy Returns' again! On my way to the concession stand, I once again saw a man on the roof, apparently counting cars. As I was coming out of the concession stand, he was coming down the stairs. I stopped him and expressed how curious I concerning the reason for his behavior. This is one of those times when it pays to be an obviously satisfied customer. Not only was I carrying a drink, two hot dogs (both consumed) and a bag of popcorn, I mentioned events of the previous Friday. This clearly set the man at ease. I was able to gain this information. There is no attempt to count the number of cars buying entrance to any particular film at the box offices. The amount of available space is simply the best guess of whoever goes out onto the roof. This strategy has one serious drawback -- the movies must always start close to dusk or it would be impossible to gauge the number of cars in the lot accurately. Counting cars in the dark is not an exact science! I was also curious to find out what level of patronage the Mission has on the weekends. The man estimated they did NO WORSE than 25% of a Saturday. Saturday being the best night of the week. That's pretty damn good compared to what Annette and I saw last summer. This man was very excited about the Mission, the support Santikos is showing the Mission, and the money spent (and from his tone, to be spent) to clean up and modernize the property. Unfortunately, duty called and our last words were about the Disney boycott. His thoughts? He waved out at the crowd and declared "Who's getting hurt here"?
There are no portable toilets in the Screen 1 lot. Tomb Raider made the jump back to screen 2 and appeared to do much worse there than Screen 3. This screen just seems jinxed.
On a sad note, it was reported to me than someone I know engaged in a serious violation of the drive-in code of conduct by yelling at other patrons in an effort to quiet them down. That's a no-no. Don't do that. Turn up your volume or move your car. The drive-in is about not having to be quiet.
I think I failed to mention this last week, in addition to the movie titles and radio frequencies, someone finally figured out it would be a good idea to post the prices on the marquee.
Rumor has it that Captain Chicken may be at the drive-in this Friday. If you see him, say hello.

This concludes the 2nd Quarter Reports for 2001.

If you have any comments, corrections, or additions you can reach me Here.