History of the ASTRO

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 theatre 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 theatres.

The Astro Drive-In was not far from other area theatres, two General Cinema theatres and a United Artists theatre. 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.

The Astro Drive-In was the last operating drive-in in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Monte101 Worked at the theater as a young adult from early 1988 till it burned in 1989 and was one of the first people on site during the fire. He also stayed on to help with clean up after the fire and help to recover items left in the building. Sadly after several months of fighting with the Land owners of the Insurance money the Land owners decided thay did not want the theater on the land anymore and the ASTRO officially closed in Febuary 1999. It took another 5 years brfore the land owners demolished the theater and now 21 years later it is still just a vacant lot with nothing! Sad:(