The Sandell Drive-In will mark its 60th anniversary this Saturday, August 29, with an Elvis Presley double-feature to benefit the Mulkey Theatre.
“Love Me Tender” will be screened at dusk followed by “Spinout,” and admission will be free but a $6 donation for the Bring Back the Mulkey project will be requested at the gate. The donation will also put you in the drawing for door prizes between features.
The Sandell began as dream of Gary and Nell Barnhill, who had met at a Dalhart theatre. They married, moved to Turkey, Texas, and were raising two young girls – Sandra and Adele – when they purchased the land in Clarendon where the drive-in now sits on.
The Barnhill’s are believed to have begun construction on the drive-in on January 8, 1955, a date which was coincidental in several ways. Mrs. Barhill, Elvis Presley, and present day Sandell owner John Morrow were all born on January 8.
At the age of 20, Elvis Presley was taking the nation by storm with his Rock & Roll music. Sandra and Adele Barnhill were among his fans and his pink and black Cadillac inspired the color scheme that still adorns the Sandell to this day.
“Love Me Tender” was Elvis’ first film in 1956, the first of 31 Hollywood motion pictures that starred the King of Rock & Roll.
The Sandell’s construction was completed by August 1955, and the drive-in opened the weekend before Labor Day weekend that year. The screen tower construction required 20 holes, hand-dug, two to three feet in diameter, 14 feet deep, and filled with steel and concrete for the foundation.
The framework required two semi-truck loads of steel, weighing 97 tons and bolted to the steel in the concrete. The frame was then covered with bolted on 2×6 boards and the screen side completely sheeted with 1x lumber, overlaid with 4’ x 8’ sheets of a material like concrete board. The screen is 70 feet wide and 35 feet high. The tower is 50 feet high, and the screen starts 15 feet above the ground.
The cinderblock concession area remains pretty much like it was in 1955 with the exception of new steel security doors, new digital projection equipment, and an FM transmitter to make the operation of the drive-in a modern experience.
The Sandell has since the very beginning been famous for its wonderful burgers and is now also famous for its homemade chili.
The Barnhills operated the drive-in continuously until 1984. The Sandell then sat vacant for 18 years before John Morrow and his family reopened it in 2002. At the peak, Texas had 532 drive-ins. After the Sandell re-opened, there were 16 still operating.
Morrow is looking for a big crowd this weekend, and he hopes everyone will come enjoy the movies and help raise funds for the Mulkey project. A vintage car club in Pampa has been invited to the 60th anniversary celebration, and Morrow says the gates will open at 5:30 p.m. for folks. Elvis music will be playing while folks enjoy the car club’s vintage autos, reminisce, and enjoy the refreshments of the concession stand.
To learn more about the Sandell Drive-In, visit www.sandelldrivein.com.
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