Killarney Guide

Movies under the stars return this weekend, July 9, starting with a Grease-themed Friday night celebration

BY KIM LANGEN

It’s been years, but this Friday night patrons will be rocking in their car seats to the joyful sounds of Grease.

That’s because the Shamrock Drive-In, complete with its new shipping container screen, will be lighting up half an hour after sunset for its triumphant re-opening, featuring the classic 1978 romantic musical movie with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

“I can hardly wait for my kids to experience this event,” said co-owner of the theatre, Joanne Struss. “My little ones have never seen our drive-in movies. I’m also nervous, because there was so much to do, and we haven’t done this for so long. We had a lot of renos to do, because it has sat for so many years.”

The Struss family has been working up a storm, painting up the walls and ceilings in the concession building in shades of midnight blue, and even installing a replacement popcorn machine – after their vintage one overheated once too often. 

“We got one from Harlan’s in Winnipeg, who supply used candy and popcorn equipment,” said Struss. “And the guy from Harlan’s told us our beautiful old machine was from 1943. We are hoping to fix it up and have it on display some day.”

Meanwhile, Darren Struss said he had spent sleepless nights worrying about the new screen, made of corrugated shipping container exteriors, which had been painted white.  He ran the movie on this new surface – eventually created after a tornado finally put paid to the old movie screen – and didn’t like what he saw.

So he transported in a mountain of plywood sheets to improve the view and make a flatter screen.

“We bought 25 sheets of three-ply plywood, and over the weekend the kids painted them first, white,” said Darren. “And then we used a scissor lift to put them up; we screwed them onto the containers to make a better screen,” said Struss. “And it looks good. It makes a much better screen. I am excited to be opening, but all the work that had to be done, it was overwhelming.”

The Struss’s said it was thanks to the determination of other drive-ins in the province that they were able to move forward and open this summer during the pandemic restrictions.

“Morden and Flin Flon are the other two drive-ins in Manitoba, and they battled to open,” said Joanne Struss. “And they succeeded. They paved the way for us. It’s been legal for a while now for us to open, and now we are nearly ready.”

Grease (rated PG) will be aired on the big screen this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and patrons are also invited to arrive in Grease-Wear, said Joanne. 

“People asked me if they could dress up, and I said, ‘great,’” she said. “I don’t think I have any Grease clothes myself, but it sounds fun and I look forward to seeing them.” 

Upcoming movies over the following weekends include Raiders of the Lost Ark, Mission Impossible, and Sonic the Hedgehog – all rated PG and packed full of action and excitement.

Visits to the popular concession (with popcorn, canned drinks, chocolate barns, and twizzlers) will be limited to four patrons at a time, in accordance with COVID restrictions. But the family is encouraging people to purchase the refreshments, and not wait until the movie starts to get in line. 

“Once inspections are through, we hope to be able to offer fries, onion rings, burgers, and nachos and cheese,” said Joanne. “But for now it’s just the popcorn and other items. We want people to purchase food from our concession; our prices are fair, and it is the best way to support our drive-in theatre. Most people don’t realize that the movie companies usually take most of our ticket revenue. Without concession sales, most theatres would go under.”

Gates to the Shamrock Drive-In – located just south of town on the #18 – open one hour before sunset, around 8:45 p.m., and the movie begins to roll 30 to 40 minutes after sunset – around 10:15 p.m. Sound is via FM transmitter, and can be picked up on any radio or car stereo. Price is $10 per person, with those aged 12 and under admitted free. 

For more information about the Shamrock Drive-In Theatre, fundraising information, etc., check out their Facebook page. And see the ad below and on page 3 of this week’s Guide for details on upcoming movies.

THE OLD ONES ARE BEST – That’s the original drive-in sign on the left, found in a field last year, said owner Joanne Struss (right). And on the right is more vintage signage – missing the S in Shamrock. There are no shortage of jobs in getting the drive-in back in business, said Joanne and Darren Struss, who have been working like Trojans to open this Friday.

NEW POPCORN MAKER – The old 1943 popcorn maker has finally been retired, and this newer one will be popping on Friday night, when Grease hits the screen at the Shamrock Drive-In, says Joanne Struss. 

LOOKING FORWARD TO MOVIE NIGHT – Joanne Struss is thrilled to be opening again this Friday night at the Shamrock Drive-In Theatre. But earlier this week there was still loads to do – including the repair of the drive-in’s historical ticket booth. Merv Bomford stepped up for this challenging task…!

KIM LANGEN/KILLARNEY GUIDE PHOTOS

EDWARD SCISSORHANDS – Darren Struss and family decided over the weekend to cover the corrugated container sides with flat sheets of painted plywood – using a scissor-lift – to create a better viewing experience at the drive-in. It was reportedly quite a harrowing experience to install the 25 sheets, which went all the way to the top of the massive structure.

JOANNE STRUSS/PHOTOS