FOR THE LOVE OF. . . Lamar PLAZA THEATRE, BARCO DRIVE-IN Provide Entertainment in Lamar

By Don Lowe

The renowned Plaza Theatre located on the square in Lamar, Missouri, is celebrating 88 years as an historical venue that has been providing residents of this town and visitors with motion picture entertainment for more than three quarters of a century.

About 35 years ago, the theater was in jeopardy of being demolished, but current Plaza Theatre and Barco Drive-In Manager Scott Kelley says, “The Plaza closed in May of 1986 after a fire in the building next door in December of 1985.

“Talk of the theater being torn down got a group of Lamar citizens together that formed Community Plaza Rescue. They started taking donations, buying the building and beginning the restorations in 1993.” In recognizing some of those with the rescue mission, Kelley says, “Betty Kuhn, Kathy Jenkins, Jerri Finley, Lynn Carlton and Richard Scroggs were board members overseeing the various fundraising events, starting with a new roof.

“Pat O’Neal joined the board when Richard Scroggs retired. The restoration involved the whole community with Lamar Bank & Trust Company helping as well.”

Kelley, who has managed the Plaza Theatre since it re-opened in November 1998, worked at the business for co-owners Butler and Wanda Felts, who’ve owned it for 36 years, when he was in high school in 1978.

Kelley says the Plaza is appealing because “hand-painted murals and decorative features on the walls and ceiling make for a beautiful experience going to the movies. They don’t make them like this anymore.

“We get visitors from surrounding areas to watch movies. The experience is so much different from a multiplex theater, and with our digital projector and Dolby Digital 7.1 sound, the presentation is amazing.”

The Plaza Theatre, as well as Barco Drive-In, which is also a popular destination for Lamar folks, are both important to Kelley. “My wife, Pam, and I met working for Butler and Wanda in high school.

“My dad, Don Kelley, and my children, Shari Ann and Zachary, have worked with us, as well as other community members.”

As for Barco Drive-In, which the Felts have owned for 58 years, Kelley provides perspective on it as well, saying it is “open from March to November, most years.

“It’s mostly open Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, with extra nights during the summer. We put in a new Christie 4230 4K projector in July of 2020. The picture is amazing.”

Refreshments are a must, and Kelley says, “We pride ourselves on our snack bar food, including homemade chili for our hot dogs and nachos.

“We also have tacos and burritos, and barbecue beef during the summer, as well as the best buttered popcorn in the area at both theaters.”

When it comes to the best of what Lamar has to offer, it’s clear there’s really nothing that tops the Plaza Theatre and Barco Drive-In.

Plaza Theatre/Barco

Drive-In Fast Facts

Location:

Plaza Theatre is at 107 West 11th Street

Barco Drive-In is at 57 S.E. 25th Lane

Debut:

Plaza Theatre originally opened October 25, 1934 Barco Drive-In opened in April 1950

Perspective: Plaza Theatre was designed by architect Larry P. Larsen of Webb City and remodeled in 1945 to the designs of architect Robert O. Boller

Barco Drive-In is the longest-operating drive-in in the area