Indiana Jones, the fedora- wearing, whip-cracking hero, returned Thursday to a full parking lot and line of people stretched around the building of Harker Heights’ newest attraction, a state of the art Cinemark Theatre.
“What a mob,” said Ed Mullen, mayor of Harker Heights, as he looked out at the crowd of eager moviegoers.
“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” is going to make a tidy sum this summer if opening night is any indication.
Courtney Stewart of Killeen was anxiously waiting near the front of the line with her son Tyler to see the new adventure of the big screen’s most famous archaeologist.
Ms. Stewart admitted to waiting “way too long” for tickets but was excited that her son would get to see Dr. Jones for the first time.
“He has never seen any of the other movies,” Ms. Stewart said about her 8-year-old child. “But he will not stop talking about crystal skulls.”
Waiting patiently outside were friends Sam Smith and Aaron Kent of Harker Heights, the self-described “hardcore fans” of Indiana Jones. The two quizzed each other on movie scenes and hummed the famous theme song for the whip-cracking treasure hunter.
“I remember seeing ‘Last Crusade’ in the theaters,” Kent said. “I’m still a little shocked another was made. It doesn’t matter if it’s good, I’m just glad it’s back.”
A small ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to officially open the theater to the public as the crowd waited.
“This is the brand-new prototype for Cinemark,” said Steven Zuehlke, vice president and director of Theatre Operations for Cinemark. “It’s the only one in Texas; not even Dallas or Houston have a theater like this.”
One of the new features of the theater is a self-serve concession stand “that allows guests to get their treats cafeteria style,” Zuehlke said. “You get your own drinks, popcorn and everything.”
After Zuehlke spoke, Mullen advised the movie fans to do something everyone already seemed to be taking care of.
“Have a great time,” he said. “We’re looking forward to having a great experience here.”
