Admiral Twin Drive-In Consumed by Fire

posted by Ross Melnick on September 4, 2010 at 3:56 pm

TULSA, OK — The Admiral Twin Drive-In was destroyed by fire on Thursday, September 2. The 1951 drive-in was a complete loss and the future of the site is unknown. More sad footage after the jump and information at the Tulsa World website.

Theaters in this post

Comments (11)

TLSLOEWS
TLSLOEWS on September 4, 2010 at 5:38 pm

Sad Video, maybe they can rebuilt the screen tower, but with no insurance?

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on September 4, 2010 at 8:40 pm

Grass roots efforts are being reported by the local media as already being launched by fans of the theater to help the owner rebuild, including T-shirt sales. A Facebook group has reportedly has attracted hundreds of supporters, and the owner, according to the drive-in’s website, is establishing a PayPal account for donations. I hope the efforts succeed.

KenLayton
KenLayton on September 4, 2010 at 9:31 pm

Apparently only the screen tower is what burned. Projection booths and snack bar are fine. They should be able to have Selby Screen Towers come build them new screens.

terrywade
terrywade on September 5, 2010 at 9:24 am

Was this a set up of one screen tower with two sides, one for one lot the backside for the other lot? If you have the space this seems like a great way to have two large screens on the same property.If they rebuild they can make the two new screens larger then the old ones.

Robert Allen
Robert Allen on September 5, 2010 at 9:43 pm

I’ll bet there’s a good chance it was arson. What’s in a screen tower to burn except maybe 110v for light bulbs.

KenLayton
KenLayton on September 6, 2010 at 8:32 am

Some drive-ins store groundskeeping equipment in the screen tower like gasoline powred lawnmowers and weedeaters. It’s possible there may have even been cans of gasoline store in there too.

Austin Klososky
Austin Klososky on September 6, 2010 at 9:26 am

It was one HUGE screen tower with two sides. Very large drive in complex… held at least 1000 cars. Did great business too… The Outsiders was filmed here in the 80’s. They play it every once in a while and it normally sells out.

They have made a statement that there was nothing in the screen tower.

steelbeard1
steelbeard1 on September 6, 2010 at 12:40 pm

I hope the owner can rebuild. I wonder how a prefab two-sided screen tower can be constructed?

JoelWeide
JoelWeide on September 6, 2010 at 9:20 pm

If the owner would get ahold of Shelby screens I am sure that they would be eager to take on this challenge. Shelby has probably on more than one occasion built screens that are larger than the one used at the Admiral and even though it is tough to find insurance coverage for a drive in screen having one constructed by Shelby makes it a little easier.

Simon Overton
Simon Overton on September 7, 2010 at 10:10 pm

Perhaps there are SCRAP YARDS containing suitable used steel girders to frame the replacement screens. I hope so and good luck!

Austin Klososky
Austin Klososky on September 7, 2010 at 11:56 pm

When I saw a movie there in April the projectors were so dim that it pretty much just seemed like we were sitting in a field with a bunch of other cars listening to the radio… couldn’t see anything. Hopefully they can get some new bulbs if/when they rebuild.

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment