Comments from whorton

Showing 26 - 50 of 73 comments

whorton
whorton commented about Sands Drive-In on Apr 7, 2017 at 5:18 am

The 1964 IMPA lists the drive in, but not in Oklahoma. It lists it in Elkhart Kansas The drive in was located wholly within the State of Oklahoma. .

There is no Elkhart Oklahoma. . It has been listed as EVA, Ok in other publications.

whorton
whorton commented about Dive Inn Theater on Apr 7, 2017 at 3:20 am

All right everyone, not to be rude on this but I am going to call bull on this. .

We have several differing locations listed. .Lauren Grubb posts 3900 block of SE 29, which would have been in Del City on the north side of the street (the south side was all Sunnylane cemetery.) She states it was open from 77 to 92. I graduated Del City High school in 77. The only theatre in town was the old Del City on Epperly drive. It showed R rated moves and was bought out by First southern Baptist to prevent the movies. I would have known if there was a porn theatre in Del city!

Seymorecox mentions the ROSEGLO Ballroom, “It was a part of a shabby motel unit” yet the ROSEGLOW ballroom was at 636 SE 29, Just East of Shields. (Between Lindsey and Durland) There was no motel there…

He then goes on to state, “I do know the next night we went Southwest way to the Chieftain Cinema, and am sure I didn’t see the Dive Inn in that area of town”

I could believe the Chieftan, as it did show porno in 75-79 era. There was the cheap low end Airline motel East of it, but I have a friend that ran the restaurant in the early 80’s. . They have no memory, nor do I. .

Missmelbatoast states, “The Dive Inn Theater was definetly located on SE 29th St, near Trosper Park” Well, closer to del city, But there was no motel between Eastern and Bryant where Trosper park is. Between Eastern and Shields was oilfield business, and I do not recall a theatre there or a motel. Checks of telephone directories at the historical society do not support the idea either…

She states, “The only way to get inside the theater was to go through the motel office…Facing the TV were three rows of theater seats, seven chairs to a row. Behind these rows was the elevated hot tub that sat eight people. Off to one corner was a cedar sauna that was also surrounded by thick foilage.”

Most of the motels that did exist, (there was one on SE 29th East of Sunnylane, but it was torn down in the very early 70’s) and utilized the old style strip architecture which was prevalent in the post war mom and pop motels.

Jessiearcher goes on: “This sleazy eastside joint was still in business at least till 1993 because that was my senior year at U.S. Grant High School…That was also the same year when my best friend and I took a couple of girls from Northwest High to this motel. The run down motel had a Spanish flavor with a roof that from afar looked like green terra cotta tile…

For the moment the name of this old hacienda escapes me, but since the tall sign was shaped like a green neon suguarro, the name had to be something along the line of El Pinga Grande. Anyway, it had a Spanish moniker."

Ok, there were three spanish styled motels near 44th and Robinson, Alamo Plaza, Odom Annex courts, and on the south side of the street MELROSE courts. But none required entry through an office. .

UNLESS someone can provide something other than hearsay, I am calling BS on this.

whorton
whorton commented about Northwest Hi-Way Drive-In, Oklahoma City, 1948 on Feb 7, 2017 at 1:29 am

Just out of curiousity Cimarron, can you tell me the source of this picture?

whorton
whorton commented about 11th Street Drive-In on Oct 31, 2016 at 1:53 am

With Deference to seymourcox The picture you link is of the Airview Drive-in in Tulsa, not the 66/11th Street DI.

There are two links to Rick Cohens aerial identification picture.

whorton
whorton commented about Soldier Creek Drive-In on Oct 30, 2016 at 7:12 pm

Drive-in 54,

Just wanted to let you know, your picture is actually of the “BOMBER” drive in. Same location, but the Barton Family rebuilt it with a different orientation and larger capacity in the early 60’s, renaming it the Soldier creek Drive-in.

whorton
whorton commented about Crest Drive-In on Oct 30, 2016 at 4:12 am

Although there was a drive-in at this location, it was the CREST drive in out of HOBART. It was never called the “Rocky” it opened on 5 Jun 1950. If I had a way to add photos I could provide copies of listings in Theatre Catalog, IMPA and and the opening ad.

Wesley Horton

whorton
whorton commented about 67 Drive-In on Aug 24, 2016 at 11:02 pm

Is this the drive-in where they found the dead girls during the killing spree back in the early 60’s?

whorton
whorton commented about Tower Drive-In on Jul 21, 2016 at 10:43 pm

To Lauren Durbin, I just noticed your question about the “Y” drive-in of Poteau. I can assure you that, yes there was a “Y” drive-in, It opened in 1949. If I knew how to get in touch with you, I could share the information.

Wesley Horton

whorton
whorton commented about Lariat Drive-In 438356 U.S. 60, Vinita, OK...Grand Openning. on Jul 21, 2016 at 9:46 pm

Impossible. This CANNOT be the opening picture. If you notice the Cinemascope screen has been erected in front of the old flat aspect ratio screen. This was done in the mid 50’s.

If you read the marquee, it says GRAND RE OPENING

whorton
whorton commented about 77 Drive-In on Jun 5, 2016 at 4:15 pm

Photo taken by Ray Jacoby

whorton
whorton commented about The Odom Drive-In Theatre Screen...1947 on Jun 5, 2016 at 4:14 pm

Photo taken by Ray Jacoby

whorton
whorton commented about 11th Street Drive-In on May 4, 2013 at 12:29 am

With all deference to “Chuck” he is way off on his facts for this drive-in.

First of all, the picture is of the AIRWIEW drive in, and is from the Beryl Ford collection, available through the Tulsa city county library.

Secondly, the 66 drive-in as it was originally called when it opened on Aug 21, 1947. It was built by Griffith theaters, which later became Video theaters. It was rebuilt as the 66 drive-in on march 4, 1964. It was later twinned in march of 1977.

After video theaters was sold to Martin theaters, it finally closed in June of 1983.

Chuck is correct in that it was demolished and a church currently occupies the site which is just West of 169 on the North side of the street.

Wesley Horton
American institute of drive-in archaeology.

whorton
whorton commented about Southpark Cinema Four on May 1, 2013 at 7:18 pm

It did. .. . It opened in 1975.

whorton
whorton commented about Riverside Drive-In on Mar 6, 2013 at 8:28 pm

Chuck, when the Riverside DI was opened in 1948, the entity was then known as “Griffith Theatres.” Griffith Theatres later became “Video Theatres.”

whorton
whorton commented about Twi-Light Gardens Drive-In on Feb 6, 2013 at 4:05 am

Just wanted to take a moment and correct Okie’s assertion that the Quail Twin was built on the site of the old Twilight gardens. Please take a look at this article:

http://archive.newsok.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=RE9LLzE5ODEvMDkvMjcjQXIwNTUwNg%3D%3D&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin

Which is courtesy of the Daily Oklahoman.

The drive in was located on the North East corner of May and Britton. The Quail Twin was located in the shopping center at the North East corner of May and Hefner. .

whorton
whorton commented about Cinema 66 Drive-In on Jul 14, 2012 at 10:39 am

From the AIDA database:

Cinema “66” Also known as “NE 66”

Location originally listed as 5801 N. Eastern (Aerial photos from 1970 show the entrance to have been off of Grand Blvd.)

Capacity: About 600

Opening date: Friday Aug 6, 1950

Opening Billing: Father is a Bachelor with Coleen Gray, and The Palomino

Closing date: Did not reopen for the 68 season. Built by: Leo Thomas and sold to R.L. Barton about 1964.

The remnants of this theater may still be seen (at least the ticket box office) from Grand Blvd. between Eastern and 63rd. Aerial photos show the entrance to be in the 5800 block and the area is very overgrown with lots of poison ivy. The theater was located in a unique section of town which was not very fashionable. The city has evolved except for a small area around where the drive-in was located. Some of the peripheral lot lights are still present in the densely packed wooded area. They hang as if they eternally doomed to guard the long since dead drive in.

A long forgotten memo from Louis Spagna (General manager of Greater Oklahoma City Amusements to R. Lewis Barton dated March 10, 1971 reads:

As you know, the Cinema 66, which is included in the operating agreement with Gulf States theaters, has been virtually abandoned and its condition has deteriorated terribly.

We have been approached recently by an operator of adult motion pictures and have received an offer to lease this particular providing it can be released from the operating agreement with Gulf States Theaters.

We believe the policy Gulf States has adopted for the 66 is a serious violation of the operating agreement. It is also apparent that they do not intend to reopen this theater; therefore, it would appear to be in everyone’s best interest if Gulf States were to restore the theater to its prior condition and release it from the operating agreement.

Wesley Horton AIDA

whorton
whorton commented about Tower Drive-In on Jul 13, 2012 at 4:57 pm

From the AIDA database:

POTEAU (Le Flore County)

Tower Drive-in Theatre

Found ad in July 1952

Location given as 1 Mile North

Location: N 35° 4.50',W 94° 37.66'

Satellite photo shows little remains

1955 Theatre Catalog lists Ray Hughes an O.K. Kemp as Exec C300

1965 IMPA lists Hughes & Kemp as owners

1965 IMPA lists Capacity as 208

1984 IMPA lists P. Zearley as owner

Wesley Horton AIDA

whorton
whorton commented about 77 Drive-In on Jul 13, 2012 at 4:40 pm

From the AIDA database:

Odom Drive-in Theatre (Barton’s 77 Drive-in Theatre) (article, ad)

Opened July 2, 1947

Closed Dec 7, 1947 as Odom, reopened Friday, Mar 6,1948 as Barton’s 77

Closed 1974 Did not reopen for the 1975 season

Final showing, week of Aug 27, 1975. See picture of Daily Oklahoman

Location 9301 S. Shields Blvd.

1948-49 Theatre Catalog lists as 77 Drive-in Exec RL Barton M8-C900-CH3

1949-1950 Theatre Catalog lists RL Barton as owner M9-C1000-D7*

1965 IMPA lists RL Barton as owner

1965 IMPA lists capacity as 800

Location by GPS N 35º 22.396’ W 97º 30.226’

1974, July 25, Drive in movie operator charged

Last movies shown, Burt Reynolds in “The Longest Yard,” and “The Gambler”

Wesley Horton AIDA

whorton
whorton commented about 14 Flags Drive-In on Jul 13, 2012 at 4:37 pm

From the AIDA database:

Fourteen Flags Drive-in Theatre (closing article, ad)

Opened July 3, 1968

Closed 1982, did not reopen for the 1983 season

Located at 99th and South Western, West side of road

Capacity given at 1600 Cars (Oklahoma’s Largest Drive-in Theatre)

1968, Mar 31 Big Drive-in theater due

1968, Jun 30 Largest Drive-in theater in Oklahoma to open in city

1979 IMPA Capacity not given. Owner listed as Staton Enterprises

1984 IMPA lists Mid America Theatres as owner

Last show was Sept 30, 1982 (coincided with Mid America Theatres going out of business.)

Location by GPS N 35º 22.113’ W 97º 31.816’

The first drive in theatre I ever worked at. While writing a paper in English Comp at the local Junior College, I decided to write about what happened to the drive-in theatres.

I went out to interview the manager and ended up getting hired as the assistant manager/ relief projectionist.

Enjoyed the heck out of it! Wish I could go back and do it again as the 14 flags was the best drive-in in the city. Although they were non union, it allowed me to get into the union the next year. A career that would keep me engaged well into the ‘80’s.

Wesley Horton AIDA

whorton
whorton commented about Tinker Drive-In on Jul 13, 2012 at 4:30 pm

Actually, the reason the address was off was becasue Midwest city at one point renumbered the street addresses…

From the AIDA database:

Tinker Drive-in (ad)

Opened 10 Aug 1948

Closed 1961 Did not reopen for the 1962 season

Location 2301 S. Air Depot Blvd. Site currently occupied by Texaco Starmart.

Location: N 35° 26.51', W97° 24.43'

1948, Aug 7 Theatre to open

1948-49 Theatre Catalog lists as under construction

1949-1950 Theatre Catalog lists RL Barton as owner M9-C500-D7

1955 Theatre Catalog lists RL Barton as Exec C450

1955 Theatre Catalog lists address as 500 N. Air Depot

1965 IMPA lists owner as RL Barton

1965 IMPA lists capacity as 450

Interesting aside here. This theatre is one of the main things that got my interest started in Drive-in Theatre history. Although it closed at the end of the 61 season, by the late 60’s houses had been built to the south of the then abandoned drive in. Sometime in the ensuing years, there was a fire which destroyed the concession stand and projection booth. My cousin lived in one of the houses built to the south of the drive in.

We used to play and later ride motorcycles in the empty field. The screen tower was still standing and had been incorporated into a auto body shop. During the early summer evenings, the workers at the body shop would play their radio loud enough to be heard. It was like the swan song of the now dead drive in.

All these things together caused me to look into what happened to the drive in years later and develop the basics of drive in research.

Wesley Horton AIDA

whorton
whorton commented about Skyview Outdoor Drive-In on Jul 13, 2012 at 3:46 pm

Krcrook asks about the location of the Skyview. It was NOT located on 66. It was located on 23rd street, East of central Oklahoma city. It is actually state highway 62.

When it closed, it was operated by the same Caporal family that owned the Mayflower theatre in Oklahoma city. (the were related to the Caporal family who owned the Rivera drive in in south Oklahoma city, but not the same family.)

The Skyview closed at the end of the 1983 and did not reopen for the 84 season.

From the AIDA database:

Skyview Drive-in Theatre (ad)

Opened June 12, 1948

Last Feature was Sun, Oct 16, 1983 (Malibu Hot Summer, Cinderella 2000, Bedroom Stewerdess)

Closed 1983, did not reopen for the 1984 season

Located at NE 23rd and Coltrane (Northeast Corner),

“23rd Street One mile East of Eastern”

1948, June 13 New Drive-in theatre to open

1948-49 Theatre Catalog lists Sam Caporal as Exec M8-C992-D7-CH3

1949-1950 Theatre Catalog lists Sam Caporal as owner M9-C892-D7

1955 Theatre Catalog lists Sam Caporal as Exec C1000

1965 IMPA lists same info, Capacity as 900

1979 IMPA, does not list capacity. Owner given as C. Caporl

1984 IMPA lists C. Caporl as owner

Location by GPS N 35º 29.600’ W 97º 26.489’

Wesley Horton AIDA

whorton
whorton commented about Sky Vue Drive-In on Jul 13, 2012 at 3:21 pm

From the AIDA database:

Skyvue Drive-in (ad)

Grand opening Friday, April 16, 1948

Located on 2 ½ miles north of Pioneer woman statue on Highway 77

Location: N 36° 44.69',W 97° 3.95'

Satellite photo shows partial lot, with construction on screen end.

1948-49 Theatre Catalog lists Griffith Theatres as owner M8-C608-D7-CH3

1949-1950 Theatre Catalog lists Video Theatres as owner M9-C608-D7

1955 Theatre Catalog lists Video Theatres as owner C472

1965 IMPA lists same information

Questions?

Wesley Horton AIDA

whorton
whorton commented about Sage Drive-In on Jul 13, 2012 at 3:16 pm

From the AIDA database:

Sage Drive-in

Location: N 34° 0.30', W 94° 44.30'

Location ( entrance): N 34° 0.32', W 94° 44.37'

Satellite photograph shows lot plainly, possibly remains

no ad found in June 68 for either Broken arrow theatre
1984 IMPA lists P. Silva as owner

Wesley Horton AIDA

whorton
whorton commented about Rogers Drive-In on Jul 13, 2012 at 3:13 pm

Come on guys. . this one is easy…

From the AIDA database. .

CLAREMORE (Rogers Co.)

Rogers Drive-in (article, ad)

Grand opening Friday, Jun 16, 1950

Location: N 36° 18.46', W 95° 34.33'

Location given as 1 ½ mile East on Highway 20

Operated by Video Theatres 16 June 1950 to 3 May 83

AKA GRIFFITH which became VIDEO theatres…

Listed in 1955 Theatre Catalog with a capacity of 300

Listed in 1960 International Motion Picture Almanac with a capacity of 296

1984 IMPA lists Video Theatres as owner.

Aerial photo suggest remains Actually very little. A part of the fence and a bit of the entrance concrete. .

Wesley Horton AIDA

whorton
whorton commented about Riviera Drive-In on Jul 13, 2012 at 3:06 pm

From the AIDA database:

Riviera Drive-in Theatre (article, ad)

Opened August 22, 1967

Located at 8 SE 59th

Location by GPS N 35º 24.368 W 97º 30.646

Newspaper showed a “Swap Shop” on May 3, 1968

Screen blew down during winter of 1999, theatre did not reopen.

Owned By George Caporal. (I should add that George Caporal had died at this point and ownership of the drive in went to his son, Sam Caporal. Sam was an attorney and did not want to have anything to do with running the drive in.

The reason the screen blew down, was that it was constructed of oilfield drilling pipe. The only problem was that in 1967, no one bothered to weld caps on the TOP of the pipe, and they basically stood with water in them for 32 years…time took its toll and with a good wind, down came the screen.

I did have the privilege of being the Union projectionist there in 1985 and part of 86. If you want to see the truly sad end for the drive in, there is a great set of pictures of its stripping and vandalism here:

http://www.abandonedok.com/riviera-drive-in/

Truly a sad end for a once great, but tawdry drive in. I am sure there are lots of people in Oklahoma City who remember seeing such wonderful films as, “Hell’s Angels unchained,” or “Glory Stompers” in the late 60s to “Candy stripe Nurses” in the late 70’s…

Wesley Horton AIDA