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Also known as Modernaire Drive-In

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Admiral Drive-In

Tulsa, OK

7355 East Easton Street

, Tulsa, OK 74115 United States

(map)

Status:	Open
Screens:	Twin
Style:	Unknown

Function:	Movies
Seats:	Unknown
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	Unknown
Firm:	Unknown

The Admiral opened in 1951 as the Modernaire with a capacity of more than 1000 cars. It was originally a single screen but a second screen was added sometime in the late 50's.

At the time of the twinning it took on the name of the Admiral Drive-In.

The West screen features pole speakers and radio while the East screen is radio sound only. The drive-in plays double bills on both screens.

Contributed by Chuck Van Bibber

YOUR COMMENTS

The Admiral Twin Drive-in is featured in Francis Ford Copolla's movie "The Outsiders."

posted by A Robinson on Feb 16, 2005 at 7:58am

The Admiral, along with Oklahoma City's Winchester, was the inspiration for the novel, Flamingo Rising, by Larry Baker. Baker once managed both of the theaters.

posted by roadsideok on Jun 4, 2005 at 7:20am

Tulsa’s Admiral Twin Drive-In was the winner of a Hampton Inn contest, “America’s Favorite Landmark.” In addition to the title, the theater will receive $20,000 to do renovations.

posted by roadsideok on Jun 14, 2005 at 4:25am

My wife and I attended the Admiral last night, and it drew quite a crowd. I'm glad to see drive-in theater alive and well in Tulsa. Everbody behaved themselves, too! If you're children haven't ever experienced a drive-in theater and you live in the Tulsa-area, you have no excuse! As an added bonus, the Admiral uses old animated footage that counts you down to show time and tells you about their snack bar. Great for the nostaglia buff.

posted by brentclarkf on Jul 24, 2005 at 1:25pm

Opened in 1951 as the Modern Aire Drive-In. A second screen was added in 1952 and the name changed to the Admiral Twin Drive-In which is also its current name.
Some photos here:
http://members.aol.com/drivinmovi/othrstop/oklahoma/tulsa/admiral/admiral1.html

posted by Lost Memory on Jul 24, 2005 at 2:08pm

A wonderful vintage photograph of the MODERNAIRE Drive-In marquee can be seen here;
http://tulsatvmemories.com

posted by ___ on Oct 22, 2005 at 9:07am

Here is a recent photo of the Admiral Drive-In.

posted by Lost Memory on Mar 18, 2006 at 4:30pm

Key scenes for the movie "The Outsiders" were filmed at the Admiral Twin Drive-in.
Check out this site for more details about "The Outsiders" and other films shot in Oklahoma;
http://okc.about.com/od/factsandinformation/tp/moviesfilmedok.htm

posted by Okie Medley on May 21, 2006 at 7:52am

Built as a single screnn drive-in by L. E. Snider, the Modernaire Drive-In opened May 21, 1951 with opening film "Oh, Suzanna" starring Chill Wills. Twinned & renamed Admiral Twin when taken over by Alex Blue in 1953. General Cinema bought this theatre in 1966 shortly before the Blue Family built their Village Cinema at Admiral & Garnet.
Mr. Blue also owned, in partnership with United Artist, the Okla and V theatres in McAlester, OK.
See-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drive-in_theater#Oklahoma

posted by ___ on Jul 15, 2006 at 4:02am

Online gallery below has several 1950's photographs of Tulsa's modernist style Modernaire Drive-In Theatre. . .
http://66.221.1.53/states/ok.htm

posted by ___ on Jul 15, 2006 at 4:25am

Here is a site with complete history and photos of every drive-in theatre that ever existed in Tulsa,
http://tulsatvmemories.com/aida.html

posted by Cosmic Ray on Aug 13, 2006 at 5:57am

Here is an undated photo from the Tulsa library:
http://tinyurl.com/35pwwr

posted by ken mc on May 12, 2007 at 2:22pm

This is a recent photo of the Admiral Twin Drive-In.

posted by Lost Memory on Jun 17, 2007 at 7:11pm

Here is another recent photo of the Admiral Drive-In.

posted by Lost Memory on Oct 25, 2007 at 7:13am

Two vintage views c1960 -
http://opac.tulsalibrary.org/search?/tberyl+ford+collection/tberyl+ford+collection/1%2C1%2C21458%2CZ/l856&FF=tberyl+ford+collection&1159%2C%2C21458%2C1%2C0
&
http://opac.tulsalibrary.org/search?/tberyl+ford+collection/tberyl+ford+collection/1%2C1%2C21458%2CZ/l856&FF=tberyl+ford+collection&1158%2C%2C21458%2C1%2C0

posted by Seymour Cox on Nov 22, 2007 at 11:41am

Shouldn't the name of this theater be the Admiral Twin Drive-In? Here are a few more photos.

posted by Lost Memory on Nov 30, 2007 at 9:23am

I concur with the name change. An additional function should be swap meets:
http://www.bikerplaza.com/event-6256.html

posted by ken mc on Aug 30, 2008 at 2:37pm

A web site devoted to the Admiral Drive-In ...
http://tulsatvmemories.com/admiral.html

posted by Seymour Cox on Oct 10, 2009 at 12:57pm

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