Riverside Drive-In
24th Avenue SW and Van Buren Street,
Norman,
OK
73072
24th Avenue SW and Van Buren Street,
Norman,
OK
73072
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The Riverside Drive-In was one of two drive-in theaters in Norman. It has long since been demolished. The only evidence left of this theater are the car ridges.
Contributed by
Lauren Grubb
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
Here is a December 1957 ad for the Riverside Drive-In and This is a January 1958 ad.
That takes your breath away: closed for Christmas vacation! If memory serves me, the holiday season was as busy a time for movie-going as it is now, and perhaps even busier. Did drive-ins do a different sort of business?
The Christmas vacation was most likely for the owners benefit. Since most drive-ins are busy in the summer, I guess the Christmas holiday was the best time for the owner to take a vacation. This was one of those drive-ins that stayed open all year long.
The Riverside Drive-In is listed in 1975 with a capacity for 450 cars.
Norman OK is also a college town – home of the University of Oklahoma. So when 10,000-15,000 students leave town for three weeks in December, it could put a crimp into business. Plus, it’s cold in the winter at night in Oklahoma!
I believe this is where I caught my favorite rock band’s motion picture debut – The Ramones in “Rock And Roll High School.” The film “premiered” in drive-ins across the south and midwest USA, and I know I saw it the first night it played in Norman in 1979 (where I was a student).
I was a projectionist there for a few years in the late 60’s. Neat job for a student. I remember doing my calculus homework on the back of the “coming week” programs. 15 minutes of study time, 3 minutes work, repeat for 10 or 20 times. then close up by rousting the folks with the steamed up windows on the back row.
Constructed in ‘High Tech" stylig, thin metal tubing formed brightly colored box frames on which fencing, boxoffice, screentower, and concession stand were structured. The Riverside had lush landscaping, much of which was evergreen so there would be lovely color year round. Even the ramps were covered with green grass. I always wondered how this grass was kept so green with all the traffic a drive-in encounters. Below site has futher info -
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