Rancho Drive-In

1000 Alameda Street,
Norman, OK 73071

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Video Independent Theaters Inc.

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Rancho Drive-In  East Alameda Street and Rancho Drive, Norman, OK...

The Rancho Drive-In was one of two drive-ins in Norman. It was opened on June 30, 1950 with Lon McCallister in “The Big Cat”. It was operated by Video Independent Theaters Inc. It was closed in 1983 and demolished in 1984. It has been replaced by a large shopping center.

Contributed by Lauren Grubb

Recent comments (view all 8 comments)

RonnyJones
RonnyJones on June 12, 2005 at 11:33 am

The Rancho Drive-In was operated by Video Independent Theatres of Oklahoma City. In the 1970’s an indoor theatre—-the Cinema East was built adjacent to the drive-in.

seymourcox
seymourcox on June 10, 2009 at 10:07 am

Norman’s Rancho Drive-In was a typical outdoor cinema. All structures were gray, constructed of zinc sheet metal. There was no landscaping to speak of. Below site has interesting info -
View link

seymourcox
seymourcox on June 25, 2009 at 10:23 am

To see a 1953 photo of the Rancho, on below site type in word “Rancho”,View link

seymourcox
seymourcox on July 25, 2010 at 12:25 pm

Modern shots of the former Rancho Drive-In Theatre can be seen on this link,
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/133

whorton
whorton on July 13, 2012 at 11:40 am

From the AIDA database:

NORMAN (Canadian County) Rancho Drive-in (Ad)

Grand opening 30 June 1950

Location given as 1 Mile East on Highway 9

Operated by Video Theatres 30 Jun 1950 until 3 May 83 (?)

1955 Theatre Catalog lists Video Theatre as owner C312
1965 IMPA lists Video Theatres as owner

1965 IMPA lists capacity as 352

1979 IMPA, lists capacity as 300. Owned by Video

1984 IMPA lists Video Theatres as owner

Wesley Horton AIDA

jwmovies
jwmovies on February 26, 2019 at 4:40 am

A more accurate address for this theater is 1000 Alameda St, Norman, OK 73071. This points directly to the drive in itself. Rancho Drive is next to where the drive in stood.

Please update.

thesparky1000
thesparky1000 on March 26, 2020 at 11:28 am

Last movie I saw there while attending O.U. was “Body Heat”.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on March 20, 2023 at 12:23 pm

Opened on June 30, 1950 with “The Big Cat” along with a few unnamed short subjects. It was closed in 1983 and demolished the following year.

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