The Apache was opened by L. E. Snyder July 7th 1948. was closed in 1983. It had a large playground complete with a miniature golf course and dance patio. The rides were built by Robert Bell, who later built Bells Amusement park here in Tulsa. They had a replica Crosley fire engine that they gave rides around the lot to children. The theatre had 12 ramps. I worked there during my HS years in the late 60’s and my dad was a ticket seller. Originally it was a black theatre and later catered to whites only until intergration.
The Bellaire opened in 1953 by L.E. Snyder (Family Theatres). Tulsa Engineering did the original layout and dirt work. The original screen tower was blown over in the late 60’s and was replaced. The original tower was a duplicate of the one used at the Apache drive-in theatre in Tulsa.
They didn’t go far enough, ban them for 30 days for the 1st offense, a year for the 2nd and lifetime for a 3rd, cell phones are a nuisence inide a movie theatre. People pay good hard earned money to see a movie in peace and it is the managers responsibuility to enforce that peace.
A friend of mine with much more technical expertise saw this and noted:
His proposed screen size of 35 ft. by 50 ft. is a bit small for a 300-car drive-in, and the ratio of the screen, at 1.47 to 1, is unsuitable for today’s movies. A 35 ft. by 70 ft. screen, with a ratio of 2.0 to 1, would be better. Perhaps someone will advise him on this before construction gets started.
One of the passions and loves of my life are old theatres both indoor and drive ins. I look forward to visiting this site daily. Please don’t spoil it with sillyness and pettyness, thanks Craig
When 35mm becomes obsolete I wonder how many houses will be forced to close??
One less smutt peddler, no great loss!!
Never forget the classic “Orpheum” theatre in Okmulgee Oklahoma (40 miles south of Tulsa OK,) a Leon Senter masterpiece!!
A Rusted piece of the old Marquee is all that is left of the theatre.
The Apache was opened by L. E. Snyder July 7th 1948. was closed in 1983. It had a large playground complete with a miniature golf course and dance patio. The rides were built by Robert Bell, who later built Bells Amusement park here in Tulsa. They had a replica Crosley fire engine that they gave rides around the lot to children. The theatre had 12 ramps. I worked there during my HS years in the late 60’s and my dad was a ticket seller. Originally it was a black theatre and later catered to whites only until intergration.
The Bellaire opened in 1953 by L.E. Snyder (Family Theatres). Tulsa Engineering did the original layout and dirt work. The original screen tower was blown over in the late 60’s and was replaced. The original tower was a duplicate of the one used at the Apache drive-in theatre in Tulsa.
They have a website which has not been updated in eeons unfortunately.
They didn’t go far enough, ban them for 30 days for the 1st offense, a year for the 2nd and lifetime for a 3rd, cell phones are a nuisence inide a movie theatre. People pay good hard earned money to see a movie in peace and it is the managers responsibuility to enforce that peace.
They shouldn’t put the “I” and the “U” so close together on the keyboard?? Shame on you Ben Franklyn!!
A friend of mine with much more technical expertise saw this and noted:
His proposed screen size of 35 ft. by 50 ft. is a bit small for a 300-car drive-in, and the ratio of the screen, at 1.47 to 1, is unsuitable for today’s movies. A 35 ft. by 70 ft. screen, with a ratio of 2.0 to 1, would be better. Perhaps someone will advise him on this before construction gets started.
One of the passions and loves of my life are old theatres both indoor and drive ins. I look forward to visiting this site daily. Please don’t spoil it with sillyness and pettyness, thanks Craig
Wonder if it will have old fashioned “Crying Rooms” and “Ghost Lights”???