Comments about 81 Drive-In in Duncan, OK

50sSNIPES on July 6, 2024 at 6:00 pm

George M. Jennings opened the 81 Drive-In’s gates on November 1, 1952 with a one-day double feature of John Payne in “Passage West” and Mona Freeman in “Dear Brat” along with a few unnamed short subjects.

Ciganka on July 6, 2024 at 5:32 pm

Well someone has done some mowing and painting of the screen tower. I believe they signed off as Jason Brown, but I am not onsite and was only told about it. Whoever it was has left me with a really good feeling for the kindness. You see my grandparents who built and operated the place, well their home healthcare aids stole so many things, so many sentimental things, precious memories, that I carry a terrible bitter feeling, and someone doing this has really touched my soul and help heal the anger in my heart.

Kenmore on April 9, 2022 at 5:59 pm

A closer address is 7320 N 2820 Rd, Duncan, Oklahoma.

That address puts it right at the entrance.

As of October 2021, the screen and concession stand/projector booth (minus the roof) are still standing. The marquee was torn down sometime after 2013.

There is some type of smaller structure south of the entrance that looks like a big dumpster. However, it appears in a 1960 aerial and continues to occupy that spot to the present day.

https://tinyurl.com/2tcrp2a2

Ciganka on April 9, 2022 at 3:59 pm

It was the screen tower that was leveled, and it was replaced. Last I saw, it was still in good condition. Yes, Grandad not only took Sunray to court, but if they got loud, he would call over there and ask them if they wanted to go another round, LOL.

MichaelKilgore on October 5, 2021 at 3:20 am

Boxoffice, Oct. 23, 1961: “George M. Jennings recently won a district court judgment for $9,015 against the D-X Sunray Oil Co. for loss of business suffered by Jennings' 81 Drive-In south of Duncan from Dec. 15, 1958, through May 1, 1961, during which time the DX refinery near the airer neglected to replace a stack muffler. The resulting loud noise discouraged patronage at the drive-in, Jennings alleged.”

MichaelKilgore on September 12, 2021 at 4:35 am

Boxoffice, March 10, 1975: (Oklahoma City notes) “The 81 Drive-In in Comanche was practically leveled by a tornado last month”