Sooner Drive-In
2415 N. Main Street,
Miami,
OK
74354
2415 N. Main Street,
Miami,
OK
74354
1 person favorited this theater
Showing 6 comments
The Sooner Drive-In was still open in the 1980s, but was gone by the mid-1990s. Traces were left remaining until a relocated Walmart occupied the former drive-in across the street in 2001.
On March 11, 1955, the Tri-State converted its tower to widescreen to accommodate CinemaScope films beginning that night with Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe in “River of No Return.”
According to ads in the Miami News-Record, the Tri-State didn’t change its name to the Sooner until after Aug. 21, 1963. It was the Sooner by Aug. 23, 1963.
The May 5, 1960 issue of BoxOffice marked the passing of John H. Griffin, former mayor, police and fire commissioner of Miami. “He was in charge of Miami’s three downtown theatres and the drive-in north of town when he died.”
According to extensive notes at MiamiHistory.net, the Tri State had its Grand Opening on June 30, 1949, and had a capacity of 500 cars. “At some point between 1961 and 1965, the Tri-State was renamed to the Sooner. According to historian Fredas Cook, it was to take advantage of the much nicer Sooner sign formerly used south of town.”
Approx. address for this drive-in was 2415 North Main Street. Now Safeway!