Lariat Drive-In
438356 Route 66,
Vinita,
OK
74301
438356 Route 66,
Vinita,
OK
74301
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Video Independent Theaters Inc.
Styles: Rustic
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Opened on June 20, 1950 with Rod Cameron in “The Plunderers”. It was operated by Video Independent Theaters Inc. Styled with an "Old West" theme and rustic landscaping, the 300 car capacity Lariat Drive-In was a comfortable setting in which to view a double feature, short subject, and color cartoon. It was closed in 1984.
Today a church building occupies this property.
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
Oklahoma Hysterical Society has a vintage view of the former Lariat Drive-In. To see picture type in word “Lariat”,
View link
Now Vinita Church of Christ. Approx. address for this drive-in was 438356 U.S. 60.
behind the church some of the ramps still remain!
I’m surprised that some of the outstanding Oklahoma drive-in historians haven’t chimed in with the details on the Lariat. All I have is my bookshelf, but here’s what I’ve got.
The Lariat was absent from the Theatre Catalog’s first two lists in their 1948-50 editions. It debuted on the TC’s third list for the 1952 edition.
The Lariat was in the first Motion Picture Almanac list, the 1950-51 edition. Here’s a summary of all of its MPA list mentions:
The screen was gone from the 1995 aerial photo.
Address is wrong its not 438356 U.S. 60 its 438356 U.S. 66 please change.
US-66 is no longer recognized as an official highway.
However, Route or Rte 66 is recognized, so the address should be 438356 Rte 66, Vinita, OK.
US-69 also works for this address as well.
The May 20, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported that Video Theatres planned to open the Lariat on May 30. And three weeks later, BoxOffice wrote that the Lariat had opened in May.
But once again, Boxoffice reported an opening before it happened. An ad in the June 8, 1950 Vinita Leader said ““Opening Postponed due to weather delaying paving of the parking area. Opening Date June 14th” I couldn’t find any confirmation of that date, but it’s a better choice than May.
The Lariat Drive-In opened its gates on June 20, 1950 with Rod Cameron in “The Plunderers” with no extras. It was originally scheduled to open on June 14, 1950, but was postponed to June 20 due to rain.