Beacon Drive-In
2404 S. Division Street,
Guthrie,
OK
73044
2404 S. Division Street,
Guthrie,
OK
73044
5 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Beacon Drive-In Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Video Independent Theaters Inc.
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
405.282.4512
Nearby Theaters
One of the oldest drive-in movie theatres in Oklahoma that is still operating. It has been run for three generations of the Powell family. It was built in late-1949 and opened April 22, 1950 with Joel McCrea in “Ramrod”, it was operated by Video Independent Theaters Inc. and A.R. Powell, Sr.
In 1986 when Video Independent Theaters Inc. were selling out, the Powells choose not to sell the Beacon Drive-In, and it has been in the family ever since.
Contributed by
Tyler Powell
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
My son used to love when I took him & his friends to this old fashioned drive-in. I still go every summer with my honey. It’s now set up where you can hear the sound through your radio. That’s a good thing since it gets cool at night here even in the summer. But other than that, it’s a trip back to your childhood. Downtown Guthrie is a great place to visit, too. It has B&Bs, several good restaurants, antique & gift shops, a trolley, historic buildings, including one that was one of the oldest houses of ill repute, I think it’s now a cafe, theatrical performances, a printing museum, a gorgeous masonic temple you can tour & Victorian houses to look at. My favorite place to eat is a cafe called The Stables. I get the shredded pork BBQ sandwich & their amazing onion rings.
This was the theater featured in the movie Twister.
No, this theatre was not used for the movie Twister. I spoke with the owners, the Powells, and they confirmed this. A Drive-in was built and destroyed especially for the movie. This Drive-in was in Guthrie, but it wasn’t a real one. The Beacon did send over all its trash for the movie to add realism. They also popped all the popcorn used, but the Beacon wasn’t used in the movie. I hope this clears up the “Twister” confusion.
I’ve got lots of new pictures to post of this great Drive-in, too! Again, a.s.a.p.
Mid page on this online gallery can be seen an image of the Beacon Drive-In Theater…
http://66.221.1.53/states/ok.htm
The caption for the image shown may need to be changed. It says it is the DI used in ‘Twister,’ But stated above the owners say it isn’t.
The Beacon, looking good in spring 1993:
View link
View link
The fine web site has a historical outline and color shots of the Beacon,
View link
I wonder if anyone still has a copy of the Grand Opening program. From the May 27, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
Al Powell, co-owner and manager of the affiliated Griffith Theatres in Guthrie, Okla., recently opened the Beacon Drive-In, an event that was marked by special cooperation from local merchants.
Powell prepared a special 48-page souvenir program giving complete details on the service and comforts offered by the new operation, biographical information on all executives in the organization, and a list of future attractions booked at the three local theatres.
Merchant ads covered complete cost of the program.
Opened with Joel McCrea in “Ramrod” (unknown if any extras added but a fireworks display was presented after the movie).