Tulsa’s Phoenix: the Admiral Twin Drive-In

, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Tulsans gather at dusk for an evening at the movies (2021).

Moviegoers love an old-fashioned, fiery explosion scene, right? Well, in 2010, the Admiral Twin Drive-In took the blazing, cinematic thrills to a whole other level—the nine-story-high structure went up in flames, burning to the ground in a matter of 15 minutes. How very Carrie-esque.

Is Carrie out there?

At the time, the reason the drive-in theater burst into flames was a mystery. However, firefighters later determined that a person who attempted to take copper wire from the screen caused caused the fire, according to a 2020 Fox News article.

It didn’t help that the entire structure was made out of wood, either. It’s somewhat of a phenomenon that it didn’t catch on fire sooner.

But the Admiral Twin Drive-In has certainly had a redemption arc over the last decade. Following the aftermath of the 2010 fire, Tulsans rallied together and fundraised nearly $30,000 to bring back the beloved drive-in theater, which eventually reopened in 2012.

It seems that the Admiral Twin garnered so much support shortly after its tragic incineration for two primary reasons: its significance in pop culture and its nostalgic effect on the local community.

When the theater first opened in 1951, it had only one screen and was dubbed the Modernaire Drive-In. The following year, a second screen was constructed, and it was renamed the Admiral Twin after coming under new ownership.

In 1982, Francis Ford Coppola selected the double-screen theater as one of the locations for shooting his iconic movie, “The Outsiders.” As someone who is familiar with the Admiral Twin, it’s both fascinating and uncanny to see it in film.

Dallas is such a sleaze.

And despite the original structure burning down entirely, not much has changed. In fact, the owner of the drive-in rebuilt it with the intention of keeping it as true to its past as possible—except the primary material they used to reconstruct it was steel. Good call.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the Admiral Twin Drive-In was reborn again—stronger and more fire-resistant than ever. To add to its comeback, while movie theaters shut their doors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this local passion pit has stayed open, offering a socially-distanced alternative.

In June 2020, the legendary Garth Brooks took to the stage (or gravel?) to hold a drive-in concert. Looking for some relief during the height of quarantining, Oklahomans gathered from far and wide to watch the elusive country music star put on a once-in-a-lifetime performance.

For fall 2021, the Admiral Twin has been doing Scary Movie Mondays, in addition to its usual showtimes. Being the horror movie junkie that I am, I have gone to every single one of them, and it’s been my new, favorite tradition of the season.

Out of all the flicks I’ve seen at the drive-in, I like “Poltergeist” most of all. On Monday, October 18, the Admiral Twin is going to screen a double-feature, showing both “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2“ and “The Return of the Living Dead.” Rumor has it that Crispy the Clown will make an appearance too.

A few tips for those who are interested in attending the Admiral Twin:

  • Bring an FM radio, if your car doesn’t already have one.
  • Get to the theater early. Parking is first come, first serve.
  • Stock up on blankets and chairs. People like to tailgate or sit outside of their cars.
  • Go in a reliable car. This one may seem obvious. If your car happens to die, the theater does offer free jumps.

Now you have the inside scoop on how to pull up to the Admiral Twin like a local pro. What more could you want from a movie experience? Bring your friends, your family, and your dog, and come support one of Tulsa’s historic landmarks. Let the good times (and credits) roll.

Sources:

Leave a comment

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started