View Full Version : The Admiral Twin is on fire
Link (http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story/Admiral-Twin-Drive-In-Fire/UL4ZTX8mhEqF8CYl9WOz9w.cspx)
The screens are already gone. This is a sad day for Tulsans.
SicEmBaylor
9/3/2010, 02:34 PM
This is sad.
picasso
9/3/2010, 02:37 PM
Fire trucks on 15th near the house were called out a while ago.
I wonder if Ponyboy and Johnny had anything to do with it?
The fire's finally out. The screens are completely gone, but everything else seems okay.
pilobolus
9/3/2010, 02:45 PM
http://tulsatvmemories.com/aida.html
Was it the last one?
Yep.
Hopefully it'll be rebuilt. There's already such an outpouring of grief from the community that any money they'd have to raise to replace the screens, they'll get.
Pricetag
9/3/2010, 03:28 PM
I remember when the B.A. drive in was damaged by wind when I was in high school--they never rebuilt it. I hope it's different for the Admiral Twin.
OULenexaman
9/3/2010, 03:33 PM
that looked like a hella blaze....I blame Obama...
The owner says it'll cost around $300,000 to rebuild the tower. They couldn't get it insured because it was a wood structure, so right now he doesn't think they'll rebuild. There's already several grassroots efforts to raise the funds, though; one of them is the Admiral Twin t-shirt design at BoomTown Tees (http://www.boomtowntees.com/collections/frontpage/products/admiral-twin). I talked to the owners and they said that a portion of the proceeds already goes to the Admiral Twin, so it stands to reason that now that money will help the rebuilding effort. So if you want to help, or just want to have something to remember the Admiral by, stop by their shop on Elgin next door to Joe Momma's Pizza.
Pricetag
9/3/2010, 03:45 PM
How long would we have to turn the highway lights back off to get it rebuilt? Come on, Tulsa, dig deep!
picasso
9/3/2010, 03:47 PM
How long would we have to turn the highway lights back off to get it rebuilt? Come on, Tulsa, dig deep!
:D
I'll donate a king sized bed sheet.
texaspokieokie
9/3/2010, 03:56 PM
it was ponyboy, sodypop & dallie
The owner doesn't sound optimistic that it can be rebuilt. He said it wasn't insured because it was a 50-year-old wood structure support beams and all holding up the twin screens and couldn't get it insured for that reason (???). Estimated cost of rebuilding is $300k and a donation drive is already under way through a bank - Attention Admiral Twin Drive-In / Select Cinemas, Security Bank 51st & 169 or P.O. Box 1165 Jenks, OK 74037
Link (http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=478&articleid=20100903_11_0_Police608960)
There is already a facebook group with like 2,000 friends to get it rebuilt. Some media site commenters are begging for areas to donate. I have yet to hear anyone in Tulsa say "good riddance" or anything but "I want to cry" after hearing about this.
It had some major work done on it recently to restore it through grants, as well as ownership investment. This one truly breaks everyone's heart. I am sad that in my several years living in Tulsa, I didn't make it out to Admiral Twins... and now I may never be able to :(
Wishboned
9/3/2010, 05:27 PM
They are reporting now that it was actually two fires. The second fire snuck in, hidden in the trunk of the first one.
StoopTroup
9/3/2010, 05:29 PM
I heard it couldn't be insured because it was a wood structure.
soonersweetie
9/3/2010, 05:43 PM
I hope it is rebuilt. It's part of Tulsa's history! Too many things are already gone from our past...all the old theatres in downtown, etc.
Btw, that little tshirt shop next to Joe Momma's is way cool!
StoopTroup
9/3/2010, 06:03 PM
The Drive in on Chas. Page Blvd was where I saw Pink Floyds...The Wall. It was weird because they usually played pornos there since Chandler Park Mountain was behind it instead of a bunch of houses.
i haven't been there in years. this blows.
Leroy Lizard
9/3/2010, 06:25 PM
Proof that there are backmasked Satanic messages in movies.
StoopTroup
9/3/2010, 07:58 PM
sKhN0gh0kjY
Turd_Ferguson
9/3/2010, 08:37 PM
OKC>Tulsar
StoopTroup
9/3/2010, 08:38 PM
bad video but you get the point....
OPBI9AjmlF0
StoopTroup
9/3/2010, 08:40 PM
I'm watching the youtubes to see if there are any videos of disturbances at the Legends Bar. :D
OULenexaman
9/3/2010, 09:16 PM
well the link has changed the pic selection....the earlier pics were better....IMO...it showed the better view of the of the structure...man I loved that place...my 60's memories have been tarnished but not destroyed.
Okla-homey
9/4/2010, 06:59 AM
Bell's gone. Casa Bonita gone. Admiral Twin gone. A trifecta of lost.
StoopTroup
9/4/2010, 08:19 AM
We still have our Inner City Horse Track.
http://www.gearthhacks.com/showimage.php?image=new/080505/975403Clipboard15.jpg
BTW....it's not made of wood and is probably insured so if someone could help us out a bit....:D ;)
picasso
9/4/2010, 10:02 AM
Bell's gone. Casa Bonita gone. Admiral Twin gone. A trifecta of lost.
Casa Bonita is back.
Not that I care but...
MR2-Sooner86
9/4/2010, 10:17 AM
Bell's gone. Casa Bonita gone. Admiral Twin gone. A trifecta of lost.
Casa Bonita as stated is back and last I heard all the surrounding cities of Tulsa were trying to out bid each other for Bells.
MrJimBeam
9/6/2010, 05:34 AM
ImPEACh DeWEY!!!!!1
bluedogok
9/6/2010, 08:23 AM
Here is the Drive-Ins.com page of the Admiral Twin (http://www.drive-ins.com/theater/oktadmi) with some recent and older pics.
texaspokieokie
9/6/2010, 08:50 AM
picture from "the outsiders" shows a 55 ford, with an okmulgee county license plate.
okmulgee county was ol & om.
Tulsa_Fireman
9/6/2010, 10:29 AM
ImPEACh DeWEY!!!!!1
Word.
Word.
If you haven't seen Dewey in person, you have no idea what you're missing. This is the most oddball mayor with the weirdest mannerisms and quirks. If people aren't moved to impeach him, they surely will not re-elect him, even if the other choice was a non-party independent guy who doesn't campaign or something
Okla-homey
9/6/2010, 01:12 PM
Casa Bonita is back.
Not that I care but...
I am advised a restaurant, called "Casa Bonita" is open. Howeever, I am also advised it is merely a pale imitation of the orginal.
StoopTroup
9/6/2010, 01:13 PM
A buddy of mine called me yesterday and he's found some old Black and White photos of not only the Twin when it was new....but also of the single screen that was there before the owner finally bought out the hold outs on the hill that were trying to get top dollar for their houses so he could build the twin back in the day. We're gonna go through it all and teh Wife is maybe going to do an article to go along with the pics and interviews of folks who can fill in the gaps of how it all came together over the years. Hopefully we'll be able to put something special together that will inspire the movement to rebuild the Twin again. My buddy says some of those pics have shots of the old art deco style restrooms and candy counter. We're excited about finding these possible gems after this most awful tragedy.
Okla-homey
9/6/2010, 01:13 PM
If you haven't seen Dewey in person, you have no idea what you're missing. This is the most oddball mayor with the weirdest mannerisms and quirks. If people aren't moved to impeach him, they surely will not re-elect him, even if the other choice was a non-party independent guy who doesn't campaign or something
PAUL TAY!
Tulsa_Fireman
9/6/2010, 01:13 PM
I am advised a restaurant, called "Casa Bonita" is open. Howeever, I am also advised it is merely a pale imitation of the orginal.
But given the dog food they pass as mexican fare, is that necessarily a BAD thing?
StoopTroup
9/6/2010, 01:14 PM
Dog food is better than cat food.
Tulsa_Fireman
9/6/2010, 01:31 PM
NO U R HAR HAR HAR
:)
stoopified
9/7/2010, 10:44 AM
Everybody know the Socs did it and are trying to blame the greasers.
badger
9/10/2010, 03:35 PM
Epilogue: After like 25,000+ joined a Facebook group to save the theatre and people from all over the area shared their fond memories of the Admiral Twin with local media, tons of interviews, tons of reminders of its cinematic history in The Outsiders and efforts to restore a historic site... people didn't put their money where their mouth was.
Link (http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=268&articleid=20100910_281_D4_CUTLIN729918&archive=yes)
Only $6,500 was raised so far to help restore the site, which means that it's not going to happen. Perhaps people would have been more generous to donate during different economic times, or perhaps people questioned whether they should donate to rebuild something that could not be insured, leaving questions as to whether the new structure would be insured or if it could go up in flames in minutes also.
I wondered for awhile if people's enthusiasm and fondness would translate to them opening their wallets and getting this rebuilt. Not gonna happen under this ownership. Perhaps a new owner will try to get it rebuilt, but this guy doesn't seem as optimistic.
C&CDean
9/10/2010, 03:42 PM
Another reason why OKC >.....oh nevermind. Bummer all the way around.
sooner_born_1960
9/10/2010, 04:01 PM
Do they really expect people to donate to a commercial enterprise? Why would anyone do that?
SicEmBaylor
9/10/2010, 04:07 PM
Do they really expect people to donate to a commercial enterprise? Why would anyone do that?
Normally, I would say this is insane especially if the going out of business was the result of bad business practices or management.
HOWEVER, there's something to be said for the local community supporting a long-time local business that suffered a tragedy like this. In an era of faceless chains, cookie cutter businesses, and the like...it's nice to see a locally owned and operated place like that which has special meaning to the people who live in the community and city. I like the fact that people are getting together to try and restore it.
Now if you were donating money to rebuild a McDonalds or something then you'd need your head examined.
badger
9/10/2010, 04:19 PM
Do they really expect people to donate to a commercial enterprise? Why would anyone do that?
If it was a division of AMC or something, I'd agree with "commercial enterprise," but to my knowledge, it's just two guys, with one of them being part of the family that has controlled the Twin since the late 80s. The guy owns the Jenks Riverwalk theater (hit or miss, but its the closest to where I live) and one in Texas. It's not like the guy owns dozens of theaters and Admiral Twin is just one of many. It was one of... several.
EDIT: In short, about what SicEm just said :D
sooner_born_1960
9/10/2010, 04:29 PM
with the numbers you posted, I'd say your thinking is the minority.
Pricetag
9/10/2010, 09:33 PM
Why rebuild it from wood?
Too bad this guy isn't loaded--he could rebuild it using Godzillatron screens, so he could offer all the classic atmosphere of a drive in movie, but with an ultra modern touch. He could sell ad space on it in the off season.
ouwasp
9/11/2010, 12:26 AM
I am advised a restaurant, called "Casa Bonita" is open. Howeever, I am also advised it is merely a pale imitation of the orginal.
True. Took the family there a couple weeks ago... service was poor and the food didn't even rate up to tv dinner standards.
Boy I hope the Admiral Twin gets rebuilt.... here is a great agenda for someone to follow: (with several car loads of friends)
1. Meet to eat dinner at the White River Fish Market on N. Sheridan
2. Go to the drugstore on the corner of Pine(?) and Sheridan, load up on white trash candy
3. Caravan on over to the Admiral to enjoy a movie together. Have a frisbie or glowsticks for the kids to play with...
Good times....
SicEmBaylor
9/11/2010, 12:51 AM
I miss Crystal's.
StoopTroup
9/11/2010, 01:07 AM
Why rebuild it from wood?
Too bad this guy isn't loaded--he could rebuild it using Godzillatron screens, so he could offer all the classic atmosphere of a drive in movie, but with an ultra modern touch. He could sell ad space on it in the off season.
Although a plausable idea.....it's a bit to Austin, TX for such a Historic site. No reason to ghey up a Route 66 Tradition. I would say that it would be cool if Pops in Edmond worked with the guy and put a 2nd Pops in or near the Admiral if he rebuilds. Talk about your venue for Car/motorcycle Shows in the off-season.
texaspokieokie
9/12/2010, 08:48 AM
i remember going to see "comancheros" @ admiral twin, with my 1st wife.
in 1961, i think it was our 1st date. left tulsa in 63 & haven't been there all that much since, could've been a different drive-in. don't think so.
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