Last summer, I was lucky enough to be able to take a road trip to Las Vegas with my husband for my birthday. On our way back, we decided to travel down the bits and pieces of Route 66 that were still left.

I could barely contain the excitement of the history geek that dwells deep within me.

Soon enough, we found that there really isn’t THAT much left in operation on Route 66, but the little that we did see was definitely interesting.

One of the places that I wish we did get a chance to visit is the Admiral Twin Drive In located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Why is this theater particularly interesting? Well, only one of the best movies-from-a-book EVER was partially filmed there:

“Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.”

The Admiral Twin Drive In was originally named The Modernaire. It was built by businessman, L.E. Snider in 1950 and opened on May 24, 1951. The second screen and new name was added by 1953 when it was purchased by Alex Blue and H.B. Robb, Jr. In 1966, ownership shifted again to General Cinema and today the Admiral Twin is privately owned by the Blake family.

The Admiral Twin sits directly off of Route 66 and is one of the busiest drive in movie theaters today, with a capacity able to serve up to 1500 cars. On the west screen, you can listen through your radio while on the east screen, you can still enjoy a real old-fashioned experience of the still functioning tinny speaker in a heavy duty enclosure hanging on the inside of your car window. Boasting the largest screens in the Southwest, they even still show the vintage 50′s cartoons before the features and during intermission. The people who live behind the Admiral Twin were even given a complimentary audio hook-up at one point, which allowed them to sit outside and watch the features.

If you live in the area, I highly recommend you attend the April 24, 2010 screening of The Outsiders, celebrating the Admiral Twin’s 60th anniversary! During the pre-party (gates open at 6:00pm) you can meet the local Tulsa actors, crew members, and Greasers/Socs who were part of the film and view quite a bit of memorabilia that will be on display. Grab your best girl, hop in your vintage car, and head on out for a great night at the movies!

You can click here and here for more great pictures and information on the Admiral Twin Drive In theater.

If you would like to highlight an interesting movie theater in YOUR town, please feel free to contact me here: Stephanie@FilmSnobbery.com, follow me on Twitter, or be my awesome pal on Facebook!

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