Tulsa TV Memories presents:    

The Tulsa World, July 7, 1948

The Tulsa Tribune, Friday, June 5, 1953

I don't see much about the Bellaire Drive-in. My cousin lived on the street behind it and you could watch it from his roof. We lived 2 streets over and could see it in glimpses from the tall swingset in our yard. My grandparents lived on the street where when the drive-in let out, all the cars drove by the house. It was hard to sleep at their house when the movie was over in the summer with the windows open. I remember my mother popping a dishpan full of popcorn, piling all 5 of us in the Rambler station wagon, and going to see a triple John Wayne feature. I never made it through the first movie. (Past my bedtime!)

(from Guestbook 99) Mitch Schauer said:

Recently, I had the opportunity to re-view "Godzilla vs. Hedora." The movie brought back memories of going to the Bellaire Drive-in back in 1972 and seeing the English-dubbed Japanese horror flick under its original title, "Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster."

One thing I recalled regarding the Bellaire was its proximity to Tulsa's waste processing plant. The pungent odor of excrement indirectly lent the film's loopy villain a certain "air" of authenticity.

Now, nearly 30 years later, the movie STILL stinks, but I do miss the long gone Bellaire drive-in.

P.S. The waste plant also prevented the Bellaire from becoming a top-notch makeout spot.

(via email, 9/13/2004) Bryan Crain said:

Turnpike Ford actually sits on the land that was once the Bellaire Drive-In. It was an empty field up until the early-mid nineties..until Turnpike came along. Me and some of my friends "scouted" around the lot in 1989 or so, there were still bits and pieces of it still around (empty marquee, "humps"...etc.)

(Hi-Way) 66 Drive-In Grand Opening, Aug 21, 1947

Brian Donlevy was co-star of "Canyon Passage". Oddly, the ad mistakenly credited Preston Foster, who wasn't even in the movie. See Mr. Donlevy in Tulsa circa 1960 on Louise Bland's page.

Location: N 36.148107 W 95.867086
Entry on north side of street.
Satellite photography shows unknown industrial buildings on site, no remains.
Operated by Griffith Theatres Aug 21, 1947 until Aug 14, 1960.
Rebuilt as 11th Street Drive-In Theatre, March 4, 1964.
Address given as 9739 E. 11th (1971 Tulsa City Directory)
Operated until Sept 15, 1982.
Open 5 Sept 82, closed on 6-83

1948-49 Theatre Catalog lists Griffith Theatres as Exec.
1949-1950 Theatre Catalog lists Griffith Metropolitan Theatres as owner.
1955 Theatre Catalog lists Video Theatres as owner.
1965 IMPA lists Griffith Metropolitan Theatres as owner, capacity as 562.
1979 IMPA, lists capacity as 500. Owned by Video Theatres.
1984 IMPA lists Video Theatres as owner.


(from Guestbook 77) David Bagsby said:

A rating I remember seeing back when those things started up was "M" for Mature audiences. Later this was supplanted by the ubiquitous "R". I remember watching "Night of Dark Shadow" backed with "Fearless Vampire Killers" at the 11th St. Drive-In and for my birthday present the year I turned 13, my folks broke down and took us back to the 11th St. to see "Enter the Dragon"...my first "R" movie. I was the envy of Troop 81.

(from Guestbook 92) David Bagsby said:

Help...this is a bit off topic, but I am trying to track down a movie from the late 60s/early 70's. The style was like a serious Matt Helm-type affair with strange guys in trenchcoats, hats and dark sunglasses going around and shrinking people by pinching them on the neck then stuffing the vacated clothing into a satchel. Anyone recall what this was?

(from Guestbook 100) Brian replied:

I'm 99% sure it's WILD WILD PLANET, an Italian sci-fi film released to the US in 1967. It has to be seen to be believed - very exotic, surreal and cheaply made. Mr. Webmaster, you'll love the cliched yet ethereal electronic score if nothing else.

(from Guestbook 100) David Bagsby said:

Thanks a zillion! "Wild, Wild Planet" is indeed that film. Seems like I saw it at the 11th Street Drive-In.

(from Guestbook 128) Steve Bagsby said:

Speaking of Drive-Ins, our clan spent a lot of time at the 11th Street Drive-In. Dad told me it was originally called the "66" and was one the first big landmarks you saw before getting into town. I can remember Mom loading up a metal ice chest with Cragmont Soda Pop (Sparkling Punch for David and me). Seems like it was a big deal in the 1970s when they added a second screen on the West Side. I do remember seeing a long line of tail lights stacked up on 11th whenever they had a big feature.

It made you appreciate the strength of a Ford Galaxie to have seen me and Dave climbing all over that car waiting for the show to start. Too much Sparkling Punch and Oreos I guess.

The dulcet strains of "The Blue Danube" strained through the tinny speakers at the 11th Street on Nov. 25, 1971, when "2001: A Space Odyssey" (which debuted in 1968 at the Fox in Tulsa) was on the bill.

Riverside Drive-In, circa 1956

Location given as: N 36° 3.64', W 95° 58.19'
Believe closer to N 36° 3' 37.71", W 95° 58' 22.75"

Location given as between Peoria and Lewis Ave. on 71st Street.

Satellite photo shows site occupied by buildings (apartments?)

Grand opening Friday, May 7, 1948

Operated By Griffith Theatres April 30, 1948 until Nov 10, 1977.

1948-49 Theatre Catalog lists Griffith Theatre as Exec M8-C602-D7-CH3

1949-1950 Theatre Catalog lists Ralph Talbot as Exec M9-C600-D7

1955 Theatre Catalog lists Griffith Theatres as owner C600

1965 IMPA lists Griffith Metropolitan Theatres as owner (Video Theatres)

1965 IMPA lists capacity as 604

1979 IMPA, lists capacity as 500. Owned by Video Theatres

1984 IMPA lists Video Theatres as owner.

The Tulsa Tribune. Friday, May 7, 1948

The Tulsa Tribune, April 23, 1948

I wish that they could have broadcast the soundtrack on FM when I was growing up. I could sit in my backyard at the bottom of Cincinnati Hill and see the screen of the Skyline Drive-In, I just couldn't hear it. That was back when the Capri and many others had playgrounds that included motorized rides, many that were built, I understand, out of salvaged WWII bombers by Bob Bell (Bell's Amusement Park).

(from Guestbook 54) "Lou Boils" said:

Speaking of drive-in movies, my first trip was to the, long gone, Skyline at 36th St. N. and Cincinnati. Saw "The Great Escape" with my folks and the next day tried out my Steve McQueen style of bike riding down at the dead end. Got a little cut up on a barbed wire fence. I was a little cut-up!

(via email on 11/6/2002) Joe Johnston said:

There used to be playgrounds under the screens of the drive-ins. People would get there early so the kids could play before the feature started. Remember the giant cut-out cartoon figures around the playgrounds? They were at the Riverside, the Capri, and maybe one more, all owned by Griffith Theatres. My dad, C. Ray Johnston. painted those every year from about 1952-70.

Skyline Drive-In was on the north side of town; Skyline Amusement Park (not associated with the drive-in) was to the far south, near Jenks.

Sunday, May 7, 1950

Huge Crowd Happy at Opening of New Drive-in Theater.

"An evening well spent."

This was the general comment from patrons at the opening night of Sapulpa's first drive-in theater, the Teepee.

"We have finally found some place to spend our evenings without being forced to drive 15 miles during the hot summer months," said one of the pleased first nighters.

The Teepee, located one mile west of Sapulpa on Highway 66, opened with an overwhelming crowd and the staff managed to make each carload of visitors welcome in a courteous, helpful manner.

After the first show, a glorious display of fireworks thrilled the audience and a huge Hollywood flood light added to the "big time" atmosphere of the opening night.

Cool refreshing breezes and soft music added to a new Technicolor picture and the privacy of your own car provided for the most humungous entertainment acceptable to Sapulpa's Friday night and the best part, it will be available any night this summer, rain or shine.

Two girls (Your choice of blonde or brunette) make the ticket sales at the handy drive in window and first nighters were provided with clean windshields by attendants of the Sheerer Service station. Just inside the grounds, other courteous attendants directed the parking and arrangement of the easy to use in-a-car speakers.

The grounds of the Teepee are arranged in rows just as are the urban theaters; these rows are made of earth in the shape of mounds. Simply park your car with the front elevated until you reach the desired position for perfect vision.

Ample lights provide fast exit and attendants once again directed the traffic.

"You'll find Ma, Pa and the kids at the drive-in," said one of Sapulpa's leading citizens upon leaving the gate. "We've found our summer's entertainment at the Teepee."

Google Earth satellite view of the teepee-shaped Teepee site today.

More pics of the Teepee on this page at DriveInTheater.com.

The Cardinal Drive-In was where the upper-right polygon is now.

Wes Horton: "The Cardinal Drive-in Theatre had its grand opening ad on Friday July 3, 1953. I do have a copy of it...

"The only other thing I know is that it was listed in the 1955 Theatre Catalog, Robert Downing as Exec. Capacity was given as 182 cars. It was also listed in the 1960 International Motion Picture Almanac as having a capacity of 210 cars and R.M. Downing as owner."