Drive-In on N.W. Expressway

[sacolton]

When I moved to Oklahoma City in 1975, there used to be a drive-in theater on the N.W. Expressway where Service Merchandise used to be. Does anyone recall the name or have photos? There was also a go-kart track next door.

[sacolton]

Found it ...

http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/16425.html

[Pete]

The one where Service Merchandise / Hertz is located was Cinema 70:

http://www.drive-ins.com/detail/oktcin3

[RadicalModerate]

I seem to recall that Cinema 70, out there on the edge of town, was the cutting-edge of Drive-Ins when it opened.
I went there once: I saw "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad Mad World."
How do I remember this?: It was the one and only time I got to see a movie there.

When I later read the book "The Outsiders," by S.E. Hinton, I really thought that the drive-in setting in that book was Cinema 70.
(Of course, I was unaware at the time that the book was actually set in the Tulsa area) . . .

[Prunepicker]

The Cinema 70 was located where Service Merchandise is located.
I went to many movies there. Can't remember any because I was
with a date.

[Prunepicker]

Found it ...

http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/16425.html

This was the N.W. Twin, where the Marriott is located.

[Prunepicker]

The one where Service Merchandise / Hertz is located was Cinema 70:

http://www.drive-ins.com/detail/oktcin3

This is correctomundo.

[ctchandler]

Pete,
Funny, I worked at Hertz as a computer analyst and sometimes I worked at night. Several times I took my boys and they could watch the drive in theater from the lady's restroom, second floor, North East corner of the building. Of course, there was no sound but heck, it kept them entertained while I was working on a project or a problem.
C. T.

The one where Service Merchandise / Hertz is located was Cinema 70:

http://www.drive-ins.com/detail/oktcin3

[sacolton]

There used to be two drive-in theaters almost right next to each other? Yes, Cinema 70 is the one I remember. Shame there are no photos of it. Just recently watched a triple-feature at the Winchester Drive-In (S. Western) and had such a great time (3 movies for $6!).

Did STAR WARS show at Cinema 70 before it closed?

I'm surprised that noone has built an cutting-edge Drive-In with stadium parking, huge IMAX screen, popular fast food establishments built into a food court, state-of-the-art outdoor sound system ... it would be a hit!

[Prunepicker]

There used to be two drive-in theaters almost right next to each
other?

That would have to have been before 1960. The only two on N.W.
Expressway were the Cinema 70 and the N.W. Twin. They were a
couple of miles apart.

[rcjunkie]

This is correctomundo.

True, it was the Cinema 70. I may be wrong, but wasn't there also a go-cart track next to the drive-In or at least close by.

[FRISKY]

True, it was the Cinema 70. I may be wrong, but wasn't there also a go-cart track next to the drive-In or at least close by.

I don't remember a track there, but there was a kart track on the south side of 39th street just west of the drive in that was north of lake Overholster.

[MikeOKC]

That would have to have been before 1960. The only two on N.W.
Expressway were the Cinema 70 and the N.W. Twin. They were a
couple of miles apart.

Actually, Prune, Northwest Hiway on NWX west of May (spelled on their sign as "NW Hi-Way") was never a twin drive-in. There was the Penn Twin up north and then the one at May & Britton was a twin, but the name is failing me. Further out on NW Expressway there was 14 Flags (or something similar). My memory sometimes lets me down.

[Martin]

hmmm... i thought 14 flags was near sw 104th & western. -M

[FRISKY]

Here is a list:

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=20772

[Pete]

You are right, mmm. 9901 S. Western for 14 Flags.

There was a drive-in at May & Britton called Twilight Gardens, but it was a single screen.

And I'm very sure there were no other drive-ins on NW Expressway other than NW Hi-Way and Cinema 70.

[MikeOKC]

I think Pete put these on the board at one time. I'm pretty sure I found them here.







And then there's this old picture of a fairly new NW Hi-Way:

[FRISKY]

...

[MikeOKC]

You are right, mmm. 9901 S. Western for 14 Flags.

There was a drive-in at May & Britton called Twilight Gardens, but it was a single screen.

And I'm very sure there were no other drive-ins on NW Expressway other than NW Hi-Way and Cinema 70.

I told you my memory has begun to fail me at times.

At least I know I had the NW Hi-Way right. (whew!)

[Pete]

No worries Mike!

My memory is greatly bolstered by others here and also the Oklahoman Archives.

[Prunepicker]

True, it was the Cinema 70. I may be wrong, but wasn't there also a
go-cart track next to the drive-In or at least close by.

Not that I remember.

[Prunepicker]

I told you my memory has begun to fail me at times.

At least I know I had the NW Hi-Way right. (whew!)

There was the Twin Penn, too, but it wasn't on N.W. Expressway, either.

[ctchandler]

Yes, there was a go-cart track run by a man named Jerry Biswell. It was West of the N. W. Expressway and 63rd street junction and was financed/owned by Maurice Woods. Now my brain is malfunctioning, but it was not far from the amusement park that was also a Maurice Woods project. AH HA, how about Wedgewood Park?
C. T.

[Prunepicker]

Yes, there was a go-cart track run by a man named Jerry Biswell. It
was West of the N. W. Expressway and 63rd street junction and was
financed/owned by Maurice Woods. Now my brain is malfunctioning,
but it was not far from the amusement park that was also a Maurice
Woods project. AH HA, how about Wedgewood Park?
C. T.

It was Wedgewood! When was the go-cart track there? I can't
place it.

[ctchandler]

Prunepicker,
I worked for Woods Corporation in the early seventies but I believe it was there from the mid/late sixties to the mid seventies. I suspect if we wait long enough, somebody will give us better time frames. Jerry Biswell worked for Woods Corporation while I was there and it was a way to make a few extra bucks.
C. T.

It was Wedgewood! When was the go-cart track there? I can't
place it.