Tulsa Admiral Twin Re-Opening Delayed By Vandals

Tulsa's Admiral Twin Drive-In has been dealt another blow. The owners had planned to open the newly rebuilt theater for Memorial Day, but vandals struck over the weekend, delaying the opening.  

Vandals tore though the Drive-In's brand new concession stand sometime late Friday night.

"We went to the building; they tore out light bulbs, messed up our exit sign, tried to break our door," said Terry Combs, job site coordinator.

"Looks like they hit our equipment. Somebody got us, and we'd like to know who it was."

It cost a few thousand dollars in damage, but it's the delayed opening that hurts the most.

5/19/2012 Related Story:  Vandals Damage Tulsa Admiral Twin Drive-In

"At the time I thought 'what else can happen?' But if you put it in perspective to the screen tower burning down like it did in September, 2010, then you know, a few more days is probably not going to kill us," said Admiral Twin owner Blake Smith.

"We missed Men In Black III. That's bad," he said.

Fire consumed the iconic silver screen in 2010. Heartbroken at the loss, Tulsa rallied to save one of the last remaining drive-ins in the country.

Through private donations and valiant fundraising efforts, the owners vowed that the Admiral Twin would rise from the ashes.

Co-Owner Blake Smith says they aimed for a Memorial Day Weekend opening.

It seemed full steam ahead. The screens were erected.

"It's metal. It's all steel, so we aren't fooling around any longer. It's still about nine stories tall," said Smith of the new screens.

The projection system was ready to roll - plus the anticipation of a blockbuster showing to kick start the summer movie season.

"It totally irritates me," said construction coordinator Terry Combs. "Makes me mad. I poured my heart into this thing and have somebody come in and do this to us? Tulsa loves this place."

What should have been a happy ending is now a cliff hanger - to be continued. 

Blake Smith was reluctant to give us an exact date, but he did tell me they hope to be open officially sometime in June.