Iconic Drive-In Admiral Twin Holds Grand Re-Opening In Tulsa Sunday

It's official: The Admiral Twin has risen from the ashes and held its grand re-opening tonight.

Co-owner Blake Smith says there were challenges – fundraising, planning and even vandals – that delayed the opening.

But, he said, it's finally back, and Tulsa is still continuing to show its support, nearly two years after the landmark drive-in theater burned to the ground in September 2010.

"I live it Tulsa. It's an icon for me," Smith said. "I've been here since '87. I'm used to seeing that old structure. Driving down (Interstate)-244, it wasn't there for a year and a half. It seemed sort of empty.

"We've been working right up to the very end," Smith said. "I'm excited to do what we are going to do. Get people in get the reception."

The community rallied to "Save the Admiral Twin."

And co-owner Blake Smith vowed to rebuild.

"We've been coming here since I was in eighth grade -- 1978, 1979 -- since forever," Robert Brooks said. "We just love it.

Smith held a "soft" re-opening a month ago, and cars lined the street, patrons eager to catch the first flick on the new silver screen.

So many cars came, they had to turn some away.

But Sunday evening, the "grand" re-opening of the Admiral Twin Drive-In officially kicked off a new era.

Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett and other dignitaries drove through the gates in a Chevy Camaro convertible and bought the ceremonial first ticket.

An historic group picture was taken to capture the special moment in time.

It was a symbolic new beginning for an old-fashioned silver screen with a charred history.