West Drive-In
2101 W. Broadway Street,
Altus,
OK
73521
2101 W. Broadway Street,
Altus,
OK
73521
2 people
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The West Drive-In was originally constructed by Carl Hatton. Unfortunately they had two attempts on building the drive-in because, on the morning hours of May 2, 1956, strong wind gusts ripped through the 45x95ft screen tower, and the screen collapsed onto its marquee, destroying both the screen and severely damaging the marquee. They managed to rebuild the theater very quickly.
After all the harsh work following the wind destruction, the West Drive-In opened its gates by Video Independent Theatres on June 15, 1956 with Joel McCrea in “Wichita” (unknown if extras added). Unfortunately, it appears that the West Drive-In did not last long at all.
The West Drive-In closed a few months later in 1956 possibly due to poor management, and the theater sat empty and abandoned for more than three decades, as a 1960 and 1983 aerial views shows the drive-in with its screen standing but the traces are in poor condition.
Two things:
The drive-in theatres in Altus were called the Altus, and Altus West DI… check the ads.
Would a moderator consider removing all the references and links to Roadsideoklahoma as they are all dead and have been for some time.
Approx. address for this drive-in was 2101 West Broadway. The foundations for the snack bar and screen are still there. Some ramps are also visible.
In 1956 it was a Video Ind. theatre.
Jan2 1970 and the Altus Drive-in is playing “WILD RACERS” and “ROAD HUSTLERS”.
April 9 1971 sees “OUT OF IT” playing with “SECRET OF SANTA VITTORIA”
Sept. 3 1972 sees a 007 Double feature,they ran the ad from “DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER”,but cut out “DIAMONDS” but anyone looking at it would think “hey,Diamonds are Forever is showing tonight at the ALtus”.What they should have done if they were going to use the “DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER” newspaper ad was cut the background out and just use Connery and and the two girls,still a 007 fan would know. I guess I was in the theatre business too long.Probably no one would have noticed or cared. Oh,the two Bond movies were"FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE" and"GOLDFINGER".Way to go ALTUS DRIVE-In.
Above mentioned second drive in was called the EASTSIDE DRIVE-IN. It was a rather nice theatre with an elaborate neon marquee, along with quite colorful lighting effects along side fences.
From what I have recently researched, there were actually two drive-ins in Altus. Both were on Highway 62; one on the east side of town and one on the west side of town.