Tulsa's Admiral Twin Re-Opens, Rises From Ashes

Inside the newly built concession stand, crews put the finishing touches on the new Admiral Twin Friday

Outside the theater, Dakota Garman and Hunter Lyon waited patiently for the doors to open. They lined up at 6:30 a.m.

"Just wanted to be first. [I came] here as a kid, as long as I can remember and just wanted to be first this year because we missed last summer," said Dakota Garman.

It's been a long wait.

The Admiral Twin burned to the ground in September 2010.

The cause was never determined but the tragedy struck a chord with Tulsans everywhere.

The theater opened in 1951 as the Modernaire and only had one screen.

A few years later the name changed and a second screen was added.

It became a favorite spot on Route 66 and was featured in the movie The Outsiders.

It was all that history that spurred $30,000 in donations.

The company that owns the Admiral Twin says that generosity is a big reason why the theater is opening nearly two years later.

"The support that they gave us helped the bank and everybody see that we needed the drive-in back," said Dottie Stockton, of Select Cinemas.

The new Admiral Twin features two movie screens made from steel and metal instead of wood like the old screens-- more weather resistant and less of a chance of the panels being damaged or lost.

It also includes a new, indoor concession stand that, later this summer, will have a kitchen to make hamburgers or pizza.

"We'll be able to do more, serve more items that our customers want because it's all in one place," said Stockton.