A key actor in the film, the novel’s author and the savior of the home cut the ribbon last week to symbolize the opening of The Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa.
“The Outsiders” author S.E. Hinton; C. Thomas Howell, who portrayed Ponyboy Curtis in the 1983 film adaptation; and rapper Danny O’Connor, who renovated the house at 731 N. St. Louis Ave. used in the film; were there during the ceremony Friday, along with Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell.
According to the Tulsa World, tours of The Outsiders House Museum will be offered by appointment only, at least for now.
The house contains memorabilia from the film and novel, in addition to the vibe of it being a key shooting location for the movie.
The VIP opening of the house attracted visitors not only from Tulsa, but Canada, Texas and New York.
The World reported from the ceremony:
Standing on the front porch and addressing the crowd, Howell said, “Tulsa is so awesome. When I’m not here, I think about you all the time. I’ve got my Starbucks Oklahoma cup I drink out of every morning. True story. I think about Susie (Hinton) about five times a day. I am called Ponyboy at least 50 times a day. People ask me sometimes if I ever get tired of that. Hell, no.” […]
Hinton said she realizes she had “a little something” to do with the Outsiders House, but she said all the praise belongs to O’Connor. He boomeranged kind words back at Hinton and the community.
“I don’t want you thinking this is my doing,” he said. “This is our doing.”
Here’s a story produced by one of the Tulsa television stations:
NewsOn6.com – Tulsa, OK – News, Weather, Video and Sports – KOTV.com |
The Tulsa World assembled a well-researched timeline of the history of The Outsiders House. It also interviewed a man who grew up there.
Almost all the “The Outsiders” film was shot in Tulsa because Hinton’s inspirations for the book occurred there when she wrote it at age 17. Scenes included two Route 66 landmarks — the Circle Cinema and the Admiral Twin Drive-In theater.
“The Outsiders” proved notable for its young actors who later became stars — Matt Dillon, Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise, Emilio Estevez, Diane Lane, Ralph Macchio, Tom Waits and Leif Garrett.
“The Outsiders” house sits about a half-mile north of the old Second Street alignment of Route 66.
(Image of The Outsiders House Museum logo via Facebook)