The first time that a listing appeared in the Knoxville News-Sentinel was on March 15, 1953 with the showing of “Barefoot Mailman starring Robert Cummings. The first advertisement didn’t appear until June 13, 1953. The last ad in the paper was on October 23, 1966. Both have been posted in the photo section.
Two “businessmen” from Jacksonville, FL leased the Bijou in March of 1965 and reopened the theatre on April 17,1965. This was the beginning of the porno days of the Bijou which lasted until 1975. the name was changed overnight on September 8,1966 to the Bijou Art Theater with no fanfare or mention of any change in operation. I have posted the ad on 4-14-65 in the photo section.
The Horne Theatre opened January 16, 1947. The opening ad has been posted in the photo section. Sam Horne also opened the Horne Drive-In further south on Chapman Hwy (US 441) in 1953, and both venues operated until the Horne Theatre closed on Sept.1,1956. The building was converted into a roller rink in 1958.
The theatre building was converted to Genesis Baptist Church in June 2014. I have posed a description of the conversion in the photo section. The correct address is 111 Elizabeth St, Athens, TN 37303.
The only mention of this theater in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, is an article on March 8,1952 where the owner was charged with running movies on Sunday. Another story on May 7, 1952 reporting that the owner, Charles H. (Buster) Bierley Jr. died, he was only in his 30’s. A Miss Maryville Contest was held at the theatre on June 14, 1955. I have posted in the photo section, the only ad found that ran May 26, 1953, along with a current picture of the building.
Opening ad is in the photo section. The theatre opened on 1-19-48 and closed 6-13-50. The theatre was leased to Bible Baptist Church which eventually bought the theatre.
The local film archive in Knoxville has this home movie showing a snowball fight in Rockwood. The film shows both the Lyric and the Ritz in operation. The building on this page was the lyric, but the Ritz was across the street and a block south. Link
There was never a major fire at the Westown Theater. There was a fire that gutted one of the auditoriums at the Kingston Four Theatre on December 21, 1979. The only news that appeared in the newspapers after the showing of “The Last Temptation of Christ” was the trial of the former City Councilman who had run his car (while intoxicated) through several protesters in front of the theatre. The theater continued to operate until Cineplex Odeon closed the theater on June 28,1990, along with several others around the country. Link I also posted the final add in the photo section.
Billy Barnes who was the popular organist at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville played on opening night on the Hammond Organ. I am assuming that the organ (and Billy) were just loaners and not a permanent installation.
The Community Drive-In opened in 1951. In 1953 there was a management change and the name was changed to the Community Skyway Drive-In which operated until 1966. In 1967 there was another management change and the name was changed to Sky-Way Drive-In. In November of 1967 all mention of this drive-in vanished from the local newspapers.
The newspaper articles and the opening and closing ads have been added to the photo section.
The Sunset Drive-In closed on November 30, 1958. The last movie ad is posted in the photo section.
The last movies were shown on November 2, 1980. The last newspaper ad is posted in the photo section.
The first time that a listing appeared in the Knoxville News-Sentinel was on March 15, 1953 with the showing of “Barefoot Mailman starring Robert Cummings. The first advertisement didn’t appear until June 13, 1953. The last ad in the paper was on October 23, 1966. Both have been posted in the photo section.
There was a fire that broke out in theater #4 on December 21, 1979 Newspaper article is posted in the photo section.
Two “businessmen” from Jacksonville, FL leased the Bijou in March of 1965 and reopened the theatre on April 17,1965. This was the beginning of the porno days of the Bijou which lasted until 1975. the name was changed overnight on September 8,1966 to the Bijou Art Theater with no fanfare or mention of any change in operation. I have posted the ad on 4-14-65 in the photo section.
At some point in time, there was a fire in the Court Theater. I have posted an undated picture that I found of the fire.
The Horne Theatre opened January 16, 1947. The opening ad has been posted in the photo section. Sam Horne also opened the Horne Drive-In further south on Chapman Hwy (US 441) in 1953, and both venues operated until the Horne Theatre closed on Sept.1,1956. The building was converted into a roller rink in 1958.
The theatre building was converted to Genesis Baptist Church in June 2014. I have posed a description of the conversion in the photo section. The correct address is 111 Elizabeth St, Athens, TN 37303.
I have posted aerial photos from 1959 and 1969 in the photo section.
The only mention of this theater in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, is an article on March 8,1952 where the owner was charged with running movies on Sunday. Another story on May 7, 1952 reporting that the owner, Charles H. (Buster) Bierley Jr. died, he was only in his 30’s. A Miss Maryville Contest was held at the theatre on June 14, 1955. I have posted in the photo section, the only ad found that ran May 26, 1953, along with a current picture of the building.
Opening ad is in the photo section. The theatre opened on 1-19-48 and closed 6-13-50. The theatre was leased to Bible Baptist Church which eventually bought the theatre.
The local film archive in Knoxville has this home movie showing a snowball fight in Rockwood. The film shows both the Lyric and the Ritz in operation. The building on this page was the lyric, but the Ritz was across the street and a block south. Link
According to this article in Encore, the nightclub has undergone a revamp, and has returned the “Strand” name back to the venue. Link
The Nashville Tennessean ran a slideshow to commemorate the anniversary of the fire on August 9, 1967. Link
I have posted newly found pictures in the photo section
There was never a major fire at the Westown Theater. There was a fire that gutted one of the auditoriums at the Kingston Four Theatre on December 21, 1979. The only news that appeared in the newspapers after the showing of “The Last Temptation of Christ” was the trial of the former City Councilman who had run his car (while intoxicated) through several protesters in front of the theatre. The theater continued to operate until Cineplex Odeon closed the theater on June 28,1990, along with several others around the country. Link I also posted the final add in the photo section.
This is not a picture of the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham.
Opening day add in photo section.
I have posted articles from the Knoxville News-Sentinel of the opening and closing of the Fox in the photo section.
Billy Barnes who was the popular organist at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville played on opening night on the Hammond Organ. I am assuming that the organ (and Billy) were just loaners and not a permanent installation.
The Community Drive-In opened in 1951. In 1953 there was a management change and the name was changed to the Community Skyway Drive-In which operated until 1966. In 1967 there was another management change and the name was changed to Sky-Way Drive-In. In November of 1967 all mention of this drive-in vanished from the local newspapers.
I have posted the add announcing the opening of the Lenox after remodeling.
According to to newspaper adds, the Knoxville Drive-In opened on August 11, 1948. I have posted this add in the photo section.
The April 2, 1949 date that was reported by Boxoffice Magazine appears to be a reopening date with new owners.
The Family Drive-In opened August 23, 1950. I have posted the opening newspaper add in the photo section.