After getting my drivers license around 1958, I was a frequent visitor to the Red Bank Drive-In. My wife and I had our first date there on Feb 12, 1960. We will celebrate our 53rd anniversary in Dec. Lots of special memories for us.
The address of 825 Market street seems to me to be about where the Woolworths 5 & 10 store was located.
If the Bontina Theater was there in the mid 1930’s, it was probably torn down for this store to be built.
I checked the Chattanooga Library photo database and they had nothing in the way of a photo of that area of Market Street during the time period 1925 to 1935.
I asked my 96 year old mother (who still has an excellent memory) and she didn’t recall it.
Sorry.
I now recall the Rialto burning and then replaced by a remodeled McLellans dime store. However, I can’t recall the Cameo getting the marquee, but don’t doubt your memory (mine’s a bit fuzzy. )
I frequented the Dixie and Cameo because they showed all the old B Westerns. Also the Capitol with their B list of films. The State had the Roy Rogers Riders Club and Mickey Mouse club on Saturday mornings (with Miss Tina).
I’ll see if I can find that book you’re referring.
Thanks
It’s a real shame that Chattanooga has sacrificed all it’s historic buildings and landmarks for parking lots and expressways.
I recall around 1950 when the Capitol showed the Joel McCrea film, “Saddle Tramp”. They had gotten pine “saw mill slats” and decorated the ticket booth and all the outside to a rustic flavor with some props of various flavors to promote the film.
They showed a lot of B films later on.
I recall a Rialto Theater in the 1950’s, but not at the location you have listed. I believe it was located on East Main Street.
The only theaters on Market during the late 40’s early 50’s were Cameo, Capitol, State/Martin, Dixie and Rogers.
In the late 40’s, early 50’s, the State Theater was the home of the Roy Rogers Riders Club and the Mickey Mouse Club. Miss Tina (or Teena?) was the host and it was sponsored by Lovemans, who had the exclusive franchise for the Roy Rogers Corral (4th floor). This was the clothing line, capguns, holsters, bed spreads, curtins, etc. All were the “official” Roy Rogers signature line of stuff.
The State had a contest for “Cutest Cowboy in Chattanooga” in the early 50’s and the winner got to meet Roy and have his photo made on Trigger. This was won by my best friend, Richard Hindman. The night Roy came to Memorial Auditorium, we all went and I have copies of the photos made that night. Great memories. Anyone know Miss Tina’s real and full name?
The Cameo showed many of the B Westerns, mainly I recall the “Red Ryder” series from Republic Pictures with both Rocky Lane and Wild Bill Elliott. I attended the Cameo many times in the late 40’s/early 50’s.
It had a small concession stand located on the right side of the small lobby. Inside was not that large from what I recall, so the 527 seat capacity surprised me.
Later on, the Cameo showed a lot of the exploitation films for “adults only” and it wasn’t long afterwards that they closed down.
It was located directly across from the Capitol Theater on Market Street.
I attended the Dixie Theater many times in the 1940’s and 1950’s… it was less expensive than the Cameo, Capitol, State or Rogers, which charged ten cents for under 12. I think the Dixie was seven cents.
They mainly showed the B movies… I saw “The Mummy” there as well as lots of Durango Kid, Gene Autry, old John Wayne B Westerns, Eddie Dean, Jimmy Wakely, Lash LaRue, etc.
Entering on Market street, you walked in next to the left side of the screen. I believe there was also an entrance on Cherry Street.
The restrooms were at the top of a long stairway in the back of the theater and were across from the projectionist booth. It was so hot in the summer that I remember the projectionist would strip down to his undershirt and boxer shorts.
I never recall the name “Bontina” or anything similar being attached to the Dixie. It was located across the street from the Rogers Theater on Market.
After getting my drivers license around 1958, I was a frequent visitor to the Red Bank Drive-In. My wife and I had our first date there on Feb 12, 1960. We will celebrate our 53rd anniversary in Dec. Lots of special memories for us.
The address of 825 Market street seems to me to be about where the Woolworths 5 & 10 store was located.
If the Bontina Theater was there in the mid 1930’s, it was probably torn down for this store to be built.
I checked the Chattanooga Library photo database and they had nothing in the way of a photo of that area of Market Street during the time period 1925 to 1935.
I asked my 96 year old mother (who still has an excellent memory) and she didn’t recall it.
Sorry.
I now recall the Rialto burning and then replaced by a remodeled McLellans dime store. However, I can’t recall the Cameo getting the marquee, but don’t doubt your memory (mine’s a bit fuzzy. )
I frequented the Dixie and Cameo because they showed all the old B Westerns. Also the Capitol with their B list of films. The State had the Roy Rogers Riders Club and Mickey Mouse club on Saturday mornings (with Miss Tina).
I’ll see if I can find that book you’re referring.
Thanks
It’s a real shame that Chattanooga has sacrificed all it’s historic buildings and landmarks for parking lots and expressways.
I recall around 1950 when the Capitol showed the Joel McCrea film, “Saddle Tramp”. They had gotten pine “saw mill slats” and decorated the ticket booth and all the outside to a rustic flavor with some props of various flavors to promote the film.
They showed a lot of B films later on.
Sorry, I was confusing the Rialto with the Strand on E. Main. However, I believe the Rialto disappeared in the mid to late 1940’s and not the 1960’s.
I recall a Rialto Theater in the 1950’s, but not at the location you have listed. I believe it was located on East Main Street.
The only theaters on Market during the late 40’s early 50’s were Cameo, Capitol, State/Martin, Dixie and Rogers.
In the late 40’s, early 50’s, the State Theater was the home of the Roy Rogers Riders Club and the Mickey Mouse Club. Miss Tina (or Teena?) was the host and it was sponsored by Lovemans, who had the exclusive franchise for the Roy Rogers Corral (4th floor). This was the clothing line, capguns, holsters, bed spreads, curtins, etc. All were the “official” Roy Rogers signature line of stuff.
The State had a contest for “Cutest Cowboy in Chattanooga” in the early 50’s and the winner got to meet Roy and have his photo made on Trigger. This was won by my best friend, Richard Hindman. The night Roy came to Memorial Auditorium, we all went and I have copies of the photos made that night. Great memories. Anyone know Miss Tina’s real and full name?
The Cameo showed many of the B Westerns, mainly I recall the “Red Ryder” series from Republic Pictures with both Rocky Lane and Wild Bill Elliott. I attended the Cameo many times in the late 40’s/early 50’s.
It had a small concession stand located on the right side of the small lobby. Inside was not that large from what I recall, so the 527 seat capacity surprised me.
Later on, the Cameo showed a lot of the exploitation films for “adults only” and it wasn’t long afterwards that they closed down.
It was located directly across from the Capitol Theater on Market Street.
I attended the Dixie Theater many times in the 1940’s and 1950’s… it was less expensive than the Cameo, Capitol, State or Rogers, which charged ten cents for under 12. I think the Dixie was seven cents.
They mainly showed the B movies… I saw “The Mummy” there as well as lots of Durango Kid, Gene Autry, old John Wayne B Westerns, Eddie Dean, Jimmy Wakely, Lash LaRue, etc.
Entering on Market street, you walked in next to the left side of the screen. I believe there was also an entrance on Cherry Street.
The restrooms were at the top of a long stairway in the back of the theater and were across from the projectionist booth. It was so hot in the summer that I remember the projectionist would strip down to his undershirt and boxer shorts.
I never recall the name “Bontina” or anything similar being attached to the Dixie. It was located across the street from the Rogers Theater on Market.