Booth Theatre
1836 W. Cumberland Avenue,
Knoxville,
TN
36916
1836 W. Cumberland Avenue,
Knoxville,
TN
36916
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The Booth Theatre was opened on September 27, 1928 and was among the first theatres in the Knoxville area built specifically for motion picture presentation. The Booth Theatre closed on August 29, 1957 with Audie Murphy in “Joe Butterfly”. It was converted into a restaurant. Today, the former theatre houses a neighborhood bar.
Contributed by
Jack Coursey
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
The Booth is still standing, currently a university-neighborhood bar. The space has been divided vertically: a 2nd floor has been inserted into the auditorium space. Reports are that the ornate proscenium is intact and visible in an upper level store-room. The marquee is gone, the original facade is covered with E.I.F.S. The exterior side and back walls are visible and unremarkable. The architectural firm that designed the Booth was Bowman and Bowman. The architect’s son is an active local historian and philanthropist.
The Booth opened in September 1928, just two weeks before the opening of the Tennessee Theatre.
Exterior picture taken in October of 1928:
View link
Nice vintage photo tntim.
It was a Wilby-Kincey Theatre in 1956.Along with the Bijou,Park, and Tennessee Theatres.
Notice on the photo above, the feature film is “Stool Pigeon.” According to imdb.com that feature was released October 25, 1928: we can assume this photo was taken sometime around shortly after that date. Stool Pigeon was a silent. Wonder what sort of accompaniment was provided. I have not found a record of an organ installed here.
Tim – do you know who operated the Booth originally? I’ve found references to Booth Theatres in both Sweetwater TN and Greeneville TN. I was wondering if there was a local chain using that name in the 1920’s.
Yes Will, this was owned by a gentleman named Booth. He owned several theatres in Middle and East Tennessee. I have found some articles in the “Motion Picture News” archives about him filing for bankruptcy in late 1929. I will see if I can find them and post.
This opened on September 27th, 1928. Grand opening ad posted.
The final movie was “Joe Butterfly” on August 29, 1957. Last ad is posted in the photo section.