Regal Downtown West Cinema 8
1640 Downtown West Boulevard,
Knoxville,
TN
37919
1640 Downtown West Boulevard,
Knoxville,
TN
37919
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Fotomac, The movies playing on July 15, 1977 were: “Outlaw Blues”, “Sorcerer”, “Grand Theft Auto”, and “Rocky”.
Can anyone remember what the feature was for the week of 15 July, when Star Wars came to town?
Fotomac, I have posted the newspaper article of the purchase by Regal in the photo section.
@greenth1ng If you still have the newspaper article announcing Regal’s purchase, could you photograph and upload it? Thanks!
@Fotomac It was most likely either Theater #1 or #8, the two largest houses.
It has the distinction of being one of the first theatres to have DTS installed. I wonder which auditorium Jurassic Park played in…
This opened as Cinema 6 on July 9th, 1976 with two screens and two more opened the next week. It became the Cinema 4 in 1986 to be more accurate. Grand opening ads posted.
@Scott Neff Most likely.
Plush rockers/seats from another Regal that got the recliner treatment?
New seating capacities at this theater, following the installation of plush rockers in each room (slightly reducing the capacity for each):
Theater 1 – 302 seats (originally 376)
Theater 2 – 206 seats (originally 244)
Theaters 3 & 6 – 79 seats (originally 118)
Theaters 4 & 5 – 99 seats (originally 142)
Theater 7 – 141 seats (originally 174)
Theater 8 – 268 seats (originally 310)
This was opened on July 9, 1976 by Litchfield under the name “Cinema 6”. It was later purchased by AMC in 1978, who later renamed it “Cinema 4”. Grand opening ad in photo section.
According to local newspapers, this theater was acquired by Regal Cinemas on November 16, 1990.
Unfortunately, the only ‘art’ house in Knoxville still doesn’t show films in 3D. I had to travel to Asheville to see Wim Wenders' beautiful “Pina” in 3D. Regal’s excuse was that it was “too expensive” to install 3D technology in this theater. That response from Regal, which has its world headquarters in this town.
I can recall seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark here in 1981, when I was 5-years-old. It was the AMC four-screen at the time. I believe it became a Regal / eight-screen in 1989. I also worked at DTW from 1994-1998. Good times.
Who remembers leaving this theater and easing across the street to TGI Fridays, Mr. Gatti’s or Swenson’s Ice Cream?
I chuckle at the above. My formative years were spent often at this theater watching crap like Cannonball Run and The Wiz! LOL
I owe so much to this venue. And count myself extremely blessed that Knoxville had such an incredible art house.
Most of my “formative years” were spent here. I went every single day after school spanning from 1998 to 2004. Many days I skipped class, snuck off school grounds and attended an afternoon matinee.
I will never forget how many treasures I watched there.
Being John Malcovich, Mulholland Dr., La Vita E Bella, Magnolia, The Straight Story, Fight Club
Memento, Run Lola Run, O' Brother Where Art Thou, George Washington, Amores Perros
Blood Simple (re-release), In the Mood for Love, The Hours, Talk to Her, Spirited Away
Adaptation, Punch Drunk Love, Lost in Translation, 21 Grams, In America, Howl’s Moving Castle
Dogville, Closer, The Life Aquatic, Eternal Sunshine
I would not be who I am today if it weren’t for DTW.
thanks Jack. I have a couple of picture of the River Breeze once it was turned into a flea market.Screen facing I-40 gone.
Knoxville is lucky to have this excellent arthouse in operation.
my pleasure
Thanks for the photos Jack.
A delightful boutique cinema! The venue staff is very affable, professional and diligent in keeping the place immaculate, inviting and comfortable. The original four auditoria are period pieces from the 1970s featuring large, wide screens. All of the auditoria feature excellent audio and video capabilities. Here andhere are 2009 photos of the Downtown West.