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 Gay Street Cinema was a converted store front theater that seated 150. It opened in 1969 and closed in 1975 after a suspicious fire that was said to be started by a fire bomb. This is the first theatre in Knoxville to show “Deep Throat” in late 1972.
The street numbers on Broadway were changed in the late 40’s The correct address with today’s street numbers would be 5228 N. Broadway St. Knoxville, TN 37918.
The street address for the Capitol Theater should be 1628 Winchester Avenue. The postcard clearly shows the theater in the 1600 block of Winchester, not the 1100 block.
The building that housed the Capitol is still standing. It has been altered for use as a Christian Life Center.
The correct address for the Alfon Theater should be 1549 Winchester Ave. The picture that I posted in the Photo section shows the theater on the north side of the old Third National Bank, which was located on the NE corner of Winchester and 16th St.
This link is to the December 22, 1928 issue of the “Exhibitors Herald and Picture World” that has pictures and an article about the Plaza Theater. View Link
This link is to the October 27, 1928 issue of the “Exhibitors Herald and Picture World” that has pictures and an article about the Geneva Theater. View Link
This link is to the May 12, 1928 issue of the “Exhibitors Herald and Picture World” that has pictures and an article about the Des Plaines Theater. View 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.
There was a fire that broke out in theater #4 on December 21, 1979. Link
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.
The Gay Street Cinema was a converted store front theater that seated 150. It opened in 1969 and closed in 1975 after a suspicious fire that was said to be started by a fire bomb. This is the first theatre in Knoxville to show “Deep Throat” in late 1972.
According to this article in Billboard, daily stage shows were dropped in January 1948. The theater itself closed in 1959. Link
The street numbers on Broadway were changed in the late 40’s The correct address with today’s street numbers would be 5228 N. Broadway St. Knoxville, TN 37918.
Posted picture of the Terrace after it was twined in the photo section.
The street address for the Capitol Theater should be 1628 Winchester Avenue. The postcard clearly shows the theater in the 1600 block of Winchester, not the 1100 block.
The building that housed the Capitol is still standing. It has been altered for use as a Christian Life Center.
According to “Motion Picture World”, the opening date for the Orpheum was March 15, 1916.
The correct address for the Alfon Theater should be 1549 Winchester Ave. The picture that I posted in the Photo section shows the theater on the north side of the old Third National Bank, which was located on the NE corner of Winchester and 16th St.
I posted in the photo section a picture of the front of the theater when Elvis performed in 1956.
This link is to the December 22, 1928 issue of the “Exhibitors Herald and Picture World” that has pictures and an article about the Plaza Theater. View Link
This link is to the October 27, 1928 issue of the “Exhibitors Herald and Picture World” that has pictures of the Uptown Theater. View Link
This link is to the October 27, 1928 issue of the “Exhibitors Herald and Picture World” that has pictures and an article about the Geneva Theater. View Link
This link is to the May 12, 1928 issue of the “Exhibitors Herald and Picture World” that has pictures and an article about the Des Plaines Theater. View Link
This link is to the May 12, 1928 issue of the “Exhibitors Herald and Picture World” that has pictures of the Loew’s Yonkers Theater. View Link