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.
It was a cold day in early 1942 when Omaha’s Muse Theatre felt the wrath of heavy snow on its marquee. (No one was hurt.) The advertised film is 1941’s MGM musical, “Lady Be Good.”
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 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.
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.
It was a cold day in early 1942 when Omaha’s Muse Theatre felt the wrath of heavy snow on its marquee. (No one was hurt.) The advertised film is 1941’s MGM musical, “Lady Be Good.”
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.
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.