Fotomac, I can’t find any lists of opening movies. I did find that three of the first movies were “Bewitched”, “Herbie: Fully Loaded”, and “Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl”.
It looks like Wagner Sign built a new marquee for this theatre, and for some reason, was not used. They are now trying to sell the marquee at a greatly reduced price.
facebook.com/WagnerElectricSign
The last movie shown at the River Breeze was on October 12,1980. The final movie was “The Fog” which was a fitting title for the River Breeze since the drive-in sat on the banks of the Holston River. over the years, fog would offen roll in off the river and cover the drive-in. The final newspaper ad is posted in the photo section.
The final movie shown at the Twin-Aire was “Die Hard” on September 8, 1982. Kind of an ironic choice for a final film. The final ad has been posted in the photo section.
The first time that a listing appeared in the Knoxville News-Sentinel was on March 15, 1953 with the showing of “Barefoot Mailman starring Robert Cummings. The first advertisement didn’t appear until June 13, 1953. The last ad in the paper was on October 23, 1966. Both have been posted in the photo section.
Two “businessmen” from Jacksonville, FL leased the Bijou in March of 1965 and reopened the theatre on April 17,1965. This was the beginning of the porno days of the Bijou which lasted until 1975. the name was changed overnight on September 8,1966 to the Bijou Art Theater with no fanfare or mention of any change in operation. I have posted the ad on 4-14-65 in the photo section.
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.
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
The David Crockett Theatre opened in December of 1946. The building is still standing and contains a retail shop.
Fotomac, I can’t find any lists of opening movies. I did find that three of the first movies were “Bewitched”, “Herbie: Fully Loaded”, and “Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl”.
It looks like Wagner Sign built a new marquee for this theatre, and for some reason, was not used. They are now trying to sell the marquee at a greatly reduced price. facebook.com/WagnerElectricSign
Fotomac, I have posted the newspaper article of the purchase by Regal in the photo section.
The final movies were shown on Oct 31, 2019. A picture of the marquee with the final movies is in the photo section.
The Druid Hill DI opened on June 25, 1953 with the movie “Forbidden Past” News articles of the opening have been posted in the photo section.
The last day the the Ritz was in operation was January 30, 1936. Last ad is posted in the photo section.
The last movies shown were on October 19, 1980. The last newspaper ad is posted in the photo section.
The last movie shown at the River Breeze was on October 12,1980. The final movie was “The Fog” which was a fitting title for the River Breeze since the drive-in sat on the banks of the Holston River. over the years, fog would offen roll in off the river and cover the drive-in. The final newspaper ad is posted in the photo section.
A 1969 aerial photo was been posted in the photo section.
The final movie shown at the Twin-Aire was “Die Hard” on September 8, 1982. Kind of an ironic choice for a final film. The final ad has been posted in the photo section.
The Clinton Cinemas which were added in 1982 on the West side of the drive-in, now have a separate page. Link
The newspaper articles and the opening and closing ads have been added to the photo section.
The Sunset Drive-In closed on November 30, 1958. The last movie ad is posted in the photo section.
The last movies were shown on November 2, 1980. The last newspaper ad is posted in the photo section.
The first time that a listing appeared in the Knoxville News-Sentinel was on March 15, 1953 with the showing of “Barefoot Mailman starring Robert Cummings. The first advertisement didn’t appear until June 13, 1953. The last ad in the paper was on October 23, 1966. Both have been posted in the photo section.
There was a fire that broke out in theater #4 on December 21, 1979 Newspaper article is posted in the photo section.
Two “businessmen” from Jacksonville, FL leased the Bijou in March of 1965 and reopened the theatre on April 17,1965. This was the beginning of the porno days of the Bijou which lasted until 1975. the name was changed overnight on September 8,1966 to the Bijou Art Theater with no fanfare or mention of any change in operation. I have posted the ad on 4-14-65 in the photo section.
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.
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