Twin Aire Drive-In
Clinton Highway,
Knoxville,
TN
37912
Clinton Highway,
Knoxville,
TN
37912
1 person
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The Twin Aire Drive-In was built in 1969 and I think closed about 1985. It was located on Clinton Highway north of Knoxville on the left before you get to Powell. I am not sure of the address, but the last I heard there was a Wal-Mart Supercenter on the site.
The Twin Aire was huge, and I think held about 2000 cars divided between it’s two giant screens. It had a large, modern glass enclosed concession stand so you could see both screens while in concession stand. It also had a decorative fountain in the area between the screens. It was built and owned by the Simpson theatre chain. In the 70’s, they were opened year round seven nights a week with double or triple features on both screens. I went there often in the 70’s, and they were usually packed, especially on weekends. Some time after I left the Knoxville area in about 1978, they closed down one of the outdoor screens, and built a small two screen indoor theatre on that side connected to the concession stand. The Twin Aire was in a very scenic location that was mostly rural, and then just outside of town. One of the screens was built up against a large hill. I assume the land was sold as that area became more suburban, and property values went up. It became another drive in that fell to Wal-Mart.
The Twin Aire may have been the last theatre left in the Simpson chain by then. In the 70’s they owned the Riviera, the Capri, the River Breeze Drive-In, and the Chapman Highway Drive-In, all of which I think closed before the Twin Aire.
Contributed by
Bob Brown
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Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
I only remember it as I said driving by as a kid.I want to say it was painted blue and white?I had an ad from there,but lost it somewhere.
I have a vivid and terrifying memory of seeing “Piranha” outdoors here in 1978. The Drive-In was open as late as 1987, as a bunch of us hormonal teens went to see “The Lost Boys” there all squeezed together in my buddy’s car.
As for the indoor theater, I can clearly recall the decorative fountain inside the lobby. I saw “Star Wars” here in 1977 – a very vivid memory! The only other movies I remember seeing here were “RoboCop” and “The Fly” which should tell you about when it finally closed. It is a WalMart now, more’s the pity.
thanks Seeingl wish you had pictures.
I wish I could remember the name of the twin indoor theater; I don’t believe it was advertised as the Twin-Aire, but something different. I thought the name might have had Powell in it, but there was a different Powell Cinema further north in Powell, so I doubt that was it.
I am not sure, but was the name of the indoor theatres the Clinton Twin or Clinton Cinemas?
That could be right, or maybe Clinton Highway Cinemas, since it was still a long way from the town of Clinton. I’m still not sure!
Any pictures of the Twin Aire guys.Sure wish i would have snapped one on the many times we drove by it.
Found the land was owned by Mrs.Mary LaRue part of a 40 acre farm sold in 1969 to Simpson Theatres.
I have positioned streetview to the location of the main entrance on Callahan Road. The street sign/marquee was approximately where the Taco Bell sign is now, on Clinton Hwy at Callahan. My dad helped with the installation of the projection equipment and brought me along for the ride. I was only twelve at the time, and wish now that I paid more attention and had taken some pictures. It’s funny how you think that something that is new will be around forever.
Yeah,you and all of us would have had some great pictures,but i have done the same thing,never thinking about snapping a few pictures.