Cinema Drive-In

2668 Alcoa Highway,
Knoxville, TN 27901

Unfavorite No one has favorited this theater yet

| Street View

The Cinema Drive-In opened about 1961 and closed about 1980. It was located on Alcoa Highway, about five miles south of Knoxville. It was on your left as you were driving from Knoxville to Alcoa. The Cinema Drive-In was run by the ABC chain during the 70’s, and like most of the drive in’s in Knoxville, it did not survive the 1982 World’s Fair.

The drive-in was actually located behind a small group of businesses on the highway. There was only a small space on the highway with the marquee and the driveway that led back to the theater. The back of the screen was against the back of the businesses, and it had a pleasant "rural" atmosphere, as the land behind it was undeveloped.

I don’t know what is on property now, but probably has been swallowed up by commerical or business developement.

Contributed by Bob Brown

Recent comments (view all 9 comments)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on September 7, 2007 at 8:22 pm

In the early sixties ABC Theatrical Enterprises, Inc, referenced above by Bob Brown, ran the Cinema, Family and Knoxville Drive-Ins as well as the Skyway Drive-In in Fountain City. ABC was headquartered in Atlanta GA. President was R.J. Barnes.

lostmemory
lostmemory on October 30, 2008 at 5:33 pm

In 1975 the Cinema Drive-In had a capacity for 400 cars.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on March 17, 2010 at 6:43 pm

Sept. 24 1967 it is a Sunday and the CINEMA DRIVE-In is playing “REDLINE 7000” and David Janssen in"WARNING SHOT" The next movies were “THE WAR WAGON” and “FLUFFY” what strange double feature.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on March 17, 2010 at 7:01 pm

“FLUFFY” had Shirley Jones starring in it.We know the two guys in the “WAR WAGON”.

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on July 21, 2010 at 2:29 pm

OCt 20 1964 and “THE CHALK GARDEN” is playing with “THE SECRET PASSION”

tntim
tntim on June 9, 2011 at 9:49 am

An article about a remodeling in 1956 can be found here:http://www.boxofficemagazine.com/the_vault/issue_page?issue_id=1956-6-30&page_no=43#page_start

Mike Rogers
Mike Rogers on June 9, 2011 at 9:52 am

Thanks tntim,K-town had some Great Drive-ins.

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater