The Margie Grand was designed by architect Richard F. Graf of the firm, R.F. Graf and Sons of Knoxville. Margie Noe commissioned the work in 1928. The new-build facility replaced the city’s first bank. The adjoining building became the Margie Grand Sweet Shop and served as the de facto concession stand for the theater until a redesign worked in a modern concession stand.
Margie Noe managed the theatre at its opening. The Noe’s family home was two doors down from the theatre. That residence stood into the 1950s and was torn down not long after Margie Noe’s passing in 1953.
The Milwain was launched by Mr. and Mrs. Burgess Millwain on Front Street. The Milwain opened on July 27, 1929 with “China Bound.” Leta Milwain ran the venue for decades. The Milwain was damaged by fire in May of 1943 and, due to War rules and shortages, it was unable to reopen until 1944. The Milwain then closed on January 28, 1963 with Elvis in “Girls, Girls, Girls.” It reopened late that year and continued. It closed again on September 12, 1970 with “The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico Country.”
Louis Aldridge relit the Milwain one last time on a subleasing agreement. It reopened with “Paper Moon” on March 1, 1974. A midnight screening of Jacqueline Giroux in “The Erotic Adventures of Zorro” on April 7, 1974 was ostensibly the end of the line with Aldridge found guilty of exhibiting an obscene film. The theatre was then offered for sale. The theatre was finally razed in December of 1991 to rid it from the tax role By Leon Terry.
Corbin Hippodrome Co. commissioned the building in 1921 and was built by E.G. Holladay of Nashville with architectural plans by Richard F. Graf of the firm, R.F. Graf and Sons of Knoxville. The first ads are January 23, 1922 with live vaudeville by the Shannon Stock Company. It ran live until fire damaged the facility in 1929. It came back after a period of closure wired for sound and playing films which it did until closure. February 2, 1978 “The Late Great Planet Earth” marked the late great Hippodrome’s last film.
R.C. Adams launched the Carlisle Drive-in July 17, 1953 with “Room for One More.” In 1956, the screen tower was converted to widescreen to present CinemaScope films.
Cecil Beardsley took on the venue changing its name to the Beardsley Chevrolet Company Drive-In Theatre on May 3, 1960 with “The Man Who Understood Women.” This became the first and only theatre in the Cinema Treasures database to have the name Beardsley Chevrolet Company Drive-In Theatre.
Don Draw and Earl Ferrell took on the venue on March 31, 1961 renaming it as the Bardwell Drive-In Theatre with “S.O.S Pacific.” It closed August 6, 1961 with “Dondi” ending its run as the Bardwell D-I.
The Arly’s April 7, 1946 Grand Opening ad with “God is my Co-Pilot” is in photos. The Arly tanked with D.B Stout and Stout Theatres Circuit closing it first on July 5, 1947. It reopened on a sublease by Ronald Harwood on January 23, 1948 closing August 6, 1948. The theater goes in and out of business and is offered for sale during 1949 to 1952. In 1953, the theatre tried free movies for all kids 12 and under. It closed permanently on March 1, 1954 with “Niagara.”
The Reada Theatre opened on March 4, 1948 with a Ben Pobbocki & Sons of Milwaukee attractor, interior design by Knoxville Scenic Studios and Abbott and Costello playing on the big screen. It closed on December 24, 1972 with “Brother of the Wind.” A three year renovation project fell short and the building was razed in May of 1990.
The Alexander Hotel was a multi-purpose venue that housed the H&H Cafe, the Super Service Garage and Super Service Station. The theater launched June 21, 1935 with “Red Hot Tires.” The venue’s final operator Ralph McCoy closed down at the expiry of his lease. The Alice showed “Overboard” on February 4, 1988 - its final day.
Chester Smith and James Booze celebrated the launch of their Skyline Drive-In Theatre with a free screening n September 24, 1953. Portable heaters allowed it to operate year-round.
The last ad listed for the Kentucky Theatre on Main Street was June 3, 1967 with “Murderer’s Row” and “Fun in Acapulco.” Weeks later, the Tragg County government took over the building for office space.
The new Magic Theatre appeared on June 11, 1941 by Paul T. Mitchell who opened with “The Lady Eve.” It vanished - from exhibition - on January 2, 1960 with “The Jayhawkers' supported by two cartoons. The building was a candidate for reopening in October 1984 for movies following the Mitchell Theatre fire but a refresh was not feasible and all incantations and spells aimed at a revival failed to produce the intended results.
The National Theatre opened on March 8, 1923 with Jackie Coogan in “My Boy and and Wilna Wilde in “The Toonerville Trolley” supported by the National Theatre Jazz Band. Charles Reed Mitchell took on the venue installing Viatphone sound with “The Broadway Melody” on December 26, 1929. 12-year old Paul booked the films. Fire on January 27, 1937 closed the venue leaving the foundation in place.
On May 6, 1938, the new Mitchell Theatre designed by architect R.D. Churchill of Iola, Kansas was ready to go with Joe Penner in “G Chase Yourself.” Chruchill’s striking streamline moderne design won it Top Ten Theatres in the nation in 1938. The venue next under Lena M. Mitchell and Paul T. Mitchell went widescreen on January 2, 1955 with “King Richard and the Crusaders.” They would also operate the local drive-in and the Magic Theatre.
The Mitchell’s deco design landed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1983. Apparently, it was torched with the building destroyed on October 18, 1984 along with the print of “Revenge of the Nerds” on the platter making “Ghostbusters” the final showtime on October 14, 1984.
Lena M. Mitchell and Paul T. Mitchell owned the Knox Drive-In Theatre. Charles L. Hammons was the initial manager of the Knox Drive-In. Located at Boone Heights in Knox County a mile south of Barbourville on (Old) Highway 25E, the $80,000 venue opened on November 1, 1954 with Jimmy Stewart in “The Glenn Miller Story.” The concession stand wasn’t ready on opening night and the Miracle Company playground didn’t get finished until 1956. But by then, it was fully ready to go.
Paul Mitchell operated the venue through 22 seasons but died just prior to the 1976 opener with Charles and Lena Reed taking over. The Knox closed September 26, 1981 with Susan Kiger in “H.O.T.S.” That would be its final showtime. The address 411 KY-3439, Barbourville, KY 40906 is right next door to the drive-in.
John Robinson and Son launched the Med-O-Vue on April 7, 1951 grand opening of the Med-O-Vue Drive-In with “Bomba, the Jungle Boy” and “Shadow of the West.” The 200-car drive-in had RCA projection and speakers. In 1954, both the drive-in and the Robinson Roller Rink were auctioned off.
When the Liberty Theatre burned on May 8, 1925, Winchester’s New Theatre Beautiful opened on May 18, 1925 with “The Golden Bed.” That name was used for two months. A naming contest was held and Leeds was the winner with venue using using that name first on July 8, 1925 at the formal grand opening with “The Little French Girl.” The venue closed on January 25, 1987 with “Lady and the Tramp” splitting with “Wanted Dead or Alive.”
The Margie Grand was designed by architect Richard F. Graf of the firm, R.F. Graf and Sons of Knoxville. Margie Noe commissioned the work in 1928. The new-build facility replaced the city’s first bank. The adjoining building became the Margie Grand Sweet Shop and served as the de facto concession stand for the theater until a redesign worked in a modern concession stand.
Margie Noe managed the theatre at its opening. The Noe’s family home was two doors down from the theatre. That residence stood into the 1950s and was torn down not long after Margie Noe’s passing in 1953.
The Milwain was launched by Mr. and Mrs. Burgess Millwain on Front Street. The Milwain opened on July 27, 1929 with “China Bound.” Leta Milwain ran the venue for decades. The Milwain was damaged by fire in May of 1943 and, due to War rules and shortages, it was unable to reopen until 1944. The Milwain then closed on January 28, 1963 with Elvis in “Girls, Girls, Girls.” It reopened late that year and continued. It closed again on September 12, 1970 with “The Cockeyed Cowboys of Calico Country.”
Louis Aldridge relit the Milwain one last time on a subleasing agreement. It reopened with “Paper Moon” on March 1, 1974. A midnight screening of Jacqueline Giroux in “The Erotic Adventures of Zorro” on April 7, 1974 was ostensibly the end of the line with Aldridge found guilty of exhibiting an obscene film. The theatre was then offered for sale. The theatre was finally razed in December of 1991 to rid it from the tax role By Leon Terry.
Corbin Hippodrome Co. commissioned the building in 1921 and was built by E.G. Holladay of Nashville with architectural plans by Richard F. Graf of the firm, R.F. Graf and Sons of Knoxville. The first ads are January 23, 1922 with live vaudeville by the Shannon Stock Company. It ran live until fire damaged the facility in 1929. It came back after a period of closure wired for sound and playing films which it did until closure. February 2, 1978 “The Late Great Planet Earth” marked the late great Hippodrome’s last film.
Closed December 1, 2024
R.C. Adams launched the Carlisle Drive-in July 17, 1953 with “Room for One More.” In 1956, the screen tower was converted to widescreen to present CinemaScope films.
Cecil Beardsley took on the venue changing its name to the Beardsley Chevrolet Company Drive-In Theatre on May 3, 1960 with “The Man Who Understood Women.” This became the first and only theatre in the Cinema Treasures database to have the name Beardsley Chevrolet Company Drive-In Theatre.
Don Draw and Earl Ferrell took on the venue on March 31, 1961 renaming it as the Bardwell Drive-In Theatre with “S.O.S Pacific.” It closed August 6, 1961 with “Dondi” ending its run as the Bardwell D-I.
The Arly’s April 7, 1946 Grand Opening ad with “God is my Co-Pilot” is in photos. The Arly tanked with D.B Stout and Stout Theatres Circuit closing it first on July 5, 1947. It reopened on a sublease by Ronald Harwood on January 23, 1948 closing August 6, 1948. The theater goes in and out of business and is offered for sale during 1949 to 1952. In 1953, the theatre tried free movies for all kids 12 and under. It closed permanently on March 1, 1954 with “Niagara.”
February 2, 1978 “The Late Great Planet Earth” was the late great Hippodrome’s last film
The Schine Theatre Circuit opened the Viv Theatre in 1940. It also operated the veritable Hippodrome Theatre in the same town.
The Reada Theatre opened on March 4, 1948 with a Ben Pobbocki & Sons of Milwaukee attractor, interior design by Knoxville Scenic Studios and Abbott and Costello playing on the big screen. It closed on December 24, 1972 with “Brother of the Wind.” A three year renovation project fell short and the building was razed in May of 1990.
The Regency Cinema opened onNovember 20, 1992.
The Alexander Hotel was a multi-purpose venue that housed the H&H Cafe, the Super Service Garage and Super Service Station. The theater launched June 21, 1935 with “Red Hot Tires.” The venue’s final operator Ralph McCoy closed down at the expiry of his lease. The Alice showed “Overboard” on February 4, 1988 - its final day.
Overhead view of the former drive-in
Chester Smith and James Booze celebrated the launch of their Skyline Drive-In Theatre with a free screening n September 24, 1953. Portable heaters allowed it to operate year-round.
The last ad listed for the Kentucky Theatre on Main Street was June 3, 1967 with “Murderer’s Row” and “Fun in Acapulco.” Weeks later, the Tragg County government took over the building for office space.
Launched June 16, 1950 with “Fighting Man of the Plains”
George W. and A.C. Combs opened the Harlan Drive-In on June 15, 1950 with “Coroner Creek” on their Simplex projector’s platter.
Opened in 1925 and closed on June 28, 1959 with “Elephant Walk. It was transformed into a house of worship shortly thereafter.
Closed permanently November 26, 2024.
The new Magic Theatre appeared on June 11, 1941 by Paul T. Mitchell who opened with “The Lady Eve.” It vanished - from exhibition - on January 2, 1960 with “The Jayhawkers' supported by two cartoons. The building was a candidate for reopening in October 1984 for movies following the Mitchell Theatre fire but a refresh was not feasible and all incantations and spells aimed at a revival failed to produce the intended results.
Nell Faulkner Miller - wife - sorry late to the identification.
The National Theatre opened on March 8, 1923 with Jackie Coogan in “My Boy and and Wilna Wilde in “The Toonerville Trolley” supported by the National Theatre Jazz Band. Charles Reed Mitchell took on the venue installing Viatphone sound with “The Broadway Melody” on December 26, 1929. 12-year old Paul booked the films. Fire on January 27, 1937 closed the venue leaving the foundation in place.
On May 6, 1938, the new Mitchell Theatre designed by architect R.D. Churchill of Iola, Kansas was ready to go with Joe Penner in “G Chase Yourself.” Chruchill’s striking streamline moderne design won it Top Ten Theatres in the nation in 1938. The venue next under Lena M. Mitchell and Paul T. Mitchell went widescreen on January 2, 1955 with “King Richard and the Crusaders.” They would also operate the local drive-in and the Magic Theatre.
The Mitchell’s deco design landed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1983. Apparently, it was torched with the building destroyed on October 18, 1984 along with the print of “Revenge of the Nerds” on the platter making “Ghostbusters” the final showtime on October 14, 1984.
Lena M. Mitchell and Paul T. Mitchell owned the Knox Drive-In Theatre. Charles L. Hammons was the initial manager of the Knox Drive-In. Located at Boone Heights in Knox County a mile south of Barbourville on (Old) Highway 25E, the $80,000 venue opened on November 1, 1954 with Jimmy Stewart in “The Glenn Miller Story.” The concession stand wasn’t ready on opening night and the Miracle Company playground didn’t get finished until 1956. But by then, it was fully ready to go.
Paul Mitchell operated the venue through 22 seasons but died just prior to the 1976 opener with Charles and Lena Reed taking over. The Knox closed September 26, 1981 with Susan Kiger in “H.O.T.S.” That would be its final showtime. The address 411 KY-3439, Barbourville, KY 40906 is right next door to the drive-in.
Launched by C.C. Simms and G.W. Gootee on June 26, 1948 with “The Last of the Redmen” supported by “Cinderella’s Feller” with Juanita Quigley.
John Robinson and Son launched the Med-O-Vue on April 7, 1951 grand opening of the Med-O-Vue Drive-In with “Bomba, the Jungle Boy” and “Shadow of the West.” The 200-car drive-in had RCA projection and speakers. In 1954, both the drive-in and the Robinson Roller Rink were auctioned off.
When the Liberty Theatre burned on May 8, 1925, Winchester’s New Theatre Beautiful opened on May 18, 1925 with “The Golden Bed.” That name was used for two months. A naming contest was held and Leeds was the winner with venue using using that name first on July 8, 1925 at the formal grand opening with “The Little French Girl.” The venue closed on January 25, 1987 with “Lady and the Tramp” splitting with “Wanted Dead or Alive.”