Cinema Drive-In

The Starlite Drive-In opened on November 3, 1949 with Bing Crosby in “Blue Skies”. It was operated by Tim Smith and closed in 1955. It was renovated and reopened as the Cinema Drive-In on June 15, 1956. 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 Southeastern chain during the 1970’s, and like most of the drive-in’s in Knoxville, it did not survive the 1982 World’s Fair, having closed in 1981.

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.

Storage units are now on the site.

Recent comments (view all 16 comments)

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

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

jwmovies on September 19, 2012 at 5:59 pm

This is now The Autism Center Of East Tennessee. Approx. address for this drive-in was 2890 Alcoa Highway. Although the center takes up most of the site, you can still make out some of the outline.

tntim on September 20, 2012 at 5:41 pm

The Autism Center is in the building that used to house Rush’s Music Store. There was also another building next door that had a boating and marine store. The drive-in was behind these buildings with the marquee and entrance just north of the current Hardee’s. The Mini-Storage units are now located where the north side of the drive-in was.

rivest266 on September 3, 2018 at 3:45 pm

This opened as the Starlite Drive-In on November 3rd, 1949 and closed in 1955. It was renovated and reopened as the Cinema Drive-In on June 15th, 1956. Both grand opening ads in the photo section.

Fotomac on February 17, 2021 at 6:03 pm

Can anyone remember what the feature was for the week of 15 July, when Star Wars came to town?

tntim on August 28, 2022 at 11:57 am

Fotomac, The movie playing on July 15, 1977 was a triple feature, “The Blood Monster”, “Who Slew Auntie Roo”, and “The Beast Must Die”,

jwmovies on December 22, 2022 at 7:47 pm

I don ’t know WHO gave the address listed or WHY but it is WAY off!

That address is a freeway offramp!

THE CORRECT ADDRESS FOR THIS THEATER WAS 2900 Alcoa Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920.

Now Crossfit and Ace Storage. This is much futher southan the previous locaton…

Please update. Even the zip code is not in Tennessee AT ALL!

50sSNIPES on May 10, 2026 at 4:27 am

Once operated by ABC Southeastern Theatres.

driveinfan on May 12, 2026 at 4:40 am

Is part of the old concession building being used?

Kenmore on May 12, 2026 at 5:35 am

Yes, it does appear that the projection booth/concession stand has survived and is in pretty good condition.

The overhead shows what’s left of the outline and ramps on the southeast portion of the property.