Comments from tntim

Showing 1 - 25 of 212 comments

tntim
tntim commented about Lakemont Drive-In on Jun 5, 2024 at 10:32 am

The Lakemont closed on November 25, 1984. The final ad is posted in the photo section.

tntim
tntim commented about Chapman Hi-Way Drive-In on Jun 5, 2024 at 9:40 am

The Chapman Hwy Drive-In closed on October 20, 1987. The final ad is posted in the photo section.

tntim
tntim commented about Halls Cinema 7 on Feb 21, 2024 at 12:24 pm

Halls Cinema 7 has closed as of Feb. 20, 2024.

The closing announcement cited the rising cost of operating a movie theater. Revenue lagged as the company tried to keep up with new technology and changing preferences, with less “available quality programming.”

tntim
tntim commented about AMC Classic Knoxville 16 on Sep 2, 2023 at 8:47 am

Will, everything that you pointed out is dead-on accurate. Here are some other factors that I believe played in the closing of this theatre.

After Regal opened their FunScape with 9 screens in West Town Mall, Carmike had to answer with a larger theatre. So, they built one of their Windsong theatres in an area that was supposed to become more developed than it did. With the Turkey Creek upscale retail development coming alone a short time later, Regal seized the opportunity to build the Pinnacle 18 megaplex with Imax.

I think that Carmike was willing to compete with Regal in their own backyard, but after the AMC buyout, I’m not sure that AMC had the same level of interest in the Knoxville market. After the pandemic, the decision for AMC to pull out of Knoxville became much easier.

It’s interesting how history often repeats itself. In the early twentieth century, Publix had complete control of the Knoxville market. Loews decides to try to break into the market in 1920 by leasing the Staub’s Theatre, extensively remodeling, and reopening it as the Loews Theatre. That lasted 18 months and they pulled out leaving Publix, and later Wilby/Kincy, as the only movie chain in Knoxville until the 1960’s. Today, Regal is the only national chain in Knoxville.

tntim
tntim commented about AMC Classic Knoxville 16 on Jul 11, 2023 at 7:51 am

As of July 11, 2023, AMC has listed this theatre as close on their website. With the exception of a couple of independents, Knoxville is now an exclusive Regal city.

tntim
tntim commented about Hollywood Theatre on Jul 5, 2023 at 12:11 pm

Photography Credit: Kevin Fides commissioned by Fort Worth Historical

tntim
tntim commented about Booth Theatre on May 16, 2023 at 4:59 pm

The final movie was “Joe Butterfly” on August 29, 1957. Last ad is posted in the photo section.

tntim
tntim commented about Crystal Theatre on Apr 8, 2023 at 10:02 am

The Rialto opened on Market Square in September 1929. I posted the newspaper article in the photo section which stated the the projection equipment from the former Gay Street location was moved to the new location. Even though “The Two Outlaws” was released in 1928, the Rialto was a second or third run theatre, so it would of taken a year for them to get the picture.

tntim
tntim commented about Bijou Theatre on Mar 15, 2023 at 4:21 pm

Joe Vogel, yes, I got ahead of myself and typed the k and l backwards in Edward Okel’s name, not only once but twice. My apologies to Mr. Okel.

tntim
tntim commented about Bijou Theatre on Mar 11, 2023 at 8:11 am

I found an article from the March 12, 1908, edition of the Knoxville Sentinel which reported that the architect was Edward Olek of Montgomery, AL. Olek also designed the Enzor Theatre in Troy, AL. and the Grand Opera House in Montgomery, AL.

tntim
tntim commented about Court Theatre on Nov 8, 2022 at 2:43 pm

The fire on June 27, 1958 completely gutted the theatre which didn’t rebuild. A new roof was placed on the former auditorium walls, and a new front was build as part of the reconfiguration to retail. I have posted a 1922 picture in the photo section.

tntim
tntim commented about Court Theatre on Nov 8, 2022 at 2:33 pm

The fire happened on June 27, 1958.

tntim
tntim commented about Cedar Bluff Theatre on Nov 8, 2022 at 2:01 pm

Jake, the former lobby area has been demolished, but the old auditorium structure has been repurposed for retail. I have posted a recent picture in the photo section.

tntim
tntim commented about Twin Aire Drive-In on Nov 3, 2022 at 5:36 pm

PLEASE NOTE: the caption date is incorrect. The correct date is September 8, 1988.

tntim
tntim commented about Twin Aire Drive-In on Nov 3, 2022 at 5:31 pm

50sSNIPES, You’re correct, it was 1988 that the East side closed along with the Clinton Cinemas. I must of had 1982 stuck in my mind when I typed that comment. Thank-you for catching my mistake. The West side did close on September 19, 1982. I have posted the final ad for the Twin-Aire West in the photo section.

tntim
tntim commented about Riviera Theatre on Oct 20, 2022 at 7:24 pm

FYI, the bump-out at the rear of the auditorium was not for seating. This was for enlarging the lobby.

tntim
tntim commented about Strand Theatre on Oct 18, 2022 at 8:36 am

I posted a current photo of the side of the building in the photo section. it looks like it may have had a stage with a fly loft.

tntim
tntim commented about Lakemont Drive-In on Oct 16, 2022 at 6:25 pm

The Lakemont opened on June 18, 1948. It was the first drive-in built in the Metro Knoxville area. I have posted the opening ad in the photo section.

tntim
tntim commented about Valley Drive-In on Oct 14, 2022 at 11:23 am

I posted a recent picture of the front of the screen in the photo section.

tntim
tntim commented about Capri Cinema I & II on Sep 13, 2022 at 11:07 am

The portion still standing was the Capri III & IV, (former Capri-70), which was gutted and repurposed as an art gallery.

tntim
tntim commented about Twin Aire Drive-In on Aug 28, 2022 at 1:15 pm

Fotomac, The double feature’s playing on July 15, 1977 were on the east side: “Smokey and the Bandit” and “Mustang Country”. On the west side: “Joyride”, and “Heavy Traffic”.

tntim
tntim commented about River Breeze Drive-In on Aug 28, 2022 at 1:09 pm

Fotomac, The double feature playing on July 15, 1977 was “The House by the Lake”, and “Strange Shadows in an Empty Room”.

tntim
tntim commented about Family Drive-In on Aug 28, 2022 at 1:06 pm

Fotomac, The double feature playing on July 15, 1977 was “Outlaw Blues” and “Freebie and the Bean”

tntim
tntim commented about Dixie Lee Drive-In on Aug 28, 2022 at 1:00 pm

Fotomac, The movies playing on July 15, 1977 were “Spicy L.A.”, and “Forbidden Pleasures”.

tntim
tntim commented about Chapman Hi-Way Drive-In on Aug 28, 2022 at 12:56 pm

Fotomac, The double feature playing on July 15, 1977:“Felicia” and “I Feel it Coming”.