OUR STORIES: Knoxville goes Hollywood

In 1963, Knoxville went Hollywood with the world premier of a movie filmed here in Knoxville. That movie was based on a local author's prize-winning novel.

Fans gathered at McGhee-Tyson Airport one day in October, 1963, to welcome back the stars of "All the Way Home."

About a year earlier, filming had begun in the Fort Sanders Area. It also included scenes in Cades Cove and other high-profile East Tennessee locations.

Movie star Robert Preston was glad to be back in East Tennessee.

"I hope you enjoy what we did with your town as much as we enjoyed being here," Preston said.

The Knoxville News Sentinel published a full page a year earlier, as production began on the film based on James Agee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, A Death in the Family.

Local movie buff and historian Wallace Baumann watched some of the filming.

"So I thought it was real exciting to have it filmed right here in Knoxville where James Agee grew up, when he was a little boy," Baumann said.

Careful and elaborate preparations were made for the world premier of the movie. Gay Street was renamed in honor of author James Agee.

Prior to the premier, there was a reception and buffet at the Andrew Johnson Hotel.

"And all of a sudden, there we were in the buffet line, and here came the News Sentinel taking pictures," Baumann said. "And they got a picture of me and Ann Taylor standing there, right by David Susskind, and George Dempster was just ahead of him and some others. I didn't know we were going to be publicized in the paper."

The stars, Robert Preston, Jean Simmons, and young Michael Kearney were brought in a motorcade to the Tennessee Theater.

"And they had the marquee all dressed up with a banner all around the bottom of the marquee saying 'World Premier, All The Way Home,'" Baumann said. "Flood lights on the theater and all, and they had part of the U-T Band playing. And the theater was packed. It was a big event."

Producer David Susskind was among the celebrities making remarks prior to the showing of the film.

"I wouldn't say this unless I really felt it. I don't say things I don't mean," Susskind said. "I've gone on many locations for other pictures. I don't recall happier time anywhere than in Knoxville."

Wallace Baumann treasures the mementos he has of that evening, October 17, 1963.

"I've got my ticket right here. I obviously got to keep it. I've got both tickets," Baumann said. "My ticket and the lady I took."

It was the first major movie ever filmed in Knoxville.