Hiland Theatre

 A movie ticket at the Hiland cost $0.10 for adults and $0.05 for kids when the Hiland first opened. The building itself contained not only the theatre, but also a tea room and a candy store. In the last third of the 20th century, it struggled (along with most other small theaters) and finally closed in 1979, becoming what is now The Hiland Building, at 28 N. Ft. Thomas.  

In the 1940’s and 50’s, the Hiland showed first-run films, always accompanied by cartoons: Bugs Bunny (often eluding Elmer Fudd), Woody Woodpecker, etc. And almost always a Newsreel, which were short documentaries about current events, produced by companies like Movietone. In a time when no one (or almost no one) had a television set, these newsreels provided the only cinematography available, and were a vital source of information to the public. During wartime, in particular, footage was rushed from battlefields to production facilities, and then to theaters nationwide. 

Often there were few or no adults there, but the Manager ran the popcorn and candy counter, with a direct line of sight to the exit. Various distractions were used to mitigate these risks, or at least so it is said.  

The Hiland was an important dating destination for Highlands students. Those students were, of course, teenagers. The Hiland had no balcony. This combination meant that Public Displays of Affection had to be addressed; some line had to be drawn in the expanse from putting your arm around her shoulder, to  kissing, to downright impropriety. No one knew exactly what The Rule was, but somewhere short of impropriety, one would get a tap on the shoulder from the Manager, who was (for much of the mid-century period) a fellow named Kenny Broadwater. Mr. Broadwater was liked well enough, even when he had to invoke The Rule.   Sometimes he went behind the stage/screen and watched for loud, unruly culprits, then he would escort them out of the building.