Hilan Theatre
Kingsport,
TN
37660
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The Hilan Theatre opened in 1938.
Contributed by
Jack Coursey
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Trouble in March 1939:
MOVIE PROMOTER GUILTY OF CHARGE
Holly Leslie Pleads Guilty to Showing
Obscene Picture At Hilan Theater
Holly Leslie, traveling motion picture promoter, pleaded guilty Monday to charges in two warrants of “showing to the public obscene pictures” and “having obscene pictures in his possession.” Leslie was arrested by Constable Dave Pierce and tried before Magistrate T. Mack Ketron. The court fined him $25 and costs in each case.
Pierce said the warrants were drawn as a result of numerous complaints received from those who had seen the picture shown on the screen of the Hilan theater. The officer said the warrants were drawn as provided by the state statute which prohibits the showing or possession of “obscene literature, books, pamphlets or pictures or possession thereof.” The picture had been booked at the theater since last Monday. Sex was the theme of the picture, officers said, including the showing of the spread of venereal diseases. The title of the film was “Body of Beautiful”.
In 1940 the Hilan Theater had 200 seats.