Hilan Theatre

Currently operated by the City Church Eastside, the interior has had continued modification and is a far cry from its original layout. Some of the original lines can be recognized but the floors have been leveled off and raised up with a modern lobby and bathrooms added accessible at the end of a long hallway from the sidewalk. It has served as a venue (along with the Plaza Theatre and others) for the annual Atlanta Film Festival for the last couple years. Some photos of the interior are available on

http://www.citychurcheastside.org

Only two blocks from the better known Plaza Theater, the Hilan held its share of devotees during my time as a nearby Poncey-Highlands resident in the early ‘70s. I recall that after its closing, the building was home for a non-denominational church before its ultimate conversion to multiple commercial spaces. Along with adjacent Atkins Park Deli, Fleeman’s Pharmacy & Fountain and the public library, the Hilan was part and parcel of an eclectic neighborhood that would eventually give way to the gentrification trend of the late'70s thru '80s.

During my 16 month stay in Atlanta (1964 and 65) I was able to attend this theatre only once. I saw a black and white film, “The Hill”, a good one, directed by Lumet and starring Sean Connery just after “Dr. No”, and Harry Andrews. It was not one of the movie palaces but it was a nice neighborhood theatre, just around the corner from the Plaza theatre.

check the top floor of the main branch of the fulton county library. you will have to look around a bit but there is a wealth of material there literally rotting away.

I worked there in the concession stand in 64. Remember popping popcorn in the bathtub upstairs and bring it downstairs. I also remember the candy was out in the open and had to watch people like hawks to keep them from stealing. Remember when Hard Days night played and sat up in the projection booth and watched the girls screaming. Also learned how to change reels and watch for the dots to appear. I Also worked a couple shifts at the Emory

I worked concession at the Hilan in 1964-5 while a senior at Bass High School in Little Five Points.
Previously I had worked at the Emory, and on occasion, I picked up shifts at the Rhodes. I remember
changing the marquee at the Hilan with my friend and fellow Bass student, Steve. We’d spread the letters out on the sidewalk, I’d hand them up to Steve who manned the ladder. It was always a challenge to find enough letters to do the job. Those things were duct taped and chipped, but didn’t look too bad up on the marquee. Pay for concession was .60 an hour.
I too remember the projectionist, Horace Biggers (couldn’t remember his first name until I read these
posts, but then I don’t think I ever knew his first name – everyone just called him “Biggers.”) Yes, he
was a character – always had some little construction project going. A big tall man and a nice guy.
Enjoyed the posts – great Atlanta Baby Boomer nostalgia. All you Storey alumnae, be sure to
check out the Emory and Rhodes on Cinema Treasures, too. Thanks all.

Here is a vintage movie ad
View link

:::::::::::::::GOOD NEWS::::::::::::::::

My company, Inman Park Properties, has been restoring the Hilan Theatre over the last few years. The renovation is now complete, and the Hilan Theatre is available for special events and films.

Check out the site www.hilantheatre.com

We have remade the venue to allow for all types of private events, we even have a rooftop deck with wonderful views of our skyline.

Along with a friend, I toyed with acquiring the Hilan around 1984, for an alternative / revival movie house. We had no money, so that was that.

The Hilan made it a little longer than 1969. I filled-in as projectionist for several days, running THE CORPSE GRINDERS (1972), and, perhaps, THE UNDERTAKER AND HIS PALS (1967) on a remarkably bad double feature program. I distinctly recall the trailer for THE OMEGA MAN (1971) during that stint, too. The theatre was certainly in its last gasp.

The only other time I worked in the theatre was for the first suburban run of ITS A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD, summer 1964. I was borrowed from the Emory to help in the concession stand. They had huge business and were swamped. I spent most of my time popping corn and talking to the projectionist, Horace Biggers. Later, in 1971, I would operate the Village Theatre booth with him. He was a character, but kind and fatherly to me.

Horace is fondly remembered for his tenure at the Hilan. In the back wall of the booth was a door to the roof and marquee. Between reels, he wrangled a worm farm on the Hilan roof!

Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook,1941 as the Hilan Theatre with a seating capacity of 800.