Stepping Back in Time: The Lost Movie Theatres of Fort Thomas

By Mary Casey-Sturk

Did you know that Fort Thomas was once home to three movie theatres? A recent talk given by Don Weber at the Behringer-Crawford Museum (as part of their NKY History Hour- available via Zoom or Facebook Live) piqued my interest in learning more about these theatres, where were they were located and why did they close?

Weber, a longtime area journalist, videographer, and producer shared his research and photos highlighting the rich history of area theatres, from early Nickelodeon Theatres (drawing their name from their 5-cent admission) to the first Northern Kentucky multi-screen cinema, located in Newport. Nickelodeons offered continuous showings of one- and two-reel films, lasting from 15 minutes to one hour and accompanied by a piano. Readers of a certain age (like me) might recall that along the right end of the Newport Plaza (Carothers Road), approximately where El Rio Grande Restaurant is today, was once a two-screen theater. Look up at the building and you can still see the rooflines of the individual theaters that were Newport Plaza Cinemas I & II. 

Fort Thomas Living Magazine spoke with Weber about the old movie theatres that once operated in Fort Thomas.

The Fort Theatre

“The Fort Theatre was on River Road and South Fort Thomas Avenue, it obviously served military personnel who were stationed across the street.” Shared Weber, “I’ve not been able to find when it opened, but it operated until, at least, the mid-1940’s since it was listed in the 1941 and 1943 editions of Film Daily Yearbook.” Today, a garage stands on the site. 

The Chinese Garden

Weber noted, “The Chinese Garden at 1136 S. Ft. Thomas Avenue, opened in 1930 and was owned by Earl Jennings Sr., whose son, Earl Jr., invented the Music Tone Talkie, a modified version of the then “talkie” projector which featured a chain drive that better kept the movie and sound in sync. It later became known as the Garden. The theatre was closed by 1941.  The building is still standing.” Today, this building is home to The Post-Taps and Bottle Shop.

The Hiland

Many of us have visited businesses in the Hiland Building, in fact, Fort Thomas Living Magazine formerly had its office there. 

“The Hiland Theatre at 18 N. Ft. Thomas Avenue opened on August 2, 1927, with Bebe Daniels in “Senorita”.  It was owned by Frank W. Huss.” Weber adds, “A Kentucky Post article stated that, “The Hiland is one of the most beautiful suburban theatres in the entire country, boasting the most modern heating and ventilating to keep its patrons comfortable and safe.  The theatre also has the most modern pipe organ available.” 

“The Hiland installed air-conditioning in the early 30’s. It operated daily into the 1960s

before poor attendance forced the Hiland to operate on weekends only.  The theatre closed in March of 1969, after showing “The Thomas Crown Affair” starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway.  It was converted into a professional office building.”

On what drew Weber to research these old theatres, “As for me, I always had an interest in the remaining movie palaces still standing around the country.   That interest led me to research Northern Kentucky movie theatre history.” 

Want to learn more?  Weber noted that Bob Webster has written a history of theatres entitled, “The Balcony is Closed: A History of Northern Kentucky’s Long-Forgotten Neighborhood Movie Theatres.” Robert D. “Bob” Webster is a Northern Kentucky native and author of numerous books and articles on the history of the region. The book can be purchased at http://www.bobtheauthor.com.

These locations were formerly The Chinese Garden, Hiland, and Fort Theatres.