Varsity Theatre Stops Editing

When the Wilkinson Center opened in 1964, some of the first films shown in the Varsity Theatre were “Don't Go Near the Water” (1957) and “The Wackiest Ship In the Army” (1961).

According to the new guidelines for movie selection, the Varsity Theatre will not show "movies containing nudity and/or sexual scenes (including lewd innuendos)" or "movies containing excessive (numerous, long running, specific, or extremely graphic) scenes of violence." The Varsity Theatre Film Review Committee may "exercise discretion and good judgment" in approving movies that contain profanity. Respectful references to deity and infrequent uses of "hell" and "damn" are permissible, but "other swearing, vulgarity, or profanity are not acceptable." No editing will be permitted. The new policy also applies to BYU-Hawaii and Ricks College.

“The Varsity Theatre was a good place to go to see movies that we normally wouldn't be able to see, and for that reason it was a very attractive proposition to a lot of people," said J. Grant Robinson, a sophomore.

Since editing is no longer permitted, the theater must find appropriate films in other ways. Classic films are the best option, though appropriate newer films will also be shown.

The Varsity Theatre receives no BYU funds. R-rated films have always attracted the largest audiences, and without them the theater may struggle financially. Jerry L. Bishop, director of the Wilkinson Student Center, explains, “One of our niches before was the fact that we were offering movies that were edited, and that was something they couldn't get in the community.”