Theater Challenges S.L.'s Movie Law
Salt Lake Tribune, 4 August 1970, page 22
Salt Lake City's motion picture ordinance was challenged Monday as "unconstitutionally broad and vague" in a civil suit filed in United States District Court.
The action was filed by National General Corp., doing business as Uptown Theatre, and Ted Kirkmeyer, theater manager.
Named as defendants were Salt Lake City Corp., City Judge Maurice Jones and Roger Cutler, Salt Lake City prosecutor.
July 22, 1970, the Uptown Theatre began showing the film "Beyond The Valley of the Dolls," which was leased for a four-week run under contract with 20th Century Fox Film Corp., the suit states.
The film carries an "X" rating, and on July 30, Judge Jones signed an order directing NCC. Uptown Theatre and Mr. Kirkmeyer to show why the court should not find probable cause to believe "Beyond The Valley of the Dolls," is obscene and why the court should not issue a warrant to seize the film. Judge Jones later extended the matter until Tuesday.
An order stopping Salt Lake City, Mr. Cutler and Judge Jones from prosecuting the case under the city ordinance is sought by the plaintiffs, along with a judgement that the ordinance is unconstitutional and another that the preliminary proceedings are unconstitutional and contrary to law.
Attorney for the plaintiffs is David K. Watkiss, Salt Lake.
The action was filed by National General Corp., doing business as Uptown Theatre, and Ted Kirkmeyer, theater manager.
Named as defendants were Salt Lake City Corp., City Judge Maurice Jones and Roger Cutler, Salt Lake City prosecutor.
July 22, 1970, the Uptown Theatre began showing the film "Beyond The Valley of the Dolls," which was leased for a four-week run under contract with 20th Century Fox Film Corp., the suit states.
The film carries an "X" rating, and on July 30, Judge Jones signed an order directing NCC. Uptown Theatre and Mr. Kirkmeyer to show why the court should not find probable cause to believe "Beyond The Valley of the Dolls," is obscene and why the court should not issue a warrant to seize the film. Judge Jones later extended the matter until Tuesday.
An order stopping Salt Lake City, Mr. Cutler and Judge Jones from prosecuting the case under the city ordinance is sought by the plaintiffs, along with a judgement that the ordinance is unconstitutional and another that the preliminary proceedings are unconstitutional and contrary to law.
Attorney for the plaintiffs is David K. Watkiss, Salt Lake.