County Will Ban 'X, R' Films at Drive-Ins

Drive-in theaters in Salt Lake County will not be allowed to show so-called "X" and "R" rated movies, county commissioners agreed Wednesday.

Acting on a recommendation by Chief Deputy County Attorney Leon A. Halgren, commissioners ordered the county attorney's office to draft a proposed ordinance.

The decision came after Mr. Halgren said his office is receiving complaints about the movies from parents of children who are not admitted to the shows but can watch them from outside.

Persons under the age of 18 cannot be admitted to "X" rated films.  Persons under 16 are restricted from the "R" rated movies unless accompanied by parents or an adult guardian.

"Although the state statue . . . indicates that the showing of such movies in public where children can view . . . presentation is a violation of the law . . . Salt lake County should consider passing an ordinance expressly prohibiting the showing of such movies in drive-in theaters in the country," Mr. Halgren declared.

Sheriff Delmar L. Larson endorsed the proposal that is similar to a Murray City ordinance approved last week.