Curtains closing on Payson theater

The Huish Theater in Payson, Utah was built in 1948 by the David Huish family. Paul Mower bought the 600-seat theater in 1985. Since the Huish Theater was the only theater in town, Mower was able to close on Sunday and pick the family films and reject R-rated movies. However, once the Stadium Theater was built nearby, Mower was unable to book blockbusters as "Monsters, Inc.," "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," and "Lord of the Rings."

Mower decided against adding additional screens to the Huish because it would limit his ability to reject R-rated films. The building has been sold to Jimmy and Phillip DeGraffenried of Santaquin, who have tentative plans to open a gym in the former movie house. The 54-year-old theater is scheduled to show its last film on 31 January 2002.