Gem Theater
8950 West 2700 South,
Magna,
UT
84004
8950 West 2700 South,
Magna,
UT
84004
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Opened prior to 1941, the Gem Theater is one of two old theaters in historic downtown Magna.
The theater closed probably in the 1970’s and sometime afterwards, the theater was damaged by fire and has sat vacant ever since.
The marquee, as rusty and old as it may be, still survives.
Contributed by
Grant Smith
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
The Gem Theatre was not used as a bowling alley. It was used by Touched by an Angel in their tv show as a bowling alley, but the Gem Theatre was not an actual bowling alley.
This is a photo of the Gem Theater building. Status should be “Closed”.
8950 West 2700 South
Magna, UT 84044
Source for address.
1983 photo of the Gem Theatre.
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The Gem is still standing with all the windows broken, the front of the theatre all boarded up and half the verticle missing.
Need to update the addres that LM listed on his comment on Oct. 8, 2007.
The theatre is still standing, with the upper windows mostly broken out, the first floor boarded up and half the verticle half gone.
Need to update the address on the Gem that was posted by LM on Oct. 8, 2007.
The Gem has the dubious honor of being the first theater in Utah to show ‘Deep Throat,’ beginning on June 12, 1974. It created citywide protests from the residences, but apparently none from those paying five dollar each to see Linda Lovelace.
According to an AP report from June 16, Lake County vice officers seized three reels of the film from the theater while a crowd outside applauded. The Gem was later up and running again after finding a second print.
In June the Utah newspapers, which covered the story, said that Salt Lake County commissioners were pondering anti-pornography laws but finally voted to revoke the business license of the Gem. But it was later determined that even that revocation was subject to judicial review.
The Provo Daily Herald on Sept 2, 1974 said that that x-rated films at the Gem ceased on September 1. The sublease had run out and the owner refused to extend it. The manager said the film had had proved that there is a market for sex films in the Salt Lake area as it grossed nearly $30,000 in its first week. The original leaseholder said his plans were to resume family films.
In April of 1975 the x-rated theater manager was ruled innocent by a Utah judge and ‘Deep Throat was declared not to be pornographic.
Address"
8950 West 2700 South
Magna, Ut. 84044