It was so sad to see this mall come down, since I saw it being built. Someone needs to change the status to reflect that it’s been demolished. But I don’t know how to do that……
GREAT WONDERFUL NEWS!! There are things happening at the Utah Theater.
Sorry for not posting this sooner, but I was sworn to secrecy. But I think that enough time has passed that its okay.
About 4-6 weeks ago, my boss at my ‘morning’ job was contacted to construct a screen for the theater. Knowing how much I love the place, he got me in to look around.
It was so awesome to be in there, I can’t find words to describe it, like I’d come home. Sounds kind of silly, but that’s how it felt.
It was a mess, I won’t sugarcoat it. The carpeting was gone, but the marble flooring in the entry was beautiful. There were some holes in the walls. In the lobby where the snack bar was, again no carpet, holes in walls—nothing major, etc. The snack bar, doors to the auditorium—gone. Seats, projection booth—gone. BUT the stage was still there, the wonderful carvings/scrollwork/woodwork is still there. The skylight in the Utah 2 (the upper theater) is still intact.
Now for why the hush-hush, rush-rush of the cleaning up. The Downtown Alliance along with Howa Construction brought in our legislators to try and get some money to restore my theater!!! Yes, you heard me right!!
They gave a mini screening of the movie “The World’s Fastest Indian”—an Anthony Hopkins movie made in 2005, and partly filmed on the Salt Flats.
I don’t know much about politics, so I don’t know the outcome. But I heard from my boss that there is going to be a fundraiser in November for the theater.
While I was there just soaking it in, one of the ladies from the Downtown Alliance thought I was part of the ‘crew’ and was asking my opinion on things. I’d told her I’d worked there when Plitt owned it she was impressed and asked questions. When I came by again the next day, she showed me the original chandeliers that had hung in the lobby/entry. They had found them the previous night in storage and while they didn’t have time to get them hung before the legislators came, they cleaned them up and left them for the presentation.
I want so much to be a part of all this, but I don’t know who to ask or where to go. Any suggestions? You think the Downtown Alliance is a good place to start? I told my boss that if/when it’s running again; I’d like to be a part of the management team. He said it’s something he’s looking at too.
I used to work for Plitt Theatres in the late 70’s and early 80’s, who owned the Utah 1 & 2 (as it was called back then). But I worked across the street at the Utah 3 (which is now a vacant restaurant! :o().
But even as a kid, before it was split to 2 screens, I remember being impressed by the moldings and grandeur, that didn’t wane as I got older, if anything, it’s become a passion (and my mid-life crisis! lol ).
Seriously, something needs to be done NOW to save it. I couldn’t find any recent info on KSL’s site about the theater, just a small article from early 2006. I also couldn’t find any info on Grant Smith’s site???
Who do we need to get involved to save it? Believe me, it’s a dream of mine to see it restored. If I had the money, I’d be buying it in a heartbeat. I work downtown and pass by it every day. It breaks my heart to see it so derelict. Broken glass, broken light bulbs in the marquee, bums/homeless sleeping by the doors—on a regular basis.
How do other movie houses get saved? I’ve heard of movie stars getting involved, who do we contact? I have a friend who works behind the scenes in the local arts. When I’ve mentioned it to him, he says he’s heard it’s not structurally sound, and would need loads of bucks to renovate/bring up to code. That it would be cheaper to knock it down.
WE CAN’T LET THIS HAPPEN!! I’m all for getting involved, but will need help. Who’s with me?
It was so sad to see this mall come down, since I saw it being built. Someone needs to change the status to reflect that it’s been demolished. But I don’t know how to do that……
BTW for MWK or anyone else that’s interested, YES there are restrooms on the mezzanine level…….:o)
GREAT WONDERFUL NEWS!! There are things happening at the Utah Theater.
Sorry for not posting this sooner, but I was sworn to secrecy. But I think that enough time has passed that its okay.
About 4-6 weeks ago, my boss at my ‘morning’ job was contacted to construct a screen for the theater. Knowing how much I love the place, he got me in to look around.
It was so awesome to be in there, I can’t find words to describe it, like I’d come home. Sounds kind of silly, but that’s how it felt.
It was a mess, I won’t sugarcoat it. The carpeting was gone, but the marble flooring in the entry was beautiful. There were some holes in the walls. In the lobby where the snack bar was, again no carpet, holes in walls—nothing major, etc. The snack bar, doors to the auditorium—gone. Seats, projection booth—gone. BUT the stage was still there, the wonderful carvings/scrollwork/woodwork is still there. The skylight in the Utah 2 (the upper theater) is still intact.
Now for why the hush-hush, rush-rush of the cleaning up. The Downtown Alliance along with Howa Construction brought in our legislators to try and get some money to restore my theater!!! Yes, you heard me right!!
They gave a mini screening of the movie “The World’s Fastest Indian”—an Anthony Hopkins movie made in 2005, and partly filmed on the Salt Flats.
I don’t know much about politics, so I don’t know the outcome. But I heard from my boss that there is going to be a fundraiser in November for the theater.
While I was there just soaking it in, one of the ladies from the Downtown Alliance thought I was part of the ‘crew’ and was asking my opinion on things. I’d told her I’d worked there when Plitt owned it she was impressed and asked questions. When I came by again the next day, she showed me the original chandeliers that had hung in the lobby/entry. They had found them the previous night in storage and while they didn’t have time to get them hung before the legislators came, they cleaned them up and left them for the presentation.
I want so much to be a part of all this, but I don’t know who to ask or where to go. Any suggestions? You think the Downtown Alliance is a good place to start? I told my boss that if/when it’s running again; I’d like to be a part of the management team. He said it’s something he’s looking at too.
So sorry this is so long, I’m just excited.
I too remember such restrooms, but still not quite sure. I worked for Plitt too. Sorry I couldn’t be more help……
I finally found info about it on Grant Smith’s site, but still contact me with any info about preserving this treasure….
abbeynormal
I used to work for Plitt Theatres in the late 70’s and early 80’s, who owned the Utah 1 & 2 (as it was called back then). But I worked across the street at the Utah 3 (which is now a vacant restaurant! :o().
But even as a kid, before it was split to 2 screens, I remember being impressed by the moldings and grandeur, that didn’t wane as I got older, if anything, it’s become a passion (and my mid-life crisis! lol ).
Seriously, something needs to be done NOW to save it. I couldn’t find any recent info on KSL’s site about the theater, just a small article from early 2006. I also couldn’t find any info on Grant Smith’s site???
Who do we need to get involved to save it? Believe me, it’s a dream of mine to see it restored. If I had the money, I’d be buying it in a heartbeat. I work downtown and pass by it every day. It breaks my heart to see it so derelict. Broken glass, broken light bulbs in the marquee, bums/homeless sleeping by the doors—on a regular basis.
How do other movie houses get saved? I’ve heard of movie stars getting involved, who do we contact? I have a friend who works behind the scenes in the local arts. When I’ve mentioned it to him, he says he’s heard it’s not structurally sound, and would need loads of bucks to renovate/bring up to code. That it would be cheaper to knock it down.
WE CAN’T LET THIS HAPPEN!! I’m all for getting involved, but will need help. Who’s with me?
abbeynormal