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Keith McCord ReportingThe movie "Brokeback Mountain" officially opened in theatres across the country. The love story, involving two cowboys, has generated a lot of publicity, but a theatre in Utah has dropped it from its schedule.
In today's newspaper movie sections you can see the ads for the premier of "Brokeback Mountain" at several theater, locations including the MegaPlex 17 at Jordan Commons. But this afternoon, the theatre sent word that the schedule had changed.
"Brokeback Mountain" has been the talk of Hollywood lately. Adapted from a book, it's raised eyebrows from coast to coast, not only for its subject matter, but also for its quality. Award nominations are already pouring in and moviegoers are packing theatres.
Tori Baker, Exec. Dir. Utah Film Society: "It's breaking all our records here. We've had the most phenomenal weekend. I've had to call in extra staff; I've hired three extra people."
The Salt Lake Film Society specializes in screening artistic and lesser-known films at its Broadway and Tower Theatres. "Brokeback" was on the radar months ago, and got the exclusive to run it first in Utah on two screens.
Tori Baker, Exec. Dir. Utah Film Society: "We are prepared for a couple of hits per year, but even those hits don't compare, those numbers don't even compare to how this movie is currently doing."
Today's newspapers show that "Brokeback" was to premier at other theatres in Salt Lake today; the first screening at Jordan Commons was scheduled at 12:45. But about an hour before that, the Megaplex offices sent word that the movie had been dropped from the schedule. A spokesman for the Megaplex said only that there had been a "Change in booking."
The news doesn't surprise Clark Monk, with the Utah Gay Rodeo Association. He says he figured some Utah theatres may not want to show it. He called the movie a "love story" that could apply to any couple.
Clark Monk, Utah Gay Rodeo Assn.: "It was not what I expected it to be, because of what was said about it, the hype. I was expecting a much more overtly gay movie, and it was nothing like that at all."
