X-Rated Show Ends In Magna

SALT LAKE CITY (UPI) — James Peipenberg, the man who brought "Deep Throat" to Salt Lake County, says he'd closed up the show Sunday.

Peipenberg's sublease on the Gem Theater in Magna ran out Sunday, and the owner of the theater has refused to extend the lease.

So the Gem will go back to showing family movies, and Peiperberg will devote his time to other interests.

"This business out in Magna was just a sidelight that was brought to my attention, and I acted on it," Peipenberg said Friday.

He said he is involved with other investments, and will drop out of the movie business instead of looking for a new theater.

Peipenberg began exhibiting sex movies June 12 with the debut of "Deep Throat."

He still faces a court appearance Sept. 11 on charges of violating the state pornography statute, and his counter suit challenging the constitutionality of the state law is pending in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City.

Peipenberg said there is a definite market for hard sex films in the Salt Lake area, and the attendance at his showings proved it.

He said he grossed nearly 430,000 the first week he showed "Deep Throat," and attendance at the X-rated movies has tapered off only slightly in the 2 1/2 months since.

Nonetheless Rick Swanger, who holds the original lease, has said he will resume operations with family-type films Monday.