It was a bitter end for Randy Miller, who directed the Broadway Centre Stage group. The group had turned the Broadway Film Center into an art-film-oriented theater during the summer of 2002, and just months later was ordered to clear out.

In hindsight, he probably should have seen it coming. The theater had been reportedly having trouble coming up with rent, resulting in some late payments. Furthermore, the Salt Lake Film Society, an ambitious young organization, was looking for expansion opportunities beyond the one-screen theater it had at the time.

As it turns out, the film society had been negotiating with the Broadway Centre's owners for a lease on the theater for four months before Miller was finally was given a court order to vacate the premises. The property owners had been dealing with both companies for some time, leading Miller to believe that his claim on the lease was legitimate.

Unfortunately for Miller, the lease renewal arrangements were being done by written correspondence, and no contract had been signed. The contract had been signed by the Salt Lake Film Society.

A court battle ensued, from which the Salt Lake Film Society emerged victorious. Miller went in one week from planning upcoming movie schedules to packing up and moving out.

The Salt Lake Film Society took over the theater in late November, changing the name to the Broadway Centre Cinema, but keeping the idea basically the same. The theater still specializes in foreign and art films, and by all accounts is doing much better than it's predecessor.

The film society's lease is good for two and a half more years, and society president Brook Harper says she has no intention of letting it get away. The society's lease includes a clear option to renew.



Copyright Brigham Young University 5 Sep 2003