Yeah, I found that strange as well. I found it to be, sadly, a narrow minded solution to a much large issue that they face. You’d like the theatres to innovate in different ways. At least I would.

Yeah, I found that strange as well. I found it to be, sadly, a narrow minded solution to a much large issue that they face.

You’d like the theatres to innovate in different ways. At least I would.

I’m still out on this one fraser. I tend to believe, at least at this point, that an individual has the right to prevent cell phone signals on private property. In this case, a movie theater. If theatre patrons are made aware that they will not be able to use their phones while the movie is playing no one has lost anything. I see this trend as eventually carrying through across to certain upscale restaurants, live performances, academic lecture halls etc.

I think the long term result may be a universal recognition of sovereignty with respect to a private individual’s ability to prevent cell phone reception on private property,,,

The issue was not with regulation and legislation - it was that the theatres are looking for ridiculous solutions to address a fundamental shift that’s occurring in their industry. You’d hope that they would have learned from the music industy. Cellphone free movies are not going to revitalize their attendance.

I went to the theatre this past weekend for the first time in a few months and was SHOCKED to be able to hear the entire movie, there were no disruptions and no cell phones. And the theatre was more than half full. However, I was then annoyed at myself for thinking this should be something to celebrate instead of expect!

Trish, have the previous disruptions kept you from going to the theatre? I didn’t think it was such a big issue, but I’m hearing otherwise from a number of different people.

I don’t regularly go to the theatre but I haven’t found it to be an issue the past few times I went. What annoyed me more was rushing to show up on time only to have to sit through 10 min of advertisements.

I think you might focusing on one small item that the general media found interesting and reported to the masses.

The keynote speech from the individual quoted above didn’t specfically mention cell phones. It briefly touched on “rude patrons”. The focus of the speech was on more significant issues facing theaters owners like the conversion to digital, release schedules, as well as a blanket statement regarding improving the overall movie going experience.

As part of an overall strategy, I don’t see their efforts as being misguided.