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Texas movie theater makes an example (and a PSA) of a texting audience member


Ever been annoyed by a loud-talking patron at a film? Had that nail-biting darkened hallway scene ruined by someone turning on their phone to send a text? Well, one Texas theater has your back.

Alamo Drafthouse, a local chain of dine-and-screen movie theaters in Austin, Texas, has long waged a war against impolite moviegoers. And the latest customer to object to their firm rules against talking and texting during an evening out has become the unwitting star of a PSA released by the company on Monday.

According to Tim League, the Drafthouse's founder, the woman in question was warned twice about texting during a screening, and then, in accordance with company policy, was escorted out without a refund. "I don't think people realize that it is distracting," League told The Lookout. "It seems like nothing, but if you spend as much time as I do at the movies, you realize the entire theater sees it and it pulls you out of the movie experience. It's every bit as intrusvie as talking."

However, the determined texter was not about to let the matter rest. She called up the Alamo Drafthouse and left a profanity-laced (and perhaps slightly inebriated) message decrying the theater's policies. "Yeah, I was wondering if you guys actually enjoy treating your customers like a pieces of sh*t," she opened, "Because that's how I felt when I went to the Alamo Drafthouse!"

"So excuse me for using my phone, in USA magnited States of America" she raged, "where yer-you are free to text in a the-a-ter!"

But the theater (and its future patrons) are getting the last laugh. The Drafthouse took audio of the woman's voicemail, transcribed it, and turned it into an in-house preview that warns theatergoers against cell phone use during movies. Given the former patron's colorful language, they'll only be screening it before R-rated films.

(I included the unedited version the theater is actually showing from the theater's youtube channel)

It's annoying as hell. The theater not far from me has a zero tolerance policy. The signs have been up at least a year but I guess people were ignoring them because now before every movie an employee or two comes in to make the announcement. They even do periodic walk-throughs. Anyone caught with their phone after the movie starts is leaving without a refund. These people apparently forget everyone else paid their money too. The talking, the ringtones & the light from the phone makes it an unpleasant experience. It's about time they got serious about it.

Bout time we cracked down on the phone addiction.

It's been almost a year now since I"ve been to the theater but last year they finally got in a zero tolerance policy too, same thing, anybody caught texting or on the cell phone will be escorted out without a refund, about damn time is all I can say. 2 years ago, we're at Gran Torino, and JUST when it comes to the scene of the Hmong gang shooting up Tao's house, this woman high up in the balcony is on her phone talking so loud we down in the front could hear almost every word she said and we couldn't hear Clint Eastwood.

I love people. I just really, really do.



I'm going to a reglear the-a-ter now.

"Thanks fer takin' my money."

"You're welcome!"

Can't hate the reason they're doing it....but personally, I know I'd be pissed getting 'escorted' out of a theater and you don't give me my money back. I wish a motherfucker would.....

They took her money, threw her out and then mocked her publicly!

That's very funny.

Imagine if someone this girl knows were to go there and see this PSA playing.

II hope this girl goes to see another movie there and hears the audio showing what a total ignorant idiot she is and I Hope her friends all recognize her voice and point it out to her.

Wouldn't it be funny if the woman was full of hot air, returned to the theater and was treated to how she unwittingly wound up starring in this ad.

Truth be told, I don't really mind texters at the show; it's the talkers and loud fidgetors that bug me.