Somerville Theatre bans (young) kids from entering after 6 pm. Let's discuss it here

[ron_newman]

This week's Somerville News has an article about the Somerville Theatre's policy of banning children under 12 8* from entering the theatre after 6 pm, even if they are accompanied by adults.

Is the theatre's policy a service to its customers who want a peaceful movie experience, or is it unfair discrimination against families with young children?

I'm posting this because we can have a more civilized discussion here than on the Somerville News blog comments. Ian Judge, the theatre's manager, reads this community, so we may be able to provide useful feedback to him here.

* Edited 11:55 am to add: I have a serious factual issue with this article. It says the policy applies to children under 12, but the theatre's website and exterior signs say it's for children under 8. That's a significant difference -- maybe significant enough to change people's opinions.

Second edit, 3 pm: Ian Judge has clarified that the theatre's policy is to exclude children under 8, not 12, from entering after 6 pm. He had made an erroneous statement to the News reporter which very unfortunately made it into the published article. Also, here is Ian's response to the specific incident detailed in the News article.

Comments

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

And what about the rest of us? I know you're going to be a good, responsible parent, but unfortunately there are legions of people who are lousy parents and inconsiderate bastards to boot. Besides, this IS the Somerville Theater: I don't see too many middle schoolers there, most of the year. :-)

[kpht.livejournal.com]

Assholes come in all sizes and ages. Last movie I saw an adult TOOK A GODDAMN PHONE CALL in the middle of it.

I'd prefer well-ushered theatres where any social retard gets the boot, not just social retards of a certain age.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Actually, I'd rather see cell-phone blockers in theaters, but the cell-phone lobby has gotten them banned for everything but military use.

Which, come to think of it, is a little troubling, right there.

[ron_newman]

The FCC bans jammers, but nobody can ban a Faraday cage. It may be hard to build, though.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

True, it's just a LITTLE expensive.

Too bad about the jammer ban. An Israeli company makes on the size of a cinder block that'll block any cell phone for the radius of a city block.

[ron_newman]

Which is a problem, since the people who live across the street from the theatre would not appreciate losing their cell service.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm not suggesting they buy one of THOSE. Just noting that the technology is small, effective, and powerful.