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

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I think the question is whether there's a lot of films rated for this age group showing at all. If all they are showing after 7:30 is PG-13 + then why should there be under 13 kids in there at all?

[kpht.livejournal.com]

When I was under 13, I saw a good amount of PG-13 movies that my mom brought me to. Wayne's World, for one - there's really nothing innapropriate in that movie except for one scene that cuts from mike myers in his undies to the words "gratuitious sex scene". At 10, I just giggled at it.

I was 12 or so when my mother brought me to see The English Patient, which is rated R. I remember seeing The Snapper, rated R. Muriel's Wedding, rated R. All around the age of 12 or 13.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I think you've hit on a difference of spirit of the rule vs letter of the rule. Good for you, good for your mom.

[kpht.livejournal.com]

The rules are that a parent or guardian can escort a minor to a PG13 or R movie. So yes, at a normal movie theatre, there could be a child under 12 at a later movie and it's perfectly alright. If they're crying and disturbing other, then it's not OK.

[ron_newman]

I thought PG13 didn't have any rule -- it is merely a suggestion.