Commercials in theaters

This week I saw “Hollywoodland” at my closest local cinema, the Trumbull Crown Marquis. I thought I had the system bucked; I saw when the movie was slated to start, so I arrived shortly afterward, dawdled at the concession, and walked into the shoebox...er...showplace, hoping to avoid the commercials. Was I ever stymied!

Though the commercials had long since begun, there was no hint at an end of a steady stream, that involved not only the usuals, but commercials of several TV shows, and even a commercial for feminine hygiene spray! Of course, these were followed by several previews of coming attractions. Mercifully, the movie did begin sometime that evening, but I was ready to shout “I’m mad as (expletive deleted) and I’m not going to take it anymore!”

Judging by your followers’ responses, to last week’s poll, many of the CT regulars also are fed up with the annoying and ever-growing intrusions of these commercials into an arena that cannot possibly charge much more and expect any kind of a decent patronage. I feel that this experience, coupled with your followers’ comments last week, might warrant a new section on your excellent site: You already list theaters by location, local and worldwide, whether they are open, closed, or demolished. How about featuring a state-by-state list of all theaters that are known TO AVOID COMMERCIALS. 

I’m sure this would be of benefit and great interest to all CT followers. In event you accept this suggestion, I will note a few from the Connecticut area: Pleansant Valley Drive-In, Barkhamstead, CT, does not show anything more than perhaps an occasional trailer; Cinestudio in Hartford is a very dignified showplace and does not, to my knowlege, have commercials. I have not seen any commercials during my visits to the Garden Cinema in Norwalk. I’m sure that there are more, but that’s enough to start you off with! And we CT followers should contact the management and thank them for not allowing these intrusions into what should be a time for entertainment.