Plaza Twin movie theater in trouble

His problem is not a new one. Many times a smaller theatre’s ticket sales are not up to par on the break or opening date of a first run release, so the studio warns them about it. If the theatre can’t bring up the weekly gross totals the studio will drop the theatre from first run print availablity. So they will have to wait till 2nd run date for the print. The studio’s want to make the most of any release on the release date. So if another theatre nearby can deliver a higher gross than his they will offer the print to the higher grossing theatre first. There is only so many prints available of the opening even with films breaking on 3000+ screens, they will service the higher grossing houses.

What little I know about the business end of motion picture exhibition you could carve on a stone, put it in your eye, and you wouldn’t feel a thing. But I enjoy movies in a well-run theater with good projection, big screen and great sound. It appears this gentleman is trying very hard to meet his customers expectations. But Disney and other studios, as big as they are, can’t help this guy stay in business?? It says his is the only first-run theater in the entire county! I realize it all boils down to business decisions but it still seems very unfair to the small business owner. No wonder this country is in trouble. We sound more like a banana republic everyday.