First Tim League, Alamo Drafthouse founder and CEO, posted a new “Don’t Talk or Text” PSA on the movie theatre’s blog and sent out a press release about the item. It’s an obscenity-laced rant left on the venue’s answering machine by a young woman upset at having been evicted from the theatre after being warned not to tweet during the movie.
This is a standard Alamo policy: One warning and then you’re given the boot. The policy is conveyed through a series of clever, celebrity-laden PSAs that are shown before every feature. Next, the press release and word of mouth spread the news of League’s PSA throughout the day. It seems the Alamo’s mission to show films in a respectful atmosphere has struck a national nerve among moviegoers long-irritated by the rudeness of their theatre companions who, as stated by League’s anonymous caller, believe that the essence of American freedom includes the right to text in movies. Finally, CNN’s Anderson Cooper spotlighted League’s PSA on last night’s “Ridiculist,” adding his name to the legions of irate consumers who don’t wish to have their movie experiences disturbed by thoughtless phone-callers, tweeters, and texters. He summed up by calling League a “great American hero,” and we’re thrilled for his recognition.
This article appears in June 3 • 2011.
