TX Theater Turns Profanity-Laced Voicemail Into Anti-Texting PSA
- Posted on June 10, 2011 at 4:48pm by
Billy Hallowell
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What do you do when a disgruntled customer leaves an angry rant on your voicemail? Turn it into a PSA, naturally.
The Alamo Drafthouse, a unique theater chain in Texas, came up with a hilarious video to inspire moviegoers not to send text messages during movies. The end result is comedy gold. ABC news has more:
About a month ago, Tim League [Alamo House owner] says, a woman was thrown out of one of the chain’s 10 theaters for sending text messages — and retaliated by leaving an angry voice mail on the box office phone line. League said he thought it was so over-the-top that it was funny. They used it as the public service announcement they play before films to encourage people to keep quiet.
“The reaction has been huge,” League said in a telephone interview with ABC News. “People love it in the theater.”
My favorite part is when she says she’s going to go to a “regular theater” from now on where “people are polite.” Watch below:
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Comments (134)
nomercy63
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 6:36pmI think that anyone entering a theater with a cell phone should be given a TSA rectal exam the phone taken from them and stomped on, same applies for driving a car while using a cell phone or a woman waiting in line discussing her period with her girlfriend (true story this one), Enough of the damn cell phones and texting!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »SFfam
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 10:10amI agree. I have to wonder if people even think about what they are saying out loud these days (especially teenagers). The things I’ve heard are absolutely disgusting and when it comes from adults, it aggravates me even more because they were raised in a different time and should know better.
Report Post »Progressive Wrecking Crew
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 6:27pmSounds like an offspring of Sister Sledge to me….
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 6:06pmWinning! Ok, not really…..
Report Post »Rob
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 6:00pmGuy in front of me kept texting with the light of his phone shining up (it IS annoying), so I turned on my phone and leaned over and held the lighted phone right next to his face. He got the message and stopped.
I am 6′4”, 265 pounds, so wasn’t worried…. I don’t know if everyone should try this.
Report Post »Ethereal
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:56pmI guess personally I dont see what the big deal is about the texting? Is it the light from the screen? Texting isnt necessarily noisy so where is the problem?
Report Post »chips1
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 8:32pmYour fingers slip off the keys after someone shoves your phone up your donkey.
Report Post »BBomber66
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:53pm“…polite.” I don’t think so. Civil. Not even close. Free speech is limited in numerous ways for public safety and improving experiences of paid programs by the customers. It’s not new or unreasonable. You don’t have the right to interfere with others. You can’t take license.
I recently had a passenger in another vehicle flip me off for asking the other driver to take his “right of way.” His rant included the statement that they were just being courteous by waving me on. My comment was that if you don’t follow the right of way protocols, then it messes it up for those who understand the driving rules. Then he gets all in my face with vulgarity and challenges. So much for being nice. He was the product of a liberal, self-absorbed rearing who thinks he owns polite. Bovine Scatology!
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:53pmThe Magnited States of America!
She must be a liberal. She definitely has the ‘sense of entitlement’ thing down!
Report Post »Left Coast Me
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 3:41amShe must be a Republican because she’s a MORON!
Report Post »Calamity Jane
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:40pmBRAVO! Alamo Drafthouse.
Report Post »50BMG
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:37pmWhat makes you think that she will ever grow up?
Report Post »JUSTANOTHEROPINION
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:36pmI wonder if her mommy is proud of her!!
Report Post »TH30PH1LUS
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:19pmThis is full of win.
Report Post »Mainer forever
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:15pmHello out there….Do any of you remember a story the Blaze had done a few weeks ago, listing the top ten mistakes Obamma has made? I’ve search the “Blaze Search” thing already. Can anyone help”? thanks
Report Post »Sy Kosys
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:17pmIt’s now a Top-1000 list…and its now being housed in the Library of Congress due to sheer size ;)
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:24pmand getting bigger and deeper every minute.
Report Post »David, the Constitutional Libertarian
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 10:03pmI never use a site’s search function. Use google to do it. Put in your comment you want to search and then use the advanced search function. At the bottom there is a site search component, enter the site and it will find what you want.
I use it to search for my comments here since there is no way to follow your own comments here through email or a comment dashboard like Intense Debate.
I wish whoever the site web master is would upgrade this site. It does make it hard to have actual debates on this site the way it is set up.
Report Post »Mikhail Kennedy
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 2:36amDavid
Report Post »I agree with this site being set up poorly, as there are so many comments that you cannot reply to. I have often thought I might stop coming here as it is so annoying. There are many instances where I would have liked to comment, but its not worth it when it shows up 3 pages later.
Sy Kosys
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:14pmLineage traced to (1) redneck dad, (1) valley-girl mom, with a close relation to Mr Mackey.
M’kay?
Report Post »commonsenseguy
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:12pmsounds like she might want to stay in Austin,where they apparently don’t care about or respect the rules or others.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 6:27pmThey probably wont allott us many, but i think we can pull some together to drop on them.
Report Post »Texas Grasshopper
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:08pmokay ..my take ….the goverments around world are burning , the economy is tanking , , Constitution is being being shredded , Our nations Sovereignty is in doubt , Our food supply is possible in doubt , EPA SWAT , drought etc etc …..hey blaze wake up …yeah a little ticked off about the lame crap on here today
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:14pm@texas
Report Post »A slow day and a covert war. Go figure.
harumph
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:20pmLighten up, grasshopper. The other stuff is being addressed, as well. This little “customer” is a typical Obama voter, no doubt. Still angry that Barry didn’t buy her a house and pay her car note.
Report Post »A little levity never hurts, especially on a Friday.
commonsenseguy
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:22pm@ let us prey, with all these wars we are involved in, we may have to start dropping beets on their heads,and i will offer them all the beets that i am allotted.
Report Post »Buck Bagaw
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 9:40pmIn these here Magnited States this is known as “cosmic” relief.
Report Post »David, the Constitutional Libertarian
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 9:57pmCommonsenseguy, you do not happen to be a frequenter of The People’s Cube? Just wondering where you got the beet component.
Report Post »David, the Constitutional Libertarian
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 9:59pmNevermind commonsenseguy, I just reread your comment, you HAVE TO be a frequenter of The People’s Cube. The rye humor is unmistakeable.
Report Post »LT-USPHS
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:05pmF F F F F F F. Maybe high schools should offer English vocabulary classes so teens can learn to express themselves better. Thank heaven Jane Austin wasn’t born in this generation.
Report Post »Spaceboy
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:03pmFor starters I Love The Alamo Draft House…they converted the old style movie houses and added food and of course beer. I have not experienced a text-er with the class this lady has at my location but I have at a “regular movie house”. And they so have the these “Don’t text during the movies” adds befor the film starts…what a idiot!
Report Post »bitter clinger
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:02pmGreat story way to find the stuff that matters,Blaze.
Report Post »cloudsofwar
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 6:50pmpass the tinfoil please
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 7:35pmI wouldn’t call it “comedy gold”. Comedy Zinc maybe.
Report Post »harumph
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:02pmShe doesn’t sound old enough to buy her own ticket.
Report Post »Well done. I’d go to the Alamo Drafthouse.
BurntHills
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 8:37pmbet she is at least 20, bleached blonde, fake nails, has had a great car since her Sweet 16, and IS a TOTAL bratinski.
Report Post »Bushie
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:01pmAgreed
Report Post »rockstone
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:01pmPriceless!
Report Post »Bushie
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:00pmThe theater advertised the use of cell phones was prohibited. Spoiled little brat needs her As$ put in place.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:14pmOf course they have the notice that cell phones are prohibited…and I agree she should have been escorted out for her behaviour.
But putting her profanity laced voice mail on the big screen is as offensive to others as folks texting.
The only reason the theater did it was to get free advertising when the local news media picked it up.
Report Post »I Hear the Wolves
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:23pm@MidwestMom
The only reason the theater did it was to get free advertising when the local news media picked it up.
I disagree. I think the theater did it because it is HILARIOUS! I understand you not wanting to take your kids there, but that’s the beautiful thing about America…you don’t have to.
Report Post »ozzie
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 7:01pm@midwest mom
It was only being shown in front of their R-rated movies.
Report Post »American Soldier (Separated)
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 10:34amRemember, this movie theater is pretty much a bar with a big screen. It caters to certain individuals, such as myself. I thought it was hilarious.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 4:55pmSorry, the theater manager is just giving another idiot their “15 minutes of fame”. And really, does anybody want their kids (and they can fill in the blanks) watching this before any movie?..
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:09pm15 minutes of fame? If I was the person that left that message I would never admit it.
Report Post »8jrts
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:16pmMWMom,
Report Post »Not that I think it’s the greatest thing for young kids to hear, (probably nothing they haven’t heard before anyway) but it sure sends them and everyone else the message….NO PHONES in this theater or you’ll get kicked out without a refund! You know, just in case they missed the signs.
As for 15 minutes of fame? More like a repeat of “Can’t Fix Stupid” at every show!
MidWestMom
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:32pmI agree – kids have probably heard/seen the same thing before. But why add more to the inappropriate language they see & hear??
I agree she (and others who violate the no-phone ban) should be removed from the theater – I find it just as annoying as everyone else. I also speak to the manager every time I see it.
But I think the message could be sent just as well by throwing out more folks who use their phones. Maybe just my experience, but I’ve been to movies where one or two people have had to leave… yet the 5 people in the next row got to stay….texting and talking on their phones the entire time.
Report Post »BonnieBlueFlag
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:40pm@Midwestmom
The Alamo Drafthouse is a theatre that started just off the UT campus in Austin catering to college students 21 and over. They serve food and alcohol during shows and people under 21 are not allowed. They are a great theatre (now chain.)
The precious children will not be harmed by this PSA. It’s nice to have some places still left for adults.
Report Post »hi
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 6:33pmI agree .
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 6:44pmEver notice how much of what’s called “adult” entertainment is so juvenile?
Report Post »spilling_seeds
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 7:49pmwho would wanna take credit for that anyway. i agree with blackhawk1. i wouldn’t admit to that either. Go Drafthouse!!!
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 8:36pmYES, we DO want our kids to see what happens when an ignorant BRAT leaves a message like THAT. good ol’ public humiliation!!!!
Report Post »Uranium Wedge
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 3:16amSo your saying they should “bleep” the “bleeps”?
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 4:52pmI love it that was awesome I support that movie theater .
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:04pmI assume, you know, they checked with their lawyers, first, you know, before using her voice in these MAGNITED States of America, you know? Probably has dumbass parents, too, you know?
Report Post »JD Carp
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:31pmGood job Alamo Drafthouse.
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:50pmThe last movie I watched it was not even an announcement on the big screen , an employee from the theater came & he told the audience : welcome & enjoy the movie but please please do not use your cell phones even if it‘s only for texting cause you’ll be bothering the others .
Report Post »Even with that a lady kept answering all her calls thinking that if she shoves her head inside her purse no one else would hear her .
Wilkins
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 7:20am@Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Checked with their lawyer about using her voice? Hey, SHE made the recording, and placed it in the theater’s possession. I don’t know, but I think they’re ok.
Report Post »vennoye
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 10:24amAH………….the age of entitlement……………I am entitled to do anything I want to whether or not it bothers anyone else………….I’m special!!! Agree with Alamo. May teach people that there really are rules, somewhere.
Report Post »1stAmendment
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 4:50pmLet people know that you weren’t treated properly !
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 4:56pmok. If that message shows up at a movie I’m attending….I sure will let them know I wasn’t treated properly.
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:03pmWarning….Before you give someone a piece of your mind on an answering machine, make sure you have enough left to function like a literate human being.
Report Post »Uncurable wound
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:04pmsex scandels with greta on fox,wheres glenn?
Mr Beck GBTV can not come fast enough!!!!
I mean, I cant watch this-Id rather chew on tinfoil and shave my head with a cheese grater…
Report Post »Susan Harkins
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:06pmNow THAT is how to do it.
Use that little spoiled twirp’s message to make an example of, how NOT to be a twirp to the rest of the audience.
So Anti-PC — I LOVE IT!
Report Post »I Hear the Wolves
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:16pmGod bless the Alamo Drafthouse, and God bless these Magnited States of America!
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:33pm@ – Uncurable wound
I agree. And I’m a little puzzled why this special is needed??
Report Post »SavingtheRepublic.com
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 5:57pm^____^____^
An Im pretty sure she was bothering ppl in the theater. What part of “turn them off” do ppl not understand? Better yet if you arent closing a 6 figure deal or curing cancer the texting can wait.
A little advice for restaurant managers, theater owners etc etc you can purchase devices which block cell signals :) http://tinyurl.com/4xht6jj
Report Post »101
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 6:05pmLast thing I remember I was texting and the plane crashed…electronic glitch, they say the altimeter was reading 30,000 feet when we were at -3 feet.
Hey anybody have anything to talk about, what ya all doin for the weekend?
Report Post »leftcoastslut
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 7:01pmwhat is with the fungal infection in Joplin
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 7:40pmi’m pretty sure in this day, if your closing a 4 figure deal, you should be doing it. ;)
Report Post »AKMIIKEUS
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 7:41pmAlamo Drafthouse are the best in Texas.
Report Post »Really good food for a movie theater.
Always get their early for a great dinner and then movie. The Best!
Armyforlife
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 8:42pmThis theater only allows adults 21+. They show normal movies but serve beer/wine/mixed drinks. So no kids are ever exposed to it.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 9:15pmTo all who replied letting me know the theater is for adults only,
Thank you for clearing that up. The article left out that information.
And yes, it is nice to have a few places for adults only :D
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 9:22pmThere are T-shirts all over Austin, “Keep Austin Weird”, and for a very good reason, obviously.
Report Post »ITGuy
Posted on June 10, 2011 at 11:06pmFirst let me say this girl is an idiot. But there are to many things wrong with this no texting in the theater policy. Who gets disturbed when someone is texting (as long as it’s on silent) in a theater? It doesn’t bother me at all. Never heard anyone in my life complain about it. I do it on occasion. If you want to get down to brass tacks, wouldn’t you be more disturbed by people contantly bringing the drunks in the audiance booze all the time. Now that’s distracting. And i’m sorry, but if they tried to throw me out without a refund (stealing my money), disturbed would not be the word to describe what would happen next. Now based on this girls story, which is the only one presented, It makes the theater people sound like juvenile jack@$$es. Can’t stand people like that.
Report Post »celestialfire
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 12:20am@lcs, the people of Joplin have been through too much already, now a rare flesh eating fungus caused by the tornado, how horrible.
Report Post »moriarty70
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 1:20am@ITGUY
As it happens it is annoying when people text during a movie. There’s no sound but in a dark room there is suddenly multiple lights down in front of me pulling my attention away from the screen. If you want to text during a movie, stay home and rent.
Report Post »Wyd Stantz
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 1:55amThe Alamo Drafthouse gets 3 thumbs up from me! Ask Anthony Weiner about that.
Leave your tech at home… I am getting tired of cellphones and tech everywhere. People have survived thousands of years without cell phones, I think you can survive 2 hours without one.
Report Post »Uranium Wedge
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 3:05amI think she means, “Too polite to say anything”. What an ignorant piece of work.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 4:56amCell phones are over-rated and people look foolish using them in many settings. Get over the mobile tech stuff already. It’s really not all that.
Report Post »one yrs. food ration like Glenn says..
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 8:41amI bet she kisses her mother with that mouth too….
Report Post »FormerLib
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 10:47amWhat‘s disturbing to me is that so many young people feel not just entitled bu compelled to say whatever they’re thinking or feeling at all times, to the point that they are never focused on anything and their attention spans are becoming shorter and shorter. I sometimes work in a restaurant and I’ll see a group of 3 or four people, and sometimes a man/woman date come in, and hardly speak to each other because they all have their noses and thumbs buried in their cell phones. I went to live theater a few months ago and some dolt took a cell phone call, and worse, acted like it was tin cans with a string between them that she had to yell into. How the hell did we exist before we were accessible 24 hours a day every day of our lives?
Report Post »ITGuy
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 12:41pm@moriarty70
Sorry you have a short attention span but really there is so many other things that people do in a theater that is far more distracting than that. Like people getting up all the time, and even had one guy that commented through out the entire Nightmare on Elm St. movie. My group almost got up and beat the crap out of him. Still if you can’t stand a little distraction maybe you should stay home and rent.
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 1:55pmThank God for Home Theater.
Report Post »Wayner
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 3:05pmI hate getting text messages at HOME when I’m watching a show on TV. Thank goodness for DVR because I can back it up and catch what I missed while trying to return a text.
Report Post »Amica
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 4:21pmWayner:
Report Post »There’s no law that says you have to drop everything to return a text. Unless you’re waiting for something important, ignore the darn thing.
Doctor Nordo
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 4:23pm@ ITGUY
First of all, you’re an idiot.
Second, theater owners are well within their rights to throw out anybody who is making a distraction. Drunks, loud-mouths, texters, you name it. They obviously will never throw out people who get up to use the bathroom because, really, that’s just asinine. Besides, people who aren‘t peeing aren’t buying soda that’s been marked up 5,000%.
In every movie that I’ve been to in the last 10 years or so, there is always a notice just before the movie to put away your phone, and more recently they have been far more specific, actually saying No Texting. People having their brightly lit phones out is distracting and it ****** me off. If you want to text in the theater, go to the back row. Otherwise, you‘re just being an inconsiderate ***** and you don’t deserve a refund as you’re having your ass kicked out the door.
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on June 11, 2011 at 4:38pmThis is truly hilarious- very unique way of handling a customer who had her own problems. Good for Alamo Drafthouse – I love to go there. http://wp.me/pYLB7-13c
Report Post »norway1516
Posted on June 12, 2011 at 3:55amI really dont get it…if her phones on silent and shes texting during the movie why the hell should anyone else care? how is that really bothering anyone else? Texas has some great theaters where they serve REAL food and alcohol…and my little phone texting was never bothering anyone…but hey if thats the theaters stance I would never go there.
Report Post »norway1516
Posted on June 12, 2011 at 4:02amITGUY I dont get where these 19th century people are coming from…our phones do amazing things remember before the TV? Im sure many who are complaining about the phone remembers times before the tv was around…if she wipped out her phone and was talking or not turning her phone on to silent yea I can see the problem, but the theft of her money because she was atleast considerate to text and not make any noise? who the hell are you people? sounds to me like the same damn socialist who wish for more control and more regulation to keep man in check…but I will say if the theater has a policy of no texting I would never go there and will never give them my money…like I said we have some awesome theaters in Dallas that feed you real food and drinks…dunno where this one was.
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