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The future of moviegoing?
REUTERS- Citing widespread disregard for its “no outside food and beverages” policy and numerous instances of candy-related disruption, GKC theaters announced Thursday that they will install candy detectors at the entrances of their 25 movie theaters.
The walk-through detectors will alert theater staff to a patron concealing contraband snacks.
“These are the most technologically advanced devices available in confection detection,” said GKC vice president of public relation Gene Jefferson. “They’ll pick up anything from a Ghirardelli chocolate bar to a single Nerd.”
Jefferson said sales of the theater chain’s concession candy have significantly dropped in recent years, and some theaters have complained of concealed candy-related accidents that led to numerous, costly court settlements.
“An incident in one of our Michigan theaters cost us millions,” Jefferson said.
Apparently a movie-goer spilled a full box of Everlasting Gobstoppers he had smuggled into the theater.
“When Black Knight let out, those Gobstoppers took down an entire row,” Jefferson said.
Since the markup is so high on movie theater snacks, Jefferson said recouping candy revenue lost due to smuggling will more than offset the cost of the detection units.
Nice try buddy
“Unit price, we pay $.39 for Goobers. We sell them for $7.50, that’s quite a profit margin,” he said. “If we get those candy sales back up, the detectors will pay for themselves.”
GKC plans to purchase 45 detection units at $350,000 each. The company owns two units that are already in use at its Orpheum Cinima 10 in Morris, IL.
Theater manager Rick Springfield said that, although his location’s concession sales have increased by 15 percent, some patrons do not agree with the theater’s crack down on candy smuggling.
“Some people are calling it an invasion of privacy,” Springfield said. “But, in my experience, those are the same people who have a Baby Ruth in their armpit.”
Prior to last month’s installation of the detection units, Springfield said busts were sporadic and usually prompted by careless smugglers. “We’ve confiscated everything from Whoppers (the malted chocolate candy balls) to Whoppers (the Burger King sandwich),” Springfield said. “But we never went looking for smugglers. If a trail of Mike and Ikes was falling out of your coat pocket, we’d investigate. Or if we heard the incriminating rattle of Boston Baked Beans, we’d pat you down. It was hit or miss. Now, you’re not getting in with a Kool-Aid mustache.”
Like Springfield said, some customers are not happy with the new regulations.
Chris Farmer was ejected from the Feb. 15 matinee showing of Big Momma’s House 2 for concealing 28 “fun size” 3 Musketeer’s, one citrus cyclone Ring Pop and three sticks of Ice Breakers chewing gum. “This is bull****,” Farmer said after he was escorted out of the theater. “I wanted to see Capote and eat candy that doesn’t suck. It’s not about the money. Who the fuck eats Sno-Caps? They’re just chocolate chips with dandruff. And Sour Patch Kids are like sucking on 80 grit sandpaper.”
In response to customers who claimed to smuggle candy in order to avoid GKC’s product line, Jefferson defended the company’s candy. “Who doesn’t like Swedish Fish and Raisonettes?” Jefferson asked. “We offer the classics — Cookie Dough Bites, Alexander the Grape. If people don’t like it, they can, and will, do without at GKC Theaters.
Jason Benton described the candy detectors as "Orwellian" after handing over three crotch-concealed Reeces Peanut Butter Cups. “It’s just another step toward a government state in which its citizens are constantly watched, scrutinized and frightened into paying obscene prices for candy,” said Benton.
Jefferson estimated that the candy detectors would be installed in all GKC Theaters by mid-year.
"confection detection" and the 2nd pic were ridiculous.. nice work.
Tom Mc
good stuff
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Posted: 2/17/2006 1:44:44 PM
mike and ikes are no joke
Jarett
False
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Posted: 2/17/2006 3:02:34 PM
Check with your local movie house, but for the most part, there are no rules prohibiting outside food/drink in movies. That's an old myth. So, for the most part, you're making comedy from Phrenology, but that's OK. the story was funny, but try it some time: no one will stop you from bringing in your butterfinger.
Kate
Jarrett
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Posted: 2/17/2006 3:40:45 PM
You're a geek.
Tom A
Thank God It's Friday
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Posted: 2/17/2006 4:36:46 PM
It will take me the entire (three-day!) weekend to recover from that pic.
I hope the detectors don't work on beer bottles - there is nothing like polishing off a cold one, in the back row, and then letting that puppy roll all the way down to the front.
rob
_
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Posted: 2/18/2006 12:12:39 AM
maybe if candy didn t cost fucking $8.50 then there wouldn t be a problem
JP
Nice
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Posted: 2/20/2006 9:01:50 AM
Surprisingly funny. I like how bull**** was "bleeped" out, but "fuck" was left in about 20 words later.
Rikku Markka
$10 for drink + popcorn
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Posted: 2/20/2006 2:08:42 PM
I just went to the theater yesterday (Feb. 19) and godDAMN these prices. Ten bucks for a medium drink and a medium popcorn. It was Combo #3, so it was a "deal." I understand that chains make their money at the concession stand, but there is no one in line who doesn't say "Goddamn, motherfucker!" when the kid at the register gives you the total for your order.
I've snuck drinks and snacks into theaters before and felt no guilt, because who really wants to pay $3.50 for a pack of stale Twizzlers? These prices always make me think of the old Steven Wright joke: "I'll take a small Coke in a large cup, but go ahead and fill it up the rest of the way."
greg d
BULL SHIT
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Posted: 2/20/2006 11:36:37 PM
THESE CANDY DETECTORS ARE FUCKING BULLSHIT THATS FUCKING DISGUSTING. WE ARE BEING WATHCED EVERYWHERE WE GO AND NOW WE CANT EVEN SNEEK A CANDY BAR INTO THE MOVIES FUCK THOSE THEATRES AND IM TAKING MY MONEY ELSEWERE THEY CAN GO FUCK THEMSELVES THE WAY I SEE IT
GD
GDIZZLE
dumb shit
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Posted: 2/20/2006 11:38:54 PM
movie theatres can go scroo themselves especially the theatre that installed those candy detectors. WHAT IS WRONG WITH AMERICA? what the hell is this why do they have to monitor everything we do are these records gonna get turned over to bush or something i just dont know what the hell to do
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