# Thanks, lady, for bringing your screaming child to Returm of the King. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 3, 2004, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451 "2004-01-03T07:47:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Greywolf73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d9b06d/32.png) [@Greywolf73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greywolf73)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2004, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/21 "2004-01-03T23:05:45Z")
When I saw Cold Mountain last week, there was a woman there with her son who must have been 5 or 6. She had to keep getting up and taking him out of the theater every time there was an intense scene in the movie. Cold Mountain has several intense scenes (sex and violence), so she and the kid were going back and forth the whole time, sometimes with her hand covering his eyes. She couldn’t have actually watched more than half the movie that way. What in the world was the point in that? I just don’t see the logic in it. ---
**Author:** ![labmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f19dbf/32.png) [@labmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/labmonkey)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2004, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/22 "2004-01-03T23:12:48Z")
I have had the teenage experience at all three films, never had the small child experience, but I can use my imagination. I really can’t understand this, we have a 7 month old, I cant imagine my wife and I sitting around thinking, “Gee, I bet the baby won’t mind sitting in a crowded theatre for 3.5 hours, let’s go honey.” We rotated this time(I saw it ROTK with a friend, then she saw it with her friend) Anyway, the teenage experience at ROTK was the worst, we went during the day, to an off time show(just to avoid this sort of thing) Exactly as the film starts, I hear cursing, blather and plunk, plunk, plunk in the seats behind me, accompianied by kicking annoying laughter, etc. So, I’m thinkin’ Jesus H Christ, now I’m gonna have to move or make a scene, and then they won’t shut the fuck up anyway. So, I gave them the look, they continued blathering and kicking th seats, so I sshhhdd to no effect, next is shut the fuck up, then the girl laughs and I want to loose it but instead we move, because I’m missing most of the start of the movie and I’m not going to get into a pissing contest with a bunch of little snots…argghhh, I know they’re teenyboppers but I really don’t remeber acting like that even when I was young, dumb and full of cum. Ugh. Cool movie though. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2004, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/23 "2004-01-03T23:21:16Z")
You know, I saw ROTK the first time at the trilogy and the audience was _perfect_. After hearing all the aggravation from other people, I’m really debating whether I want to even _try_ to see it in the theater again, or just wait till it comes out on DVD and watch it in the peace and quiet of my own home. ---
**Author:** ![labmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f19dbf/32.png) [@labmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/labmonkey)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2004, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/24 "2004-01-03T23:28:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mama Tiger \* > \*\*You know, I saw ROTK the first time at the trilogy and the audience was _perfect_. After hearing all the aggravation from other people, I’m really debating whether I want to even _try_ to see it in the theater again, or just wait till it comes out on DVD and watch it in the peace and quiet of my own home. \*\* I think a marathon of that nature probably weeds out the…ummm, undesireables? ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2004, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/25 "2004-01-03T23:29:32Z")
What the fuck is wrong with some people? Have they no consideration for others?? Christ! I went to ROTK this past week. I walked down three full levels of stairs and out into the lobby (yeah it was a huge theater and stadium seats) just because I started coughing uncontrolably. I mean, it was immediate. I started coughing, realized it was going to get worse and I wouldn’t be able to stop and pretty much held it in the best I could until I made it into the lobby, where I began hacking my lungs out. After I cleared myself of whatever mucous was causing the problem, I waited to make sure it wasn’t going to happen again (At least not the immediate future), and I went back inside to enjoy the rest of the movie. Why would someone ruin another’s experience like that??? That is just fucked up. No ettiquete whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Grousser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9d8465/32.png) [@Grousser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grousser)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2004, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/26 "2004-01-03T23:46:55Z")
Some parents just think that because it’s a movie of fantasy, then it’s proper for the kids, so they don’t have the rights to private their poor children when they are enjoying it as adults. I’ve seen that reasoning before. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2004, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/27 "2004-01-03T23:55:37Z")
Do you not have ratings assigned to movies where people under certain ages simply aren’t allowed? It seems like even when they carefully Rate something a **PG-13** , the “PG” part negates it because somehow the imagery is okay if your Mother is sitting three seats away from you. We have a classification of **M**. It does not allow people under the age of 15 into the theatre (as opposed to our rating of **PG** which allows them if accompanied by an adult). ROTK is rated M. ---
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/28 "2004-01-04T00:20:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GuanoLad \* > \*\*Do you not have ratings assigned to movies where people under certain ages simply aren’t allowed? It seems like even when they carefully Rate something a **PG-13** , the “PG” part negates it because somehow the imagery is okay if your Mother is sitting three seats away from you. > > We have a classification of **M**. It does not allow people under the age of 15 into the theatre (as opposed to our rating of **PG** which allows them if accompanied by an adult). > > ROTK is rated M. \*\* The only ratings that are “supposed” to prevent certain ages into the theater are “R” and “NC-17”. With an “R” rating, an adult is “supposed” to accopmany the kid. Even those ratings aren’t really always “enforced” per se… > **[Film Ratings | Motion Picture Association](https://www.motionpictures.org/film-ratings/)** > > Established in 1968, the film rating system provides parents with the information needed to determine if a film is appropriate for their children. ROTK was PG-13. I guess I can’t really fathom taking a very young kid to a PG-13 movie. ---
**Author:** ![Obvious\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Obvious\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Obvious_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/29 "2004-01-04T02:23:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Clark van der Lyke \* > \*\*A girl of abour 14 sat in back of me in the movies, took off her shoes and stuck a foot next to my ear. I waited a moment and turned and said “If you are going to sit like that, would you please make sure you wash your feet first. Her reply” Don’t bother me or I will say you molested me. I moved. I guess that was her plan. Thinking back, I should have dumped my coke on her foot first. \*\* Now that is just evil. 14yo girl or not, I would have told her I would kick her ass if she did that. No way would I get falsely accused of being a molster and thrown and jail without a little retribution. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/30 "2004-01-04T02:43:37Z")
I went to the 10:30 Christmas night show. In front of me was some people _my age_ making very not-funny comments during tense moments. To the right of me was a bunch of 12-13 year old boys yelling “Just die already!” and “faggot!” throughout the entire movie. TO the left of me is snickering, phone ringing and shouts of “SHUT THE FUCK UP!” I got my money back for that show… ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/31 "2004-01-04T03:36:21Z")
I think the twisted logic behind the minds of people bringing small babies into movies is this: “Maybe junior will fall asleep during the whole movie and we’ll get to watch it in peace.” If you took a baby to enough movies, it would sleep through them at least _some_ of the time. No excuse for bringing kids into the theatre, but that’s the best speculatin’ I can do. ---
**Author:** ![yBeayf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e274bd/32.png) [@yBeayf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yBeayf)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/32 "2004-01-04T03:53:48Z")
I actually had a good encounter with a young child today while viewing RotK for the second time. The fellow sitting in the row behind brought in (I assume) his son, who looked to be about four years old. While I seriously question the wisdom of bringing a child that young to see a movie such as this, I must give the kid props for staying quiet for the entire film. Except for a few whispered comments to his father, I heard not a peep from him; neither did he cause any havoc as young children are wont to do. I was quite impressed. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/33 "2004-01-04T04:11:45Z")
> [@](#): > > I think a marathon of that nature probably weeds out the…ummm, undesireables? Which is one reason why I sat in that theater for 18 hours. It was so _totally_ different from the current average moviegoing experience, it was well worth the numb butt. There has to be some way to bring social pressure to bear on people to start behaving in theaters again. I just can’t figure out what it might be. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/34 "2004-01-04T04:12:13Z")
I must be very lucky; I’ve never heard rambunctious kids in a movie. I’ve gone to about 13 movies since my son was born (I started taking him about age 5) and they’ve been only kids movies, yet no noise. never even heard a cellphone. Mustbe worse in adult movies, apparently. ---
**Author:** ![nitek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@nitek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitek)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/35 "2004-01-04T04:15:55Z")
Has anyone ever tried to tell these parents in a _friendly_ way what’s going on? I can’t believe that they all know how much they’re bothering people but just don’t care. Also, if someone is told to “shut their kid up” or something equally rude they’re going to be defensive. Maybe try letting them in on it like you’re doing them a favour. “I don’t know if you’re aware but many people get annoyed with a child that’s loud during a movie. I know that personally it put a quite a damper on my enjoyment.” If you deliver it without any impression of judgement or reprimand I figure they’d be apologetic or embarrased. In any case it would make them more aware of the situation. I can’t give up all hope in people. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/36 "2004-01-04T04:30:48Z")
Hey, when some kid is making noise, just whip out your cell phone and call the manager to come ove and take care of the situation.😃 ---
**Author:** ![laigle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce7236/32.png) [@laigle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laigle)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/37 "2004-01-04T04:36:09Z")
My philosophy on ill-mannered kids and their parents at movies is this: It’s dark. Everyone in there hates them as much as I do. And it’s going to be at least ten minutes before the cleaning crew comes in and finds the bodies, by which time I’ll be in my car popping the Stones into the CD tray and humming a little ditty to myself. If that’s not the recipe for a perfect crime, I don’t know what is. ---
**Author:** ![Palewriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/db5fbb/32.png) [@Palewriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palewriter)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/38 "2004-01-04T04:50:25Z")
Hm…there’s an opportunity here for any theater owners out there. Restaurant owners, too. How about child-free movie theaters? Tickets cost maybe $15, but you’re GUARANTEED no snotty-nosed teens, whining sucklings, terrible two’s. Hell, I’d pay $20 just for the pleasure of dining without whiny kids. There are lots of places parents with kids can go. Could I please get ONE place where I can eat (and smoke) in peace? Come on, entrepreneurs, let’s have some venues that are 30+ only, other than frickin Luby’s. 🙂 - PW ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/39 "2004-01-04T05:03:16Z")
Some theaters are refusing to allow children at non-kiddy movies after a certain time. I can only applaud. I used to work at a theater, and sometimes I worked the box office. I was always amazed at how many people took their preteens to R-rated movies. The movies get rated for a REASON. Most R rated movies are NOT suitable for preteens. And no, I couldn’t have refused to sell tickets, because the manager would have come down on my ass. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2004, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451/40 "2004-01-04T05:09:00Z")
We went to see “In America” today. During the course of the movie, one person took THREE cell calls. The kid behind me, who was too young for the movie, spent the entire time asking things of his mother like, “What did he say?”: “Why did he do that?”; “He’s mad, isn’t he?”; “Why is he shouting?” “How come they talk funny?” STUFF A FUCKING SOCK IN IT! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-lady-for-bringing-your-screaming-child-to-returm-of-the-king/222451.md?page=3)