# Why don't movies have Intermissions anymore?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Tags:** movies
**Created:** [August 10, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546 "2024-08-10T18:34:21Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@ch51](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ch51)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/41 "2024-08-11T14:31:20Z")
The Right Stuff (1983) 3 hrs 13 minutes is the only “new” movie I’ve seen with an intermission. Didn’t know it had one until it came up on the screen. I was only 19 but can’t say I objected to being able to stretch. I probably wasn’t as worried about a washroom as I would be now.
The attitudes expressed in this thread suggest why they’re not a thing though, despite films getting longer and longer.
Me, me, me! 🤣
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### Author:  [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/42 "2024-08-11T15:41:11Z")
Here’s a little bit of intermission trivia from my memory. Several movies mentioned here, “How the West Was Won”, “Brothers Grimm” and more, were originally filmed in Cinerama, using the 3-camera/3-projector process. A single (large, heavy) reel for each projector held one hour’s worth, and they all had to be changed and synced carefully so all images on all projectors lined up to the exact same frame.
The Cinerama setup was expensive and space-consuming enough. In a conventional (35mm) theater – even the small, neighborhood ones – there were two 35mm projectors side-by-side. Each held about 20 minutes of film or less; while one was playing, the other could be loaded and made ready. Then at just the right time, the operator would pull a chain to switch over from one projector to the other without missing a beat. The films were produced with a few seconds of leeway between reels just for that purpose. Such a dual setup wasn’t practical with Cinerama, hence intermissions.
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### Author:  [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/43 "2024-08-11T16:33:41Z")
To all the above, add
_ **The Great Race** _
_ **Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines** _
_ **The Battle of the Bulge** _
I’m pretty sure these had an intermission as well:
_ **King of Kings** _
_ **Beckett** _
_ **A Man for All Seasons** _
_ **The Lion in Winter** _
The break in the last one came right after Katharine Hepburn delivered the line “What family doesn’t have its little ups and downs?”
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### Author:  [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/44 "2024-08-11T17:00:51Z")
I believe _ **The Longest Day** _ and _ **A Bridge Too Far** _ had intermissions as well.
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### Author:  [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/45 "2024-08-11T17:55:41Z")
Most people here seem to think that the interests and concerns of studios, producers, and theaters are essentially the same, and that if something (like intermissions) would benefit theaters, the studios would do it. This hasn’t been the case since the 1948 SCOTUS anti-trust ruling, aka the [Paramount Decree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Paramount_Pictures,_Inc), that prohibited studios from owning theaters.
The interests of producers and exhibitors (i.e., theaters) have been diverging steadily since then, and the gulf between them has never been wider. With the advent of television, VCRs, DVDs, giant flat-screen TVs, and streaming, the declining financial importance to the studios of (shrinking) theatrical release windows means that producers no longer give a fig for what theater operators need or want. It’s only more than a century of tradition, the preference of a few powerful auteurs, and the power of the Oscars, which still require a minimum theatrical release, that keeps most films opening somewhat exclusively in theaters, and not going straight to streaming.
So the reason that so few films now have intermissions has _nothing_ to do with what the exhibitors want. They are the low men on the totem pole. (Is that still an acceptable expression?) There were no projection-related technical reasons for intermissions by the 1970s, and any conceivable such issues were completely eliminated by the advent of digital projection in 2005.
So the only reason for intermissions today is that a director who is powerful enough (think Spielberg, Scorsese, Cameron, Tarantino, Nolan) wants them. In the case of several recent long films, like Scorsese’s _Killers of the Flower Moon_ (3:26), theaters that added intermissions at the request of customers were threatened with legal action by the studios for violating the terms of their contract.
However, according to this [2023 _Variety_ article](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/why-cinemas-want-to-bring-back-intermissions-1235712330/), movie run times have been increasing, and exhibitors are trying to persuade the studios to permit intermissions. Whether producers will go along is yet to be seen.
> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> Some of us older dudes bladders wont hold out that long [snip]
When I was in my 20s and 30s and went to movies with my dad, I snickered behind his back because he had to use the rest room _before and after_ the movie! I’m 69 now, and laughing out of the other side of my mouth. I’m lucky if I can make it through a two-hour movie without a break.
> [@](#):
>
> [snip] and back then of course- smokers could not be away from their addiction that long.
Back when? Movie theaters in the US allowed smoking until the 1970s or '80s. Here’s a [NYT item in 1976](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1976/12/15/75651170.html?pageNumber=47) that General Cinema Corp. was going to ban smoking in its 650 theaters (but still allow it in the lobbies and lounges).
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/46 "2024-08-11T18:07:45Z")
> [@DPRK](#):
>
> It’s hardly unheard of. You’ve seen _Killers of the Flower Moon, Oppenheimer, The Irishman, The Hateful Eight,_ whatever.
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#):
>
> Now that people mostly watch movies at home, there’s less need for intermissions, even for long films. You can stop the movie anytime you want, for a pee break, a snack break, or any other reason.
This is why I PREFER watching movies at home. I can take an intermission.
> [@commasense](#):
>
> In the case of several recent long films, like Scorsese’s _Killers of the Flower Moon_ (3:26), theaters that added intermissions at the request of customers were threatened with legal action by the studios for violating the terms of their contract.
well shit! that movie was really better with an intermission. It even had a fairly logical place for one.
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### Author:  [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/47 "2024-08-11T19:14:00Z")
> [@terentii](#):
>
> To all the above, add
>
> _ **The Great Race** _
That one was probably an artistic choice as an homage to old-timey movies.
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### Author:  [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/48 "2024-08-11T19:17:56Z")
> [@commasense](#):
>
> I’m 69 now, and laughing out of the other side of my mouth. I’m lucky if I can make it through a two-hour movie without a break.
I know that’s an issue for some men of our age. (My brother seems to be always looking for a restroom.) I wonder what’s more common. I’m almost 63 and typically go 4 to 8 hours between bathroom breaks. Even if I’m drinking beer, a 2 or 3 hour movie wouldn’t be an issue.
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### Author:  [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/49 "2024-08-11T19:21:50Z")
Those Marvel movies can be torture to sit through, if I want to see the mid- and end-credits scenes but _really_ need to urinate after sitting there for two-plus hours.
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### Author:  [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/50 "2024-08-11T19:27:31Z")
I’ve learned I can’t buy a cola at the theater or I definitely won’t be able to go two hours.
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### Author:  [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/51 "2024-08-11T19:52:59Z")
> [@ch51](#):
>
> The Right Stuff (1983) 3 hrs 13 minutes is the only “new” movie I’ve seen with an intermission.
Good memory! My DVD set of this movie has a side 1 / side 2 (or A/B) and I believe it is separated where the intermission was. Right at the part where John Glenn is having his flight.
There was another “long” movie I enjoyed, from 1987: _The Last Emperor_. Does anyone know if it had an intermission?
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/52 "2024-08-11T19:58:10Z")
> [@terentii](#):
>
> To all the above, add
>
> _ **The Great Race** _
> _ **Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines** _
> _ **The Battle of the Bulge** _
All great films, altho that last played fast and loose with the history.
Also great and mentioned here- _ **The Lion in Winter** _, _ **The Longest Day** _
> [@commasense](#):
>
> I’m lucky if I can make it through a two-hour movie without a break.
Yep. Especially as the theaters just refuse to have to diet caffeine free soda.
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#):
>
> if I want to see the mid- and end-credits scenes but _really_ need to urinate after sitting there for two-plus hours.
Yep.
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### Author:  [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/53 "2024-08-11T20:10:58Z")
_ **Gettysburg** _ was shown with an intermission during its theatrical run in 1993 - a bit of kindness for a movie that clocked in at over four hours in length.
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### Author:  [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/54 "2024-08-11T20:31:54Z")
> [@XOldiesJock](#):
>
> And possibly, though I don’t remember:
>
> “Grand Prix”
> “2001: A Space Odyssey”
Definitely 2001, as someone mentioned. The intermission came right after we see HAL reading Poole and Bowman’s lips. So, it helps if movies with intermissions had some kind of cliffhanger built in just before to get the people to come back.
Now the 2001 Intermission was during the roadshow presentation, where I saw it the first few times. I don’t think they had it when I saw it in neighborhood theaters in NY, but that was over 55 years ago, so I might be wrong.
I don’t remember “A Man for All Seasons” having an intermission at the neighborhood theater where I saw it either.
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### Author:  [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/55 "2024-08-11T20:38:37Z")
**RRR** (2022) had an intermission. It’s just over 3 hours.
The recent theatrical re-release of **Seven Samurai** was shown with an intermission.
If you missed either of these in the theater, you missed something special.
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/56 "2024-08-11T20:50:31Z")
> [@Voyager](#):
>
> Now the 2001 Intermission was during the roadshow presentation, where I saw it the first few times. I don’t think they had it when I saw it in neighborhood theaters in NY, but that was over 55 years ago, so I might be wrong.
I watched it at a friend’s house last year. And there was an intermission. Like, it said, “intermission” on the screen.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/57 "2024-08-11T21:12:08Z")
Hmm, it seems an intermission is the mark of a great film. Most of the time, anyway.
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### Author:  [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2024, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/58 "2024-08-11T21:37:26Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> I watched it at a friend’s house last year. And there was an intermission. Like, it said, “intermission” on the screen.
True. And the Blue Ray version I have also has the introductory music played in the theater as people found their seats. The soundtrack CD has it also. It comes from “Atmospheres.” The soundtrack LP didn’t, not enough space.
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### Author:  [@ch51](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ch51)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2024, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/59 "2024-08-12T00:44:07Z")
I don’t recall A Bridge Too Far having an intermission. As I note above The Right Stuff had one when I saw it a few years after A Bridge Too Far so I would have noticed / remembered (I hope). 🤣
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### Author:  [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2024, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-movies-have-intermissions-anymore/1005546/60 "2024-08-12T01:45:51Z")
Here are two lists of films with intermissions:
> **[Intermission](https://tropedia.fandom.com/wiki/Intermission)**
>
> Once Upon a Time, when bladders were smaller, attention spans were shorter, and people actually went to the theatre to see films instead of illegally streaming them off the Internet, there was a thing called an intermission. This was a time when...
> **[Intermissions](https://letterboxd.com/richardk/list/intermissions/)**
>
> I like films with intermissions. And it's actually useful to know, too, before starting a film. EDIT: OK this is obviously not 100% comprehensive, rather it's films that one is likely to see because they are not entirely obscure.
Here’s a thread about intermissions:
> [@Movies with intermissions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-with-intermissions/682673):
>
> Is there some way to research how many movies have had intermissions? I just saw part of Oliver! today and had forgotten it had an intermission. Just off the top of my head I can remember: Oliver My Fair Lady Gone With the Wind Gandhi Ben-Hur Spartacus Quo Vadis How the West Was Won Dr. Zhivago plus others I’m sure I’ll remember as soon as I post this thread.
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