Taking a Child to the Movies- A Cobb Theater Story

[Zarkarella]

So, we went to the Cobb 16 today to see Toy Story 3. This was my 2 year old sons very first movie and we were all really excited to see how he did. Aidan did terrific, he paid attention and watched the whole thing and barely made a sound except to proclaim, "THERE'S WOODY!" at the very beginning. So, we are sitting there eating our popcorn and half way through the movie a Cobb Theater employee walks up to us and says, "Can you try to keep your kids quieter?" The first thing out of my mouth was, "Are you KIDDING me?" but she had already walked away. 

She came back shortly thereafter and looked like she was about to say something but thought better of it and walked away. Good thing too, because I probably would have ripped her head off with my teeth at that point. I tried to calm myself so I could continue enjoying this 20 dollar movie and this 25 dollar popcorn, but I knew I was going to have a chat with the manager after the movie was over. 

You should keep in mind that we went to a child's movie for a Sunday afternoon matinée. It's not as if I took him to a 7pm showing of Avatar and let him run up and down the aisles! Then to top it off, we weren't even the ones that were complained about. There was a kid behind us that kept crying and yelling, which we didn't even bat an eye at because it is what is expected at a matinée of a kids movie. My child had been PERFECT the entire time, but since we were the ones on the end of the aisle that she could see, she chose us to reprimand. 

We spoke to the manager after the show, and his response was to say we were right and to laugh it off, but offered very little else. Knowing that we spent nearly 50 dollars today in their theater and had our movie interrupted makes me irate. Some compensation would have been nice, but we were offered nothing short of a barely thoughtful apology. 

I would love to say that I will never go see a movie in the Cobb Theater again, but that is very unlikely considering it is the only movie theater in town. That's what is bad about a monopoly. They can treat you as poorly as possibly and know you will still coming back as long as their are movies produced that we want to see.

So, Cobb Theater, next time I am in there, feel free to apologize a little more. You can spot me as a mom of a toddler at the free movies with popcorn in my purse. Because you won't be getting my money for quite a while. 

[Kristen Kizziah]

I don't know where that employee was when we went Friday afternoon to see Toy Story 3. The children behind us were terrible...and not because they were loud...that we totally expected from a kids movie...it was because they were climbing on the backs of our chairs and you know how that is with those rocker movie seats. i thought the one behind me was going to launch Zoey and I through the air!
That Manager should have at least given you some free movie passes or free consessions at the very least!!! Sorry your experience was bad. and you are dead on with the monopolies..that kind of power is scary!

[Kari (cowboysmom)]

We went at 7:50 Friday night. My son is 5 1/2 and he did great!! BUT...I have a family member in the hospital that was having surgery and I recieved 3 text messages during the movie to update me. I turned the dimmer on my phone, held it in my purse, and of course had it on silent. I ask the dad sitting next to me if I was bothering him and he said no as long as you dont mind if I do it too. We laughed and never spoke of it again. I also was on the back row, so that I would not bother anyone behind me. Then about 30 minutes into the movie when I got my second text, my son says "lady that hurt!!" I look over and the women sitting beside my son HAS GRABBED HIS ARM to get MY attention to ask me to turn my phone off!! She didnt say excuse me mam, or anything to me. So I being the girl I am grabbed her hand (firm) and let her know that if she didn't get her hands off my kid she wasnt going to need the manager, she was gonna need the deputy cause I was gonna break it!! She jumped up to go get one I guess, then she flew past me tripped on the booster seat that the dad had placed in the floor went flying down the stairs, and came back with a mananger. I explained the medical situation, what she did to my son and ask for a deputy to take a report. They questioned her; she was histerical and they gave me a gift card for two passes. So I guess what I am saying is the night male manager is more helpfull.

[Sarah M]

Zarkarella- I would complain to their corporate office and I'd bet they are more quick to offer you a gift certificate or something. Or at least it would bring the problem to their attention.
http://www.cobbtheatres.com/contact.asp

Kari- I can't believe someone would grab you child like that! Way out of line!! It also doesn't seem like texting the way you describe could have possibly bothered her or anyone else.