Is Your Theater Selling More than Movies and Snacks? Mine Is.

Maybe I just didn't notice last time I was in a theater. Or maybe it's been too long since I've been out to see a movie.

Anyway, I recently found out that my theater is selling more than just movies and snacks.

My wife and I went out on a rare "us only" trip to see a movie. Once we paid and got past the ticket taker, I noticed a whole section (still in the lobby) of movie cardboard cutouts -- you know, those life-size (or close to it) standing figurines used to promote movies. They had a big collection of them from movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, and the like. Then I looked closer and saw that each one had a price tag on it. They were selling these for $20-$50 (depending on the size, popularity, etc.). Wow, selling advertising pieces. I had to applaud them for their capitalistic initiative, but I wondered who would really pay those prices for such things. Never mind telling me, I KNOW someone will.

So here's my question: are any of you seeing this sort of thing in your theaters as well or is this just some sort of random Michigan thing?

Comments

[Dangger]

I was alwasy under the impression those things were sent back to their headquarters and destroyed. Cause I would love to grab one of this victoria secrets murals =P

[rwh]

That's why we only give our kids enough money to buy a ticket.

[Jon]

Interesting, I had no idea you were in Michigan. Maybe it's just your theater - I live in the Metro-Detroit area (east side) and haven't seen anything like this. I'm a little curious on which theater is doing this though.

[Aaron]

That's really funny. I worked in theaters for quite a while, and all that stuff just got pitched in the dumpsters when we pulled it down. Unless an employee wanted it or someone offered you $$$ for it to disappear.

[Rob]

Down here, theaters have started providing a larger selection of food so you can actually have a meal instead of just popcorn and a snack. I know I had to take a second glance when I saw quesadillas on the menu! I'd much prefer food over a cardboard cutout but I think we'll stick with NOT buying anything (from the theater) other than the tickets. I'm just glad the tickets are so cheap...oh, wait...

[Rachel @ Master Your Card]

It has been a while since I have been to see a film but here in the UK they do not sell that sort of thing. We can buy sweets in enormous bags as well as pick and mix, hot dogs, nachos and popcorn and that is about it. It is a great idea though - I bet there are loads of people who would be willing to pay good money for that sort of thing.

[Lolita]

Sounds like a young and ambitious manager is running the place. My sister worked at a theater in high school and they weren't allowed to sell the cutouts. They are promotional items normally not for resale and purchased on a corporate level. The theater that my kids go to usually has small posters, pins, magnets and other nifty little gadgets they set on the ticket counter for patrons to take for free. They never sell this stuff because it's against the law.

Convenience stores are the same way. Vendors bring in promotional items to help sell their stuff. We've all seen the NASCAR cutouts. When I worked in a local store in my younger years, our soda vendors all brought in coolers to place drinks in near the register. The deal was, after the summer was over, the store employees could take the coolers home. We did. Of course, the store could have sold them, but again, that would have been against the law....not to mention unethical.

[Kimberly]

I knew some theater employees in high school and college that would take those (as well as posters and other promo items) home when the promotion was over. I also know sometimes they would just give them to you if you asked. They're kinda cool for college apartment decoration. Or if you're one of those rich people who have a "theater" room in your basement you could decorate with them. Some would be appropriate for a Man Room, a kid's room, or a game room, too. They're just as tacky as those Fathead things.

[Kyle]

I know more than a few people with those things in their living room.

[AdamCO]

this reminds me of pulling beer banners and stuff out of dumpsters to decorate college apartments. there seems to be an obsession among college kids to decorate their apartments with what is quite literally garbage.

[Jo]

I would buy one for the youth room, that would be awesome!!

But I was also under the impression that those things were either pitched or you had to have an in with someone at the theater to get it.

[Counting Pennies]

wow. Never heard about something like this before. Smart move, I think.

[rdub98]

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away those items were just promotional items. However, in recent years (probably the last 10), those promotional items have become collectors items and if you look on eBay you will find many such items for sale. However, what the theater is selling is mass produced promotional items specifically designed for retail sale. The cutouts that are worth the money are the ones from when the movies were originally released (ex: Original Star Wars movie poster that hung in the theater in 1977 when the movie was released or original Indiana Jones cutout from the first movie, etc.). And if you can get an original signed by one of the actors its value skyrockets. Believe it or not, there is a big market for memorabilia and collectibles of that sort.

[DCS]

Haven't seen them in theaters (because I don't go to them) but I have seen them at a store in a mall. I believe it was Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills. They were not cheap either.

I had no trouble resisting the urge to buy one. To each their own, but for me it seems like one more "that was neat back in the day" things in the basement that for some reason always end up in front of or on top of something useful that I need to get at.