(Vanity) Brokeback Mountain, a Curious Attendance Story

Michael Medved Radio | 1-6-06 | Vanity

[Balding_Eagle]

Did anyone else hear this on the Michael Medved talk radio today?

A man called in, near the end of the hour. He said he had been taken his kids to the theater, and the kids movie they were waiting to see had a very long line. Brokeback Mountain was also showing at that theater. He said he sat near the ticket booth for 35 minutes, as his kids waited in line to buy tickets for their movie.

During that 35 minutes he never heard one person buy a ticket for Brokeback Mountain. However, during that 35 minutes, the “SOLD OUT” sign came on for Brokeback. Out of curiosity, he went in to the Brokeback theater, and only saw 4 people in there. The theater manager refused to comment when the man questioned him.

Is this how all those theaters are getting such high attendance for Brokeback? Imaginary theater goers?

Perhaps other theater goers can investigate for themselves this weekend.

I can only vouch for the fact that this man called in a related the story as I presented it here, not if it’s true. Callers can make up stories too. It peaked my interest though.

[joem15]

If the manager is playing games with the tickets he may have technically sold it out by playing switcheroo with the other venues.

As howard Dean said on Hardball: "you can't play, you know, hide the salami, or whatever it`s called."

[Road Warrior ‘04]

Brokeback Mountain: Where men are men and sheep are nervous!

[dangus]

Theater's take is typically 45% of the cut. And then there's printing and marketing. But according to some basic rules of thumb, it is rapidly approaching profitability, presuming equally strong DVD and foreign grosses.

[Darkwolf377]

It depends. Double the budget is a rule of thumb and doesn't necessarily apply. What's more important is the cut the studio is getting at this point, which is probably 80%, no less than 70% I'm guessing, so it's very close to making back its budget. Also this is a platform release; it's in less than 10% of the theaters King Kong is in.

It's not important that it hasn't made it's money yet because it's got a long way to go.

[Popman]

Don't know if this passes the smell test.

Why would the theater hang a "sold out" sign on a theater with only four seats filled.

What would stop the theater from selling an additional 10 seats even if it was sold out, unless the ticket program is programmed to stop selling tickets once the seats are all bought?

Anybody know the answer to that question?

[dangus]

The suspicion, I think, is that wealthy gay people are buying up tickets. OF course, if a movie is about to start, you realize no-one is watching it, it might serve a theater owner's interest to make it appear like the movie is a hit, and is succeeding in appealling to a wider audience. Sorta like musicians throwing money into their own hat.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

The most hyper-publicized $15 million dollar movie ever made.

For this movie to achieve its objective, it's going to have to do a lot more than make its money back.

[Darkwolf377]

Theater's take is typically 45% of the cut.

Not true. A rolling take usually starts at anywhere from 70-80% for the first two weeks, then gradually drops.

[Plymouth Sentinel]

Yes Ivan, you're wholly right.

The economy is humming along very, very nicely. Not hot, though. Slow, sustainable, low inflationary growth.

Look for a recovery that heads out toward 8 or perhaps 10 years.

[Darkwolf377]

But it's not just making its money back. it still has theaters to open in and those Oscar nominations it will be getting. More hype, more theaters. besides, who cares if it achieves its objective, whatever that is?

[dangus]

>> Brokeback Mountain opens in Fresno this weekend. At the largest multiplex, Edward’s Cinema , they put it in the separate theatre on the IMAX screen. <<

A western, shot in the mountains, presented on IMAX? That WILL bring per-screen attendance up! Way up! IMAX screens are obscenely expensive, and normally rely on -- and get -- massive audiences.

[MadIvan]

Something else I noticed: stores like Wal Mart, Target and Costco appear to be gaining in popularity. I believe that one of the reasons why inflation is under control is due to discount retailers such as these, who continually are aggressive on prices.

Regards, Ivan

[Doomonyou]

Were they all men?

All sitting in the same chair.

Upside down chair.

[bulldozer]

nmh quote:"It was an okay movie. It's one of the few we've seen in years. I'd recommend it."

You are recommending a movie with two sodomite males who engage in anal sex for the viewers to experience?

I wounldn't recommend this to anyone.

[don-o]

Would agree. But, debt is a major concern. How have we avoided inflation with the massive debt / unbalance of trade, etc?

I am afraid to hear the answer.

[dangus]

I think it's the wild-eyed fervor with which you play up the success...

[dangus]

I think it's the wild-eyed fervor with which you play up the success...

[Darkwolf377]

Also, you're right about the DVD and foreign $$$. The publicity this thing is generating is going to make for a huge curiosity factor from people who want to see it without going to a theater.

[Darkwolf377]

Yes, explaining the facts when people push lies is a wild-eyed fervor. Sorry for thinking you were interested in an honest discussion about movie economics.

[Waco]

Who wants topay to see 2 queer democRATS cruise around a mountain? Comeon now, get series.