You need one of these!
http://www.globalgadgetuk.com/Personal.htm
A Cell phone blocker!
I contend most anti-smoking laws won favor because too many smokers are so rude that non-smokers felt the need to fight back. I think you are seing the same thing with cell users. They are rude and they will evetually be treated the same as the smokers - ostracized from the public square.
All I know is I never had $8 to throw away (much less use of a cell phone with "limitless" minutes)... these disruptors must have a bottomless pit of coin or enablers (aka parents).
My position: let potential customers know that all transmissions will be blocked before accepting money for a ticket so that others can enjoy the shew (so sez Frontrow Joe).
If I were out at a show without my kids I would put my cell on silent so I would be able to check if I was needed without disturbing anyone. If the theaters decided to block my ability to do that I would stop going.
Frankly, legal or not, I'd have been blocking them years ago.
It would seem that, despite recent numbers showing their profits to be declining, theater owners still think they have too many customers.
"We support this change as a way to convince more movie viewers to stay home and wait for the DVD release." an Association spokesman explained.