I grew up doing this.
Of course, I grew up in an Air Force family, and went to the base theaters.
Mandating it by law is a little off-putting, but merely expanding the custom at sporting events into other venues does not strike me as particularly problematic.
Of course, that makes me a fascist...in some quarters. Didn’t think those quarters could possibly include FR.
As a voluntary thing... great. Don’t even need to be enforcing respect for it... the moviegoers can keep on getting their popcorn, etc. But it would become like a prelude to the show.
I don’t recall hearing the Star Spangled Banner at the old Bill Chickering...
I ALSO grew up doing this. My father enlisted in 1939 and remained in service until 1964. He did ‘Sicily’, on a troop ship getting torpedoed and was in the battle of Rome and was occupation in Germany at the end and after the war. My entire family was intimately familiar with base/post theaters and the practice.
My sister was born in Germany when my mother came to be with him. I myself did 8 years (1968-1976) nearly 7 were overseas.
You have to think about what your country is about. It shouldn’t be about mandating any behavior - and that includes adherence to things like this. It is EARNED and valued by those who realize what that value really is.
Fascism is direct oppressive regulation of a free society to impose political will. You might blithely shuck if off as my being against patriotism or the like, but I surely don’t. You should be ashamed of adding a “didn’t think FR would be....”
Same with me at Army posts. When they retired the flag for the evening with playing of taps, if we were riding bikes or driving cars you were expected to get off your bike, stop your car, get out and face the direction of the garrison flag.
I don’t see a problem with lining I-5 with garrison flags in LA and instituting the practice there ... or they can get off their fat *** and stand or at least keep quiet for the flag and anthem that represent the sacrifices of those who shed their blood so Americans could pick spuds out of their teeth following one of Hollyweird’s re-makes.