Quick DVD releases aren’t the problem

Instead of whining about the effect early DVD releases of feature movies has on cinema attendance [“Battle Escalates Over the Speedy Debut of DVDs,” by Elaine Dutka, March 29], exhibitors would be well advised to lower their regular admission prices to under $6. With average ticket prices now near the $10 mark, a family of three or four is better off waiting for the DVD release than seeing the movie on the big screen.

Gordon Froede

Cheviot Hills

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Movie exhibitors may be right about shrinking DVD release windows impacting theater patronage. But if they’re really all that concerned about preserving first-run business, exhibitors should:

* Cut back on in-theater advertising.

* Strictly enforce a no talking/no cellphone rule, with ushers posted in every auditorium.

* Limit parents from bringing babies and toddlers into theaters and/or provide separate auditoriums for children under a certain age (Hollywood’s ArcLight theater offers a “21+” auditorium, which may go too far, but it’s got the right idea).

* Lower or at least put a lid on current admission and concession prices; they’ve gone up at the rate of fuel!

All these steps may cost theater owners some bucks in the short term but may help them stay in business for the long haul.

Gary Goldstein

Los Angeles