Movies are an even better deal

Your story on the average movie ticket prices over the years contained a glaring error in the accompanying illustration. (“Reel fun’s still a real deal,” April 27.)

It is meaningless to compare historical prices without adjusting for inflation. Using an online inflation calculator, the 2008 prices should be:

1928 (35 cents) = $4.17

1942 (27 cents) = $3.80

1961 (69 cents) = $4.83

1982 ($2.94) = $6.71

1994 ($4.18) = $6.00

2007 ($6.88) = $7.07

So the rise is generally steady, but the pricing is generally consistent as well.

Paul Martin Lester,

Professor, Communications

Cal State Fullerton