“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Will Cook, a second shift projectionist at the Starlight. “He was just sitting there intently watching the movie, enjoying it, and letting it unfold. I’m not even sure why he was there.”
Shaun Jackson was in the theater that night 2 row behind Jones, “I’ve been going to movies in the hood since I was a kid. So I knew something was wrong when he didn’t warn Chris Tucker there was a bad guy hiding in the closet. And then when Johnny Chan kicked that guy through the glass and he just stayed quiet, I knew there was gonna be trouble.”
And indeed there was. It was at that point that audience members stopped loudly voicing their displeasure at the movie’s villain and turned that vitriol towards the silent Jones.
Insults were hurled and applauded, clicking sounds were made, and a number of female audience members sassily stated, “Uh-huh. See I told you not to keep yo mouth shut.”
But Jones says he wasn’t allowed to tell his side of the story, “I was just getting over a cold and the truth is I wanted to yell at the screen. But my voice was still hoarse from yelling at last night’s screening of ‘Becoming Jane’. I tell you, Jane Austen-inspired material really brings it out of me.”
Nevertheless, it ended up being a harrowing experience for Jones, and he has demanded the theater pay him his money back.
But the Starlight’s owner says he has no plans to refund Jones’ money, “Look at our corporate policy. Eight bucks buys you the movie, the seat, and the right to ruin the movie for everyone else in the theater.”
Black Theatergoers Berate Audience Member For Remaining Silent During Screening of Rush Hour 3
In Memphis, eight dollars buys you the movie, the seat, and the right to ruin the movie for everyone else in the theater.
By MATTHEW MONROE
NORTH MEMPHIS—Last Friday the 8:30 showing of Rush Hour 3 started off like any other for the theatergoers at the Malco Starlight Cinema on Memphis’ north side. People yelled at the villains, cheered the heroics of the stars, and predicted what they thought was about to happen in every scene for the entire audience.
It was like any other showing except for one thing: a lone audience member, Walter Jones, remained silent for the duration of the film.
Arts & Entertainment
Free Daily
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January 24, 2008
