OLDSMAR, Fla. -- The mother of a disabled teen complained to the American Civil Liberties Union after she and her son were kicked out of a movie theater because he was laughing too loudly.

Susan Brown said she and her 19-year-old son, Matt, were asked to leave an AMC Woodlands 20 theater during a showing of "The Pink Panther" Sunday. An AMC spokeswoman said several patrons complained about the teen's outbursts.

Susan Brown said she was outraged. Her son has Angelman syndrome, a neurological disorder that impairs a person's ability to speak and maintain balance. The disorder also affects mental development and can prompt excessive laughter and seizures.

"Here's a child that was laughing at a comedy," she said. "His way of expressing delight and joy at this movie was laughing, but because his communication technique got in the way of someone else's space, he had to leave."

Brown, 46, said her son laughed at all the funny parts during "The Pink Panther," a slapstick comedy starring Steve Martin as Inspector Clouseau. He also laughed at some parts that others didn't find so funny, she said.

About an hour into the film, a manager approached and asked her to step outside. After refusing because she couldn't leave her son unattended, the manager asked them to leave. She refused their offer of a refund.

"Several members of the theater audience complained that the guest's outbursts were disruptive," AMC spokeswoman Melanie Bell said in a statement.

Brown said Matt has always enjoyed the movies. He's never been asked to leave before.

"We won't change our lives," she said. "We'll keep going to the movies, but we won't go there, obviously."
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Yeah, not like the other people there, that paid the movie price, want to have a good time and actually hear the movie they wanted to see.

I can see both sides to that issue, on one hand, the other patrons were trying to enjoy a film they'd paid for, on the other hand, they are refusing their services due to a mental illness...I am afraid I don't know quite where to side here, save to say i feel they were a bit too harsh on the youth...

Another incident involving a mentally handicapped person in a theatre.

I agree with Glacies, it's hard to take sides . . .

If I could kick everyone out of the theater that disturbed my experience while watching a movie I would be a happy camper.

I hate when people make bothersome noises while I'm at a theater, but in this case, the guy couldn't help it. It was a medical condition that caused his outbursts. I'd be much more understanding of that then I would of others just being ignorant.

Quite a few years back, Yul Brynner was performing in the King and I at the Fischer Theater here in Detroit. A group of mentally challenged people were in attendance of the show. Because of their uncontrollable noises and outbursts, Yul refused to come out for the second act until the "offensive" people were removed.

how rude!!!!

thats just harsh............

Here's a debate topic if I ever saw one!

hmmm...I'm going to have to suspend judgment on this one too...

Wrong if you ask me.

Look, if I spend $9 for a movie ticket and someone is clearly disruptive, even if it is an infant crying and screaming, then they need to go. The kid's rights do not supercede those of the greater number of people. Let the kid rent it on DVD and blow his milk outa his nose on Mom's carpet.

Actually, this is a reason I will never watch a comedy on the big screen. First of all, its a comedy.....not a whole lot of action, so why do you need a big screen ?. More importantly, everyone's view on humor is different, and people will laugh at different parts in the film. This would just be a thorn in my side for the entire movie, specially if someone is laughing at something I really didn't find funny, but instead Im trying to listen to further my understanding of the plot. If you go to the theater to see a comedy, you should expect something like this.

This happened close to where I lived. Interestingly enough the parent didn't make a scene. I found it to be sad though.

It is very hard to takes sides in this argument as the poor boy is handicapped and cannot help his excessive laughter, while the other people did pay their money to come and enjoy the movie without being distracted by another patron.

should people with turettes(sp) be banned from theatres ?

Well Its not there fault...

I don't find it that difficult at all. Anyone who cannot refrain from being disruptive, in the opinion of the rest of the movie goers, needs to leave. Be it innapropriate laughter, cell phones, flatulence, drukneness, whatever.
I am tired of making the world slow down for the weak, stupid or obnoxious.

which category does this boy or people with turettes fall into ?

At least two.

My response depends... who should yield ? The ones who couldnt watch the movie or he that was being disruptive ?

I will say it depends . If he was laughing so loudly that no one else could even watch the movie they payed for my response is this: He should be removed. The enjoyment of one does not override the enjoyment of 100 . If this was the case his mother was the one being immature about it - even if he has a disability it doesnt mean everyone has to be nice and "just deal with it" it means He and his mother should be nice and accept the fact that they are being disruptive and simply rent the movie later on. It isnt that painfull. Being considerate is about you revolving around the world, not the world revolving around you .

Yes, if they are not letting others watching the movie, they paid for. Sorry they have something wrong with them, but if I pay for a movie, I want to watch it not listen to some guy laugh uncontrollably, and disrupting the movie.

i suppose, and hope, you would all agree that a movie theater could post clearly that they allow such people into thier theaters and anyone is buying thier ticket at thier own risk, then that would be ok ?

^^^
No, they already warn that disruptive behavior is not allowed.
Is it ok to post a sign on the highway that an epileptic might be driving and to proceed at your own risk? Or that a bulemic may be in the supermarket and to watch out for puddles of vomit?
Sheesh dude.

I used something similar to this in a speech I wrote for language arts class. In fact, I think Kratos posted it. It was a bit ago. The speech was about people with mental disorders. Besides, it was a comedy, as someone pointed out before. As in HaHa. As in, people laugh. "Sorry, you laughed at a part someone else didn't find funny, we're going to have to remove you from the theater".

The real question is if people would let this happen if the boy was not mentally disabled. They have the same rights, true? That means they need to be treated with respect. And, if you feel, punished as others would be. We have a group of mentally disabled kids at our school. They have lunch the same time we do, and aren't exactly quiet. We don't say they have to go. We understand that we need to respect(key word here) other people, problems or none.

i dont consider that to be a valid comparison

and if i own a movie theater, youre telling me i cant openly accept these types of people ?

give them a free pass on thier uncontrollable behavior ?

how intolerent and dictatorial

Yes, respect, that also means that I need not tolerate a disruptive kid, because of his disrepectful mother who thinks she has the right to intrude on others.

Did they ask the kid how he felt about it? Probably not because he doesn't know any better.
This is just a case of the mother's pride, wanting her son to be normal, but he's not. She should have known something like this would happen, especially a movie theatre.

How is she intruding on others? Just by complaining. So if I were to go to a, say representative from my school, because I didn't agree with what they though, that'd be intruding? Please explain how you find this intruding.

see now youre just avoiding my point entirely




we go back and forth alot you and i

no shame in admitting youre wrong

She is intruding on the rights of the other paying moviegoers by keeping her disruptive son in there. The same for the numbskulls who insist on using cells in movies. If a person was drunk (another disease) and unruly, would they not be removed?

I'm guessing that you don't have much pactience or compassion for others, do you?
I'm not trying to start an arguement, but is there anything about you that other's might find disruptive or annoying to others?

From your previous posts, I get the impression that anyone "out of the norm" that might disrupt a process, shouldn't be allowed to participate in said process.
So, should this kid be regulated to watch movies at home because he could potentially cause a problem?
I don't see it as the mother being disrespectful, I see it as her wanting to take her son to a movie.

So are you saying that a 100 or so people should just disregard the disruption and shut up and 'enjoy' the movie.

Not regulated, he may have good days, in which he could watch a movie. However, if he is disruptive, his mother should have had the compassion, as you use the word, to leave. Even mom's with screaming kids go to another part of the church.
What you are trying to pass on to me as a lack of compassion is just wrong. What about compassion for the other 99 people being disturbed in the movie theatre? I am so sick of people who think that standing up for one's rights, and not suffering the invasive rudeness in our society today is a sign of a lack of compassion.
Bottom line, if he were in a theatre I was in, and acting disruptive, I would first ask him, or mom, if they could tone it down a bit. Chances are, the mom would not react well, even to a polite request. If she did react well and tried to control her son's noise, I would look on the situation more favorably.
There are certain expectations in society, esp in certain venues. Do you think that behaviours such as that could be tolerated in a conventional classroom and still be able to teach the other kids. The world is a realistic and often cruel place.

I'm just saying that people should be a little more understanding.
It's just my opinion.
Perhaps I'm a little more open to things like that because I have Relapsing/Remitting Multiple Schlerosis.

^^^
I agree that people should be more understanding. How about starting with mom realizing that her kid was disruptive and understand that the other 100 people's needs outweighed those of her son to be there.

That's fine.
You have your opinion, I have mine.
It doesn't make either one of us wrong.

Truce!

My wife's sister is mentally retarded and has autism. I feel sympathy for her, but I also understand there are things she can't do or participate in because of her condition. This kid's mother knew her son's condition yet is surprised at the outcome of this situation. There are things to do for this kid that are fun for him and for her, movie theaters are probably not a good idea though.

Edit: Removed from profanties and language.
Watch your tongue.
BurnSide

Post Removed, Refers to Deleted Post.

omg you call a truce with him but not with me ?

youre getting soft

Actually, I never saw the need to call a truce with you, we fight all the time!
I just tired of the issue, and had said just about everything I had to say about it.

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