Andy Goes To The Movies
The following is a weekly 60 Minutes commentary by CBS News correspondent Andy Rooney. The segment was originally broadcast on Dec. 17, 2006. It was updated on Aug. 29, 2007.
On most Sunday evenings, I watch 60 Minutes at home like everyone else. I don't see anything but my own part of it before the program is broadcast.
Recently I watched Lesley's piece on people who rent movies to watch on their television screen in their own living room instead of going to a theater.
Lesley had some figures I'm not sure of. She said a company called Netflix made $688 million renting movies last year.
Well, I may be wrong but I don't think renting movies to watch at home for $5.00 is ever going to be the way most Americans see a movie. You can't rent the popcorn.
The phrase "Going to the movies" means something special. It's more than just watching something on a screen. It's more than entertainment and it isn't anything at all like watching a movie at home. I've been going to the movies since I was about eight years old and I still enjoy it occasionally. My mother used to give me thirty five cents, which bought the ticket and the popcorn or caramel corn. Now she'd have to give me about $8 or more for the ticket and $5 for the popcorn.
Sitting in your own regular chair in your own living room may be easy but watching a movie that way is like having a party and not having anyone else come.
There are all sorts of good things about actually going to a theater. Your phone doesn't ring during the movie. No one starts talking to you about President Bush during an exciting part of the show. The seats are different than your chair in your living room but they are comfortable.
If there's someone too tall in front of you, you can always move over a couple of seats.
I think the best thing about actually going to the movies though is being in an audience with other people around you. You don't know them but you laugh or cry when they laugh or cry. You bond with a lot of strangers. It's a friendly feeling even though you don't get involved with them. Your only relationship to the other people in the theater is the feeling you're sharing about that movie. I like that.
You can watch a picture at home if you want but I'm going to the movies.
Produced By Andy Rooney