I had $10 for tonight .My 2 kids wanted to go to a movie.Howell cost $2 a person we could get in for $6.So I stopped at a convenient store they each got one pack of candy.Get to the theatre.No handicap parking.Pay for the tix.my wheelchair won't fit thru the entrance door.Had to go back out thru the line to a delivery entrance which had 10" step.After getting people to pick me up thru the door ,one of which was just walking by down the sidewalk.Thanks for the help but still an inconvenience and quite embarassing as everyone watched me almost be dumped out on the ground.Get inside the theatre .Thank God the movie we picked was downstairs.Upstairs would have been impossible.In the theatre no openings to sit in a wheelchair so I with the help of my kids transferred over to a normal seat.My kids parked the chair in the corner so not to block the isle.Five minutes into the movie usher boy comes by and says he has to take the candy from my kids...Your kidding right....no he took the unopened candy from them.I kept quiet not to embarass my children anymore.My youngest went to go to the bathroom and the theatre exit door was so strong she couldn't push it open to get out.My oldest went with her to be able to open the door.Four teenage girls that the usher boy was flirting with in front of us.Ten minutes or so before the end of the movie.Dude comes from up the isle and gives them what seemed to me and my girls to be the candy he took from them.We all looked in amazement as the teenagers and the usher boy giggled.Of course after the movie I had to be lowered back out of the side door as everyone was leaving.I was so mad I couldn't enjoy the movie..Luckily the kids did..Keep this in mind when going to this theatre.It's old,sticky,smells old and is not up to todays codes....We will never go back again.Wasn't worth the $6 we spent there.oh ya after usher boy made his rounds .Everyone who took in a pocket book unloaded their candy and bottles of pepsi etc...for the rest of the movie.Next time we will go to one of the nicer theatres.There is a reason theirs is $2
Charging 2.00 per person draws people into a theater. Most theaters make the majority of their profits from their food concessions. I've never been to a theater where you could bring outside food - Drive-In's are the only exceptions I've ever seen and they are not the same - very little overhead. The Howell theatre has been around for ages, like many old businesses, they were built before wheelchairs had to be accommodated. They are grandfathered in when it comes to access laws of recent past. While it stinks for people who are confined to wheelchairs, making the renovations would be quite costly. It's a shame when employees are immature, but with what theatres have to offer as pay - especially the small 2.00 admission ones like the Howell, quality help is likely slim pickings. In the future, it may be wise to call ahead and ask about accessibility prior to going to an older building, as well as the option of bringing your own food in order to avoid embarrassment, inconvenience, and aggravation.
"The Howell Theatre was built in 1935 by Mr. Rudolph Howell as a one-screen cinema, seating approximately 600 movie-goers. It was built in the heart of downtown Smithfield, NC, becoming an integral part of the downtown business community. In the late 1970's, the theatre underwent a major remodeling, including the conversion from a one-screen to a two-screen (balconies intact) cinema. Later, in 1986, the theatre underwent another considerable remodeling, concerting the balconies of the two cinemas into two addition screens, for a total of four screens. Unlike the two lower floor auditoriums, the upper auditoriums contain stadium seating. In 1996, the ownership and operation of the Howell Theatre changed hands as Mr. Howell sold the theatre to Mr. Mickey Buffaloe. Some minor remodeling was accomplished, including the relocation of the concession bar and updating the auditorium sound systems. " You ain't from 'round here are ya .............. Used to be, the biggest complaint was that black folk were made to sit on the balcony. My time was after desegregation. I though it was cool to sit up top. ...And what mama didn't know, didn't kill her. :mrgreen:
I appreciate the history of the theater, I really do. But having a disability has enough of it's own problems, a public building that is not accommodating can be very humiliating (especially in front of your children when you are trying to maintain a role of authority.) I have seen other older buildings (in Clayton) have added freestanding wheelchair lifts. There needs to be an even ground some how. How is someone in a wheelchair supposed to know where they are 'allowed' and not allowed to go? They shouldn't have to plan out every step of their day and call ahead to all of those places. I love the history and culture of our county, but think about how dangerous that would have been if there was a fire. With no one to help him/her back into the chair, and out the door etc....
I agree 100%! ...Only problem is, the Johnston County Good 'Ol Boys, be they politicians or just upper crust (increasingly crusty) whose pockets are deep and nicely lined, are yet to need such services. It's all about the dollar. I have a pessimistic soul. .... And stylish rose colored glasses that are becoming increasingly faded. :-(
I will go back I love going to the Howell Theatre. I love the old time feeling of going to the theatre. if you don't like I suggest you try to Blue Ridge Theatre in Raleigh. It is a $1.50 a movie. Personally, I would much rather go to the Howell. sorry you had issues with getting in but don't complain because they caught you breaking the rules. there is a sign on the door that says no outside food or drinks
Sorry to hear about your experience at the Howell. They should have warned you about no handicap access. Thank the Lord there was not a reason to evacuate while you were there. I have not been to the Howell in years. Many years ago the saying was if you were going to the Howell to be sure and buy 2 bags of popcorn. One for you and one for the mice. LOL
You aren't the only one who had a bad experience there. My husband and I are deaf and most movie theaters that we went at other places, would give us 50% discount for unable to hear the movie. We ended up paying full price at Howell and never going back there again. We really enjoy going to White Oak Theater, where they offer closed-captioning movie. They care about people with disabilities, from balcony for wheelchair only to closed captioned for the deaf. They are the best. You should visit there. It's very clean and friendly place.
I think the Howell has character and I've had a good experience each time I've gone. The newer theaters will be more handicap accessible. That being said, the handicap should have no bearing on whether or not you're allowed to stash and carry snacks. I've been known to carry snacks in with me but if they catch me I'm not going to complain...if you choose the action, you choose the consequence. The other theater in Smithfield (near the outlet mall) is a nice theater...not as expensive as White Oak (more than Howell). They have stadium seating and open spots on the ends of aisles for wheelchairs. Blue Ridge (on Western Bld. in Raleigh) is a good cheap theater, too.
You expected a 50% discount for a $2 show? I could understand it for one of the bigger, more expensive theaters, maybe, but you are still taking up a seat. Just trying to figure it out, not flaming.
Thanks for the understanding comments...Hope the less understanding commenters will never be in my situation..God forbid but if so they would have a different opinion...I went to the theatre and almost got dumped out on the sidewalk on my face and I already have a spinal cord injury and my back was broke in four places!..not a risk I'll take again....Flame on if you'd like ..I do believe the comment about feeding the rats...LOL! I guess I should have had a "history" lesson on it before going ?????
