Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Minimum Distance for "Day and Date?"

This is topic Minimum Distance for "Day and Date?" in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Lyle Romer (Member # 1266) on 04-25-2005, 12:28 PM:

Does anybody know the minium distance that two theatres must be separated by in order for the studios to allow them to play "day and date?"

Posted by Floyd Justin Newton (Member # 1316) on 04-25-2005, 12:32 PM:

In 1955 it was one (1) mile in Houston. I have no idea
what it is now...if any.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 04-25-2005, 01:05 PM:

WHat I've heard is that a 5 mile radius is between locations for same day/date releases.This radii might be different for some larger cities. Check with your booker on this one, if possible. - Monte

Posted by Brad Allen (Member # 470) on 04-25-2005, 01:59 PM:

In today's world, I would say it depends as much on how good your booker is, and what sort of relationship he has with the film co's. more than anything.

Posted by Jonathan M. Crist (Member # 413) on 04-25-2005, 02:22 PM:

More than anything else, it depends whether your competitor(s)will complain or not, who your comepetitor(s)are and who you are (in terms of booking power). It has little or nothing to do with distance.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 04-25-2005, 05:54 PM:

The last figure I heard was 3 miles. At least that's the case for our size market (city with 100,000 population), with most people getting around by car.

Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 04-25-2005, 07:01 PM:

The film companies do set distance rules based on population demographics, however a good booker can get by those.

ALWAYS get a great booker, and never allow day and date rules to prevent you from squashing your competition.

Ciao

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 04-27-2005, 02:07 PM:

Well, back in the day, in New York City the distance was exactly one block! While the "flagship" theatres on Broadway were playing the premiere engagement, right around the corner on Forty Second Street, the Brandt chain (11 theatres between Broadway and 8th Ave.) were running the exact same first run titles PLUS they gave you a cartoon AND a "B" second feature, all for half the price of the Broadway houses. It was a movie lover's paradise.

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 04-27-2005, 07:25 PM:

Well in the Times Square area now. It can range from 8 blocks to 12 blocks. There is only 4 operating theatres left in that area. So the 1000+ seat Clearview Ziegfeld Theatre plays most of the time day and date with either the Loews 42nd Street E-Walk complex or the AMC Empire 25. But Loews has played a few engagements day and date with their State Theatre in the basement of the Virgin Megastore with the Ziegfeld. Forty Second Street is 12 blocks from the Ziegfeld on 54th Street.

The old distance Mann Theatres used in Los Angeles was 5 miles.