Written by James Buce
For weeks now, rumors have been floating around campus that Searcy Cinema’s $3 Tuesday movie night had ceased to exist. Though there were nights when the theater did not offer the discount, $3 Tuesday movie night will continue this semester.
According to Matt Smith, the owner of Searcy Cinema 8 and Harding graduate, the movie theater still offers the discount depending on the movie companies.
“Specials are seasonal,” Smith said. “We have several discounts, but it depends on the distributor of the movie.”
Tuesday is still Family Night according to the theater’s Web site, so the $3 movie night will continue as long as the distribution companies allow it.
The movie theater is only able to offer discounts on certain movies and during select times of the year. Distribution companies own the rights to the movies, and they select when and what movies can be discounted.
There are times of the year when movie companies do not allow discounts on movies for financial reasons. Searcy Cinema 8 has to follow the guidelines set by the companies, and, consequently, some movies are unable to be discounted.
During the summer months and Christmas holiday there are no movies discounts. Currently at the local movie theater, the movies are still holiday movies.
Searcy Cinema 8 has recently invested $1 million for renovations including a Dolby Digital 3D projection system and upgraded DTS sound system in all of the theaters. The 3D screen was unveiled last semester with “A Christmas Carol” and is currently playing “Avatar.”
Improvements have also been added to the outside of the theater including a new sign and lighted movie posters. In the lobby there are new plasma televisions with previews of upcoming movies. The restrooms have also been refurbished and several theaters boast new high back seats.
Searcy Cinema 8 also plans on transitioning all of the theaters to stadium seating by December. $3 movie night will continue during renovations.
