Famous Players Policy

When Michelle Amerie attended the recently released film Inspector Gadget with a young friend and her father, she found that Famous Players gave her a little more than she had bargained for - a hard time getting in - and a worse time staying.

According to the manager of the Plaza Theatre in down-town Toronto, Famous Player’s policy is to only allow individuals who can manoeuvre from the entrance of the theatre "without assistance" into the venue. Certainly, Ms. Amerie required assistance, as her ability to move independently is limited due to multiple sclerosis - and the Plaza Theatre is anything but accessible.
Ms. Amerie knew nothing of this policy (misguided as it might be) as she had attended this same theatre, with assistance, in the past. And, in spite of having made appropriate arrangements to be assisted in and out of the theatre this time, theatre management saw fit to demand that she (and company) leave the premises - and not return.

Dealing with the limitations imposed by MS is frustrating enough. Having further restrictions placed on independent movement by discriminatory practice makes matters even worse.

When Ms. Amerie decided not to leave the theatre a confrontation ensued with a threat to call the police to eject her from the premises. In fact, security guards did show up, but the police, apparently were allowed to continue their normal duties.

A half-hour debate ensued between Ms. Amerie’s companion and the theatre manager, under the watchful eyes of the two security guards.

The result: Ms. Amerie was not ejected from the theatre, but the theatre manager proclaimed that Ms. Amerie and company had been "warned." Of what, exactly, remains unclear - I guess we’ll just have to wait for the sequel to find out.