Movie Ticket Giveaway Draws Lots Of Film Fans

Spokane Valley moviegoers give “Die Hard” new meaning.

Thousands lined up Wednesday night to get free movie tickets for the grand opening of Act III Theaters’ new Spokane Valley 12.

Jill Bell, who arrived at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, was first in line. She brought lawn chairs, a cooler filled with Diet Pepsi, and a purple, battery-operated fan.

“It’s about having no shame,” said the 33-year-old mom, who waited outside the theater complex at the Spokane Valley Mall for five hours in the 80-plus-degree heat.

“I feel like a fool,” said Bell, “but also privileged that I’m getting the tickets. I usually can’t afford to go to the movies.”

Die-hard cinema buffs waited in line Wednesday and Thursday night to see such second-run movies as “Independence Day,” “Jerry Maguire,” and “Mission Impossible.”

Once the box office opened at 4 p.m. Wednesday, employees distributed 2,200 free tickets in about an hour and had to add another screening for the 2,000 people still waiting, said an Act III employee.

The free movie festival is a way for Spokane residents to “kick the tires” of the newest theater in Spokane, says Randall Blaum of the Portland-based Act III Theaters.

“This is not a postage stamp,” says Blaum, showing off one of the 12 auditoriums inside the theater complex.

“You’re sitting inside the best auditorium that money can build in the real world.”

Blaum gave away $3,000 in cash and thousands of free movie tickets prior to the screenings on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Idalia Apodaca brought her purple lawn chairs, her math homework and her Edo fried noodles and plopped herself down to wait for tickets.

The 32-year-old teacher heard about the free tickets on the radio and decided to surprise her family.

“I’m just excited about the cupholders,” said Apodaca. “Have you ever tried to hold your drink and your popcorn at once?”

Not only do the auditoriums have cupholders, but 24 surround-sound speakers, three separate digital sound systems and track lighting.

The auditoriums also have stadium-style “raised” seating, with every seat seven inches higher than the one in front of it.

“No matter how big the bouffant is, you’ll be able to see the screen,” says Blaum.

The technological advances in the Spokane Valley 12 match Spokane’s commitment to movie watching.

“Spokane Valley moviegoers, on a per-capita basis, beat L.A., Chicago and New York City hands down,” he said.

“They’re basically movie nuts, which of course means we love them.”

, DataTimes