Moviegoing Fits Any Budget At Coeur D’Alene Discount Cinemas

As if bargain prices aren’t enough of a draw, Don Clifton hopes that free popcorn and drinks will attract moviegoers to the new Coeur d’Alene Discount Cinemas during this weekend’s grand opening.

“We’re real decent folk,” Clifton says with a laugh.

Market smart, too. His four-screen movie complex, which is located in the new Prairie Avenue Shopping Center (at the corner of Prairie and Highway 95) is Coeur d’Alene’s first discount theater.

Spokane already has three bargain theaters: the Fox Tri-Cinemas, the Eastside and the Garland.

Clifton, co-owner of the Garland, also says he wants to run a diverse selection of films in the discount four-plex, including the occasional classic and art feature. This would put him in a position to take advantage of the recent problems affecting Spokane’s Magic Lantern Cinemas, whose owners just lost their lease.

For now, however, Clifton is sticking to second-run mainstream movies.

“We’re coming in right behind the Coeur d’Alene and Showboat (cinemas),” Clifton says. “As soon as they’re (through with a film), we’ll have it. We won’t be waiting like we do at the Garland.”

For the opening weekend, Clifton has booked a virtual marquee of Hollywood-inspired product: “The Lost World,” “Wild America,” “A Simple Wish,” “Buddy,” “Speed 2,” “Con Air,” “Gone Fishing” and “Liar Liar.”

Prices at the Coeur d’Alene Discount Cinemas compare favorably to any in the region. Matinee prices will be $1.50 for everyone, and adults will pay only $2.95 for evening showings.

ACT III Theatres, which owns the Coeur d’Alene and Showboat cinemas, recently raised evening prices in its Coeur d’Alene theaters from $5.50 to $6. Matinees remained at $3.

Moviegoers at the Coeur d’Alene Discount Cinemas can see movies in any of four different houses, ranging in capacity from 235 seats to 265.

Beginning Monday, movie-goers will have to pay for their own popcorn. But Clifton plans on adopting the Garland’s “bottomless tub” plan.

And besides, each house will boast foot-thick walls, double wallboard for sound insulation and a better-than-average sound system.

“We don’t have Dolby or THX,” Clifton says, “but we’ve got … four-channel Surround Sound in all of the auditoriums.”

All for just pennies a show.

, DataTimes