Adult-friendly policy starting at KC theater

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- When Jennifer Garretson brought her 3-year-old son to the Cinemark Palace on Kansas City's Country Club Plaza, she was shocked to be turned away. Garretson was one of several parents who hadn't heard that as of the Fourth of July, children under 6 were no longer welcome at the movie theater -- even if they were accompanied by their parents.

"We didn't know anything about it, so it was kind of rotten," said Garretson, of Wichita, Kan., standing next to her 3-year-old son, Samuel, on Thursday.

On Saturday, several young children carried signs protesting the theater's new policy, which also prohibits children between ages 6 and 16 unless they are accompanied by a parent.

Theater officials have said they are not trying to exclude children, but instead reinforcing a more adult-oriented film menu. Terrell Falk, spokeswoman for Dallas-based Cinemark USA, said the theater would no longer show movies rated G or PG. Instead, fliers in the lobby announce the theater will show "adult films, independent films and films geared toward adult audiences."

The policy applies only to the Palace, not to Cinemark's other area theater in suburban Merriam, Kan. The Palace is the only Cinemark theater with a VIP room, where adults can drink alcohol beverages and sit in recliners while watching a movie.

Theater staff appeared to be stopping families with children who clearly were younger than 6. Several groups with children who appeared borderline bought tickets without a challenge.

"I can see that part about having a parent along, but if the parents are there with their children, it's crazy," said Sherry Parks, of Chillicothe, Mo.