Yesterday, I posted on AMC Mainplace being the first Orange County theatre to break the $6 ticket barrier. Following a quick bit of research, I ran across some additional “controversial” ground this venue broke in the county.
- In August of 1988, Mainplace held the Orange County exclusive engagement for “The Last Temptation of Christ”. The film’s religiously controversial subject matter saw all other county cinemas pass on the booking.
- In May of 1989, Mainplace set a new high in county ticket prices, with a $6.50 adult admission; in conjunction with the release of “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”.
- In October of 1990, Mainplace was among the first theatres to show an NC-17 rated film, with “Henry and June” (the first film to obtain the, then new, adult rating). The film’s Mainplace screening was the site of a well publicized protest by local activists.
- In October of 1998, Mainplace was the sole Orange County cinema to screen “Orgasmo”; an extremely limited release, NC-17 rated comedy, from the creators of the “South Park”, that lampooned pornography and the Mormon church.
Demonstrating how drastically tides can turn within the ever changing world of cinema, the theatre’s current operator, Picture Show Entertainment, is better known for “wholesome” entertainment and discount ticket prices. The theatre, which once tested the limits of county tastes and pocket books, now caters to families and offers the county’s lowest ticket prices.
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