Posted on 05/17/2005 7:28:34 PM PDT by corsair
Fonda flick doesn't fly in Hardin County
By JOHN FRIEDLEIN
The owner of Hardin County's two movie theaters is refusing to show the nation's top-grossing movie.
Like many veterans, Ike Boutwell has an issue with "Monster-in-Law" star Jane Fonda. On the ticket window at the Elizabethtown Movie Palace is a sign that tells movie goers the cinema will not show the film because of what she did in Vietnam. Below the message are pictures of Fonda clapping with a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft crew in 1972.
The sign on the marquee outside Showtime Cinemas in Radcliff reads: "No Jane Fonda movie in this theater."
More than 30 years after the war's end, Boutwell still bears a grudge.
"I trained a lot of pilots during the Vietnam conflict," he said.
Some of his students died from rounds fired from guns like the one Fonda visited during her anti-war trip.
"I think when people do something, they need to be held responsible for their actions," he said. "When you give the enemy aid, it makes the war last longer."
He also refused to show Michael Moore's controversial "Fahrenheit 9/11" and has banned Fonda movies from his theater in the past. Fonda's last movie was 1990's "Stanley & Iris."
Boutwell's stance against her latest movie means he's taking a financial hit. "Monster-in-Law" was last weekend's top-grossing movie, bringing in more than $23 million at 3,424 locations nationwide, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. and Nielsen EDI Inc.
The film is a romantic comedy about a mom who tries to wreck her son's relationship.
Amy Haire, who works the ticket booth of the Elizabethtown theater, has received mixed reaction to Boutwell's decision.
"A lot of the older gentlemen thought it was great," she said.
She got bad looks, though, from some girls and young women who wanted to see the film. She would point to the pictures and tell them it's the owner's discretion not to show it.
Joe Kinney, of Radcliff, said the theater should show the movie and let customers make up their minds about whether to see it. However, he said he isn't a fan of Fonda for political reasons.
Despite a few negative comments, Boutwell received mostly positive feedback.
One Elizabethtown man made a special trip to the theater Monday to thank him.
"I think Vietnam veterans appreciate this," said Sal Mancuso, who fought in the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam war. He thinks Fonda should be in prison for treason.
Asked about her belated apology for posing in the anti-aircraft pictures, Mancuso laughed. "There is no defense for what she did," he said.
Spc. Mike Carwile, who is with a National Guard medical detachment, said he wasn't even a twinkle in his father's eye when Fonda visited Vietnam.
The 22-year-old learned about her Vietnam War-era activities when he saw the notice outside the theater Monday. He supported Boutwell's decision.
"I think everyone's responsible for what they do," he said.
John Friedlein can be reached at 769-1200, Ext. 237, or e-mail him at jfriedlein@thenewsenterprise.com.
Treason is a capital crime with no statute of limitations.
BTTT!
I'd like to find a web address for the theater to show my support of his decision.
Ike earns a Bravo Zulu. Hit 'em where it hurt$$$
Already posted and not breaking news but certainly worth a BUMP
This man deserves a standing O for his decision.
What's next?
1. Jane Fonda will cry CENSORSHIP
2. The ACLU will sue on behalf of Jane Fonda and claim that this theater owner is violating her First Amendment rights.
Bully for him!
I would never believed it... someone who can hold a grudge longer than my mother.
Thank you Ike Boutwell!!!!!!!
One more reason why I love the bluegrass state!
Ike Boutwell, job well done, sir. This grudge-bearing veteran salutes you.
And, I'm also still chuckling about the tobacco juice guy (yeah, yeah, it was not right. I'm still chuckling about it, however.)
.
I seem to recall that the Commander of one of San Antonio's Air Force Bases back in the 1980s saw Jane Fonda exercise videos on sale in the BX and, as a former POW, hit the roof. He ordered them removed immediately, and they stayed gone while he was in charge.
Mancuso and a whole lot of other Americans.
Not Fonda Jane Bump!
It's not a "grudge," that is like some frivolous slight that gets forgotten over time,Mr. Friedlein. This act of treason has never been adjucated and sentenced. It's NOT to be considered as just some inconsequential "grudge."
Fonda is an affront and insult to America.
I think the movie isn't doing too well, box office-wise.
Back in the 80s when I was stationed onboard the USS Duluth (LPD-6), someone put a Jane Fonde movie (can't remember which one) on the ship's entertainment system. Well, the CO found out about it and went down and yanked out the video. Then he got on the ship's 1MC and told the crew about what Jane did in North Vietnam (i.e. posing next to the anti-aircraft gun that shot down U.S. pilots).
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