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Movie theater apologizes

The family of a disabled teen kicked out for his loud laughter is offered a private screening.

By NICOLE JOHNSON
Published March 3, 2006

OLDSMAR - The movie theater that kicked out a disabled 19-year-old man for laughing too loudly during a comedy has apologized and offered to give the teen and his family a private screening.

"I think it comes down to the fact that we wanted to help make the situation right," said Melanie Bell, AMC spokeswoman. "From the bottom of our hearts, we regret that Matt (Brown) and his family had this experience at our theater. We're really committed to making sure that everyone has a good experience and regret that wasn't the case with Matt and his family."

Philip Singleton, president of American Multi-Cinema Inc., called Susan Brown, Matt's mother, Wednesday afternoon to apologize.

"He was gracious and apologetic," she said Thursday. "We just wanted to know that we could go to this theater and enjoy movies and laugh."

Sunday, Mrs. Brown took Matt, who has Angelman's syndrome, and his brother to see the 5:25 p.m. showing of The Pink Panther at the AMC Woodlands 20 theaters.

Angelman's syndrome is a neurological disorder that impairs a person's ability to speak and to maintain balance. The disorder also affects mental development and can prompt excessive laughter and seizures.

About an hour into the showing, a theater manager approached Mrs. Brown and asked her to step outside the theater. Other moviegoers had complained that Matt was laughing too loudly, the manager told her. She protested but was told Matt had to leave.

An outraged Brown did leave, then took her story public and filed a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union, she said.

Since Monday, local and national news outlets have contacted Mrs. Brown about the family's ordeal.

She has yet to schedule the private screening but said she will ask if she can invite Matt's classmates to the show. The teen attends Paul B. Stephens Exceptional Student Education Center, a school for the disabled, in Clearwater.

"We aren't looking for money," she said. "To us, the bigger picture here is we're one family of many who want happiness."

Nicole Johnson can be reached at njohnson@sptimes.com or 727445-4162.

[Last modified March 3, 2006, 02:15:34]