CASTLETON – Prior to its 5:35 screening of Alvin and the Chipmunks, a cinema today advised patrons to make sure all babies were switched off and that any children between the ages of 4 and 11 remain on silent throughout the film.

Responding to recent complaints, the AMC Castleton cinema aired a 30-second public service announcement encouraging movie goers to “turn off your kids”.

Right: Image appears courtesy of Heather Gillam. Click to enlarge.

“Out of respect for the viewing pleasure of others”, read the announcement, “please ensure that all toddlers, school-aged children or even young teenagers are switched off throughout the duration of the film. Thank you.”

Despite the warning, however, mother-of-three Janice Patterson was politely asked to leave the cinema after her six-year-old son Matthew went off 11 times during the 97-minute film, while single parent Jonathan Garrett was cautioned for only placing his seven year old son on vibrate.

The cinema today issued a statement regarding the issue, saying that its decision to enforce these new measures was a direct response to several complaints that the cinema had received.

“There have been several complaints about people bringing their children to the cinema”, said the cinema’s owner Mark Purdy. “What we advise is that parents either shut their kids down throughout the movie or just leave them at home”.