We Still Like Movies, But The Way We Watch Them Has Changed

Americans have enjoyed motion pictures for more than a century. Movies have gone from a novelty to entertainment to an art form. They helped us forget our troubles during the Great Depression and our fears through the war years that followed. And, to this day, people can leave the real world outside while concentrating on what's happening on the screen. The question is where do motion pictures fit in today's lifestyles?

A recent Rasmussen poll shows that 55% of Americans rarely or never go to the movies. This is true for the majority of all age groups except for those 40 to 49 where the number drops to 48%. Among those 65+ the negative response jumps to 63%.

Occasional movie attendance, which means less than once a month, is 34% for the total sample. Those 40 to 49 are highest with 42% and New Seniors are lowest at 28%. Regular theater goers, once a month or more, represent just 10% of all respondents.

So who is watching movies and where? About 44% of the people are viewing movies at home once a week or more. Another 41% are doing this occasionally, and only 14% say they rarely or never watch movies in their homes. The 30 to 39 age group is most likely to do this (57%). Those 65+ are least likely (34%).

Excluding those who rarely or never watch movies at home, 59% say they watch it on a premium cable channel or regular network TV. The number is lower for the youngest age groups, 18 to 29 (35%), and increases with age, 65+ (65%). Conversely, 35% of the total rent movies for home viewing. Nearly half (47%) of the youngest demographic do this, while only 16% of New Seniors are renting movies.

What people watch also varies significantly by age. Comedies are twice as popular as any other film genre, with 37% of respondents preferring them compared to 19% for dramas. With those 18 to 29 this type of movie was selected by 42% while among New Seniors the category was only 29%. On the other hand, the older group selected dramas first with 30%, and with the younger audiences it was on 8%

Action films ranked third overall at 15%. As might be expected it was highest with the young crowd at 20%, twice that of the older demographic. Science Fiction was fourth with 10%, but 22% of the 30 to 39 group selected it. Musicals barely made the list; however, 13% of New Seniors chose them.

The survey did not ask about watching movies online, on an iPad or a smart phone. But it's safe to assume that this is a younger audience. The most important thing is there are cost effective ways to enjoy movies. But it is nice to go to the theater, buy some fresh popcorn and a soft drink then sit back as the lights dim and the curtains open to reveal characters that are literally and figuratively bigger than life. That's the way to lose oneself in what's playing on the screen. That's what the movies are all about.

Don Potter is a Philadelphia native and 50 year veteran of the advertising agency business. Now living in Los Angeles, he has written two novels in retirement and frequently writes and speaks on marketing issues. Potter is the founder and editor-in-chief of NewSeniors.com, the first online magazine dedicated to those 65+.

NewSeniors.com articles provide thoughts, comments and opinions designed to spark thinking, foster discussion and stimulate debate. The editorial content features general news and information as well as videos of interest to the burgeoning 65+ audience. A touch of nostalgia is also included. Learn more by logging on to http://www.newseniors.com/

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10 Shows That Changed Television

I guess there is an official list of the ten shows that changed television. Here is mine:

1. The George Gobel Show (1954 to 1960)
George Gobel called himself Lonesome George. Son of a butcher and a Sottish immigrant I think his humor came from the dust of his dad's butcher shop. In those early days of television, his fuzzy face would come on and keep us laughing for thirty minutes.

2. The Milton Berle Show (1948 to 1956)
Milton Berle was born in Harlem the son of a varnish salesman. I'm sure that he learned lots of jokes from his father. His mother loved the stage and Milton was a child star. He was known for stealing jokes and being down right corny. But he kept us laughing until he was driven out my more trendy comedians. But he was Mr. Television and was given credit for putting hundreds of thousands of television sets into the homes of the working class who loved his corn. He called himself Uncle Milty.

3. Gunsmoke (1955 to 1975)
Unlike George and Milton it is still easy to find James Arness playing the role of Marshall Dillon in old Dodge City. "You got three minutes to get out of Dodge, Mister!" With a great supporting cast and gripping stories Gun Smoke entertained us for 20 years and I still find myself watching Festus, Doc, and Kitty eyes wide open.

4. Dragnet (1951 to 1959, 1967-1970)
Smart-mouthed Detective Joe Friday and his bright, refined associate played by Ben Alexander thrilled us with action on the streets of Los Angeles. Dragnet after being made into two rather good movies was made into a rather corny movie. The last movie was like a comic strip rather than the true life drama based on the real Dragnet of the Los Angeles Police. "This is a true story. The names have been changed to protect the innocent."

5. Your Hit Parade (1950 to 1959)
After a long run on radio, Your Hit Parade hit the television screen. Snooky Lanson, Dorothy Collins, Gisele Mackenzie, and Russell Arms thrilled us with their singing. I met one of the backup singers for Snooky Lanson in case Lanson became ill (which he never did). The backup singer told me he was popular in Mexico and Europe and that is where he made his living. We shared a cab. He was successful. He had a very nice home (at least from the outside).

6. Jackie Gleason Show (1950 to 1959)
Gleason, Art Carney, Audry Meadows, and Jane Kean kept us laughing. Gleason played Ralph Kramdem, the bus driver, Carney played Ed Norton, the sewer worker, and the women, the poor house wives who had to live with them. Sometimes Gleason played other roles such as Reginald Van Gleason III, Rudy the Repairman, Joe the Bartender, The Poor Soul, Rum Fenwick Babbitt, Charlie Bratton, and The Bachelor. Occasionally you can still watch The Honeymooners. Great acting makes great comedy.

7. Bananza (1959 to 1973)
Starring Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, Michael Landon and David Canary, Bananza is still showing here and there. This widowed rancher played by Greene spends his time getting his sons out of trouble. To me it was not as good as Gunsmoke but it had a flavor of its own and I liked the big guy, Hoss Cartwright, played by Dan Blocker. I also liked Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright. He was sort of a refined gunman.

8. The Odd Couple (1970-75)
Starring Tony Randall, Jack Klugman, Al Molinaro, Penny Marshall, The Odd Couple shows the antiques of the slob sports writer, Oscar Madison (Klugman) and the fastidious news writer, Felix Ungar (Randall) as they live together after separating from their wives. It is still around occasionally.

9. The Show of Shows (1950-54)
The Show of Shows starred Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca with Carl Reiner, Howard Morris, Nanette Fabray, Bill Hayes, Judy Johnson, and others. The skits were varied and funny but it was the stars that made the show. A "regular" cast would have fallen on its face.

10. The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962-92)
Like John Boehner, tending to cry if the sun came out, I was glad to see Jack Parr leave The Tonight Show. I don't now what changed Parr. He had been an entertaining host, better than the any we have today, but then he started to cry and moan. Carson took over and was the greatest of all the shows stars. There is no late-night host that compares with him. His skits were clever and funny but it was his monologue that warmed up the viewers. He had a great fun with his guest, not looking down the ladies blouses and sniffing their perfume. He could get serious during an interview and like, Letterman, he could be insightful. He never forgot his Midwest roots which added to his charm. He was an ensign on the battleship Pennsylvania at the end of WWII.

O.K. So I like humor. There are so many good shows to choose from.

Fly Old Glory!