Movies

You simply cannot compare ticket sales then and now. American culture is not the same. It's not as solid a comparison as you'd think. {nm} goodvibe61 Jan 02, 21:11

Consider this: In 1930, more than 65% of the population went to the movies weekly. 3 of every 5 Americans went to the movies EVERY WEEK. goodvibe61 Jan 02, 21:13

The population has increased 2.5 times since then. {nm} socby19 Jan 02, 22:26

And there are so many other options for entertainment...radio and television were new technology in the 30's. {nm} Catzan Jan 02, 22:46

There were no televisions in the 1930s. There were a few test broadcasts but no residential TV until after WWII {nm} mrbeankc Jan 02, 22:52

Yup, that was my point...being new technology in the 30's when people went to the movies still. As those technologies and others advanced, Catzan Jan 03, 22:54

A film lover today can see almost any movie they want and NEVER have to go to a movie theater to do it. {nm} goodvibe61 Jan 02, 22:50

The value of any comp is, I think, always up for debate. Fwiw, the release date of the original "Star Wars" (1977) is as close to. . . second gary Jan 02, 22:51

Entertainment is always changing. Before film it was live theater. mrbeankc Jan 02, 23:04

Considering today's fragmented market, I'm astonished STAR7 might end up grossing >2/3 of A New Hope's inflation-adjusted amount ($1.49b). Qix Jan 02, 23:17

Also you could spend all day at the theater on a quarter! My Dad and his brothers and sisters used to be able to buy concessions and movie Baron_Darcon Jan 02, 23:22

Exactly! Also there was no 'home video'...you didn't have the option to wait to see it later. All repeat viewing had to be at the theater! RoBoGuru Jan 03, 05:39

Right idea, wrong reasoning EdwardHavens Jan 03, 07:07

You can make a comparison, but it's not going to give the information people making those comparisons want... Fitch3k Jan 03, 07:57

Doesn't change the fact that pre-big media and home video comparisons are skewed... RoBoGuru Jan 03, 10:48