No Applause?

[happyfilmluvguy]

I went to see WALL-E yesterday, and when the film ended, I was literally the only one applauding. This isn't the first time that I've been the only one, or even one of a very few. Now, this is just one theater, and has no reflection on any other, including ones in other states or countries, so I doubt this means the downfall of human civilization. My take on it is we are more used to watching movies at home, and we just don't applaud a movie shown on a television screen. We view movies in a theater partially the way we do at home. So I'm curious to know if people still applaud at the end of a movie where you are and if do you, as well. Why do you think they aren't applauding?

 

[Lefty]

I've never applauded a movie and think that the people who do are a bit strange. If someone who took part in making the movie was there and gave a little talk either before or afterward, I'd certainly applaud the movie if it was deserving.

 

[BellyTank]

Yeh- clapping is for a live performance, isn't it?

Maybe at weirdo costume gatherings, like when I saw the 1st Harry Potter,
or something like that.

I don't clap for songs on the radio either.


B
T

 

[LizzieMaine]

We have audiences applaud all the time -- at the end of most films, and especially at the Metropolitan Opera simulcasts (sometimes even standing-O's for the latter.) But our audience tends to skew older -- I would guess our median ticket-buyer is probably 60 years old, and is old enough to remember when applauding in the movies was a standard part of the experience. Youngsters today, growing up in the multiplex generation, have rarely, if ever, seen a film presented in a movie-palace sort of environment, with a stage and a proscenium and a curtain and all the rest of the trappings where applause seems a natural part of the deal. There's not much to applaud when the auditorium is just a big hall with a sheet tacked up at one end.

If you ever get a chance to see some of the really early Vitaphone shorts, from the dawn of the sound era, notice how they tend to include *bows* at the end, as the performer acknowledges the applause of the movie audience. Some of them were even hams about it -- Al Jolson,at the end of his 1926 Vitaphone "A Plantation Act" actually takes three bows and a curtain call!

 

[Paisley]

Yeh- clapping is for a live performance, isn't it?
B
T

That's what I've always thought. I applaud musicians and actors, but not their recorded performances. I don't give myself a hand, either. Why should I--for buying a ticket?

 

[J. M. Stovall]

I've been to movies where people have applauded at the end, and I think I even joined in a few times. It doesn't seem to happen much any more though.

And to those that say they would never do such a "goofy" thing, have they ever applauded their favorite sports club after a good play while watching them on the tube, maybe even by themselves? I bet they have...so what's the dif?[huh] I see it happen all the time at sports bars. I'm pretty sure the team can't hear .

 

[Slim Portly]

I sometimes applaud at the end of a good book. Does that count?

 

[TheDutchess]

The only time I really see people applauding at the end of a movie is during the first showing of the movie at the movie theater and that's about it.

 

[Chas]

I think that the next time I go to a movie I will let out a blood-curdling scream instead.

Just for fun

 

[K.D. Lightner]

I've been to a few movies in the past where people applauded at the end.

In recent years, I've been to a goodly number of movies where people applaud in the middle of the movie, especially if the actors do something the audience approves or gets a kick out of, or there is a close call or if something interesting or funny happens.

I've done it myself, sometimes alone.

Especially this was true in New York City in the 70's and 80's.

karol

 

[ShortClara]

Happyfilm, if we're ever in the same LA movie house you'll have a fellow applauder! I always do at the end of a truly great film out of sheer exuberance. And I don't care who looks at me strangely

 

[happyfilmluvguy]

I always felt applause was for appreciation, when we enjoy or enjoyed something. Never specified to a certain type of event or situation.

A film, among other things, is the completion of an effort from a small to huge group of individuals that spent days and months working on a project that may have never seen the light of day with the snap of a finger, let alone make any profit. A film needs an audience. That's why I applaud. And plus, I enjoyed the film.

Clara, I will definitely listen for your applause. And about being looked at strangely, would you even see someone looking at you?

 

[Eyemo]

Years back I went to the cast and crew showing of "Saving Private Ryan" in London....They all clapped at the end...and they ALL stayed in their seats until the credits stopped rolling... Now that was weired!!!lol lol lol

 

[Slim Portly]

Years back I went to the cast and crew showing of "Saving Private Ryan" in London....They all clapped at the end...and they ALL stayed in their seats until the credits stopped rolling... Now that was weired!!!lol lol lol

One of the fun things back when I was living in the Santa Monica/West L.A. area was how many people sat through the credits. It was especialy funny when a small group would burst into applause when a particular credit was rolling, say Stand-by Greensman or Second Unit Assistant Moose Wrangler and you knew that they and/or their friends were in the house.

 

[Charlie Noodles]

I wouldn't applaud a movie normally. No one involved in making it is there to hear my appreciation. I have been to two Myspace screenings and applauded both times; so did many others. ('Bladerunner Final Cut' and 'The Dark Knight') - Most everyone applauded Heath's name in the credits for 'Dark Knight' more than the movie itself I think.

A lot of people these days will sit through the credits - rightly so with so many films having an extra scene stuck in afterwards. You don't know what you'll miss.

 

[Lefty]

I've bought some clothing here and there that has pleased me.
I've never clapped for the cotton harvester, the trucker, the processors, the manufacturers, or the retailers.
The day I clap for the sales-person at Banana Republic...:fing28:

Likewise, I won't clap at a live telecast of an event.
I'll woo-hoo, of course, but that's a gut reaction.
That's for me.

Plus, with the salaries that TV, movie, sports, and music performers pull in, the ticket prices they demand, and the often unfriendly attitude they take toward their fans, I feel they should be applauding me. If you're going to charge $20 for my wife and me to see The Hulk or any of the other 99% of movies that shouldn't have made it past "hey, I've got this idea to remake...", I'd like a thank you card as well.

I always felt applause was for appreciation, when we enjoy or enjoyed something. Never specified to a certain type of event or situation.

A film, among other things, is the completion of an effort from a small to huge group of individuals that spent days and months working on a project that may have never seen the light of day with the snap of a finger, let alone make any profit. A film needs an audience. That's why I applaud. And plus, I enjoyed the film.

Clara, I will definitely listen for your applause. And about being looked at strangely, would you even see someone looking at you?

 

[Hondo]

Lizzie is right! depends, live performance or live Opera you would applaued, I just think it silly to be standing appauding after a film as everyone else is filing out, but its your call, you paid for your ticket, do as you wish.
I recall one of the last time Beethoven gave a concert,he was deaf, never heard audience applauding at the end, brought tears to many.

We have audiences applaud all the time -- at the end of most films, and especially at the Metropolitan Opera simulcasts (sometimes even standing-O's for the latter.) But our audience tends to skew older -- I would guess our median ticket-buyer is probably 60 years old, and is old enough to remember when applauding in the movies was a standard part of the experience. Youngsters today, growing up in the multiplex generation, have rarely, if ever, seen a film presented in a movie-palace sort of environment, with a stage and a proscenium and a curtain and all the rest of the trappings where applause seems a natural part of the deal. There's not much to applaud when the auditorium is just a big hall with a sheet tacked up at one end.

If you ever get a chance to see some of the really early Vitaphone shorts, from the dawn of the sound era, notice how they tend to include *bows* at the end, as the performer acknowledges the applause of the movie audience. Some of them were even hams about it -- Al Jolson,at the end of his 1926 Vitaphone "A Plantation Act" actually takes three bows and a curtain call!

 

[Lefty]

I recall one of the last time Beethoven gave a concert,he was deaf, never heard audience applauding at the end, brought tears to many.

You were there?

He could see them applauding. As it's the only standard method of showing appriciation for a performance, the only alternative would have been something like a mass thumbs-up.

 

[Charlie Noodles]

Maybe they could have stamped the floor while doing it.

 

[Smithy]

I'm with BT and Paisley. I only clap for live performances as well.