The $35 Movie Ticket

Village Roadshow bringing luxury cinemas to U.S.

March 26, 2008 - Village Roadshow Gold Class Cinemas are coming to the U.S. The company will expand their luxury, premium venues to around 50 locations in the States over the next five years.

The cinemas offer personalized levels of service; smaller more private and intimate cinemas; customer designed recliner seating with footrests, and state of the art projection and sound systems. They'll have digital 2-D and 3-D capability, as well as a lounge area and bar where cocktails and appetizers will be served. And if that's not enough, a concierge service and valet parking are available.

Here's the kicker: Admission will cost you around $35. And, of course, the food and drink are extra.

The first of the posh new venues will open up in the burbs of Chicago and Seattle in October. The company then plans to build more near Dallas-Fort Worth and Scottsdale, Arizona. Future expansion is expected in California, Florida, Nevada, Pennsylvania and New York. The complexes will be located in high-end retail centers.

Village Roadshow has operated Gold Class Cinemas in Australia for years, expanding more recently to Singapore and Greece. Will the idea catch on in the U.S.? Would you pay for it? Leave your comments below...