Movie Theater Sues Idaho Police in 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Booze Battle
This story might actually make a good movie on its own, or at least a decent subplot for the next season of "Fargo." A theater in Idaho is suing the state police for threatening to revoke its liquor license after the cinema served alcohol while showing "Fifty Shades of Grey." (You could argue that no one should have to see that sober, but that may not stand up in court.)
As the Idaho Statesman reports, "Idaho law prohibits places licensed to serve alcohol from showing movies that depict 'acts or simulated acts of sexual intercourse' or 'any person being touched or fondled' in areas including the breast and buttocks."
An Idaho State Police Bureau of Alcohol Beverage Control detective reportedly told the theater back on February 17, 2015, that it would be violating state law if it served alcohol while showing a film depicting sex. So the theater reportedly responded by posting signs saying you can't have alcohol while the R-rated "Fifty Shades" was being shown.
This is where it gets kinda funny (at least from here). Two undercover Idaho State Police detectives bought special VIP tickets to "Fifty Shades of Grey" on February 26, 2015. Normally, VIP seating is for patrons 21-and-over who can have alcoholic beverages. However, since it was "Fifty Shades," they shouldn't have been able to have alcohol. And yet, the detectives say they ordered some alcoholic drinks and those drinks were served to them. There are more details to the story, but -- bottom line -- the state police later told the cinema it had been serving alcohol while showing "Fifty Shades" February 13-18 and on February 26.
The cinema's suit reportedly claims the state police's attempt to revoke their liquor license is unconstitutional because it violates free speech protections. The comments under the story, from local residents, are pretty priceless. Your tax dollars at work, Idaho! Is it worth it?
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