"I've heard that I'm Satan, as far as the movie business is concerned," says
Jack Franks, an Illinois state representative.
Franks recently introduced "truth in advertising" legislation that would require exhibitors to list two start times -- one for ads and previews and a second one for the actual feature.
Franks got the idea from his wife and similar legislation in New York.
"I know it's not earth-shattering but it would help," he notes. "I love going to the movies and I'm on a tight schedule because I'm at the mercy of 15-year-old babysitters. I'm not interested in seeing the Fanta commercial again."
Franks says he recently decided to go to the snack bar rather than sit through the ads prior to a showing of "Hitch" and wound up missing the first three minutes of the film.
As for dismissive comments about his bill veering from the proper role of government, Franks notes that he carried a bill creating the nation's first senior citizens prescription drug discount program.
"That's serious legislation, but I've never gotten as much positive response to anything I've done as this bill about start times," he says.
Contact Dave McNary at
dave.mcnary@variety.com