Passion for cellphones more a problem than back-row sex

Kissing in the back row of the movies may be a trend in Timaru, but operators of theatres elsewhere are relieved their patrons are better behaved.

Timaru Movie Max staff are sick of picking up condoms along with the popcorn after screenings and want parents to know what their adolescent children get up to at the movies.

A teenage couple thrown out after being caught in flagrante just laughed when asked by staff to stop.

But in other towns cellphone use is the most common offence.

Complaints about movie goers indulging in sex was "all new to me", said Auckland's Village Sky City cinema chief executive Joe Moodabe.

But cellphone use - texting and talking - was "unfortunately getting more and more common".

In Palmerston North's Downtown Cinemas, repeated cellphone use has resulted in a zero tolerance approach.

Unless the owner can prove they are a doctor or someone else with an essential need to be available during the film, cellphones being used are confiscated and returned later.

Manager John Garrett says the hard line is necessary but even after confiscating many phones the message is not getting across to teenagers.

Dunedin's Rialto cinema is "gratefully" devoid of flagrantly passionate patrons.