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Moviefone

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Moviefone
Company typeSubsidiary
Founded1989; 35 years ago (1989)
Founders
Headquarters
United States
ServicesOnline media, movie theatre information, movie tickets
ParentBorn in Cleveland LLC
Websitemoviefone.com

Moviefone is an American-based moving pictures listing and information service. Moviegoers can obtain local showtimes, cinema information, film reviews, and advance tickets, as well as TV content and a comprehensive search tool that allows users to find theaters, channels, and streaming services offering movies and television shows.[1] The service is owned by Born in Cleveland LLC, Cleveland O'Neal III's holding company. O'Neal is creator and producer of Made in Hollywood syndicated daytime entertainment show.

History

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In 1989, Russ Leatherman, Rob Gukeisen, Andrew Jarecki, Pat Cardamone, and Adam Slutsky launched the interactive telephone service, with initial service in Los Angeles and New York City.[2] Leatherman provided the voice of "Mr. Moviefone" for the automated phone service.[3] After gaining popularity, the service later expanded across the United States and eventually adopted an online presence as Moviefone.com.

In 1999, AOL purchased Moviefone for $388 million.[4][5] The acquisition was completed on May 21, 1999.[6][7]

In 2001, Moviefone entered into a partnership with MovieTickets.com that crosslinked their ticketing offerings; by 2004, Moviefone's online arm was acquired outright by MovieTickets.com.[8] However, in 2012, Moviefone announced a partnership with MovieTickets.com's rival Fandango.[9][10]

On February 23, 2014, it was reported that Moviefone would be shutting down its call-in service and its "777-FILM" phone number, but would maintain its mobile app services.[11]

On May 5, 2014, Moviefone was relaunched with a new look, an expansion into TV content, and a comprehensive search tool that allows users to find theaters, channels, and streaming services offering movies and television shows.[12]

On April 5, 2018, Helios and Matheson Analytics, the majority owner of the movie ticketing service MoviePass, announced the acquisition of Moviefone from Oath Inc. for $1 million in cash and $8 million in stock.[13][14]

In early 2020, Helios and Matheson went bankrupt in deep controversy over multiple changes to the MoviePass service, and at that point had one employee, Matt Atchity, handling Moviefone. The company was worth just $4,379,504, or about 1% of the 388 million when it was purchased by AOL.[15] Made in Hollywood Producer Cleveland O’Neal III purchased Moviefone out of bankruptcy in March 2020 via his holding company, Born in Cleveland LLC.[16]

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In the Seinfeld episode, "The Pool Guy" (season 7, episode 8), the character Cosmo Kramer receives misdialed calls meant for a parodied Moviefone after getting a new phone number.[17]

In an episode of the TV series of Dilbert, the Pointy-haired Boss confuses Moviefone with an automated hotline for checking his stocks, being frustrated that trying to check his IBM stock leads to buying tickets to a horror movie.

In an episode of Family Guy, Marlee Matlin attempts to call Moviephone in "I Dream of Jesus" in order to hear showtimes for The Last Mimzy, but ends up purchasing 300 because of her impared speech.

In the 2001 film Josie and the Pussycats, Mr. Moviefone is the voice of subliminal advertising messages planted into pop music by an ominous record agency.

In the 2023 film Beau Is Afraid, Moviefone can be seen in a shot of Beau's recently called contacts.[18]

References

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  1. ^ "About Moviefone". Moviefone.com. Archived from the original on 2019-07-10. Retrieved 2019-10-12.
  2. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (2020-03-20). "Moviefone Sold For $1M, MoviePass Next On Block As Bankrupt Parent Dismantled". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  3. ^ "Moviefone voice: 'I'm not bummed' that phone service is ending". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2021-01-31.
  4. ^ "AOL buys MovieFone". CNN. February 1, 1999. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  5. ^ "America Online to Acquire MovieFone, Inc., Nation's No. 1 Movie Listing and Ticketing Company". Business Wire. Berkshire Hathaway. February 1, 1999. Archived from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2019 – via TheFreeDictionary.com.
  6. ^ "America Online, Inc. Completes Acquisition of MovieFone, Inc". Business Wire (Press release). Berkshire Hathaway. May 21, 1999.
  7. ^ "America Online, Inc. Completes Acquisition of MovieFone, Inc". warnermediagroup.com. May 21, 1999. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  8. ^ "Press release". MovieTickets.com. 2004. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  9. ^ Verrier, Richard (May 23, 2012). "Fandango and Moviefone dial up new partnership". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  10. ^ Shaw, Lucas (May 23, 2012). "Fandango and Moviefone partner for ticket sales". Reuters. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  11. ^ Barnes, Brooks (February 23, 2014). "Moviefone Is Hanging Up, but Its App Will Go On". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  12. ^ Barnes, Brooks (May 5, 2014). "Moviefone will add broadcast and on-demand TV information". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  13. ^ Ben Fritz (April 5, 2018). "Upstart MoviePass to Join With Cinema Service Moviefone". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  14. ^ Carr, Flora (April 5, 2018). "MoviePass Just Bought Moviefone. Here's What It Means for Moviegoers". Fortune. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  15. ^ Spangler, Todd (2020-02-15). "Moviefone, Worth 1% of Its Former Value, Is Being Run by One Employee After Parent Company's Bankruptcy". Variety. Archived from the original on 2020-02-15. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
  16. ^ Spangler, Todd (March 25, 2020). "Meet Moviefone's New Owner: 'Made in Hollywood' Producer Cleveland O'Neal III". Variety. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  17. ^ The Pool Guy, IMDb.com, Inc.
  18. ^ Rife, Katie (13 June 2023). "Beau Is Afraid's Filthiest Jokes Are Hidden in the Background". Vulture. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
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