Special Report: Dirty Movies

We all love to see our favorite films on the big screen, but wading thru spilled soda, piles of popcorn and crushed candy can make your trip to the theater a box office bust!

Movie theater goer
"If you walk into a theater your feet stick to the floor it's gross, it's uncomfortable."

Movie theater goer
"I know if I was an usher I wouldn't want to clean up all the time after someone else's mess."

And that mess can translate into a blockbuster breading ground for bacteria! 7News went to the movies, testing five popular theaters in and around Boston. We swabbed seats, arm rests, and seat backs, to see just what germs could be lurking. And our results are show stopping: Two of the theaters tested positive for potentially dangerous staph bacteria.

Dr. Khalil Zadeh, Lapuck Laboratories Inc.
"When you come in direct contact with this type of bacteria and you have an open wound, there's a chance that you may actually get the infection."

In a third theatre we not only found staph, but also coliform bacteria.

Dr. Khalil Zadeh, Lapuck Laboratories Inc.
"Among the total coliform could be e-coli, could be salmonella, could be shingella, many different types of bacteria that we know could cause food borne infection."

Movie theater goer
"It's disgusting it makes you want to go home and you know wash all your clothes."

All theaters must meet state sanitary codes, but they aren't inspected unless a complaint is filed. So it's up to the individual movie theaters to maintain a clean cinema and clean seats.

Patrick Corcoran, National Association of Theatre Owners
"During the day throughout the showing of the films the crew on site will be doing it, after hours very often it's contracted out to have a cleaning crew."

To be safe, moviegoers should follow this script: wipe off the arms of your seat when you sit down, report any messes to the theater manager, and don't put your bag, coat or any food on the floor.

That way you won't end up sick from a "Dirty Movie." Byron Barnett, 7News.

(Copyright (c) 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)