Lawrence Levine in his book on mass culture argues that the "codes of
behavior," including silence in theater were encouraged in the last
half of the nineteenth century as part of an effort to distinguish
upper class entertainments such as opera and theater.
 
Levine accurately compares the behavior in theaters before this era
as being similar to behavior in current sports events.
 
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Cal Pryluck, Radio-Television-Film, Temple University, Philadelphia
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