Cheap intercom for theater

my wife calls me on the phone

Not sure what your wiring options are, but I have the Russound Compoint system throughout my house (it runs off standard Cat 5 wiring).

It is a simple push-to-talk intercom that is very compact, and it works well with wholehouse audio speakers or with its own small side-by-side speaker.

In my theater I use the side-by-side speaker, as I didn't want my home theater speakers running through it. Elsewhere in the house the keypads connect with the wholehouse audio speakers in each room and it mutes the music when in use.

Works great.

Cell phones and text messages are good.

I'm planning on adding the Russound Compoint into the Theater as well and integrating with the rest of the house. But I may also tie into my automation system to turn on some light in the room in case the movie is really loud.

Assuming the wife doesn't abuse it, I'll probably also allow her to pause the movie.

Cell reception in my house spotty, at best. We use a cordless phone system with an intercom...works great! I bought extra handsets for total of 6....4 in the bedrooms, one on the main floor and one in the basement.

You might also consider an extra doorbell. I know I can't hear the front doorbell if I disconnect the one in the basement. I ran new wires while I had everything open.

My dogs make a good doorbell extender.

A remote IP camera integrated into iRule remote is cool (I can keep an eye upstairs...). Otherwise a cell phone is the best intercom if you really want to be interrupted!

I like the phone idea too. I've got the doorbell Fon system so it will ring the phones if someone is at the door too.

I have visitors bang on the outisde walls of the theater for entry after the movie start time.