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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, November 8, 2001

London premiere of 'Harry Potter' a smashing success

By Claudia Puig
USA Today

Daniel Radcliffe, the film's Harry Potter, arriving Sunday at the movie's London premiere.

Associated Press

LONDON — Most fans will have to wait more than a week to lay eyes on Harry Potter's Nimbus 2000 flying broomstick, his well-worn magical textbooks and Quidditch's "golden snitch." But a select few nabbed seats Sunday at the world premiere of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," which reaches both British and North American theaters Nov. 16.

The premiere brought a bit of Hollywood to London, British-style. Bleachers were set up, kids donned Potter costumes and autograph-seekers clutched their pens amid constant chants by fans. London police estimated the crowd outside the Odeon Theatre in Leicester Square at 10,000, including more than 500 reporters from around the world. Only 2,700 invitations were sent out for the event.

It was one of the biggest premieres ever in London, where the movie is called "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone." One policewoman said she had never seen anything like it.

And the universal appeal of the British story about a wizard boy attending the eccentric boarding school was undeniable.

Before it even hits theaters, it's a movie that's bigger than its stars, a franchise in the making. The four "Potter" books, written by J.K. Rowling, have sold 116 million copies worldwide and fueled the widespread fascination.

The assessment from the audience, which included such names as Cher, Sting and the duchess of York, was overwhelmingly positive.

"I thought it was brilliant," said a very blonde Cher, wearing a glittery bronze pantsuit. "I want to see it again. It was one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen, and I don't even like special effects."

Yet, for some, the special effects were particularly impressive.

John McAuliff, 8, of Staten Island, N.Y., went to the show with his mother, Jeanne, and father, John, a New York City police detective. His favorite scene was of the aerial sport Quidditch, and he also liked the three-headed dog, Fluffy. "I want to go see it again," he said.

Kids and grown-ups alike agreed that the movie was a little spookier than they expected.

Josephine Sacks, 8, of London, said: "I'm proud of myself. I didn't close my eyes once." But sister Juliette, 6, clung to her father, Nigel, during a few scary scenes.

The crowd included a diverse assortment of stars, from royalty to reporters. Sarah, duchess of York, brought her two daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie. Sting brought daughter Coco, 11. Actress Cate Blanchett, eight months pregnant, was with screenwriter husband Andrew Upton. And, of course, there were the "Potter" principals.

J.K. Rowling, the author of the beloved series, voiced her support for the production. "I'm very, very happy. Chris Columbus absolutely kept his word to me, which was a very gutsy decision," she said, presumably about being faithful to the book's story line.

Before the show, the author posed for a photograph with Daniel Radcliffe and whispered something to the 13-year-old "Potter" star. Radcliffe later divulged: "She just told me to enjoy it."

The film's three stars were the picture of composure all evening. During arrivals, Radcliffe gamely answered reporters' questions as he shifted from foot to foot.

"I woke up at 1, 3 and 10 (minutes) to 6 a.m.," he said. "It's terrifying. I've gone numb."

Rupert Grint, 13, who plays Ron Weasley, was all smiles as he said, "It's amazing. It's so cool."

Emma Watson, who plays Hermione Granger, wore a long, black cotton dress with high heels and a feather boa. The 11-year-old was clearly in her element. "This is absolutely amazing," she said. "There are millions of people out there. This is a dream."