Community Corner
'Potter' Casts Spell on Area Theaters
As the final installment of the film series, the premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2" drew sold-out crowds to Creve Coeur movie theaters.
Since the launch of the Harry Potter film saga in 2001, attending the midnight premieres have become tradition for movie-goers young and old alike.
Katie and Rebecca Mick have seen all seven films at their midnight premiere and July 14, they were more than ready to view the 8th and final movie, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2."
"Our father is here, too," Katie said. "He's dressed up as Cornelius Fudge."
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The Micks joined sold-out crowds at at the AMC West Olive 16 movie theatre in Creve Coeur. All 12 of the 12 midnight screenings sold out by Wednesday evening.
“They started letting [ticket-holders] in around 8 p.m.,” said Lt. Galen Cox of Rock Hill, who served security duty at the theater. Cox said seating opened in the theaters at 9 p.m.
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“This is the biggest screening in at least six years,” Cox said.
With the mounting number of Potter fans entering the theatre as the midnight show time approached, Cox said he hadn’t encountered any problems with the crowd.
“It’s just a lot of kids,” he said, smiling. “It’s a walk in the park.”
The prized tickets had hopefuls clamoring for tickets months in advance. According to Fandango, the “Deathly Hallows Part 2” broke the advance ticket sales record in the U.S.
A majority of the Potter-ites in attendance showed their spirit in costume: House-colored scarves, wands, cloaks, Potter eyeglasses and the infamous lightning bolt-scar.
David Goldfeld spent months putting his ensemble together, including a hand-knit Slytherin scarf and homemade cloak.
“My parents said my costume is a sign of regressing,” Goldfeld said with a laugh.
Regardless of “growing up,” costumed fans and “Muggles” alike were mostly in high school or older, claiming life-long Potter fandom.
“We just graduated high school,” Sarah Pulliam said with her group of friends.
One of them, T.J. Burke, said the movies are “amazing, but they don’t compare to the books.”
With all books and films released, will Potter mania end?
“We’ll have nothing to look forward to,” Burke said.
“We’ll just have to find a new obsession,” said N’dea Collins. “‘Twilight’ will be around for a little longer.”