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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Friday, July 17, 2009 11:32 AM CDT
Local fans flock to see new 'Potter'

By Carolynn Pelletier, Amber Johnson and Nick Followell, For the JG/T-C

MATTOON — The opening of “Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince” attracted more than 1,000 movie-goers to the local theater, even during this time of economic downturn.

Mattoon’s ShowPlace 10 sold out a total of five midnight showings, with ticket sales dating back as far as May.

“That was the busiest night show since I started here two years ago,” said Rachael Fritchtnitch, 18, shift manager. “We’ve never had five theaters sell out before in one night.”

Despite the theater’s financial success due to the movie’s popularity, some local residents found it difficult to participate in the traditional festivities surrounding the film’s wizardry.

“I would have been there (at the midnight show), but I didn’t get paid in time,” said Tyler Mckelvey, 22, of Toledo, just before the first matinee show on Wednesday.

Mckelvey noted the spiraling economy’s effects on what used to be a customary event for fans, but has now put a dent in the wallets of many.

According to Mckelvey, he could not “afford” to partake in dressing up as his favorite character, Ron Weasley.

However, fans who did attend the film’s midnight premiere were decked out in elaborate attire.

“One guy was dressed up in a full cloak and carrying a wand,” Fritchtnitch said, chuckling quietly. She went on to describe the scene outside the theater.

“The line to get inside wrapped around the parking lot,” Fritchtnitch said. “Some fans were even dueling each other in the middle of the parking lot.”

More than 80 tickets were sold for the first matinee show on Wednesday. The movie was being shown on three screens.

After receiving his paycheck, one of the first things Mckevley did was purchase tickets to the matinee show.

Relaxing in a velvet armchair and snacking on a large popcorn, Mckevley gave insight on the deeper meaning of J.K. Rowling’s novels.

“The message is, it doesn’t matter how low your self- esteem is,” said Mckevley, shushing the audience as the lights dimmed in the theater. “You can still succeed.”

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kamfong wrote on Jul 16, 2009 8:43 PM:

" I bet X7whatshisface was there front and center. "

pj1983 wrote on Jul 19, 2009 6:28 AM:

" so it's supposed to be an insult to be accused of seeing a hp movie? what's next? "act your age, not your shoe size?" .....although now that i think about it, some posters could stand to follow that one. "

Harry Potter wrote on Jul 19, 2009 1:40 PM:

" kamfong wrote on Jul 16, 2009 8:43 PM:

" I bet X7whatshisface was there front and center. "

Yeah kam, and troll was probably screaming at the screen accusing the various players of being each other. lol! "

Billie Brant wrote on Jul 19, 2009 1:45 PM:

" Harry, Were you there with your wand? I told my 21 year old granddaughter to be on the lookout for you. :-)

She thinks the premiers are great fun. She and several of her friends always attend them . Some of them dress "in character". "

Rockin Rotty wrote on Jul 19, 2009 5:16 PM:

" The women of my crew attended the midnight to about 3am showing, & said they really enjoyed it & would do it again.

Personally, I think they're nuts.
LOL! "

7X6Z9 wrote on Jul 19, 2009 6:11 PM:

" Speaking of trolls Mr Potter- your little "kamfong" name never did tell us if he was living in Texas or Mattoon- did he?

No he didn't.

So which is it "kamfong"? I'm looking forward to fact-checking your lies in the archives. "

Harry Potter wrote on Jul 19, 2009 7:26 PM:

" I hope you enjoyed the show, Billie. Given the stars name it had to be just great. lol! "

Billie Brant wrote on Jul 19, 2009 7:48 PM:

" I didn't go Harry. My granddaughter did and enjoyed it thoroughly. I guess she didn't see you. :-)

I gotta go along with you Rotty. I don't think any movie these days could get me out at midnight. I'm more in line with going to the Rosebud Theatre and seeing a great entertainer, like Lyle Lovett in person and his "Large Band" last Wednesday. Wow what a show! It ran two hours and about forty minutes with NO intermission! All of us who attended sure got our money's worth!

As a side note his bass player( upright string bass) is Victor Krauss brother of Alison Krauss. Again WOW! Francine Reid one of his backup singers opened the show and had the crowd cheering with her vocals. She really "primed" the crowd for Lyle.

There's nothing like a live musical show to get my blood pumping. That show "cooked", "smoked" grooved" from beginning to end!!! No fantasy there! Just good music!.

To each his own I guess. "

CrowWoman wrote on Jul 19, 2009 10:07 PM:

" A few years back, I went to the midnight showing of the last Lord of the Rings movie. I thought I stayed awake through the whole movie, but I couldn't remember a thing about it the next day. "

Billie Brant wrote on Jul 19, 2009 11:02 PM:

" Lol @ CrowWoman! Maybe you need to go with me to the Rosebud and watch a "live" show next time! The way the one I saw last week grooved and jammed, you wouldn't have fallen asleep! :-) "

CrowWoman wrote on Jul 20, 2009 3:40 PM:

" That sounds like a good idea, Billie. :~) I had a lot of soda that night, but still had trouble staying awake. And to beat all, the one time I had to visit the restroom, husband and kids told me that I missed the best scene in the movie.... "

Billie Brant wrote on Jul 20, 2009 7:36 PM:

" I hear ya about finally having to visit the restroom!:-) While attending the first Farm Aid concert at the U of I all those years ago I held it until I knew I had better get in the potty line.. While waiting in the long ladies room lines, I missed one of the performers I really wanted to see. Bonnie Raitt came on while I was waiting in line. Bummer! Oh Well. There were many great performers there that day, so all in all I still had a great time, much of it in the rain! "

kamfong wrote on Jul 20, 2009 9:54 PM:

" X7 fact check this,It was 111 degrees in Phoenix today,at 7;00pm their time I was eating at a place called PoPo's mexican rest,Had aground beef enchilada,no beans no rice,sweet tea with lemon and the food was awesome.Can you say V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N? How about L-A-P-T-O-P? How about W-I-R-E-L-E-S-S? Can you also say L-I-F-E? Try getting the above and you might srart feeling better about yourself. "

jrhendren wrote on Jul 21, 2009 12:01 AM:

" 7X6Z9 wrote on Jul 19, 2009 6:11 PM:
" Speaking of trolls Mr Potter- your little "kamfong" name never did tell us if he was living in Texas or Mattoon- did he?

No he didn't.

So which is it "kamfong"? I'm looking forward to fact-checking your lies in the archives. "

Wait he told me it was Arizona he lived in, and had family that lived here was why he was always on the site.
He said to another poster, "you don't have to pity me,I'm not the one who has to live in that poverty stricken city.." - kamfong wrote on Jun 22, 2009 6:33 PM:

It reminds me of the old game but instead it would be "Where in the U.S. is kamfong (San Diego)?" "

mickeygarlock wrote on Jul 21, 2009 12:13 AM:

" Billie Brant wrote on Jul 20, 2009 7:36 PM:

" I hear ya about finally having to visit the restroom!:-) While attending the first Farm Aid concert at the U of I all those years ago.

I had tickets to that show, won 100 Grand in the Lottery just before the show and gave the tickets away. "

7X6Z9 wrote on Jul 21, 2009 6:38 AM:

" kamfong wrote on Jul 20, 2009 9:54 PM:
" X7 fact check this,It was 111 degrees in Phoenix today,at 7;00pm their time I was eating at a place called PoPo's mexican rest,Had aground beef enchilada,no beans no rice,sweet tea with lemon and the food was awesome.Can you say V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N? How about L-A-P-T-O-P? How about W-I-R-E-L-E-S-S? Can you also say L-I-F-E? Try getting the above and you might srart feeling better about yourself. "
---------------

The temperature could easily be verified online "kamfong". And you could have visited the restaurant in the past. In fact PoPo's entire menu is online- http://www.poposmexicanfood.com/

Oh look at me. I'm in Phoenix right now. It's 88 degrees and cloudy, and I ate at PoPo's Mexican restaurant last night. I had their Epollo Especial. It's a Chicken burro, deep fried, smothered in Spanish sauce and topped with spicy jalapeno cream cheese. It came with rice and beans and I had a bottle of Sasparilla. For dessert I had their Fried Ice Cream (I had mine topped with chocolate) Mmmm mmmm good! Oh and "kamfong" you might want to go there tonight because they have a 99 cent Margarita Night (with purchase of an entre) every Tuesday 4:00pm - 10:00pm. They're great.

Now then "kamfong"- who continually logs onto the jg-tc everyday, all day- while they're on vacation? And you never said a word about vacation last week. Maybe you should get your Texas T persona to verify your story- again, Mr Potter. "

7X6Z9 wrote on Jul 21, 2009 6:52 AM:

" " Wait he told me it was Arizona he lived in, and had family that lived here was why he was always on the site.
He said to another poster, "you don't have to pity me,I'm not the one who has to live in that poverty stricken city.." - kamfong wrote on Jun 22, 2009 6:33 PM:

It reminds me of the old game but instead it would be "Where in the U.S. is kamfong (San Diego)?" "
--------

Kamfong's told a lot of stories, Mr Hendren. And it took him several days to come up with this new "vacation" angle after I questioned him about the state he resides in. And of course- everyone keeps up with their jg-tc posts day and night, every single day- while on vacation. Riiiiiight. "

kamfong wrote on Jul 21, 2009 4:13 PM:

" WHERE'S WALDO? LOL "

father bob wrote on Jul 21, 2009 6:29 PM:

" kamfong wrote on Jul 21, 2009 4:13 PM:

" WHERE'S WALDO? LOL """""

Alamogordo???? "

Texas T wrote on Jul 22, 2009 10:08 AM:

" OK 7x6z9, why the heck did you have to involve me? I am not kamfong, I am a 45 year old woman who grew up in Spittoon but has been in Texas for over 20 years now. Billie Brant knows me so leave me alone. I am not kamfong nor is he me. (I am assuming kam is a he). Not necessary to involve me in your petty little tirade. "

Harry Potter wrote on Jul 22, 2009 4:06 PM:

" Alamogordo???? "

Actually fb, I'm planning a trip out there in late October or early November. I would give you the address and a phone number, but the way the troll has been following me around I'm afraid he might show up and harass my family. lol! "

kamfong wrote on Jul 22, 2009 5:38 PM:

" Hows about Good Year Arizona for today fellers? 5;30 your time 3;30 their time.hot hot hot. Fri Grand Canyon,Sat start back to Il ;( The stalker should really try a little vacation it really broadens ones horizons. Today I met, Hose A and Hose B ,they detailed our truck for 10 bucks. "

7X6Z9 wrote on Jul 22, 2009 6:31 PM:

" "Billie Brant knows me...."
---------

Yeah- so? "

7X6Z9 wrote on Jul 22, 2009 6:34 PM:

" " Hows about Good Year Arizona for today fellers? 5;30 your time 3;30 their time.hot hot hot. Fri Grand Canyon,Sat start back to Il ;( The stalker should really try a little vacation it really broadens ones horizons. Today I met, Hose A and Hose B ,they detailed our truck for 10 bucks. "
------------

Sure Mr Potter- whatever you say. Keep selling it. "