June 2004 Movie News
'Harry Potter' Casts A Box-Office Spell: The new installment, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, had a magical $93.7 million opening debut, the third-largest opening weekend in history, and the best of the three installments up until now. It took over from Shrek 2, which had a $37.9 third-weekend gross, putting its grand total to $314.5 million thus far.
Donald Duck Turns 70: On Wednesday, June 9th, the irascible and often unlucky second-fiddle to Mickey Mouse celebrated his 70th in a grand parade down Main Street in Disneyland Paris. His debut was in 1934 in a Silly Symphony movie titled The Wise Little Hen. As for age slowing him down, one of his favorite expressions can be used: "Aw, phooey!"
Blockbuster Lawsuit Dismissed: Federal judge Barbara Lynn of Dallas dismissed an intended class-action suit against the video-rental giant. Blockbuster, Inc.'s general counsel Edward B. Stead said: ""Blockbuster has consistently said that it acted in its shareholders' best interests at all times and fully disclosed all material information to allow the shareholders to make an informed opinion."
Fahrenheit Burns Fiercely: Director Michael Moore's anti-Iraq war film Fahrenheit 9/11 received a standing ovation at the West Coast debut at the Academy Awards headquarters from an audience of film industry executives and leaders. We shall see how it plays with the major filmgoing public.
Film Merchandise Comeback?: Merchandising executives and leaders hope that Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Spider-Man 2 will pull sales of various movie tie-ins and other promos for products up from a rather flat and disappointing previous year. So go out and buy that Shrek T-shirt, already.
