Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe MAKE WAY FOR HARRY It won't be long before American audiences will get to see the long-anticipated initial Harry Potter movie. The film has already opened in the U.K. to rave reviews. The only real question about the future success of the series seems to be whether or not its young star -- 12-year-old Daniel Radcliffe -- can avoid puberty long enough to fulfill his commitment for a second film and retain his boyish charm and voice. Advertisement U.S. movie theaters are reporting that advance ticket sales for "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" are already brisk. The $125 million film is set to open nationwide on Friday. (Thanks to UPI Hollywood Reporter Pat Nason) MORE HARRY POTTER The American Humane Association's (AHA) Film and Television Unit says it has given "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" an acceptable rating --- the group's highest rating. The film will also carry AHA's well known "no animal was harmed" credit. Advertisement "'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' is one of this year's most high-profile films," said Karen Goschen, vice-president of AHA's Western Regional Office. "It also contains a great deal of animal action. I am very pleased to say that based on AHA's work with the production company on-set in England, the film has earned our 'no animal was harmed' credit. The film will also receive an acceptable rating, which is the highest we give. This rating is a true testament to the care shown to the animals by Warner Brothers and the professional trainers from Birds & Animals Unlimited, especially considering the film features owls, rats, snakes, and other animals not often used by Hollywood." Among other critters, 16 owls played the magical companions and postage carriers for various Hogwart students. (Web sites: ahafilm.org, americanhumane.org) HOLLYWOOD'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE WAR EFFORT President Bush's top political adviser met in California with top Hollywood executives Sunday to talk about ways in which the entertainment industry can contribute to the U.S. war against terrorism. Some ideas under discussion involved industry-produced public service announcements and providing first-run movies for U.S. military personnel. But participants in the meeting said there was no suggestion that Hollywood should do anything to its entertainment product to make it conform with the war effort. Advertisement The meeting with Bush political adviser Karl Rove involved studio heads, leaders of the major unions representing filmmakers and TV professionals, and Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Association of America. Rove said those involved, "like every other American, feel strongly about the events of Sept. 11 and the need to see this war through to its victorious conclusion." He said he suggested that the entertainment professionals help the administration make its case in the court of public opinion that the United States is at war with terrorism, not Islam, but did not ask anyone at the meeting to make propaganda on behalf of the war. It was the second meeting in recent weeks between entertainment industry executives and representatives of the White House, but it involved participants who function at relatively higher levels in both camps. The first meeting was largely organized by writer producer Lionel Chetwynd, whose politics are conservative in comparison to the predominantly liberal political viewpoint Hollywood has become associated with.
