Published: November 20, 2008 11:44 pm      

'Twilight' premieres: Fans brave cold temperatures for movie tickets

More than 50 people stood in line outside Richland Cinemas on Thursday for tickets to the new vampire movie “Twilight.”

The midnight showing of the vampire romance drew an audience heavy on teenage girls.

Pitt-Johnstown student Mary Defrancesco said she was engrossed when reading the series of four books by author Stephenie Meyer before the movie’s release.

“I got (a book) on Friday and I was done by Sunday,” said Defrancesco, 18.

Pitt-Johnstown student Lindsey Marci, 18, stood in line Thursday, braving cold temperatures to buy tickets.

Marci, 18, who has read two of the four books, said she is surprised “Twilight” is taking on a Harry Potter-like popularity.

But, she said, a cute male vampire is every girl’s dream.

“He’s sweet,” she said. “Every girl wants a guy like him.”

Westmont Hilltop senior Natalie Smith said in an e-mail she loves fantasy and “vampires are a part of that fictitious world.”

She said her parents don’t mind her interest in “Twilight.”

“My parents are just happy that I enjoy reading whether the story is factual, an American classic, or a simple fantasy like the ‘Twilight’ books,” she said.

Amy Miller of Westmont was bundled in a winter coat standing in line to buy tickets for her daughter and her two friends.

The books sparked interest in the movie.

“She’s reading like crazy,” Miller said of her daughter.

Valerie Wilson of Boswell was getting used to standing in line for “Twilight.”

“We waited in line for the books, too,” she said.

Wilson said “Twilight” makes for good reading. “Anything that gets the kids out and reading is a good thing,” she said.