Star Magic Seen At Potter Premiere

A sense of magic and excitement was in the air in London's Leicester Square as hundreds of screaming Harry Potter fans waited in the rain to greet cast members attending the world premier of the latest Potter film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

Producers describe the film, the fourth in the series about the bespectacled young wizard, as the darkest production yet; it is the first of the films so far to achieve a PG12 rating, meaning children under 12 should not see it without adult supervision.

But the film's director, Mike Newell, who also did "Four Weddings and a Funeral," says people shouldn't be afraid of taking their children along to see it. "Children should be frightened," he said. "I remember being frightened when I was six or seven by my dad reading me "Treasure Island." You've got to be frightened. You need it."

Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Potter, attended the premier Sunday evening along with Robbie Coltrane, who plays Harry's friend Hagrid, Michael Gambon, who stars as the kindly Albus Dumbledore, and Maggie Smith, portrayer of Professor McGonagall.

Also there were Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Timothy Spall, Robert Pattinson, David Tennant, and newcomer Katie Leung, who plays Harry's first love interest.

"I was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole of the film," Watson said. "I was terrified."Showing his star power, Radcliff waved at some fans, who shrieked back.

"It's very strange," Radcliffe said. "It's amazing to be able to get that reaction with just a wave. It's bizarre. But it's fantastic. These are like the hardcore fans. They've waited … in the rain for so long and they don't get to see the film; they just wait to see everyone come in. I have so much respect for (them). It's amazing!"

Alongside the celebrity actors at the premiere, were celebrity fans, reports CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer.

Madonna, who's tried her hand at writing children's books, brought along her nine-year-old daughter, Lourdes.

"Do you prefer my books or Harry Potter books?" Madonna asked Lourdes.

"I like both of them," came the diplomatic reply.

"Good answer!" responded Madonna.

The film tells how the young wizard, now in his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, is selected to compete in the Quidditch Triwizard Tournament against older and more experienced students from rival schools.

"Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" was the fastest-selling book in history on the first weekend of its publication in July 2000. The films of the first two books grossed more than $1.7 billion worldwide.

Author J.K. Rowling has now completed six of the seven Potter books she promised her young readers.

She didn't attend the premiere because her husband was having an operation, but producer David Heyman told reporters she was very proud of the film, and that it captured the spirit of the book.

This dose of onscreen magic will have to hold Potter fans for awhile, Palmer points out: The next movie isn't due out until 2007.