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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, August 12, 2002

Shanghai Caught in 'Spider-Man' Web

A spiderman dived from the fourth floor and swung over a Shanghai cinema courtyard. A second clung to the glass wall and climbed up to the sixth story from the ground.


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A spiderman dived from the fourth floor and swung over a Shanghai cinema courtyard. A second clung to the glass wall and climbed up to the sixth story from the ground.

This was no David Copperfield magic nor acrobatic stunt but the prelude to Sunday night's premiere of Hollywood blockbuster "Spider-Man" in the coastal metropolis.

A diving blow-up spiderman with a huge sprawling web was erected at the entrance to Studio City Meilongzhen. A lucky draw was also staged to give away spiderman toys, soundtrack CDs and tents.

Meilongzhen is not alone in promoting the superhero movie. Leading cinemas in this bustling city all joined in.

Not put off by the expensive ticket price of 80 yuan (9.6 US dollars), Shanghai people flocked to see the premier.

Expecting bumper ticket sales, Christine Lin, manager of StudioCity Meilongzhen Entertainment Mgt. (Shanghai) Ltd. told Xinhua her theater was aiming for box office takings of 2 million yuan (241,000 dollars).

The film based on the Marvel Comics' Webslinger is estimated togross a total revenue of 15 million yuan (1.81 million dollars) inChina, according to Li Chou, general manager of Edko Columbia Tristar Films which produced "Spider-Man".

However, its debut was one week later than a joint-invested Chinese martial arts film "The Touch", which notched 10 million yuan (1.2 million dollars) during its first four days in theaters across the nation.

The close competition has led to some hot debate in the film market here. While some worry about a bleak future for Chinese films overpowered by foreign films, some insiders warn that Hollywood blockbusters characterised by their simple plots, sophisticated technology and high ticket price may no longer appeal to fickle Chinese audiences.


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